Norman Lear During a trip to Mississippi, his character James Evans was fatally injured in a vehicle accident. 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. And the differences I had with the producers of the show I felt too much emphasis was being put on J.J. and his chicken hat and saying dy-no-mite every third page, when just as much emphasis and mileage could have been gotten out of my other two children , Amos stated. As she was putting away dishes from the wake at their house, she saw a flower James had left her and kept working, she finally stopped and smashed a bowl on the kitchen floor as she swore and then broke down in tremendous grief over the loss of her husband. I liked Good Times. As of 15 January 2018, Amos was still with us and posting on social media: While the news about Amos alleged demise originated on a disreputable web site, many viewers may have readily accepted it as true at the time due to a perceived increase in celebrity deaths during 2016. 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. On the Maude series, the Findlays up there in Tuckahoe had a maid played by Esther Rolle named Florida Evans. John Amos Details Why He Got Fired From Good Times (WATCH) 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. What I liked about this show over Sanford and Son was that whites weren't portrayed as idiots, like some stupid attack against shows in the past that put blacks in an Aunt Jemima mode, please! John Amos Says He Was Kicked Off Good Times Because He Didn 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. She had the authority to discuss the plot in more detail. Has Tension risen Between President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris? 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. Black News and Black Views with a Whole Lotta Attitude. FAQ James tried to work several jobs, just so Florida could stay home and tend to the needs of the house/family. Amos John Amos Says He Was Kicked Off 'Good Times' Because He Didn't Agree With The Shucking And Jiving. The parental figures in "Good Times" didn't last the duration of the series. John Amos left the series immediately following the third season of Good Times. In Amos eyes, Good Times had too much shucking and jiving, which was something he couldnt take anymore. And it made me laugh! The entertainer admits that he wasnt the most Awards He depicted a strong father figure-something likely missing in many people's lives. It was too often for Norman and the other writers to accept. Good Times was a groundbreaking comedy about the first nuclear black family living in the Chicago projects. She played his wife, matriarch Florida Evans, despite being 20 years his senior in real life. He worked hard. In that way, Amos observes, Good Times and Roots had more in common than him. The Real Reason John Amos Was Fired From Good Times It really suffered the year that Esther Rolle was off. 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. Despite the story behind the scenes, this show was worth keeping on the air except I didn't like them killing off the father which I agreed with Esther Rolle who fought hard to keep the family together. Seems to me when at least one parent was in the home, children were a bit more manageable. Rolle quit when her contract concluded. Mekeisha Madden Toby / When questioned about it, John Amos responded that the reason for his departure was that Good Times higher-ups informed him that his contributions were no longer required at the time. So does JJ. John Amos Explains Why He Was Kicked Off 'Good Times' John Amos Talks Good Times, Roots and Career - TVLine I had to make a commitment, he said. something they didn't have very often. It seemed as if every other season, fiesty neighbor and friend Willona, always received the same promotion on her job. We all loved JJ's dynamite and his antics. He referred to himself as the disruptive element as well. After repeated disagreements with the production staff, Amos was fired from the show. John said that was the last he heard from him for months, he never called back to check on him and even today, many fans can agree that after Mr. Evans death, something unique was missing from the show. 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. 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. Whats your favorite John Amos role? What was it? Because of his offensive remarks about the brawls behind the scenes, John Amos was fired. The little brother "Michael" was Mr. Militant black pride. This is one of my all time favorite shows. The Evans family had both parents providing stabilty and shelter for them. Amos stated that during the shows hiatus, Lear called him. The end of James Evans Sr. When and how did Janet Abelson die? An interesting comedy series about a poor black family trying to make ends meet and make a better life in the projects of Chicago. It was one of the most realistic shows ever about the black experience in America,and a product of 1970's TV culture of what the black family was going through. As a child,this show was mandatory when me and my brother saw the show each week. You must have realised from the title alone that the sitcom only spreads good vibes to its audience. COPYRIGHT 2022 EURweb.com/Rabercom Enterprises. Once Amos left the show, there was definitely a missing element. Great acting. I realize everyone has their own opinion, but, I don't know . Created by Eric Monte and Mike Evans, Good Times is a sitcom that made its debut in 1974 on CBS. Good Times Contract disputes? This is the most memorable TV series that I saw in my youth and it left a strong impression on me. Also, I really love the theme song. John Amos The show lost something when Amos left, but the others were good enough to keep it going. Good Times focuses on Florida and Jamess efforts to raise their three children in the best possible ways. They tried to show their kids to strive for more in life, DESPITE obstacles. 