The Jeffersons' 40 greatest episodes
by dwgbarrie | created - 29 May 2015 | updated - 29 May 2015 | PublicThese are my 40 picks for the best episodes of The Jeffersons on its 40th anniversary year (2015).
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1.
The Jeffersons (1975–1985)
Episode:
The First Store
(1980)
TV-14 | 25 min | Comedy
Flashback of the Jeffersons before moving to Hauser Street. George is determined to open his own dry cleaners, but is at odds with both his banker's racist attitudes and Lionel's militancy. He and Louise encourage Dr. King's nonviolence.
Director: Bob Lally | Stars: Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover
Votes: 106
2.
The Jeffersons (1975–1985)
Episode:
A Case of Black and White
(1977)
TV-PG | 30 min | Comedy
George invites Frank Howard, a man he hopes to do business with--and who is in an interracial marriage--to his apartment to meet his "dear friends" Tom and Helen to show Frank that he is ... See full summary »
Director: Jack Shea | Stars: Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover
Votes: 109
3.
The Jeffersons (1975–1985)
Episode:
Mr. Piano Man
(1975)
TV-PG | 25 min | Comedy
George likes the idea of boosting his classy, luxurious image, so he asks Louise to purchase a piano for their home, despite knowing that no one around can play one. George later becomes ... See full summary »
Director: Jack Shea | Stars: Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Mike Evans, Roxie Roker
Votes: 155
4.
The Jeffersons (1975–1985)
Episode:
Lunch with Mama
(1975)
TV-PG | 25 min | Comedy
Mother Jefferson expects George to take her to their monthly lunch date, to the dismay of Louise because she wants George to accompany her to a family friend's funeral on the same day.
Director: Jack Shea | Stars: Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover
Votes: 107
5.
The Jeffersons (1975–1985)
Episode:
Joltin' George
(1979)
TV-14 | 26 min | Comedy
George's big mouth and matching ego are hurriedly humbled when he is challenged to display his boxing ability. Having volunteered to help Marcus in the art of self-defense, George has a verbal, soon-to-be physical, run-in at the gym.
Director: Bob Lally | Stars: Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover
Votes: 84
6.
The Jeffersons (1975–1985)
Episode:
Brother Tom
(1980)
TV-14 | 25 min | Comedy
When friends from Helen's high school days make Tom feel out of place in his own hone, he makes the mistake of turning to George for help.
Director: Bob Lally | Stars: Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover
Votes: 86
7.
The Jeffersons (1975–1985)
Episode:
Louise Gets Her Way
(1976)
TV-PG | 25 min | Comedy
After Florence has been evicted from her apartment (which is scheduled to be torn down), Louise allows her to move in. Big problem....George, who is tired of Florence's sass, has not been consulted on the matter.
Director: Jack Shea | Stars: Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover
Votes: 102
8.
The Jeffersons (1975–1985)
Episode:
The Grand Opening: Part 1
(1977)
TV-PG | 23 min | Comedy
George's celebration of opening Jefferson Cleaners' new corporate office is subdued when two crooks call, stating they have kidnapped Louise and demanding a $100,000 for her safe return.
Director: Jack Shea | Stars: Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover
Votes: 91
9.
The Jeffersons (1975–1985)
Episode:
The Grand Opening: Part 2
(1977)
TV-PG | 28 min | Comedy
George frantically raises the ransom money for Louise's kidnappers, unaware who is actually in their clutches.
Director: Jack Shea | Stars: Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover
Votes: 91
10.
The Jeffersons (1975–1985)
Episode:
One Flew Into the Cuckoo's Nest
(1980)
TV-14 | 25 min | Comedy
George's attempts to get out of a painting party at the Willises' get him into plenty of trouble at a state mental hospital, where he goes crazy trying to convince everyone that he's sane. ... See full summary »
Director: Bob Lally | Stars: Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover
Votes: 82
11.
The Jeffersons (1975–1985)
Episode:
984 W. 124th Street, Apt. 5C
(1977)
TV-PG | 25 min | Comedy
At Christmastime, Louise discovers that George has been sending monthly payments to an address in Harlem.
Director: Jack Shea | Stars: Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover
Votes: 162
12.
The Jeffersons (1975–1985)
Episode:
Louise vs. Jenny
(1977)
TV-PG | 25 min | Comedy
When Lionel gets sick, Louise and Jenny fuss over who is responsible to take care of him.
Director: Jack Shea | Stars: Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover
Votes: 88
13.
The Jeffersons (1975–1985)
Episode:
George's Best Friend
(1975)
TV-PG | 25 min | Comedy
George's Navy pal, Wendell Brown, pays him a visit. However, Wendell is more interested in getting fresh with Louise than in reminiscing old times with George.
Director: Jack Shea | Stars: Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover
Votes: 117
14.
