The BEST episodes of The Jeffersons season 1

Every episode of The Jeffersons season 1, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of The Jeffersons season 1!

A black couple, headed up by opinionated loud-mouth George Jefferson, moves from a modest Queens neighborhood to deluxe apartment in Manhattan's ritzy East Side.

Last Updated: 2/25/2024Network: CBSStatus: Ended
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A Friend in Need
star
7.73
166 votes

#1 - A Friend in Need

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 1/18/1975

The Jeffersons have moved on up and are now enjoying living in their new high-rise apartment. Louise has made a new friend in Diane Stockwell, who is having a hard time believing that George made his way up the ladder without doing anything shady. However, bigger problems are brewing when George insists that Louise hire a maid but Louise is totally against the idea.

Watch Now:Amazon
Former Neighbors
star
7.54
35 votes

#2 - Former Neighbors

Season 1 - Episode 11 - Aired 3/29/1975

George comes home one evening with news an important potential client is coming over for dinner. However, Louise has news too. Some old friends of the Jeffersons are coming over, friends whom George is afraid will embarrass him in front of his pompous client.

Directors: Jack Shea
Watch Now:Amazon
George's Family Tree
star
7.47
108 votes

#3 - George's Family Tree

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 1/25/1975

The Willis' give Louise and George a piece of primitive African art, as a housewarming gift, which leads to the discussion of family roots. This leads George to discover his family roots, from an African tribe believed to be kings.

Watch Now:Amazon
Like Father, Like Son?
star
7.37
27 votes

#4 - Like Father, Like Son?

Season 1 - Episode 12 - Aired 4/5/1975

Louise becomes concerned when she sees Lionel beginning to act more and more like his father. Things come to a head, when Lionel tries to get Jenny a seat on a campaign committee by using bribery. Meanwhile, Tom and Helen are at odds when they each back opposing candidates.

Jenny's Low
star
7.18
28 votes

#5 - Jenny's Low

Season 1 - Episode 13 - Aired 4/12/1975

Jenny's globe-trotting brother surprises his family with a visit home. While Tom and Helen, debate on the reason for Allan staying away so long, Jenny is anything but happy about his visit and her reason has nothing to do with him staying away for so long.

Directors: Jack Shea
Writer: John Ashby
Watch Now:Apple TV
Louise Feels Useless
star
6.97
79 votes

#6 - Louise Feels Useless

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 2/1/1975

Louise is having a hard time getting use to her new wealthy lifestyle and the boredom that comes along with it. She begins trying to talk George into letting her work in the store in the building but he is totally against it. This leads her to inadvertently get a job with another cleaning business and George hits the ceiling when he learns the news. That is until he begins thinking of using her position for sabotage.

Directors: Jack Shea
Watch Now:Apple TV
Lionel Cries Uncle
star
6.80
100 votes

#7 - Lionel Cries Uncle

Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 3/1/1975

Louise is expecting a visit from her Uncle Ward, a man who happens to be a butler. His job is what makes George and Lionel put him down, calling him an "Uncle Tom." Meanwhile, a fight at school prompts Lionel to get kicked out.

Directors: Jack Shea
Lionel the Playboy
star
6.56
78 votes

#8 - Lionel the Playboy

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 2/8/1975

Lionel's new wealthy lifestyle begins to have an effect on him and a carefree attitude begins to be seen by his family. He stays out all night every night and cuts class. This leads to him debating on whether or not to drop out of college.

Directors: Jack Shea
Meet the Press
star
6.13
63 votes

#9 - Meet the Press

Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 3/15/1975

Wanting publicity for his stores, George tries to get in on a reporter's series of stories on successful black businessmen. However, once he finally gets the reporter to make an appearance he finds it difficult to hold his attention, with the Willis' and Mr. Bentley hanging around.

Directors: Jack Shea
George's Skeleton
star
6.01
107 votes

#10 - George's Skeleton

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 2/22/1975

An old friend of George's, Monk Davis, drops in after learning of George's new found success. However, Monk has more on his mind than just a friendly visit.

Watch Now:Apple TV
Mr. Piano Man
star
5.94
134 votes

#11 - Mr. Piano Man

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 2/15/1975

George refuses to participate in a tenants meeting until he learns the Mr. Whittendale will be there. George has hopes of doing business with the man. Meanwhile, George's want for a grand piano becomes a burden during the meeting.

Directors: Jack Shea
Mother Jefferson's Boyfriend
star
5.75
96 votes

#12 - Mother Jefferson's Boyfriend

Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 3/8/1975

George learns of Mother Jefferson's intentions of marriage and is totally against the idea, thinking her fiancee is after his money.

Directors: Jack Shea
Rich Man's Disease
star
5.55
58 votes

#13 - Rich Man's Disease

Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired 3/22/1975

With the doctor's diagnosis that George has an ulcer, Louise tries to do everything to not allow George to become upset. This task proves difficult with Harry, Tom and Helen dropping in.

Writer: Bruce Howard