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. It could be more genuine, he thought. The 1970s represented a period of drastic changes in the TV landscape. Amos thought that JJ was stereotyped as a stupid guy. A: Amos was fired from the show and his character killed off after he often complained about the shows writing. JJ was never stupid-he only acted that way most of the time. 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. Television Images: My Favorite TV Characters of All-Time: (1970s edition). Then? I think JJ was a precursor to characters such as Horshack, Screech, Urkel, Rerun, etc. I liked many things about this show. It was actually quite funny> All references in the show had to be "black". Like The Jeffersons, Good Times was one of the those classic American sitcoms which was never aired in the UK, not to mention it came out in the 1970s- a decade where of which I wasn't born yet. John Amos and Esther Rolle were the best part of the show. Headed by two parents who realized there own shortcomings (lack of education, money), but didn't they try to lead by example by teaching their kids values, strong work ethic and didn't they try to IMPROVE the lives of THEIR children? WebRalph Carter, BernNadette Stanis, Janet DuBois, John Amos, Esther Rolle, and Jimmie Walker in Good Times / Everett Collection. Princr Humperdink! My husband and I enjoy this movie so much, we began our wedding ceremony with quotes from this movie. Very cool. To work with Eddie Murphy on Coming to America was a paid vacation for me because Im an Eddie Murphy fan. The original lineup could've easily gone on a few more years. You get to learn a lot about the hardships of life. This is a good show steered by characters I like, of course, loose, fat lipped Jimmy Walker as J.J., as the strikingly brilliant artist, and too, fat maintenance man, Bookman, where Est her Rolle and John Amos, lend strong support as Mother and father team, Amos in particular, who sadly was kicked off the storm, while acting up a bit of the storm, off the set, where the quality of the show, kind of dropped, in the absence of his killed off character, as they went into the second season, where really it was up to J.J to carry it on. He also adds that two of his favorite comedians Eddie Murphy and Dave Chappelle are able to use humor to communicate in a way he wishes he could have at their age. When you allow other people to perpetuate your imagery, they will do so out of their own perceptions and minds, and its not always an accurate view, he continues. They find humor and have strong family values and morals. Like most shows, it went on a little too long but for fans, each season has it's moments. in 1985, where before then, it played in the late 70's. Amos worked with Murphy on the 1988 classic Coming to America, in which he played Cleo McDowell, a businessman who owned a fast-food restaurant that too hilariously and closely resembled McDonalds. J.J. was the skirt-chasing but well-meaning teenage son who made up for his lack of subtlety with artistic talent. The next day, that guy was gone never to be seen again. 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. Devastated, the now-widowed Florida had to support herself and their three children alone. Florida Evans Running from 1974 to 1979, Good Times followed the Evans family as they navigate the daily woes of life in addition to their own particular family dynamics and the hardships of poverty. Due to proximate causes. Good Times was a form of Roots, except it told the story of who we are on a comedic basis. The lives and times of the Evans family living the projects of Chicago. Amos was a force to be reckoned with on the show, and apparently, because of his personality and the fact that he realized the show was making a coonery out of the family, he couldnt be a part of it any more. In an interview with the American Archive of Television. It concluded with Season 6, [] 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. Smart-TV Maker Vizio Launches Branded Content Studio, Building, Bruins' Historic Loss Wasn't the Week's Biggest Upset: DataViz, Patti LuPone Didn't Know Marvel Before 'Agatha: Coven of Chaos', 'Beef' Breakout Young Mazino Signs With M88 (EXCLUSIVE), Editor's Choice: I Purchased This TikTok-Viral Walking Pad and I, TVLine is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Stimulus Check Proposal Could Give Americans Monthly $1,200 Checks. This is not gonna work. I just didnt do it in the most diplomatic terms.. The Evans were a real family with real problems, but they also truly loved each other. Unexpectedly, Florida Evans, John Amos on-screen spouse, left the show after Good Times Season 4. It centered on the poor Chicago-based Evans family and their struggles to make ends meet. John Amos discusses why he stopped doing Good Times - YouTube Id want to send John Amos my warmest wishes for the remainder of his days. Being a white guy from a white city, it was one of my first glimpses into black culture. This show, to me reflected on the good side of poverty. So apparently, from Amos standpoint, there was too much shucking and jiving on the show, and he didnt want to tolerate it any more. This series is not only entertaining but instructive at the same time. They make The Jefferson's look really sickly rich. There were a lot of behind the scenes issues, which led to cast members leaving the show. Yet why? But he did return to Good Times in a way in 2019, when he made a surprise appearance during a live re-creation of a Good Times episode on ABC. 