227 was a popular American sitcom that aired for five seasons from 1985 to 1990.
The show featured an ensemble cast of six characters living in a three-story apartment building located at 227 North Harper Avenue, Chicago.
The show’s main characters were single mother Mary Jenkins and her daughter Brenda, Mary’s neighbor Pearl Shay, their friends Sandra Clark and Rose Lee Holloway.
Together they provided comedy with their unique perspective on life in a big city.
The show 227 was an important milestone in television history as it was one of the first shows to portray an African-American family in a positive light. It highlighted the struggles and successes of a multigenerational family living in Los Angeles, while tackling issues such as racism, poverty, and relationships.
The show made an impact on its audience by showing that a loving family can still be successful despite their struggles, and it continues to be remembered for its influence in the industry.
Introduction
Explanation of the TV show
227 was an American television sitcom set in Chicago that aired for five seasons from 1985 to 1990.
It followed the lives of Mary Jenkins, a single mother and her daughter Brenda, along with their neighbors and friends Pearl Shay, Sandra Clark, and Rose Lee Holloway as they navigated life in a big city.
Led by 227’s star-studded cast of characters, the show was a resounding success and propelled each of its actors to stardom.
Overview of the cast members
The cast of 227 included six main characters, each of whom brought their own unique perspectives and styles to the show.
Marla Gibbs, who played Mary Jenkins, was the matriarch of the group and provided a strong foundation for the rest of the characters in her role as a single mother doing her best to raise her daughter.
Jakie Haynes starred as Brenda Jenkins, Mary’s daughter, who was often seen as a voice of reason and served as an important bridge between the adults and children in the show. Alaina Reed Hall played Pearl Shay, Mary’s neighbor and best friend, whose outgoing personality made her a fan favorite.
Helen Martin portrayed Sandra Clark, another neighbor of Mary’s who provided comic relief throughout the series. Rosetta LeNoire starred as Rose Lee Holloway, the building’s wise landlady and a surrogate mother figure to Mary and her daughter.
Rounding out the main cast was Hal Williams as Lester Jenkins, Mary’s ex-husband who provided some much-needed male perspective throughout the show.
Main Cast Members
Regina King as Brenda Jenkins
Regina King portrayed the role of Brenda Jenkins in 227, Mary’s daughter and the voice of reason amongst her peers. She was known for her strong, independent spirit and mature outlook on life that often led to humorous misunderstandings between her and the adults around her. Her character also provided much-needed comedic relief as well as a sense of maturity throughout the show. Brenda was also a loyal friend and daughter, which made her a beloved character to viewers.
Marla Gibbs as Mary Jenkins
Marla Gibbs played the role of Mary Jenkins, the matriarch of the cast, in the TV show 227. Mary was known for her strong sense of responsibility and courage in raising her daughter Brenda on her own. Despite being single, Mary managed to provide a stable home environment for her family. She was also a hardworking nurse at Chicago’s Northwestern Hospital and strived to make a better life for her daughter. Her character was often seen as a source of strength and courage, which made her a beloved character to viewers.
Hal Williams as Lester Jenkins
Hal Williams starred as Lester Jenkins, Mary’s ex-husband and father of Brenda. Throughout the series, Lester played an important role in providing a male perspective to the show. He was known for his laid-back attitude and humorous one-liners that often provided comic relief. Despite their divorce, Lester and Mary remained close friends and often worked together to provide support and guidance for their daughter.
Alaina Reed Hall as Rose Lee Holloway
Alaina Reed Hall starred as Rose Lee Holloway in 227, the wise landlady of the building who served as a surrogate mother figure to Mary and her daughter. Rose was known for her no-nonsense approach and strict but fair attitude towards her tenants. She also acted as a mentor to both Mary and Brenda, offering wisdom and guidance whenever they faced difficult decisions. Rose’s character was seen as a source of strength and compassion, making her a beloved character to viewers.
Recurring Cast Members
Countess Vaughn as Alexandria DeWitt
Countess Vaughn starred as Alexandria DeWitt in 227, Mary’s best friend and neighbor. Alexandria was often seen as a source of comic relief with her sharp wit and humorous one-liners. She also provided much-needed moral support to Mary and Brenda throughout the series. Alexandria was known for her strong spirit and fierce loyalty towards her friends, which made her a beloved character to viewers.
