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. It is the longest running comedy (or series of any genre) with a predominantly African-American cast in the history of American television.

The show focused on an upper middle-class African American couple, George and Louise Jefferson. The show was launched as the second spin-off of All in the Family, on which the Jeffersons had been the neighbors of Archie and Edith Bunker.

The show was the brainchild of prolific television producer Norman Lear. However, unlike some of his other shows, it was less sharply political in tone and The Jeffersons evolved into more of a traditional sitcom, relying more on the characters' interactions with one another rather than explicitly political dialogue or story-lines. It was the first series to prominently feature a mixed-racial couple, Helen and Tom Willis.

The show had one spin-off titled Checking In. The short lived series was centered around the character Florence. Checking In only lasted four episodes.

The show ended in controversy after CBS abruptly cancelled the series without allowing for a proper series finale. The cast were not informed until after the June 25, 1985 episode "Red Robins," and Hemsley said he found out that the show was cancelled by reading it in the newspaper. The cast later reunited in a stage play based on the sitcom.

"The Jeffersons" was perhaps the most-successful spinoff series to "All in the Family." George Jefferson was the black version of Archie Bunker in many respects, both were loud-mouthed, opinionated and set in their bigoted ways. By 1975, Jefferson's fledging dry-cleaning business, Jefferson Cleaners, had successfully grown into a small chain; his newfound wealth led to moving his family to a "deluxe apartment in the sky" in Manhattan. His family included his wife, Louise, a level-headed and open-minded woman who often had to scold George when his mouth got him into trouble; and Lionel, an engineering major at a local college. He especially disliked Tom and Helen Willis, a mixed couple (he was white, she was black) whose daughter, Jenny, was dating and later married Lionel; Florence, his sharp-tongued maid; and Harry Bentley, the esoteric Englishman who lived next door. George often flaunted his wealth and displayed rude, arrogant, bigoted behavior; however, he often found that money didn't open every door or win him favor with everyone. In later years, George and Louise became grandparents (welcoming an adorable little girl, Jessica); and Lionel and Jenny found work he as an electrical engineer, she as a fashion designer. However, Lionel and Jenny's marriage soon began to crumble. Meanwhile, as Jefferson Cleaners continued to expand, George continually had to deal with competing dry-cleaning franchises, who sought to put George out of business. In the final season, George and Tom formed a partnership and purchased Charlie's Bar, their favorite hangout. Written by Brian Rathjen

This television sitcom stars George Jefferson, who has become wealthy and successful in the dry-cleaning business. This affords him the opportunity to move into a ritzy high-rise in New York City. George is stingy, but means well, while his wife Louise (Weezy) is kind and generous. The show also features the Jefferson's wise-cracking maid, their interesting neighbors, and the building's officious doorman. Written by Tad Dibbern