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. Throughout those times, many African American families consisted of a single mom with numerous kids. Amos recalled complete silence on the set. We Publish News 24/7. Who Is UAE's Astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi Wife. They used to live in the South Side of Chicago in a cold water flat where they had their two oldest children, James "J.J." Evans, Jr. and Thelma. This affected the quality in later years. (on which he guest-starred) have Black writers and showrunners. The movie also reunited him with his Roots costar, the late Madge Sinclair, who played Bell, the wife of his character, adult Kunta Kinte. Want to know why did John Amos leave Good Times? "); Thelma, their only daughter (BernNadette Stanis)who is a disaster in the kitchen, but who had hopes,dreams and intelligence. To receive additional updates, you can follow John on Instagram. Despite their many financial issues, Florida is the quintessential hostess and is possessed of a generous spirit. They had three kids: J.J., Thelma, and Michael. I certainly hope that the phrase "Kid Dynamite" will come back into common usage some day. Rolle quit when her contract concluded. She never had the chance to finish high school, because she wanted to help support her parents and she started working minimum wage jobs. 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 While he was eventually let go, he went on to bounce back with memorable roles in the original Roots miniseries, and later Coming to America. That wasnt very pleasant, as it was already said that he spoke those things in public when asked in an interview. . JJ is about to insult her, but he breaks down and tells her he'll miss her. 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. John said that was the last he heard from him for months, he never called back to check on him and even today, many fans can agree that after Mr. Evans death, This show was groundbreaking to show despair in drugs, gangs, and alcoholism. It showed a Black family that had the same trials and tribulations as the rest of America, especially those who were financially challenged. Much to the chagrin of the shows supporters, James Evans was killed during the height of Good Times popularity. Many wondered why the shows producers would make such a decision and, over the years, rumors surfaced that they and Amos could not reach an agreement in their contractual negotiations. Amos left show after not so Good Times with writers 2020-02-11 - By Rich Heldenfels Tribune News Service Q: Why did John Amos leave Good Times? Read Also Where is Pumpkin Pie Wars Filmed? What better representation of a family values can you ask for? PMC Entertainment. When Florida was pregnant with their third child, Michael, they moved to the North Side of Chicago in the Housing Projects. Good Times was just that: It was a show that was very depicted in the everyday situations of the African American family growing up in the dangerous streets of Chicago. His departure so soon caught everyone off guard. Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson in Chicago: We do not support that behavior.. Although the series continued without her for the fifth season, she returned to reprise her role as Florida in the show's final season, with the explanation that the shop owner whom she wed at the end of Season 4, Rolle's most memorable moment from the show is in the episode. J.J. (the eldest brother) was the tall comic relief in this show, and always fought with his sister Thelma (the curvacious beauty). document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); WHO WE AREThe news you want unfiltered.The Electronic Urban Report/EUR puts the most buzz worthy African American news at your fingertips. 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. It was great. I initially ad-libbed the line at a reading of the script, and when Eddie Murphy dropped the script, hollered, and released that signature laugh that he has, I knew my line had gotten the laughing approval of a master comedian.. The Real Reason John Amos Was Fired From Good Times Thank God for reruns! Print fond memoriesThis pocket Bluetooth printer lets you print your precious memories before they hit Instagram. But Good Times corrected that imagery with its crazy teenage kids, a studious son Michael, as portrayed by Ralph Carter, and a beautiful young daughter with unlimited mental potential, as portrayed by BernNadette Stanis as Thelma.. John Amos Says He Was Kicked Off 'Good Times' Because He Didn't Agree With The Shucking And Jiving John Amos Explains Why He Was Kicked Off 'Good Times' By Brennan Williams Jun 5, 2015, 04:44 PM EDT | Updated Jun 5, 2015 No. It was then that Lear told him that they were being picked up for another season, which wasnt a surprise to Amos. Good Times is a spin-off of a spin-off: this spun-off of Maude and Maude spun-off of All in the Family. No canned laughter, no music. However, there was one little pesky problem that always seemed to bother me. But while the show would air for an additional three years without Amos, his career would hardly stop there. This show was excellent. Hey, its your dime, you made the call, Amos replied. They were actually trying to do everything they could to get out of the projects. FLAMIO. 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. Web"Good Times" was one of the first African American family sitcoms to air. Claim: Actor John Amos died from a heart attack on 28 December 2016. Especially without the original cast. Although the producer wanted to get some words out of him, he didnt budge, he simply hung up and remained his same old recalcitrant self to the very end. All guests were black people. 