The Jeffersons (1975–1985)
Episode:
A Friend in Need
(1975)
TV-PG | 26 min | Comedy
George wants to hire a maid for his new luxury apartment, but Louise, having worked as a maid herself for many years, doesn't feel comfortable with the idea.
Director: Jack Shea | Stars: Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Mike Evans, Roxie Roker
Votes: 238
15.
The Jeffersons (1975–1985)
Episode:
Sorry, Wrong Meeting
(1981)
TV-PG | 25 min | Comedy
George attends a meeting that he wrongly assumes is dealing with crime in the building - it turns out to be an attempt to recruit members of the Ku Klux Klan.
Director: Bob Lally | Stars: Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover
Votes: 159
16.
The Jeffersons (1975–1985)
Episode:
Change of a Dollar
(1983)
TV-PG | 25 min | Comedy
George's quick stop at his Queens cleaning store en route to dinner frames a flashback story to when he opened his first store, served his first customer, and earned his first dollar fifteen years earlier in 1968.
Director: Bob Lally | Stars: Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover
Votes: 89
17.
The Jeffersons (1975–1985)
Episode:
Men of the Cloth
(1982)
TV-PG | 25 min | Comedy
Preparations are underway for Jessica's baptism, so George jettisons Florence's gospel singers and impersonates a minister to recruit Andrae Crouch to officiate at the ceremony.
Director: Bob Lally | Stars: Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover
Votes: 68
18.
The Jeffersons (1975–1985)
Episode:
And the Doorknobs Shined Like Diamonds
(1981)
TV-PG | 24 min | Comedy
When The Jeffersons' new furniture for their living and dining room arrives, one of the delivery men informs Weezie that the block of buildings she grew up around in Harlem - including the ... See full summary »
Director: Bob Lally | Stars: Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover
Votes: 123
19.
The Jeffersons (1975–1985)
Episode:
Louise's Sister
(1979)
TV-14 | 25 min | Comedy
George and friends want to surprise Louise after her sister Maxine, whom she hasn't seen in years, visits from Paris. However, when Louise sees her sister, she gets furious.
Director: Jack Shea | Stars: Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover
Votes: 96
20.
The Jeffersons (1975–1985)
Episode:
Me and Billy Dee
(1978)
TV-14 | 25 min | Comedy
Louise wants a celebrity to talk to the kids at the Help Center, so George suggests Billy Dee Williams, who is in town making a movie. He calls him up, pretending to be author Alex Haley, ... See full summary »
Director: Jack Shea | Stars: Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover
Votes: 123
21.
The Jeffersons (1975–1985)
Episode:
Louise's Daughter
(1975)
TV-PG | 25 min | Comedy
A young woman shows up at the Jeffersons', claiming that she is Louise's long-lost daughter. Louise and George deny her claims, but Mother Jefferson brings up the disturbing news that ... See full summary »
Director: Jack Shea | Stars: Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover
Votes: 119
22.
The Jeffersons (1975–1985)
Episode:
Otis
(1984)
TV-PG | 25 min | Comedy
George is the subject of an article for a prestigious magazine about African American business owners but there's one problem: they want to take photos of his store and are not happy with Otis who has a shoe shine stand out front.
Director: Oz Scott | Stars: Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover
Votes: 70
23.
The Jeffersons (1975–1985)
Episode:
Mother Jefferson's Birthday
(1976)
TV-PG | 25 min | Comedy
Mother Jefferson visits George, Louise, and Lionel on her birthday, expecting them to throw her a surprise party. After they realize that they've forgotten about her big day, they scramble ... See full summary »
Director: Jack Shea | Stars: Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover
Votes: 113
24.
The Jeffersons (1975–1985)
Episode:
Louise's Father
(1981)
TV-PG | 25 min | Comedy
A newspaper article reveals that a man with the same name as Louise's father thwarted a crime. Since the man's picture and name are similar to those of Louise's presumed-dead father, George investigates.
Director: Bob Lally | Stars: Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover
Votes: 75
25.
The Jeffersons (1975–1985)
Episode:
The Strays: Part 1
(1982)
TV-PG | 25 min | Comedy
One of the delivery boys at Jefferson Cleaners is robbed at gunpoint by a street gang ... made up entirely of female hoods. When George goes to confront the female gangsters, they easily ... See full summary »
Director: Bob Lally | Stars: Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover
Votes: 70
26.
The Jeffersons (1975–1985)
Episode:
The Strays: Part 2
(1982)
TV-PG | 25 min | Comedy
It turns out that George is OK and will recover, but while recuperating, he contemplates a plan to get Louise's ring back from The Strays (the all-female gang whose members nearly killed ... See full summary »
Director: Bob Lally | Stars: Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover
Votes: 73
27.
