I ad-libbed quite a bit, and John Landis, the director, was very receptive to my ad-libs, Amos concludes proudly. Hey, its your dime, you made the call, Amos replied. Stimulus Check Proposal Could Give Americans Monthly $1,200 Checks. His I don't think a movie or a new show would work. Will Downing on New Song Following Daughters Suicide, Advice Kandi Burruss Hustles Up KFC Ad Based on Scene Dr. Phil Calls Professors $350,000-Per-Person Reparations Idea an Absolute Four Tops Singer to Sue Racist Hospital: They Told Suge Knight Says Snoop Dogg and Harry-Os Death Row Barbies Racial Justice Dolls Continue Mattels Path Toward Representation Daveed Diggs Planned Twister Sequel with All-Black and Brown Laura Coates Unlikely to Host CNNs 11 p.m. On the Maude series, the Findlays up there in Tuckahoe had a maid played by Esther Rolle named Florida Evans. John Amos Reveals How His Departure From 'Good Times' Went The secret is to be happy! Seems to me when at least one parent was in the home, children were a bit more manageable. After repeated disagreements with the production staff, Amos was fired from the show. The show ended with Season 6, and recently, people have expressed concern about John Amos departure. John Amos Says He Was Kicked Off Good Times Because He Didnt Agree With the Shucking and Jiving Black News and Black Views with a Whole Lotta Attitude Send us a We all know that happened throughout the decade, but Good Times revolved around the 70's style. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Want to know why did John Amos leave Good Times? Q: I was wondering why networks dont show TV shows like Dynasty, Dallas, Knots Landing and L.A. Life for the Evans family is not easy, especially when trying to keep their 3 children on the straight and narrow. If you got past all the stereotypes, you would notice that many of the episodes discussed issues that are just as relevant today as they were back then. Good Times embraces the reality of what hard living in the ghetto is like, and what one must do, to overcome many hindrances, and the Evan's really have it tough. The way he was written out of the show was very abrupt. He felt that for a show with such an influence, black people did not have to be represented as clowns all the time when they had the power to be role models to the younger generation. What better representation of a family values can you ask for? She and JJ have one last hassle. He referred to himself as the disruptive element as well. It could be more genuine, he thought. It was too often for Norman and the other writers to accept. Created by Norman Lear as a spin off from "Maude" (Which itself was a spin off from "All In The Family"), the show focused on the Evans Family, consisting of Florida (Esther Rolle)and James (John Amos), the heads of the household, trying to survive in the projects of Chicago. Well, John Amos played the character of James Evans. Also, I really love the theme song. To wit: The first time I saw this show was on my UPN (UPN Atlanta) and it currently airs weekdays at 11 PM. It was a ground breaking, memorable and well acted for a sitcom. Back then, Amos was vocal about his issues with the show, and it seemed to have rubbed the shows creator, Norman Lear, the wrong way. Roots, inspired by late author Alex Haleys novel of the same name, drew a record 36.4 million viewers and remains one of the most watched television events of all time. All Rights Reserved. Tulsa Library Shooting: Two People Died, Others Injured At Convenience Store, Phoenix Bar Shooting, Several People Injured, How Did Elizabeth Santos Die? Esther Rolle's departure from the show during the 19771978 season, the reason why she left was because she was unhappy that the success of Jimmie Walker's character J.J. Evans took the show in what she thought was a frivolous direction. Getting fired from Good Times is one of the best things that could have ever happened to John Amos. Webhttps://comedyhype.com/ - In 1974 Good Times would premiere showcasing black family life like never before. How did things turn out for John Amos in the movie Good Times? He also states that he wasnt the most diplomatic guy back then and producers got tired of having their lives threatened over jokes.. The Real Reason John Amos Was Fired From Good Times Aaron Homer The 1970s represented a period of drastic changes in the TV landscape. And just like that, his fate was sealed. Ester Rolle was handling the death all well untill the end. Here are the explanations for John Amos departure from Good Times. Drop your thoughts in the comments and click hereto check out all of our special Shades of Funny