The jeffersons tv show

James Poniewozik, television critic for The New York Times, guides us through family shows like "All in the Family" and discusses how they reflected New York family values.

Florence Johnston is the Jeffersons' sassy, back-talking, wisecracking maid. Her first appearance is actually in the debut episode, when she was interviewed and hired as the housekeeper for the title-bearing characters. Although her job is supposed to take up most of her time, she appears to be flat-out slothful (at least, as far as George sees it), using very little energy or effort to clean the Jeffersons' apartment, which she still manages to do well. She also regularly bickers with…

The Jeffersons (1975-1985) - "We're moving on up, to the East Side, to a deee-luxe apartment in the sky ... ." This spinoff from "All in the Family" is about literal upward mobility - African- American couple George and Louise Jefferson move into a swanky high-rise building. George is an obstreperous, often rude guy who thinks his wealth should get him anywhere he wants to go. His wife is more levelheaded and often cuts him down to size when his schemes go awry.

'The Jeffersons' cast once were among the most recognizable faces in America. But ... where are they now? Let's find out, shall we?

The Jeffersons is another hit from Norman Lear, and it has made stars out of its leading players -- including Sherman Hemsley, who plays George Jefferson.

Sherman Hemsley and Isabel Sanford in The Jeffersons (1975)

Sherman Hemsley starred in the all-time longest-running television series with a predominantly African American cast. His costar Marla Gibbs reflected on Hemsley, "He was very unselfish actor. And he was so good at setting me up—he would come up with hysterical stuff on the spot. We always got along great."

The Jeffersons