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. You know a show is going downhill when they have to resort to bringing on a cute kid character. I'm getting emotional, too! Some folks need bracing, as my uncle used to say. Tulsa Library Shooting: Two People Died, Others Injured At Convenience Store, Phoenix Bar Shooting, Several People Injured, How Did Elizabeth Santos Die? This is one of the few shows that became just as big as its presider's. This was a good show for the first three seasons. And of course theres the scene when Florida had her breakdown in the kitchen, when she could no longer play strong in her time of mourning. 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. GT is very family themed, illustrating how family is so important, amidst difficulties and hardships, especially when they lose one of their own, and such a great actor too. The secret is to be happy! Aids wiped him out not long ago. 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? Law. They are all great shows. A: Amos was fired from the show and his character killed off after he often John also revealed that he had shared creatively divergent ideas with the Good Times shows founders and producers. Yes, we are talking about the sitcom and his sudden departure. Classic episodes include the unfortunate death of James Evans and the one where Penny falls down the elevator shaft. He took no bull from any of the kids. 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. They argued all the time, but they loved the hell out of each other. The Real Reason John Amos Was Fired From Good Times Aaron Homer The 1970s represented a period of drastic changes in the TV landscape. His departure so soon caught everyone off guard. The show wasnt as good after he left. 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. Before leaving my own comments about the TV series GOOD TIMES, I feel that I simply MUST comment on the remarks of one Mr. Larry Wall. But they don't dwell on it. It also dated politics, recession, wages, history. He was out of town, got hit by a car, and died. A disruptive factor 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. Her children(who were shocked she hadn't grieved in front of others but was laughing) then ran from their rooms and comforted her with a family hug. We may say that John did not want to leave the Good Times. Having recently watched a few episodes, I was happy to see that it still holds up after all these years. This pocket Bluetooth printer lets you print your precious memories before they hit Instagram. February 25 2022, 6:52 PM PST. No matter how much the family suffered financially, they never turned to crime or other illegal actions to make ends meet. Most importantly it had a black family that stuck together through thick and thin. Florida was the glue that kept the family together, Amos joyfully recalls. 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. Another Norman Lear hit detailing the problems that African Americans had to go through in the turbulent 1960s and 1970s. She and JJ have one last hassle. The Real Reason Esther Rolle Left Good Times - Grunge Web2 2.Why Esther Rolle Quit Good Times Heres Why YouTube; 3 3.45 Years Ago: Esther Rolle Takes a Stand by Leaving Good Times 4 4.John Amos Reveals How Departure From Good Times Went Down; 5 5.Did John Amos Leave Good Times Because of J.J. Evans? John Amos looks back at The Mary Tyler Moore Show Well, John Amos played the character of James Evans. 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. | When many people think about the most memorable John Amos Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Thelma was an attractive, bright girl who was constantly trading insults with J.J. Michael was a near child prodigy who was well-educated on social issues and was destined to become a lawyer. *If you are a fan of 70s sitcoms then you definitely enjoyed the show Good Times. The hilarious TV show aired in the mid 70s for 6 whole seasons before it ended. Some may find that chauvinistic by today's standards, but, I'm not so sure about that. You probably had no idea that John Amos, who portrayed Glenn Johnson in King of the Hill, also amassed enormous popularity. I first saw the reruns once our local WB affiliate took off the weekday morning reruns of Happy Days and began airing this instead. To wit: The first time I saw this show was on my UPN (UPN Atlanta) and it currently airs weekdays at 11 PM. Ester Rolle was handling the death all well untill the end. He loved his wife. America and the world got to see what life could be like within a Black family on Good Times, Amos shares. Another great aspect of the show was JJ and Thelma. I don't think a movie or a new show would work. "GOOD TIMES," in my opinion, is a must-see CBS hit! When asked by Lear if he wanted to say something, he simply said no and hung up. A real true cut of reality, and it' cuts deep, which carries more weight, than many other black themed comedies, making this one especial, where the lives of the Evans, demand your attentiveness, as does the shows title song's lyrics. 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. 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. John Amos - Wikipedia So when I was being fed a line that was bullst, I wasnt apprehensive at all about saying, Uh-uh. Are you curious as to why John Amos left Good Times? Damn! In an interview with the American Archive of Television, Amos discussed why he received the boot from the show: I felt that with two other younger children, one of whom aspired to become a Supreme Court justicethat would be Ralph Carter, or Michaeland the other, BernNadette Stanis she aspired to become a surgeon.
Pati's Mexican Table Chocolate Recipes, Franciscan Mass Cards, Articles W