coverage dedicated to Black comedy trailblazers and rising stars. . Humperdink! To work with Eddie Murphy on Coming to America was a paid vacation for me because Im an Eddie Murphy fan. In any case, James Evans was portrayed by John Amos. A great show! The best episodes were the first few years with James Evans, the father. Why was his character abruptly killed off? Damn! It's hard to say which one is my favorite. I don't find it stereotypical or shuckin'/jivin' at all. John, who was born in 1939, is now 82 years old. This is not gonna work. I just didnt do it in the most diplomatic terms.. I couldn't relate to everything, but sometimes they hit home with the problems they were facing. | Esther Rolle and John Amos on set of Good Times Ms. Rolle was finally fed ALL the way up with the coonery: In 1977 Esther walked out of the still high-rated Good Times series because she felt the popular character J.J., played by Jimmy Walker, was tailored into a buffoon. In conclusion, even though it can be seen on TV Land now, I strongly recommend you catch it just in case it goes off the air for good. When many people think about the most memorable John Amos and Esther Rolle were the best part of the show. My favorite moment in the series is Thelma's wedding day. I'm sure a lot of even the most liberal thinking people have no conception of the fact that the help which was what Florida was go home to a whole different world. WebGood Times is an American television sitcom that aired for six seasons on CBS, from February 8, 1974, to August 1, 1979.Created by Eric Monte and Mike Evans and developed by executive producer Norman Lear, it was television's first African American two-parent family sitcom. Forever FLOTUS Michelle Obama Jams w/Bruce Springsteen Will Smith Posts BTS of Emancipation & More | WATCH, Lil Meech Calls Cap on 2-Year-Old Pic w/Groupie Doctor Says Oral Sex Causes Throat Cancer & More | PicsVideos, Ne-Yo Says Celebs Are Weirdos-Hes Willing to Love Down A Plain Jane + Ime Udoka Publicly Apologizes for Affair & More | PicsVideos. WebRalph Carter, BernNadette Stanis, Janet DuBois, John Amos, Esther Rolle, and Jimmie Walker in Good Times / Everett Collection. It was then that Lear told him that they were being picked up for another season, which wasnt a surprise to Amos. I was very sadden when James Evans was killed in an auto accident,and that was the show's very best episode and an emotional one as well in what the family was going through without a father figure for the children,but they continued on with J.J. stepping from a kid into manhood and the fatherly role after John Amos' character left the show. Amos thought that JJ was stereotyped as a stupid guy. I think the critics of this show miss the point of the show. The acting veteran, whose credits also include Future Cop, Die Hard 2 and Two and a Half Men, says he feels relieved and proud that modern sitcoms such as black-ish, The Neighborhood and The Last O.G. Devastated, the now-widowed Florida had to support herself and their three children alone. Man, I can't remember ever seeing a white guy in that show! The parental figures in "Good Times" didn't last the duration of the series. I had innumerable arguments with the writers on the set in regards to my characters demeanor, or what he would say in certain given situations. Created by Eric Monte and Mike Evans, Good Times is a sitcom that made its debut in 1974 on CBS. In that way, Amos observes, Good Times and Roots had more in common than him. Rolle quit when her contract concluded. JJ has to be the unlikeliest playa in the history of television but he always had a lot of girls, which is funny to me. The 1970s represented a period of drastic changes in the TV landscape. On Good Times, she appears in 109 of the 133 episodes in Seasons 1 through 4 and then returns in Season 6 after Carl died of lung cancer at the end of Season 4, in the episode "Love Has a Spot on His Lung: Part 2", the season finale. Amos and Lear have since made amends, and Amos appeared in Lears 2019 special Live in Front of a Studio Audience: All in the Family and Good Times. Big John, I got some good news and some bad news. Awards Law. They are all great shows. 