227 (TV series)

227 is an American sitcom that originally aired on the NBC network from September 14, 1985 to May 6, 1990. The program revolves around the lives of the occupants of a Washington, D.C. apartment building numbered 227, nearly all of whom are African American. While the neighborhood's location is never mentioned specifically, the opening credits include an altered photograph of a residential neighborhood close to the Washington Monument; such a neighborhood location is impossible, especially in light of the address.

The group dynamic

Mary's best friend was Rose Lee Holloway (Alaina Reed), who inherited the building early in the show's run when the previous landlord (whom was never seen) died; Rose had cooked him food on many occasions and he gave her the building because she made the best apple pie he'd ever tasted. Mary took a no-nonsense, old-fashioned approach to life, and Mary and Rose's views sometimes clashed (one time, Rose and Mary got into a fight after Mary chastised Rose for giving her daughter ice cream money before she did homework, and Rose accused her of trying to make everyone "perfect"). Mary especially disliked one of the building's tenants, self-described "man-wise" Sandra Clark (Jackée Harry), and criticized her either behind her back or to her face many times. Over time, Mary and Sandra's relationship cooled to an on-off acquaintance/adversary relationship, and many of Mary's schemes involved Sandra working with her in some way, and vice versa.

Related Topics:
Alaina Reed - Apple pie - Jackée Harry

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Also seen was Mary's husband Lester (Hal Williams) and her teenaged daughter Brenda (Regina King in her first nationwide acting role). Another character seen was Pearl Shay (Helen Martin), who often popped her head outside her window to comment on the various goings-on as related by Mary and Rose. Pearl lived with her grandson Calvin Dobbs (Curtis Baldwin), who was Brenda's first love. Brenda's best friend was Rose's daughter Tiffany (Kia Goodwin).

Related Topics:
Hal Williams - Regina King - Helen Martin - Curtis Baldwin - Kia Goodwin

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