The Jeffersons

Seasons

1975

USA

7.5

TV-PG

Wealthy African American dry cleaner George Jefferson, his wife Louise, and son Lionel move into a luxury apartment building and develop occasionally fractious relations with other tenants, including their sassy maid Florence.

Episode List

S1 • E1

A Friend in Need

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.

S1 • E2

George's Family Tree

Talk of ancestry doesn't interest George, who believes the past should remain in the past - until he learns that he was descended from African royalty.

S1 • E3

The Good Life Is Bad for Louise

Ever since the Jefferson hired Florence, Louise's life has been the same old routine and she craves a change, so she's interviewed by a businessman who invites her to work for him. Initially Louise feels upbeat about working, but then she realizes that her new boss is George's business rival.

S1 • E4

Lionel the Playboy

Lionel spends time with high-society people at a party, thinking that he is "making it to the top." Therefore, he threatens to quit school indefinitely, much to the dismay of Louise.

S1 • E5

Mr. Piano Man

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 positive that the piano will impress Mr. Whittendale, a wealthy banker he always wanted to meet, but the piano purchased turns out to be far too big for the apartment.

S1 • E6

George's Skeleton

George's old friend, Monk Davis, pays him a visit, demanding hush money George has been paying him for years to keep a crime the two committed a secret from Louise and Lionel.

S1 • E7

Lionel Cries Uncle

Louise's Uncle Ward visits the Jeffersons, but George derisively refers to him as an "Uncle Tom" for having worked as a butler for many years.

S1 • E8

Mother Jefferson's Boyfriend

Louise tells George that his mother and her boyfriend of two weeks are thinking about marrying and moving to Florida. George thinks that the man is a fortune-hunter trying to go through Mother Jefferson to get George's money.

S1 • E9

Meet the Press

Publicity-seeker George learns that a newspaper reporter is planning a series of articles on successful African-American businessmen, but his decision to invite the reporter to a party backfires when the reporter finds far more interesting subjects: Mr. Bentley and the Willises.

S1 • E10

Rich Man's Disease

Goerge comes home with an ulcer, and in order for him to feel normal and healthy again, Louise is advised to take every one of his wishes as her command.

S1 • E11

Former Neighbors

Two last-minute invitations collide: George invites business magnate Coleman Harris to dinner on the same night that Louise invites their earthy former neighbors Roy & Natalie Simms.

S1 • E12

Like Father, Like Son?

When Lionel comes on like his father, sparks start flying between him and Jenny. George makes matters worse by touching off fireworks between Jenny's parents, Tom and Helen.

S1 • E13

Jenny's Low

Jenny gives her brother an ice-cold reception when he suddenly appears after a two-year absence. George is the only one who understands Jenny's strange behavior and, unfortunately, he makes no bones about saying so.