2023 TVLine Media, LLC. It centered on the poor Chicago-based Evans family and their struggles to make ends meet. Whether or not, you live in the inner cities, ghettos, suburbs, or rural countryside, this show is still a treasure to watch and observe a family being just a family rather than a show about a poor black family. He claimed that the sitcoms creative team demanded his departure because they could not stand that. Florida Evans (later Florida Evans-Dixon) is the protagonist of Good Times in Seasons 1-4 and 6. WebTrivia Esther Rolle's departure from the show during the 19771978 season, the reason why she left was because she was unhappy that the success of Jimmie Walker's character J.J. Evans took the show in what she thought was a frivolous direction. Between the cooking, cleaning, laundry, and shopping, Florida often squeezes in a part-time job to help stretch the family dollar, and she even returned to school to get her high school diploma. What do you want to hear first? Amos said Lear asked him. I first saw the reruns once our local WB affiliate took off the weekday morning reruns of Happy Days and began airing this instead. When asked by Lear if he wanted to say something, he simply said no and hung up. When and how did Janet Abelson die? By the way, did they ever make it out of the ghetto? The Real Reason John Amos Was Fired From Good Times. A: Amos was fired from the show and his character killed off after he often complained about the shows writing. Her husband, James fought to get his family out of the ghetto, and he almost succeeded when he left Chicago to find a better job in his home State of Mississippi, and his family was scheduled to move to Mississippi with him, but while in Mississippi, James was killed in a car accident. STEVE HARVEYS STEVE IS DONE DAYTIME TALKER OFFICIALLY CANCELED, KENYA BARRIS ANNOUNCES FIRST NETFLIX SERIES (WITH RASHIDA JONES): BLACK EXCELLENCE, Blac Chyna Accused of Pulling Knife Hair Stylist who Defended Her Self with Soda Cans: Report, Polish Instagram Influencer Denies Accusations of Blackfishing for Clout, Gladys Knights Farewell Tour Continues This Summer in US. After three seasons of fighting with executive producer Norman Lear and the CBS sitcoms white writers about the stereotypical Black portrayals and dialogue the show perpetuated, particularly when it came to star Jimmie Walker, Amos contract to play patriarch James Evans wasnt renewed at the end of Season 3 in 1976 and his character was killed off. He stuck to his guns, and it eventually got him fired. Thelma, a dancer. The lives and times of the Evans family living the projects of Chicago. It seemed as if every other season, fiesty neighbor and friend Willona, always received the same promotion on her job. If you ask me, even though I like everyone, it would have been nice if everyone had stayed on the show throughout its entire run. After Season 3, his contract was not renewed, and he was sacked. In the season finale, Esther Rolle returned; did he do the same? These are my questions and comments. With her stern, but loving disposition, Florida does her best to to give her often unemployed husband emotional support and be a good mother and role model for their three children. The reason I like the show is that of John Amos'character of James Evans. I certainly hope that the phrase "Kid Dynamite" will come back into common usage some day. James was the father figure everyone like,and he was always providing something for his family even though they was struggling through tough times,but they came through. Everyone always gave a good performance, the production design was spectacular, the costumes were well-designed, and the writing was always very strong. The little brother "Michael" was Mr. Militant black pride. Being a white guy from a white city, it was one of my first glimpses into black culture. Yes, we are referring to the sitcom and his unexpected exit. It really suffered the year that Esther Rolle was off. something they didn't have very often. Amos recalled complete silence on the set. Actor John Amos died from a heart attack on 28 December 2016. On 28 December 2016, the web site Headline NewsNetwork published an article reporting that actor John Amos, best known for his role on the 1970s TV sitcom Good Times, had passed away from a heart attack at the age of 77: There was no truth to this article. John Amos departure from Good Times appears to have much to do with his African-American cultural values. After decades of Most of the early episodes focused on the parents, James and Florida Evans, and their struggle to provide for the family. "Good Times" was one of the first African American family sitcoms to air. In Amos eyes, Good Times had too much shucking and jiving, which was something he couldnt take anymore. If you didn't like the show, fine, but some of your reasons for disliking it are totally erroneous. Amos got the call that ended his time on the show while they were on a hiatus and he recalled Norman Lears voice saying, Big John, Ive got some good news and some bad news. The good news was that Good