227 (TV series)
Encyclopedia
227 is an American situation comedy that originally aired on NBC
from September 14, 1985, until May 6, 1990. The series starred Marla Gibbs
as a sharp-tongued, inner-city resident gossip and housewife, Mary Jenkins. It was produced by Embassy Television
from 1985 to 1986 and by Embassy Communications from 1986 until 1988; then ELP Communications through Columbia Pictures Television
produced the series in its final two seasons (1988–1990).
The show was created as a starring vehicle for Marla Gibbs
, who had become famous as Florence Johnston, the sassy maid on The Jeffersons
, and had starred in Houston's play in Los Angeles. This role was similar in nature to that of tart-tongued Florence; Gibbs' character, housewife Mary Jenkins, loved a good gossip and often spoke what she thought, with sometimes not-so-favorable results.
According to Gibbs, 227 was originally offered to ABC, but sold to NBC. The show was targeted to begin in 1986 since The Jeffersons was still on the air on CBS. However, when The Jeffersons was abruptly and unexpectedly canceled in 1985 Gibbs was free to begin and 227 went into production a year earlier than had been previously planned.
), had his own construction company, and their studious 14-year-old daughter, Brenda (played by Regina King
); it was King's first significant acting role.
Also cast in 227 was Sandra Clark (played by Jackée Harry
), Mary's young, sexy building vamp who constantly bickered back and forth with her about their respective views on life. Pearl Shay (played by Helen Martin
), a crotchety-but-kind busybody neighbor, who was known for snooping. Pearl had a grandson named Calvin Dobbs (played by Curtis Baldwin), whom Brenda had a crush on and would finally date later in the series' run.
Rose Lee Holloway (played by Alaina Reed Hall
) was the kindhearted best friend to all. She had a daughter named Tiffany (played by Kia Goodwin
), who disappeared after the first season. In the premiere episode, Rose became the unexpected landlord
of the building after the building's stingy slumlord Mr. Calloway (who was constantly mentioned but never seen onscreen) died out of the blue. Rose stayed on as landlady until the fourth season.
In the first season, both Helen Martin and Curtis Baldwin, who had only been recurring stars, appeared in nearly every episode. In the second season's opening credits, Helen Martin
and Curtis Baldwin share a title card, thus making them official full-time cast member
s. Martin has her own title for the third and fifth seasons, while Regina King and Curtis Baldwin share a title card together in those years.
By the time taping started on the third season in 1987, Jackée Harry, who had just won an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress
changed her stage name to simply Jackée, which she used until 1994. In the fourth season, Alexandria DeWitt (played by Countess Vaughn
), who was an 11-year-old child prodigy who becomes the Jenkins' houseguest. Vaughn received her role after she appeared on Star Search
and declared to host Ed McMahon
that her favorite program was 227. However, Alexandria left during Calvin's graduation episode near the end of season four to reunite with her father in London who had completed his archaeological dig in the Amazon and was now cataloging his items in London.
By the time production on the fourth season commenced in 1988, tension between stars Gibbs and Jackée were mounting due to the show's increasing focus on the Sandra character. To keep the stars happy, Jackée was given the chance to spin off Sandra into her own show. Jackée's television pilot
, entitled Jackée
, found Sandra moving to New York City and finding work at a spa
. NBC
aired the episode in primetime on May 11, 1989. The pilot was rejected, and Jackée left the show; however, she was a guest star in eight of the final season's episodes.
The show's final season saw Toukie Smith
, Barry Sobel
, Stoney Jackson
, Kevin Peter Hall
and Paul Winfield
join the cast in an effort to rejuvenate the show's sagging ratings. In the end, the cast additions proved fruitless, and 227 ended its run in the spring of 1990.
cast during the first two seasons of its original run on NBC
, (1985–1990), (with the exception of The Cosby Show
, as it was #1 from 1985–1990).
, TV One
and TV Land
. The show is currently distributed by Sony Pictures Television and co-distributed by The Program Exchange
and airs on Gospel Music Channel
and Centric. Selected Minisodes
from the first season are available to view for free on Crackle
. The show is currently airing weeknights at 11:00 EST with back to back episodes on GMC (Gospel Music Channel).
released the complete first season of 227 on DVD in Region 1.