Curtis Baldwin as Calvin Dobbs
Curtis Baldwin starred as Calvin Dobbs in the TV show 227, Mary’s neighbor and love interest. An independent contractor and former military man, Calvin was known for his no-nonsense attitude and strong sense of self. He often provided wise advice to both Mary and her daughter Brenda, offering a level-headed perspective on difficult matters. Despite his gruff exterior, Calvin’s character was seen as a source of strength and understanding, making him an important part of the cast.
Barry Sobel as Eddie Gordon
Barry Sobel starred as Eddie Gordon in 227, Mary’s ex-boyfriend and the father of her daughter’s best friend. Despite his rough exterior, Eddie often provided an endearing level of support to Mary and Brenda throughout the series. He was known for his humorous one-liners that often provided comic relief, as well as his strong sense of loyalty and responsibility towards his daughter. Eddie was a beloved character to viewers for his endearing personality and strong sense of loyalty.
Guest Appearances
Notable guest star appearances on the show
The show 227 featured a variety of notable guest stars throughout its five-season run. Notable guest appearances included Sherman Hemsley as Benny McBride in season 3, Whoopi Goldberg as Lena James in season 4, and Debbie Allen as Celia Foote in season 5. While each guest star only appeared in a limited number of episodes, they helped to bring life to the show and add a unique flavor to the storylines.
Overall, 227 featured an incredible cast of characters that helped make the show such a hit. From the main cast to the recurring guest stars, each actor brought something special and unique to their role. Together, they created an unforgettable show that will live on in our hearts for years to come.
Behind the Scenes
Challenges faced by the cast and crew
Despite the success of the show 227, the cast and crew faced a number of challenges while filming. The show was filmed on location in Los Angeles, which meant that the actors had to juggle their personal lives with their work commitments.
In addition, due to its popularity, scenes often had to be filmed around large crowds of fans, which could make it difficult for the cast and crew to focus on their work.
Finally, the show often had to make quick changes to scripts and storylines due to last-minute changes in schedules or other production issues. Despite these challenges, however, the cast and crew managed to pull off an incredible show that will be remembered for years to come.
Fun facts about the filming of the show
During the production of the show 227, there were a variety of interesting facts that came to light. One of the most memorable was when Mary and her daughter Brenda (played by Marla Gibbs and Alaina Reed Hall) had to be filmed in a number of different locations around Los Angeles in order to create the illusion that they lived in one single house.
Another fun fact was that the cast and crew often had to film in extremely hot weather, with temperatures reaching up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit on some days! Finally, the show was filmed in front of a live studio audience which added an extra element of energy and fun to the production.
Legacy
Importance and cultural impact of the show
The show 227 quickly became a cultural phenomenon, and its impact is still felt today. It was the first TV show to portray an African-American family in a positive and realistic light, and it was one of the few shows of its time to feature a multigenerational cast.
If any members of the cast have gone on to do other work
Many of the cast members from 227 have gone on to pursue successful careers in both television and film. Marla Gibbs, who played Mary Jenkins, is perhaps the most well-known of the cast members, having starred in such shows as The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and The Jeffersons.
She also appeared in a number of movies including Madea’s Family Reunion and Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns.
Other cast members have gone on to star in shows such as Girlfriends, Scrubs, and The Game, as well as films like Barbershop and Soul Food. Additionally, some of the younger actors who starred in 227 have gone on to become successful child actors.
Conclusion
The cast of the show 227 featured a talented group of actors in a variety of roles. Marla Gibbs starred as Mary Jenkins, the matriarch of the family. Jackée Harry and Helen Martin played her close friends Sandra and Rose, respectively. Alaina Reed Hall portrayed Mary’s daughter Brenda, while Regina King portrayed her daughter-in-law Lisa. Other recurring characters included Lester (played by Hal Williams), and numerous members of the extended family. Together, these actors created an incredible show that is still remembered fondly today.
