<P> According to Gibbs, 227 was originally offered to ABC, but sold to NBC . Since The Jeffersons was still on the air on CBS, the new 227 show was scheduled to begin in 1986 . However, when The Jeffersons was abruptly and unexpectedly canceled in 1985, Gibbs was free to begin, and 227 went into production a year earlier than had been previously planned . </P> <P> 227 followed the lives of people in a middle - class apartment building, 227 Lexington Place, in Northeast, Washington, D.C. The show was centered around Mary Jenkins (Marla Gibbs), a nosy, tart - tongued, but loving housewife . Her husband, Lester (Hal Williams), had his own construction company, and their daughter, Brenda (Regina King), was boy - crazy yet smart and studious . It was King's first acting role . </P> <P> Also cast in 227 was Sandra Clark (Jackée Harry), Mary's young neighbor who constantly bickered back and forth with her about their respective views on life . Although their relationship was antagonistic at first, Mary and Sandra became good friends as time went on . Also living in the building was Pearl Shay (Helen Martin), a feisty - but - kind - hearted busybody neighbor who was known for snooping and had a sharp sense of humor . Pearl had a grandson named Calvin Dobbs (Curtis Baldwin), whom Brenda had a crush on and would finally date later in the series' run . </P> <P> Rose Lee Holloway (Alaina Reed Hall) was Mary's level - headed best friend and often the voice of reason among 227's residents . She and Mary were often seen sitting on the front stoop of the building, exchanging rumors and gossip, with Pearl adding sly commentary and humor from her front window . Rose had a daughter named Tiffany (Kia Goodwin), who was Brenda's closest friend, but she disappeared after the second season, although she was mentioned occasionally . In the premiere episode, Rose became the unexpected landlord of the building after the building's stingy slumlord Mr. Calloway died . Rose stayed on as landlady until the fourth season (for season five, Paul Winfield was introduced as the building's new snide, wealthy landlord Julian c . Barlow). </P>

Where is the guy who plays calvin on 227