The Jeffersons (1975–1985)
Episode:
The House That George Built
(1981)
TV-PG | 24 min | Comedy
A near-death experience prompts George to work toward ensuring that his life and work inspire others, so he decides to write his autobiography - until a casual remark from Tom Willis gives him an even more pompous idea.
Director: Bob Lally | Stars: Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover
Votes: 65
28.
The Jeffersons (1975–1985)
Episode:
Every Night Fever
(1979)
TV-14 | 25 min | Comedy
Louise's plan to spend more time with George backfires when he catches "disco fever" and goes dancing every night.
Director: Jack Shea | Stars: Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover
Votes: 100
29.
The Jeffersons (1975–1985)
Episode:
The Last Leaf
(1977)
TV-PG | 25 min | Comedy
Louise is convinced that her marital stability rests on the presence of her wedding corsage inside a book. But when the corsage turns up missing, Louise's imagination runs wild.
Director: Jack Shea | Stars: Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover
Votes: 89
30.
The Jeffersons (1975–1985)
Episode:
Lionel Gets the Business
(1978)
TV-PG | 25 min | Comedy
When Lionel gets laid off from his job, George hires him to work in his office. However, Lionel turns out to be trouble when he started spending company money on material things like new furniture and employee blazers.
Director: Bob Lally | Stars: Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover
Votes: 82
31.
The Jeffersons (1975–1985)
Episode:
Uncle George and Aunt Louise
(1978)
TV-PG | 25 min | Comedy
George and Louise's troublesome nephew, Raymond, comes to visit from Chicago.
Director: Jack Shea | Stars: Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover
Votes: 104
32.
The Jeffersons (1975–1985)
Episode:
The Good Life
(1983)
TV-PG | 25 min | Comedy
When prosperity smiles on the Jeffersons and Willises, Florence becomes jealous of their good fortune and spends her $200 savings to visit a fancy health spa frequented by celebrities.
Director: Bob Lally | Stars: Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover
Votes: 71
33.
The Jeffersons (1975–1985)
Episode:
What Makes Sammy Run?
(1984)
TV-PG | 25 min | Comedy
Sammy Davis, Jr. plays himself as a next-door neighbor who is trying to duck recognition from the press and public. A tabloid reporter tells Louise he will pay $2,000 if she can find out which apartment he is in which Florence overhears.
Director: Tony Singletary | Stars: Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover
Votes: 78
34.
The Jeffersons (1975–1985)
Episode:
Bodyguards Are People Too
(1983)
TV-PG | 25 min | Comedy
Cupid's arrow misfires: George's bodyguard Hugo Mojelewski falls in love with Jenny, who is still married to Lionel and depressed that no one will give her a break in the fashion design industry.
Director: Bob Lally | Stars: Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover
Votes: 59
35.
The Jeffersons (1975–1985)
Episode:
True Confessions
(1983)
TV-PG | 25 min | Comedy
George and Louise are about to meet their 12-year-old foster child Jimmy for the first time. So why does a 40-year-old man show up at their door?
Director: Bob Lally | Stars: Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover
Votes: 62
36.
The Jeffersons (1975–1985)
Episode:
Getting Back to Basiks
(1984)
TV-PG | 25 min | Comedy
George asks Walter, an employee of his with a talent for drawing, to help him create a TV ad for the cleaners. Louise wonders at his resistance and discovers it is because he is illiterate ... See full summary »
Director: Tony Singletary | Stars: Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover
Votes: 59
37.
The Jeffersons (1975–1985)
Episode:
My Maid... My Wife
(1983)
TV-PG | 25 min | Comedy
Louise masquerades as the maid and Florence plays George's wife in order to impress Florence's former schoolmate Pauline Jones Smythe, who is now a wealthy ostentatious snob.
Director: Bob Lally | Stars: Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover
Votes: 73
38.
The Jeffersons (1975–1985)
Episode:
The List
(1983)
TV-PG | 25 min | Comedy
While cleaning out some boxes, George finds a list of things he hoped to accomplish by a certain age and realizes he hasn't completed the list yet.
Director: Oz Scott | Stars: Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover
Votes: 67
39.
The Jeffersons (1975–1985)
Episode:
Sayonara: Part 1
(1985)
TV-PG | 24 min | Comedy
The Jeffersons and Willises - and granddaughter Jessica - are ecstatic when they learn Lionel and Jenny are coming to New York to stay. But the news they bear is certainly not worth celebrating.
Director: Oz Scott | Stars: Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover
Votes: 65
40.
The Jeffersons (1975–1985)
Episode:
Sayonara: Part 2
(1985)
TV-PG | 24 min | Comedy
The Jeffersons and Willises continue to feud over their children's decision to seek a divorce, with the blame game coming to a boil at Parents Night at Jessica's school.
Director: Oz Scott | Stars: Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover
Votes: 63
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