Why did the producers hold on to the lionel character after Mike Evans left the show? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TVFactFan · 12-13-2002, 08:18 PM

I will always wonder why the Lionel character was not writen out since Mike Evans left in 1975. Why was it so important to keep his character on the show? Why in the world would they bring in a different person to play the role? So if someone know please let me know why there was a second lionel. I think it was unecessary.

jon123 · 12-15-2002, 04:54 PM

Lionel was still needed, not just as George and Louise's son, but because of his relationship with Jenny. The Lionel/Jenny relationship and then marriage was an important link for plotlines involving the Jeffersons and Willis'.

Its just too bad that something couldn't have been worked out with Mike Evans to stay with the show. He did not have to appear in every episode, in fact if he had just appeared in 10 episodes per year his character could have been worked around the other episodes. Mike Evans was also an important link between the Jeffersons and the Bunkers and with him still there we may have seen the Bunkers and Stivics visit the Jeffersons from time to time. Damon Evans was a fine actor but just wasn't Lionel.

At least Mike Evans did return in 1979, but even then he only appeared in a handful of episodes and then left for good two years later.

TVFactFan · 12-15-2002, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jon123
Lionel was still needed, not just as George and Louise's son, but because of his relationship with Jenny. The Lionel/Jenny relationship and then marriage was an important link for plotlines involving the Jeffersons and Willis'.

Its just too bad that something couldn't have been worked out with Mike Evans to stay with the show. He did not have to appear in every episode, in fact if he had just appeared in 10 episodes per year his character could have been worked around the other episodes. Mike Evans was also an important link between the Jeffersons and the Bunkers and with him still there we may have seen the Bunkers and Stivics visit the Jeffersons from time to time. Damon Evans was a fine actor but just wasn't Lionel.

At least Mike Evans did return in 1979, but even then he only appeared in a handful of episodes and then left for good two years later.

Well that just means the Jenny character would have been eliminated from the show.

jon123 · 12-16-2002, 10:47 AM

If you saw the AITF episode that just aired where Lionel stays with the Bunkers after a fight with George, this is among AITF's funniest and further shows what a shame that the Bunkers never visited the Jeffersons on their show.

Janice · 12-16-2002, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SOLOMON

Well that just means the Jenny character would have been eliminated from the show.

Jenny was needed to keep the in-law dynamic going between the Jeffersons and the Willis'.
Actors leave and get replaced. It happens. The second Lionel wasn't as good as the first but he wasn't bad in my opinion.

TVFactFan · 12-16-2002, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jon123
If you saw the AITF episode that just aired where Lionel stays with the Bunkers after a fight with George, this is among AITF's funniest and further shows what a shame that the Bunkers never visited the Jeffersons on their show.

Yup that episode was funny and it is now in my collection.

Brian Damage · 12-16-2002, 06:29 PM

Personally, I didn't like the second Lionel. I thought Damon Evans was sort of wooden in the role, while Mike Evans brought that character to life every time he played him.

I can't complain though because Mike Evans went on to create Good Times.

Kitt · 12-29-2002, 02:11 PM

The show needed the Lionel character, as some of you have said. But I don't think SOLOMON would be asking the question if the second Lionel wasn't so grossly miscaste. I think he was way off the mark from the guy who bantered and battled with Archie Bunker all of those years. That's a hard act to follow.

12-13-2002, 08:18 PM	#1
TVFactFan Forum Legend Researching Old TV Info Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Location: StinkaDelphia Posts: 80,393	Why did the producers hold on to the lionel character after Mike Evans left the show? I will always wonder why the Lionel character was not writen out since Mike Evans left in 1975. Why was it so important to keep his character on the show? Why in the world would they bring in a different person to play the role? So if someone know please let me know why there was a second lionel. I think it was unecessary.

12-16-2002, 06:29 PM	#7
Brian Damage Moderator Forum Legend I'm Rich Bitch Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 62,155	Personally, I didn't like the second Lionel. I thought Damon Evans was sort of wooden in the role, while Mike Evans brought that character to life every time he played him. I can't complain though because Mike Evans went on to create Good Times. __________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

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12-15-2002, 04:54 PM	#2
jon123 Forum Regular Member Join Date: Feb 04, 2002 Location: Temecula Valley, CA Posts: 393	Lionel was still needed, not just as George and Louise's son, but because of his relationship with Jenny. The Lionel/Jenny relationship and then marriage was an important link for plotlines involving the Jeffersons and Willis'. Its just too bad that something couldn't have been worked out with Mike Evans to stay with the show. He did not have to appear in every episode, in fact if he had just appeared in 10 episodes per year his character could have been worked around the other episodes. Mike Evans was also an important link between the Jeffersons and the Bunkers and with him still there we may have seen the Bunkers and Stivics visit the Jeffersons from time to time. Damon Evans was a fine actor but just wasn't Lionel. At least Mike Evans did return in 1979, but even then he only appeared in a handful of episodes and then left for good two years later.

12-16-2002, 10:47 AM	#4
jon123 Forum Regular Member Join Date: Feb 04, 2002 Location: Temecula Valley, CA Posts: 393	If you saw the AITF episode that just aired where Lionel stays with the Bunkers after a fight with George, this is among AITF's funniest and further shows what a shame that the Bunkers never visited the Jeffersons on their show.

12-29-2002, 02:11 PM	#8
Kitt Senior Member James Dean Join Date: Aug 16, 2001 Location: California Dreamin' Posts: 6,098	The show needed the Lionel character, as some of you have said. But I don't think SOLOMON would be asking the question if the second Lionel wasn't so grossly miscaste. I think he was way off the mark from the guy who bantered and battled with Archie Bunker all of those years. That's a hard act to follow.