Marla Gibbs’ contributions to television go far beyond her memorable performances. Behind the scenes of “The Jeffersons” and “227,” Gibbs played a crucial role in shaping the dialogue and storylines, ensuring they resonated authentically with African American audiences. Despite her significant input, she often did not receive formal credit or pay for her work.
Crafting Authentic Dialogue on “The Jeffersons”
When Marla Gibbs joined the cast of “The Jeffersons,” she quickly noticed that the show’s dialogue often did not reflect the authentic speech patterns and experiences of African Americans. Gibbs took it upon herself to address this issue. In a bold move, she stayed behind after table readings to provide feedback and suggestions to the writers and producers. As she recounted:
“The writers and producers had zero clue about how African Americans talked. I naively interrupted their meeting and said, ‘Excuse me… Black people don’t talk that way’” (I Love Old School Music).
Her input was crucial in making the show’s characters more relatable and realistic. This intervention led to a shift in the show’s production process, allowing the entire cast to remain involved in script development, thus enhancing the show’s authenticity.
Shaping “227” from Stage to Screen
Gibbs’ influence extended significantly to “227,” a show she helped bring to television from its original stage play format.
Christine Houston wrote her play “Two Twenty Seven” while proving a point to her sons.She had started attending college at age 42 because she wanted to show them that getting an education was important.
That’s how Houston, now 86, ended up at Kennedy-King College and writing the play that would become the NBC sitcom “227” in 1985.
Houston is believed to be the first Black woman to get a “created by” credit for a prime-time television show. Houston wrote the play for the Norman Lear playwriting contest at Kennedy-King — “never dreaming it would go anywhere,” she told the Sun-Times.
But she won first place and with it a trip to Los Angeles, where she wrote an episode of “The Jeffersons,” getting the attention of Marla Gibbs, one of the show’s stars. Houston’s play, which premiered at Kennedy-King in 1977, was about her time growing up in Bronzeville in the 1950s. Her address then: 227 East 48th St.
Years later, NBC was looking for a show for Gibbs to star in and bought the television rights to Houston’s play. NBC switched the setting to Washington, D.C., and the title from words to numerals.
But NBC didn’t switch a key fact. The name of Gibbs’ character, “Mary Jenkins,” was not changed. Oversight or accident, Houston said, it gave her the “created by” credit.
After securing the rights to the play, Gibbs worked closely with Norman Lear to develop the sitcom. She was instrumental in casting decisions and shaping the show’s direction. Despite this, she did not receive the official title of executive producer. Gibbs revealed:
“I never received credit as executive producer for ‘227,’ but I got all of the rights, courtesies, and privileges which they didn’t think I would use. But I used every one of them” (I Love Old School Music).
The Creative Mind Behind the Scenes
Marla Gibbs’ work behind the scenes involved much more than script adjustments. She fought for character development and storylines that accurately reflected African American life. This included advocating for her character, Mary Jenkins, to have a male love interest, a departure from her role as Florence Johnston on “The Jeffersons,” where her character did not have a romantic storyline. Gibbs shared:
“People would always say to me, ‘Why don’t they let you have a man? Why can’t Florence have a man?’ So I knew when I did 227 I needed to have a man. So I did and I fought for that and I got it” (BlackDoctor.org).
One particularly interesting story from the production of “227” involves the casting of the character Sandra Clark, which was not without its controversies and strong opinions from Gibbs herself.
The Network’s Initial Choice
Initially, the network had someone else in mind for the role of Sandra Clark. They considered Sheryl Lee Ralph, a highly talented actress known for her work in theater and television. However, Gibbs had different ideas. In a revealing interview, she shared that she felt Ralph, while incredibly sophisticated and talented, might not fit the specific vibe they wanted for the character of Sandra (Atlanta Black Star) (Atlanta Black Star).
Jackée Harry’s Audition
The turning point came when Jackée Harry auditioned for the show. Interestingly, Harry originally tried out for a different role, but she expressed an interest in playing Sandra Clark. Gibbs was impressed by her performance and saw a perfect fit in Harry’s portrayal of the character. Gibbs recalled, “She did and she was hysterical” (Atlanta Black Star). Despite the network’s reservations, Gibbs advocated strongly for Harry, believing her comedic timing and unique presence would bring something special to the show.
Fighting for Her Vision
Gibbs had to fight for her choice, insisting that Harry would work better in the role despite the network’s initial preference. Reflecting on the decision, Gibbs explained her reasoning, saying, “They wanted somebody else but I said I want her because she’s going to work. The other person I loved but nobody would believe she lived in this building. She was just sophisticated” (Atlanta Black Star).
The Outcome and Legacy
The decision to cast Jackée Harry as Sandra Clark proved to be a stroke of genius. Harry’s portrayal of the sassy, glamorous, and funny neighbor became one of the highlights of “227.” Her performance was so well-received that it earned her an Emmy Award, making her the first African American woman to win Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. This milestone not only highlighted Harry’s talent but also validated Gibbs’ casting instincts (Atlanta Black Star) (Atlanta Black Star).
Legacy and Impact
In conclusion, “227” stands as a landmark show in television history, particularly for its groundbreaking achievements for Black women. Christine Houston’s creation of the show marked a significant moment as she became one of the first Black women to receive a “Created By” credit for a television series. Moreover, Jackée Harry’s Emmy win for her role as Sandra Clark was a historic first, making her the only Black woman to win the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series award for 35 years. These accomplishments not only highlight the incredible talents and contributions of Black women in the industry but also paved the way for future generations.
Marla Gibbs’ contributions to “The Jeffersons” and “227” are a testament to her dedication to authentic representation on television. Her behind-the-scenes work helped shape these shows into the cultural landmarks they are today. Despite not receiving formal credit, her legacy as a writer and producer is undeniable. Gibbs’ story is one of resilience and commitment to excellence in an industry that often overlooked the contributions of African American talent.