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
from September 14, 1985, until May 6, 1990. The series starred Marla Gibbs
Marla Gibbs
Marla Gibbs is an American television and film actress and singer. She is best remembered for playing Louise and George Jefferson's sarcastic maid, Florence Johnston, on The Jeffersons and spinoff Checking In...
as a sharp-tongued, inner-city resident gossip and housewife, Mary Jenkins. It was produced by Embassy Television
Embassy Television
...
from 1985 to 1986 and by Embassy Communications from 1986 until 1988; then ELP Communications through Columbia Pictures Television
Columbia Pictures Television
Columbia Pictures Television was the second name of the Columbia Pictures television division Screen Gems . The studio changed its name on September 4, 1974.-1974-1982:...
produced the series in its final two seasons (1988–1990).
Origins
The series was adapted from a play written in 1978 by Christine Houston about the lives of women in a predominantly black apartment building in 1950s Chicago. The setting of the series, however, was changed to present-day Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
The show was created as a starring vehicle for Marla Gibbs
Marla Gibbs
Marla Gibbs is an American television and film actress and singer. She is best remembered for playing Louise and George Jefferson's sarcastic maid, Florence Johnston, on The Jeffersons and spinoff Checking In...
, who had become famous as Florence Johnston, the sassy maid on The Jeffersons
The Jeffersons
The Jeffersons is an American sitcom that was broadcast on CBS from January 18, 1975, through June 25, 1985, lasting 11 seasons and a total of 253 episodes. The show was produced by the T.A.T. Communications Company from 1975–1982 and by Embassy Television from 1982-1985...
, and had starred in Houston's play in Los Angeles. This role was similar in nature to that of tart-tongued Florence; Gibbs' character, housewife Mary Jenkins, loved a good gossip and often spoke what she thought, with sometimes not-so-favorable results.
According to Gibbs, 227 was originally offered to ABC, but sold to NBC. The show was targeted to begin in 1986 since The Jeffersons was still on the air on CBS. However, when The Jeffersons was abruptly and unexpectedly canceled in 1985 Gibbs was free to begin and 227 went into production a year earlier than had been previously planned.
Synopsis
227 followed the lives of people in a middle-class apartment building in Washington, D.C. The show was centered around Mary Jenkins, a nosy, tart-tongued housewife. Her husband, Lester (played by Hal WilliamsHal Williams
Harold "Hal" Williams is an American actor, best known for his recurring role as the black cop Officer Smith on Sanford and Son, and as the patriarch Lester Jenkins, the husband of Marla Gibbs's character, on 227....
), had his own construction company, and their studious 14-year-old daughter, Brenda (played by Regina King
Regina King
Regina King is an American film and television actress. She is well known for her role as Mary Jenkins's studious daughter, Brenda Jenkins, on the 1980s sitcom, 227, and for her critically acclaimed supporting role in the feature film Jerry Maguire...
); it was King's first significant acting role.
Also cast in 227 was Sandra Clark (played by Jackée Harry
Jackée Harry
Jacqueline Yvonne "Jackée" Harry , better known by her professional name Jackée, is an American actress and television personality, primarily known for her roles on sitcoms and other types of television shows...
), Mary's young, sexy building vamp who constantly bickered back and forth with her about their respective views on life. Pearl Shay (played by Helen Martin
Helen Martin
Helen Dorothy Martin was an American actress of stage and television who is perhaps most well known for her role in the sitcom 227 as Marla Gibbs' neighbor Pearl.-Early life and education:...
), a crotchety-but-kind busybody neighbor, who was known for snooping. Pearl had a grandson named Calvin Dobbs (played by Curtis Baldwin), whom Brenda had a crush on and would finally date later in the series' run.
Rose Lee Holloway (played by Alaina Reed Hall
Alaina Reed Hall
Alaina Reed Hall was an American actress best known for her roles as Olivia, Gordon's younger sister, on the long-running children's television series Sesame Street, and Rose Lee Holloway on the NBC sitcom 227.-Early life and career:Born Bernice Ruth Reed in Springfield, Ohio, she began her career...
) was the kindhearted best friend to all. She had a daughter named Tiffany (played by Kia Goodwin
Kia Goodwin
-Career:Goodwin made her first television appearance commercially in 1976 for such products as M&M's, Jello Pudding and AT&T. In 1981, she joined the First National Touring Company of Annie, where she played the role of Duffy. After the tour closed in 1982, she went on to join the final Broadway...
), who disappeared after the first season. In the premiere episode, Rose became the unexpected landlord
Landlord
A landlord is the owner of a house, apartment, condominium, or real estate which is rented or leased to an individual or business, who is called a tenant . When a juristic person is in this position, the term landlord is used. Other terms include lessor and owner...
of the building after the building's stingy slumlord Mr. Calloway (who was constantly mentioned but never seen onscreen) died out of the blue. Rose stayed on as landlady until the fourth season.
