The
first episode of “The Jeffersons” airs on CBS and would run for 11 years, becoming the longest
running All-in-the-Family spin-off.
The series was the first show to depict a
successful black family. It showed the viewing public not only the white side
of bigotry but also the black side of bigoty.
“George Jefferson was .....the opposite side of Archie Bunker, a bigot
on the opposite side of racial intolerance.”
In the Norman Lear method of
addressing taboo topics, George even uses two “politically incorrect” terms (spoiler
alert: they are used in this clip - Click Here - ).
Several CBS executives tried to get the
interracial kiss between (neighbors) Tom and Helen Willis (the first
black/white “married” couple on TV) edited out, but executive producer Fred
Silverman successfully lobbied to keep it in.
(The title of “1st
interracial couple” is given to Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz; the 1st
scripted interracial kiss was in 1966 between Capt. Kirk and Lt. Uhura.)
In 1981, Isabel Sanford
(Louise) became the only African-American to ever win the Emmy award for Best
Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.
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