EPISODES
1- A Friend in Need
The pilot of The Jeffersons aired as an episode of All in the Family in which Archie and Edith Bunker's neighbors, George and Louise Jefferson, move away. In this first episode, Louise makes an uneasy adjustment to her new wealthy life while befriending a maid in the building. Complicating matters is George's insistence they hire a maid. Marla Gibbs guest stars, and makes such a splash she becomes a series regular.
2- George's Family Tree
The Jeffersons and the Willises engage in a debate about the importance of ancestry thanks to a housewarming present the Willises give their new neighbors. George couldn't care less about his lineage -- until he discovers he might have royalty in his blood.
3- Louise Feels Useless
Louise, uncomfortable with her sole identity as the wife of a wealthy man, pleads with her husband to work at one of his stores. When he refuses, she goes to work for his competitor. George then devises a self-serving way to deal with his wife's new job.
4- Lionel the Playboy
The new status of his family starts to affect Lionel, who spends and parties and plays like, well, like the son of a rich man. George might live vicariously through his son's escapades, but sings a different tune when Lionel announces his intention to quit school.
5- Mr. Piano Man
It's the classic George Jefferson set up: he stubbornly refuses to do something. But when he realizes doing it might lead to an opportunity, he does it at any cost. The something: Attending a tenant meeting. The opportunity: Meeting H.L. Whittendale, the building's wealthy landlord. The any cost: Redecorating the apartment, with a grand piano as the centerpiece.
6- George's Skeleton
George's old buddy Monk Davis, played by Moses Gunn, arrives to extort George with information about the dry-cleaning mogul's past; Louise bird-sits (and plant-sits) for Mr. Bentley.
7- Lionel Cries Uncle
When Louise's Uncle Ward visits, Lionel and George treat him like an Uncle Tom for being a butler. But Lionel faces a bigger problem: a fight at school.
8- Mother Jefferson's Boyfriend
Olivia Jefferson: Sugar Mama. At least, that is George's fear when she introduces her new beau.
Factoid: Alvin Childress, who played the boyfriend, also appeared on a later episode as a wino.
9- Meet the Press
When George wants some publicity, he invites a reporter to profile him as one of the city's most successful businessmen. The appearances of the Willises and Mr. Bentley cause distractions.
10- Rich Man's Disease
George reaches a milestone as a rich man: an ulcer. Louise gets wife-of-spoiled-man's disease: her mother-in-law visits. Nevertheless, Louise attempts to reduce the level of stress in the high-traffic apartment.
11- Former Neighbors
It's the classic dinner-party conflict: George invites a pompous potential client while Louise invites a couple from the old block in Harlem.
12- Like Father, Like Son?
Lionel becomes more and more like his father, especially when it comes to business dealings. Meanwhile, Helen and Tom support opposing candidates in an election.
Factoid: Academy Award-winning screenwriter Frank Tarloff penned this episode.
13- Jenny's Low
Allan Willis, Tom and Helen's son, arrives home from a two-year stint in Europe. Jenny's hostility toward him concerns everyone.