In the first season, both Helen Martin and Curtis Baldwin, who had only been recurring stars, appeared in nearly every episode. In the second season's opening credits, Helen Martin
Helen Martin
Helen Dorothy Martin was an American actress of stage and television who is perhaps most well known for her role in the sitcom 227 as Marla Gibbs' neighbor Pearl.-Early life and education:...
and Curtis Baldwin share a title card, thus making them official full-time cast member
Cast member
A cast member is:* An actor who performs in a theatrical production, motion picture, or television program. The actors who perform in the show are collectively referred to as the cast....
s. Martin has her own title for the third and fifth seasons, while Regina King and Curtis Baldwin share a title card together in those years.
By the time taping started on the third season in 1987, Jackée Harry, who had just won an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress - Comedy Series
This is a list of winners of the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.-Superlatives:-1950s:*1953: Vivian Vance - I Love Lucy as Ethel Mertz** Audrey Meadows - The Jackie Gleason Show as Alice Kramden...
changed her stage name to simply Jackée, which she used until 1994. In the fourth season, Alexandria DeWitt (played by Countess Vaughn
Countess Vaughn
Countess Danielle Vaughn is an American actress and singer. She is perhaps best known for her role as Kim Parker on the UPN television sitcom Moesha and its spin-off The Parkers.-Early life and career:...
), who was an 11-year-old child prodigy who becomes the Jenkins' houseguest. Vaughn received her role after she appeared on Star Search
Star Search
Star Search is a television show that was produced from 1983-95, hosted by Ed McMahon, and created by Alfred Masini. A relaunch was produced in 2003-04. The show was originally filmed at the old Earl Carroll Theatre at 6230 Sunset Blvd...
and declared to host Ed McMahon
Ed McMahon
Edward Peter "Ed" McMahon, Jr. was an American comedian, game show host and announcer. He is most famous for his work on television as Johnny Carson's sidekick and announcer on The Tonight Show from 1962 to 1992. He also hosted the original version of the talent show Star Search from 1983 to 1995...
that her favorite program was 227. However, Alexandria left during Calvin's graduation episode near the end of season four to reunite with her father in London who had completed his archaeological dig in the Amazon and was now cataloging his items in London.
By the time production on the fourth season commenced in 1988, tension between stars Gibbs and Jackée were mounting due to the show's increasing focus on the Sandra character. To keep the stars happy, Jackée was given the chance to spin off Sandra into her own show. Jackée's television pilot
Television pilot
A "television pilot" is a standalone episode of a television series that is used to sell the show to a television network. At the time of its inception, the pilot is meant to be the "testing ground" to see if a series will be possibly desired and successful and therefore a test episode of an...
, entitled Jackée
Jackée (227 episode)
"Jackée" is the 23rd episode from the fourth season of the sitcom 227. Originally broadcast on Thursday, May 11, 1989 on NBC, the episode was a proposed spin-off for the Sandra Clark character portrayed by Jackée Harry...
, found Sandra moving to New York City and finding work at a spa
Spa
The term spa is associated with water treatment which is also known as balneotherapy. Spa towns or spa resorts typically offer various health treatments. The belief in the curative powers of mineral waters goes back to prehistoric times. Such practices have been popular worldwide, but are...
. NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
aired the episode in primetime on May 11, 1989. The pilot was rejected, and Jackée left the show; however, she was a guest star in eight of the final season's episodes.
The show's final season saw Toukie Smith
Toukie Smith
Toukie A. Smith , is an African American actress and model. Smith is the sister of late fashion designer Willi Smith and former long-term partner of actor Robert De Niro, with whom she has two sons. She is best known for her role as "Eva Rawley" for one season on the NBC sitcom 227...
, Barry Sobel
Barry Sobel
Barry Sobel is an American actor and comedian.-Life and career:Sobel grew up in New York City. During the 1980s, he toured the comedy circuit heavily. His routine centered around rapping in a Beastie Boys style....
, Stoney Jackson
Stoney Jackson
Stonewall W. "Stoney" Jackson is an American character actor. Jackson was born in Richmond, Virginia.-Career:He was featured in numerous teen magazines in the 1970s and 1980s, including Right On, Teen Beat, and Tiger Beat.He portrayed high school basketball player Jesse Mitchell on the ensemble...