Times had renewed for another season, which wasnt exactly big news and he wasnt surprised to hear this as they had a solid spot with high ratings and then Lear hit him with you want the bad news? To which the actor replied sure how bad can it be Lear then said to him, you wont be with us.. I'm getting emotional, too! Issues such as gun control, teen pregnancy, v.d., gangs and teen suicide. To receive additional updates, you can follow John on Instagram. Just as Florida shockingly received notice that her husband had died, so, too, Amos received a call out of the blue that his character was no longer needed. The explanation for John Amos dismissal from Good Times is revealed. ABCs Live in Front of a Studio Audience promised to be full of surprises while bringing back to life Good Times and All in the Family. Aids wiped him out not long ago. I love everything he does, and to work with him day after day, for such an extended period of time, was a blessing. Despite the fact that I've never seen every episode, I still enjoy it. Whats your favorite John Amos role? They find humor and have strong family values and morals. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Although the Evans family was poor and lived in the projects, they had each other. He occasionally disagreed with the writings and questioned the writers about how long they had been black. It's not an overly funny show, but does has some good hearty chuckle moments. It seldomly is. This is one of my all time favorite shows. Why? The actor was never afraid to express his thoughts on writing. Better than most of the family comedies today! Looking back on both experiences, just before Black History Month comes to a close, Amos says hes proud he was a part of both small-screen offerings because their historical impacts can still be felt today. I think good times was a very good show, a lot of us African Americans could relate. You must have realised from the title alone that the sitcom only spreads good vibes to its audience. Common, Chicago wasn't all black! The entertainer admits that he wasnt the most diplomatic guy back then. The show ended. You have entered an incorrect email address! Claim: Actor John Amos died from a heart attack on 28 December 2016. Now you say one more word about Lisa, and Ill break my foot off in your royal ass., I have to take credit for that. Micheal (the youngest of the Evans children) was always the militant of the family and always keeping the family together even after the mom(Florida played by Esther Rolle)had a emotional breakdown after James' funeral. It made history as the first African American show with two parents and gathered a following of avid fans countrywide, so if Good Times had such a good reputation and following, why did one of the lead actors, John Amos, famous for playing James Evans Sr suddenly stop doing the show? A movie career? Well, John Amos played the character of Seems to me nowadays, the projects or ghetto life is romanticized (see BET videos or MTV videos), whereas the Evans family in "Good Times" was trying to get out and onto something better. But while the show would air for an additional three years without Amos, his career would hardly stop there. John Amos left the series immediately following the third season of Good Times. It is a crime that John Amos never received an Emmy nomination for his role on this show. Has Tension risen Between President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris? The Evans family had both parents providing stabilty and shelter for them. Why did James(John Amos) leave the show? "Movin' On Up" for The Jeffersons, of course. They had three kids: J.J., Thelma, and Michael. And last, but not least, Thelma, the older Sister to Michael, another seasoned performer. Actually I loved the intro and ending to each show; the painting at the end, the camera sky-views of Chicago, the theme music, the bike rider and citizens. The show was a huge success since it was a spinoff of Maude in which Florida was the Maude's housekeeper,and it ran on CBS from 1974-1979. In 2014, Amos gave a lengthy interview with the Television Academy Foundation, during which he discussed his career and, in particular, his experiences on "Good Times" and the series of events that led to his firing. Part of the problem was that he didn't see eye to eye with the producers over the directions of the characters of his three children. Great show early but suffered a decline in quality in later seasons, Good Times Early On, But Faded In the End, Good Times- Weren't We Lucky We Had Them & This Show ?****.
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