atlasmb
"227" is a comedy about the tenants of an apartment building in Washngton, D.C. It features a group of competent actors but suffers from lackluster writing. Much of the dialogue is tired and clichéd.Comparing it to one of its contemporary shows, "The Golden Girls", can help illustrate. On TGG, the dialogue and the humor is sharper. This might explain the huge discrepancy in award nominations and wins.Jackee helped add zing, but not enough to elevate the show above mediocrity.
Syl
This show and Amen both aired on NBC. Both show featured the comic genius of two Jeffersons' alums, Sherman Hemsley, and Marla Gibbs. We all watched her play the wisecracking maid, Florence Johnston, on the Jeffersons. Now she shines in her own show but not without a great supporting cast. There is Emmy winning Jackee Harry as Sandra, her upstairs neighbor, or veteran actress Helen Martin as the nosy neighbor on the stoop. The show was named 227 after it's address. No it was set in Washington D.C. of all place, a nice change in location. Hal Williams played the ideal spouse to Marla Gibbs' husband. If you look, you will see Regina King who is on her way to becoming a star with credits like Jerry Maguire and Ray. It was a good show with wholesome family entertainment.
leighabc123
This show came on after my bedtime when it first came on. Therefore I saw the first seasons episodes in reruns. Marla Gibbs had that same Florence Johnston personality. But she did not whine as much. Hal Williams was the husband who was a construction worker. He was not funny. Regina King played Brenda, the spoiled daughter. Then there was Alaina Reed, the lady from Sesame Street, who had a daughter who disappeared (a la Judy Winslow) and fly Jackee Harry who also lived in the building. Helen Martin played Pearl, who was just a reoccurring guest star who would just look out the window and make wise remarks the 1st season. The 2nd season she became a regular and finally came out of the window. She had a grandson named Calvin who thought he was cool. I hated the episode when Bobby Brown appeared. When Brenda got in trouble, she should have really been punished by not seeing Bobby Brown. She was still allowed to dance with him! When Countess Vaughn came on the show, the show got worse. When Jackee got demoted to guest star and Toukie Smith, Paul Winfield, Barry Sobel, and Stoney Jackson became regulars, the show got even much worse than that! I was still mad that the 227 characters didn't get to win on Wheel Of Fortune or Family Feud. I was also mad at the episode when Gary Coleman was a criminal on the show and Mary and Lester didn't get to go to Hawaii as planned. It's not their fault that they got robbed!
SpasticTriscuit
I have to agree with what 'EricTee' posted above. This show was standard. It was just like most other sitcoms: stale jokes, repetitive stories. I completely agree about the woman who played 'Pearl', she was awful ! I gave this show a fair shake when it came on, but my word....simply dreadful ! On any given episode, we'd see: What wacky hijinx will Mary and Sandra get into this week? Will Brendas' date try to go 'too far' with her ? <a 'very special' episode, no doubt> Will Pearl lean out her window and make some bad joke which will prompt guffaws from Mary and Rose ?Will Sandra have a date and emit that irritating 'Ewwwwwww' noise when asked for details of her date ?Silly and unwatchable