227 ran from 1985-1990. Based on a play of the same name, this situation-comedy was set primarily around an apartment building (number 227) located in a racially-mixed neighborhood of Washington D. C. 
Memorable characters include:
- Mary Jenkins, played by Marla Gibbs - a mother of one, juggling the numerous responsibilities of household, family and personal life with invariably humorous results.
- Lester Jenkins, played by Hal Williams - a father and small-time contractor struggling to stay on top of his own family and job responsibilities.
- Brenda Jenkins, played by Regina King - Mary and Lester's daughter - a studious, talented, and mostly well behaved young woman just beginning adolescence.
Rose Hollaway, played by Alaina Reed- the landlady of building 227 who often sat with Mary on the front steps laughing and gossiping about various other residents. - Sandra Clark, played by Jackee - the building's resident vamp who's whining voice and wiggling, tight-dressed body became staple features of 227
- Pearl Shay, played by Helen Martin - an older woman who often leaned out her front window to comment on Rose and Mary's discussions. Also the grandmother of young Calvin Dobbs, the love interest of Brenda Jenkins.
Posts
I liked the show but Marla never outdid her performance on “The Jefferson’s”. She was my favorite character. She was the funniest.
ReplyDeleteI liked “The Jefferson’s” more than “All In The Family”. I thought Archie was scary and I did not find the social commentary always entertaining.
I never did watch the one where Edith dies. I missed it the first time it ran and I refused to watch it when it reran. My mom died about the same time and I could not watch it.
I did catch the very end once. Archie picks up her shoe and cries. I knew exactly how he felt.
I was 9.