Turn All the Lights of Heaven On for Sherman Hemsley
When I tell you that 2012 has NO chill, please believe me. My goodness! This year just won’t stop taking our icons. This is one streak I’d like to end because every day when another celebrity from the days of yore is said to be dead, my childhood light dims just that much. QUIT IT ALREADY, 2012!
The latest in the line is Sherman Hemsley, best known as George Jefferson, the dude who moved to the East Side and got him a deluxe apartment in the sky because of his laundry business. The Jeffersons is one of my favorite comedies of all time and I still watch it to this day. George and Weezy (played by Isabel Sanford, who passed 8 years ago) gave me EVERYTHING with their chemistry and snap backs. So much love for them both!
It’s hard to even articulate the awesomeness of The Jeffersons. That show began almost 40 years ago, and is still a pop culture staple. It still plays on TV all the time and I still laugh like it’s my first time seeing it. And a lot of that credit goes to Sherman Hemsley for playing one of the most memorable characters on TV. Ever.
Seriously. George’s side-eyes were soooo epic. He threw shade so effortlessly and slayed every time.
Even beyond playing George, I still remember him as Deacon Frye from Amen, the Twins’ grandpa on Sister, Sister, countless other guest appearances in some of my other favorite TV shows and ummm… *coughs* those cheesy Old Navy commercials. Sherman had CREDITS! Y’all better check his IMDB page!
Anywho, finding out Sherman died today made me bust out an epic *wall slide* though. I was like “Wait…WUT? NAWL!” Even though he hasn’t been in the spotlight in recent years, finding out he died is a shock because he wasn’t even that old (74), nor had we heard that he was sick. Talk about being trapped in a glass case of surprise.
But yeah, I’ve been singing the theme song to “Amen” all day. And making up my own lyrics with reckless abandon. Because it amuses me. See the video of the song here:
TURN ALLA LAHTS OF HEAVEN ON. SHAHN ON ME. TURN ALLA LAHTS OF HEAVEN ON. SHAHN ON ME. SHAHN ON ME! TURN ALLA LAHTS AND PUT ME ONA HONOR ROLL.
Yes, I said honor roll. Oh that ain’t it? Aight SHARRAP! Lemme cook. *double dutches on the way to a church*
And OF COURSE I gotta drop the video of Sherman’s crazy shuffle.
That dance brings me SOOOO much joy. I mean serious LMAO! How could you not love that pocket man?
For bringing the world so much joy through laughter, and blessing us with cackles through the years, I hope they turn all the lights of Heaven on for Sherman Hemsley. *pours out some pink moscato in his honor*
Um… so who knows the real lyrics to that Amen song? Surely ain’t me. O_O
P.S. I’ve been known to bust into the Sherman Hemsley shuffle in public for no reason.
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11 Comments
The year of twenny-twelve has certainly been showing its ass lately; my emotions have been on a wild ride since January and I’m ready to get off now.
Thank you Luvvie. ‘Old George’ will be missed. One of our best African American actors. Always had so much pride from watching the Jefferesons: seeing black folks acting all uppity! Sherman Hemsley did that! Yes, he did. Rest well Mr. Hemsley.
My 17-month-old dances EXACTLY like that. He’s always walking around with is arms swinging behind his back and I’ve always said he’s George Jefferson reincarnated. Now he’ll never get to meet his inspiration. Sad.
I loved The Jeffersons so much. I thought there apartment was the nicest apartment ever. Growing up in suburbia, I thought apartment living was so fabulous and that theirs was like a mansion. The sliding glass doors and swinging kitchen door were what I dreamed of. RIP.
New follower here, deeply saddened by the loss of dear George! 2012 is not the year for Black entertainers AT ALL! May he rest in peace.
unpredictablime.blogspot.com
“Turn on the lights of Heaven, Lord.
Shine on Me.
Tun on the lights of Heaven, Lord.
Shine on Me, Shine on Me.
Turn on the lights
(Turn on the lights!)
And put me on the right road,
Help me find my way, Lord.
Turn on the lights of Heaven, Lord.
Shine on Me…”
God bless Sherman Hemsley!
that “Amen” theme song always has and always will give me chills…
indeed, 2012 is going HAM on Black entertainers!
R.I.P George and Weezy!
the absolute best
I can’t cope with this. It’s like all my favourite aunties, cousins and sisters from other misters have left this world. Too much.
Wonderful reflections, Luvvie.
I loved this post. “Amen” was my show! And I LOOOOVED him on The Fresh Prince when we was Uncle Phil’s crazy mentor
Bless his sweet heart. I could not believe this when I heard it. He introduced to the world the funky chicken dance. Love the post Luvvie!! May he rest in peace..
To date he will be the only man who can call me a “Zebra,” child with a white and black parent = biracial