Ned Wertimer Movies

The Jeffersonsmoved from its familiar Sunday-night time slot to a new Tuesday evening berth with this star-studded episode, which takes place in Atlantic City. Hoping to raise enough money to attend her godson's graduation, Florence (Marla Gibbs) heads straight to the gambling tables. Meanwhile, Florence's employer Louise (Isabel Sanford) scours the resort city in search of celebrities -- but when they begin to show up, she fails to recognize them (even Charo). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Left home alone while everyone else is busily occupied, Tom Willis (Franklin Cover) begins to question his own attractiveness and appeal. Those questions are "answered" when the sister of Mr. Bentley's latest girlfriend lavishes attention on the hapless Tom. This leads to a sexy dream sequence in which Tom is surrounded by a "harem" of genuine Playboy Playmates. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this second episode of a two-part story, Lionel (Mike Evans) and Jenny (Berlinda Tolbert) shock their respective parents when they announce that they plan to divorce. This bombshell leads to a huge fight between the Jeffersons and the Willises, which does not abate even during family night at Jessica's school. Upset by all the dissension and bitterness, Jessica (Ebonie Smith) runs out of the school and into the mean streets of New York. This episode represented the final series appearances of Mike Evans and Berlinda Tolbert. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

This made-for-TV effort from horror director Wes Craven and Salem's Lot producer Richard Kobritz involves a case of cryogenic suspension gone horribly wrong. A wealthy industrialist (Michael Beck) arranges for his body to be kept on ice in a high-tech cryonic chamber with specialized instructions regarding his revival at a future date when medical science can restore him to life. Thanks to a computer malfunction, these instructions are not followed properly, and Beck emerges from the frozen crypt as an empty, soulless creature and a vessel of pure evil with an appetite for destruction. So evil, in fact, that his own mother (Beatrice Straight) decides he must be destroyed and sets out to do the deed herself. ~ Cavett Binion, All Movie Guide

Needing community-service points to qualify for the Dry Cleaner of the Year award, George (Sherman Hemsley) becomes "nest mother" for his granddaughter Jessica's Red Robin troop. In his efforts to be helpful, George teaches the girls a few rather unethical methods for selling candy door-to-door. This episode marked the final series appearance of Ebonie Smith as Jessica Jefferson. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Charlie the bartender (Danny Wells) has the opportunity to multiply his profits by hosting a big party. When Charlie is unexpectedly called out of town, Louise (Isabel Sanford) offers to serve drinks in his place. What Louise doesn't know is that the party is a reunion for a gang of tough, unruly bikers. A strong all-male supporting cast, including Warren Berlinger and Reid Shelton, lifts this episode out of the ordinary. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Once again, the wedding anniversary celebration of George and Louise Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford) is interrupted by circumstances beyond their control. This time around, the Jeffersons are called upon to repair the marriage of their bartender friend Charlie (Danny Wells). This difficult assignment is made even more so by the revelation of a terrible secret: Good-time Charlie is an alcoholic. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Louise (Isabel Sanford) is upset by the new tenant in 12-C, a young, slim "swinger" named Robin (played by future E.R. regular Kathleen Wilhoite). Her tranquility shattered by Robin's round-the-clock partying, Louise tries to rally her fellow tenants to lodge a formal complaint. She succeeds only in being labelled an "old killjoy" -- and the worst of it is, she's convinced that the accusation is right on target. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Having finished her first art-class oil paintings, Louise (Isabel Sanford) proudly shows them off to her friends and family. Though they agree that the paintings are (too put it mildly) hideous, they try to spare Louise's feelings by overpraising her work to the skies. When the misguided Louise announces her plans to enter a high-class art show, George is forced to resort to yet another deception -- this one involving a so-called "critic." Danny Wells makes his final series appearance as Charlie the bartender. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Standing vigil at Jefferson Cleaners after several burglaries, George (Sherman Hemsley) and Louise (Isabel Sanford) manage to trap a pair of youthful thieves. Though George is all for calling the cops, Louise is convinced that she can reform the kids. George is so certain that the young burglars are irredeemable that he promises to write a 2,000 dollar check for the Help Center's children's arts program if Louise succeeds. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Ebonie Smith makes her first series appearance as Jessica, the granddaughter of George and Louise Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford). Louise can't stand it when haughty Mrs. Van Morris (Dorothy Butts), perennial winner of the Volunteer of the Year award, brags about the piano skills of her grandson Van (a pre-Family Matters Jaleel White). Hoping to show up Mrs. Van Morris once and for all, Louise arranges for Jessica (whose musical talent is rudimentary at best) to compete against Van in a piano recital. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Certain that she will win by a landslide, Louise (Isabel Sanford) runs for the presidency of her apartment building's tenant council. Her confidence turns to panic when Louise discovers that she will be running opposite her own husband George (Sherman Hemsley). Jack Fletcher makes his final series appearance as snooty landlord Whittendale. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Louise (Isabel Sanford) is led to believe that George (Sherman Hemsley) is preparing a surprise birthday party for her. In truth, however, George has forgotten all about Louise's birthday -- again. But once he finds out what Louise is expecting of him, George desperately scours the city in search of an appropriate birthday gift, a task complicated by "helpful" doorman Ralph (Ned Wertimer). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide