227 (1985–1990)

This series took place in an apartment building, numbered 227. The cast would frequently be found sitting outside on a large set of stone stairs, in some discussion that would unfold into the weekly plot line.

Creators:

Bill Boulware, Michael G. Moye

Stars:

Helen Martin, Marla Gibbs, Hal Williams

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 2 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Helen Martin	...	Pearl Shay (116 episodes, 1985-1990)
Marla Gibbs	...	Mary Jenkins (115 episodes, 1985-1990)
Hal Williams	...	Lester Jenkins (115 episodes, 1985-1990)
Alaina Reed-Hall	...	Rose Lee Holloway (113 episodes, 1985-1990)
Regina King	...	Brenda Jenkins (106 episodes, 1985-1990)
Jackée Harry	...	Sandra Clark (99 episodes, 1985-1989)
Curtis Baldwin	...	Calvin Dobbs (79 episodes, 1985-1990)

Storyline

Based on a play about the lives of women residing in a black apartment building in 1950s Chicago, by Christine Houston, Marla Gibbs, who first shot to stardom for playing the sarcastic housekeeper to Louise & George Jefferson, Florence Johnston, in "The Jeffersons," got her own series. In this sitcom, she starred as Mary Jenkins, a tart-tongued, sharp housewife, who enjoyed a great deal of gossip, and often spoke of what she'd believed, not-so-good results. 227 was also about the many African-Americans who resided in a Washington, D.C. apartment building, among the many of her residents were Lester Jenkins, Mary's husband who was a construction worker, Brenda Jenkins, a teenaged daughter of Mary's & Lester's, whose very scholarly, when at times, she overdoes things and apologizes, Pearl Shay, an annoying, yet open-minded neighbor, who believes in gossip, the same topic Mary believes in, and Rose Halloway, a best friend of Mary's who show sympathy to the neighbors, who in turn, had a ...

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Plot Keywords:

apartment | apartment building | neighbor | african american | washington d.c. | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

14 September 1985 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Columbia/Sunset Gower Studios - 1438 N. Gower Street, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Pictures Television, ELP Communications, Embassy Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Mary Jenkins' birthday is June 14 (she cuts Lester off before he could say the year).

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Quotes

Mary: [while watching Donna walking, laughing, and flirting with two guys] Um, Madonna? I mean... Donna. I think we need to talk.
Donna Dalton: Sure, Aunt Mary, what about?
Mary: [referring to Donna's new look and attitude] About your... your, um... difference.
Donna Dalton: Oh, I know, isn't it wonderful? I feel like a whole new person! I've never had this much fun in my entire life! I feel so good and confident about myself! Coming to see you and Uncle Lester has been the best thing that's ever happened to me! Oh, I love it here!
[...]

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Connections

Referenced in Chelsea Lately: Episode #7.55 (2013)

User Reviews

Another smash hit from the 80's

After her successful run as Florence on "The Jeffersons",actress Marla Gibbs takes Florence's sassy and intelligent character and applies it to everyday situations that always occurred on an apartment block in the developments of Washington,DC. But here is the catch: Its not Florence mind you. Marla's character is happliy married to a architect and has

a lovely teenage daughter. Her neighbors by the way is one lady and man-hungry woman who would try every scheme to get her one,often ending up with hilarious results. The other is their upstairs neighbor,who is a elderly lady who raises her teenage son,who has the hots for the teenage daughter. The show would become one of NBC's hottest commodities during its run in the 1980's when its was one of the peacock's ruling Saturday night line-up(which consisted of "227","Amen","The Golden Girls","Empty Nest",and the action packed drama "Hunter"),but it wouldn't last very long and they knew when to quit when they were ahead. "227" was that show. It was funny and it consisted of some very hilarious moments here. The show also skyrocketed Regina King to Hollywood status which after "227" went off the air King went on to star in several John Singleton films like "Boyz in the Hood","Higher Learning",and "Poetic Justice",and to star opposite Will Smith(aka,"Fresh Prince")in "Enemy of the State". The series also had regulars on weekly and fellow actors Hal Williams,Jackee Harry,and Helen Martin. Great Show.