227 1985 1990 In this sitcom based on Christine Houstons play about the lives of black women residing in an apartment building in 1950s Chicago, Illinois Marla Gibbs, who first shot to stardom for playing Florence Johnston, the sarcastic housekeeper to Louise and George Jefferson on The Jeffersons 1975, got her own series Gibbs starred as tart tongued Mary Jenkins Her husband Lester Hal Williams was a construction worker and they had a teenage daughter, Brenda Regina King Pearl Shay Helen Martin was an annoying but open minded neighbor who gossiped with Mary, and Rose Lee Holloway Alaina Reed Hall was Marys best friend, who lived in the building with her daughter Tiffany Kia Goodwin and was sympathetic to the neighbors The landlord died in the pilot episode and Rose took his place until season four Attractive, sassy vamp Sandra Clark Jackee Harry showed up later in the shows run