, Kevin Peter Hall
Kevin Peter Hall
Kevin Peter Hall was an American actor known for his roles in Misfits of Science, Prophecy, Without Warning, and Harry and the Hendersons. He was also best known as the title character in the first two films in the Predator franchise.-Early life:Hall was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...
and Paul Winfield
Paul Winfield
Paul Edward Winfield was an American television, film, and stage actor. He was known for his portrayal of a Louisiana sharecropper who struggles to support his family during the Great Depression in the landmark film Sounder which earned him an Academy Award nomination. Winfield also portrayed Dr....
join the cast in an effort to rejuvenate the show's sagging ratings. In the end, the cast additions proved fruitless, and 227 ended its run in the spring of 1990.
Cast
- Marla GibbsMarla GibbsMarla Gibbs is an American television and film actress and singer. She is best remembered for playing Louise and George Jefferson's sarcastic maid, Florence Johnston, on The Jeffersons and spinoff Checking In...
as Mary Jenkins - Hal WilliamsHal WilliamsHarold "Hal" Williams is an American actor, best known for his recurring role as the black cop Officer Smith on Sanford and Son, and as the patriarch Lester Jenkins, the husband of Marla Gibbs's character, on 227....
as Lester Jenkins - Regina KingRegina KingRegina King is an American film and television actress. She is well known for her role as Mary Jenkins's studious daughter, Brenda Jenkins, on the 1980s sitcom, 227, and for her critically acclaimed supporting role in the feature film Jerry Maguire...
as Brenda Jenkins - Alaina Reed HallAlaina Reed HallAlaina Reed Hall was an American actress best known for her roles as Olivia, Gordon's younger sister, on the long-running children's television series Sesame Street, and Rose Lee Holloway on the NBC sitcom 227.-Early life and career:Born Bernice Ruth Reed in Springfield, Ohio, she began her career...
as Rose Lee Holloway - Kia GoodwinKia Goodwin-Career:Goodwin made her first television appearance commercially in 1976 for such products as M&M's, Jello Pudding and AT&T. In 1981, she joined the First National Touring Company of Annie, where she played the role of Duffy. After the tour closed in 1982, she went on to join the final Broadway...
as Tiffany Holloway (Season 1) - Jackée HarryJackée HarryJacqueline Yvonne "Jackée" Harry , better known by her professional name Jackée, is an American actress and television personality, primarily known for her roles on sitcoms and other types of television shows...
as Sandra Clark (Season 1–4, recurring in Season 5) - Helen MartinHelen MartinHelen Dorothy Martin was an American actress of stage and television who is perhaps most well known for her role in the sitcom 227 as Marla Gibbs' neighbor Pearl.-Early life and education:...
as Pearl Shay - Curtis Baldwin as Calvin Dobbs
- Reynaldo ReyReynaldo Rey-Biography:Rey was born Harry Reynolds in Sequoyah County, Oklahoma. He is of African American and Native American descent. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Kansas State Teacher's College, majoring in Education.-Filmography:...
as Ray the Mailman (Seasons 2–5) - Countess VaughnCountess VaughnCountess Danielle Vaughn is an American actress and singer. She is perhaps best known for her role as Kim Parker on the UPN television sitcom Moesha and its spin-off The Parkers.-Early life and career:...
as Alexandria DeWitt (Season 4) - Kevin Peter HallKevin Peter HallKevin Peter Hall was an American actor known for his roles in Misfits of Science, Prophecy, Without Warning, and Harry and the Hendersons. He was also best known as the title character in the first two films in the Predator franchise.-Early life:Hall was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...
as Warren Merriwether (Season 5) - Stoney JacksonStoney JacksonStonewall W. "Stoney" Jackson is an American character actor. Jackson was born in Richmond, Virginia.-Career:He was featured in numerous teen magazines in the 1970s and 1980s, including Right On, Teen Beat, and Tiger Beat.He portrayed high school basketball player Jesse Mitchell on the ensemble...
as Travis Filmore (Season 5) - Toukie A. SmithToukie SmithToukie A. Smith , is an African American actress and model. Smith is the sister of late fashion designer Willi Smith and former long-term partner of actor Robert De Niro, with whom she has two sons. She is best known for her role as "Eva Rawley" for one season on the NBC sitcom 227...
as Eva Rawley (Season 5) - Barry SobelBarry SobelBarry Sobel is an American actor and comedian.-Life and career:Sobel grew up in New York City. During the 1980s, he toured the comedy circuit heavily. His routine centered around rapping in a Beastie Boys style....
