Wednesday, October 05, 2011

Over 2,000,000,000 Served

Actor Sherman Hemsley, best known for his portrayal of George Jefferson from the iconic television series All in the Family and The Jeffersons was a man typecast by the very same role which made him famous. Audiences expected Hemsley to be Jefferson regardless of whatever name had been attached to any given role, with Amen being the prime example of such expectations as the series, at its core, consisted of a scheming, dishonest man looking to get ahead. Big shocker, right?

Over the years, Hemsley kept busy with voice work for Dinosaurs and guest appearances on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, etc. but the Jeffersonless role I remember most fondly is Hemsley's portrayal of a clever math teacher in a brief segment of the ill-fated 1985 revival of The Twilight Zone. Though not one of the series' more frightening tales, it served as a mirthful, easygoing break between stories of giant spiders and shadow men.

Here is that segment, I of Newton in its entirety for your viewing pleasure. The footage isn't of the greatest quality but if you were satisfied with televisions in 1985 you'll be just fine.  





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