as Dylan McMillan (Seasons 4-5) - Paul WinfieldPaul WinfieldPaul Edward Winfield was an American television, film, and stage actor. He was known for his portrayal of a Louisiana sharecropper who struggles to support his family during the Great Depression in the landmark film Sounder which earned him an Academy Award nomination. Winfield also portrayed Dr....
as Julian C. Barlow (Season 5)
Ratings
227 had higher ratings than other sitcoms airing at the time with a predominantly BlackAfrican American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
cast during the first two seasons of its original run on NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
, (1985–1990), (with the exception of The Cosby Show
The Cosby Show
The Cosby Show is an American television situation comedy starring Bill Cosby, which aired for eight seasons on NBC from September 20, 1984 until April 30, 1992...
, as it was #1 from 1985–1990).
- 1985–1986: #20 (18.80 rating)
- 1986–1987: #14 (18.90 rating)
- 1987–1988: #28 (16.44 rating)
- 1988-1989: #35 (14.47 rating)
- 1989-1990: #60 (11.53 rating)
Awards and nominations
| Year | Award | Result | Category | Recipient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | BMI Film & TV Awards | Won | BMI TV Music Award | Ray Colcord |
| 1987 | Emmy Awards | Won | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series | Jackée Harry |
| 1988 | Nominated | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series | Jackée Harry | |
| 1989 | Golden Globe Award Golden Globe Award The Golden Globe Award is an accolade bestowed by the 93 members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association recognizing excellence in film and television, both domestic and foreign... |
Nominated | Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV | Jackée Harry |
| 1986 | Young Artist Awards | Nominated | Best Young Actress Starring in a New Television Series | Regina King |
| 1987 | Exceptional Performance by a Young Actress in a Long Running Series Comedy or Drama | Regina King | ||
| Exceptional Performance by a Young Actor, Guest Starring in a Television, Comedy or Drama Series | Curtis Baldwin | |||
| 1989 | Best Young Actress Featured, Co-starring, Supporting, Recurring Role in a Comedy or Drama Series or Special | Countess Vaughn |
Series syndication
The show went into syndication in the fall of 1990. It has previously aired on cable's BETBlack Entertainment Television
Black Entertainment Television is an American, Viacom-owned cable network based in Washington, D.C.. Currently viewed in more than 90 million homes worldwide, it is the most prominent television network targeting young Black-American audiences. The network was launched on January 25, 1980, by its...
, TV One
TV One (Radio One)
TV One is an American television channel based in Silver Spring, Maryland and primarily owned by Radio One and Comcast Corporation. It targets African American adults with a broad range of programming...
and TV Land
TV Land
TV Land is an American cable television network launched on April 29, 1996. It is owned by MTV Networks, a division of Viacom, which also owns Paramount Pictures, and networks such as MTV and Nickelodeon...
. The show is currently distributed by Sony Pictures Television and co-distributed by The Program Exchange
The Program Exchange
The Program Exchange is a syndicator of television programs. It was originally founded as Program Syndication Services Inc. in 1973 and later launched the DFS Program Exchange in 1979, which became the DFS-Dorland Program Exchange from 1986 to 1987...
and airs on Gospel Music Channel
Gospel Music Channel
gmc is an American satellite and cable television channel, known from its 2004 launch until February 1, 2010 as Gospel Music Channel. It is also available in high-definition as a separate channel called gmcHD ....
and Centric. Selected Minisodes
The Minisode Network
The Minisode Network is a Sony Pictures Television internet television network launched in June 2007. The term minisode is a portmanteau of "mini" and "episode." Unlike webisodes, which are initially broadcast on the internet, minisodes are condensed versions of previously broadcast, full length,...
from the first season are available to view for free on Crackle
Crackle
Crackle is a digital network and studio, featuring commercially supported streaming video content in Flash Video format. It is owned by Sony Pictures Entertainment, and its content consists primarily of Sony's library of films and television shows...
. The show is currently airing weeknights at 11:00 EST with back to back episodes on GMC (Gospel Music Channel).
DVD release
On September 28, 2004, Sony Pictures Home EntertainmentSony Pictures Home Entertainment
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is the home video distribution arm of Sony Pictures Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation. It was established in November 1979 as Columbia Pictures Home Entertainment, releasing 20 titles: The Anderson Tapes, Bell, Book and Candle, Born Free, Breakout,...
released the complete first season of 227 on DVD in Region 1.