why did john amos leave good timeswhy did john amos leave good times

Amos thought that JJ was stereotyped as a stupid guy. J.J. was the skirt-chasing but well-meaning teenage son who made up for his lack of subtlety with artistic talent. She starts to cry. 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. I'm getting emotional, too! She is the beautiful mother of J.J., Thelma, and Michael Evans, and the widow of James Evans and Carl Dixon after the untimely death of James, who died in a automobile accident while preparing his family to move to Mississippi. America and the world got to see what life could be like within a Black family on Good Times, Amos shares. In an interview with the American Archive of Television. Get Updates About Stimulus Check 4 Expected Date Direct Deposit 2023, IRS Announces Possibility of Fourth Stimulus Check for Americans, Updates About Fed rate hike: All of Fed Chair Powells market-moving remarks following the rate hike, Who is Ivan Ardila-Perez? The secret is to be happy! I wish they would bring the show back. 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. These are my questions and comments. 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. *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. 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. The end of James Evans Sr. "Good Times" was one of the first African American family sitcoms to air. Want to know why did John Amos leave Good Times? In the season finale, Esther Rolle returned; did he do the same? Man, I can't remember ever seeing a white guy in that show! Because he was always butting heads with producers, his character was killed off which came as a shock to him. 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. What many dont realize is that John Amos was just about as shocked as Florida when he learned that he was no longer on the show. Issues such as gun control, teen pregnancy, v.d., gangs and teen suicide. He also states that he wasnt the most diplomatic guy back then and producers got tired of having their lives threatened over jokes.. The entertainer admits that he wasnt the most Some of the people who star in the series like cast regulars Jimmie Walker(J.J. 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. 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. I liked many things about this show. Amos said he was shocked but not surprised, since he had already been labeled a disruptive element.. Being a white guy from a white city, it was one of my first glimpses into black culture. As a stay-at-home mother, she's the super-glue that keeps the family together. Good Times focuses on Florida and Jamess efforts to raise their three children in the best possible ways. But the remaining Esther Role was very good, Ralph Carter too, as the younger son, Michael, who sadly, and very disappointingly, didn't pursue the acting after his stint here. America and the world got to see what life could be like within a Black family on Good We all know that happened throughout the decade, but Good Times revolved around the 70's style. 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. Damn! Good Times was a form of Roots, except it told the story of who we are on a comedic basis. Then? This is not gonna work. I just didnt do it in the most diplomatic terms.. This show, to me reflected on the good side of poverty. Here are the explanations for John Amos departure from Good Times. 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. Big John, I got some good news and some bad news. 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. 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 reason I like the show is that of John Amos'character of James Evans. I first saw the reruns once our local WB affiliate took off the weekday morning reruns of Happy Days and began airing this instead. 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. They had three kids: J.J., Thelma, and Michael. Yes, we are referring to the sitcom and his unexpected exit. We Publish News 24/7. He took no bull from any of the kids. When asked by Lear if he wanted to say something, he simply said no and hung up. Why did James(John Amos) leave the show? 2023 TVLine Media, LLC. Despite their many financial issues, Florida is the quintessential hostess and is possessed of a generous spirit. He was let go. I think JJ was a precursor to characters such as Horshack, Screech, Urkel, Rerun, etc. Because of his strong beliefs, John Amos was fired from Good Times. Many other stars have faced similar situations with producers who simply want to be blindly obeyed, but with actors and actresses getting a stronger voice these days, we can only hope that the same fate that befell the character of Mr. James Evans, does not happen to some of our current unproblematic and beloved TV stars. Throughout those times, many African American families consisted of a single mom with numerous kids. It also dated politics, recession, wages, history. 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. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Want to know why did John Amos leave Good Times? So apparently, from Amos standpoint, there was too much shucking and jiving on the show, and he didnt want to tolerate it any more. due to the scripts' lack of authenticity in portraying the African-American experience. Ester Rolle was handling the death all well untill the end. 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. 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. It seemed as if every other season, fiesty neighbor and friend Willona, always received the same promotion on her job. There is no more complete source for urban news than the Electronic Urban Report. You must have realised from the title alone that the sitcom only spreads good vibes to its audience. Not only is Florida the superwoman of the Evans household, but for many - including her good friend and neighbor, Willona - she's the superhero of her housing project on the North Side of Chicago. An explanation of the cause of death of the former mayor of EL Cerrito, California, Gut-wrenching: Rep. Quentin Williams, a rising political star, killed in wrong-way accident. Hey, its your dime, you made the call, Amos replied. The show lost something when Amos left, but the others were good enough to keep it going. He was out of town, got hit by a car, and died. I reflect back on that with very, very fond memories., One of Amos favorite moments from the movie is when he ad-libbed the line, I dont give a damn who you are. It was the sort of family white viewers had read about in their own magazines with their slanted perceptions. If Amos believed this, he was wrong. John Amos left the series immediately following the third season of Good Times. He was let go. I certainly hope that the phrase "Kid Dynamite" will come back into common usage some day. I would like to know why John Amos left the show, and how did he die off the show again? They find humor and have strong family values and morals. But Amos adds that he wants the course correction to keep going. | Unexpectedly, Florida Evans, John Amos on-screen spouse, left the show after Good Times Season 4. Humperdink! 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. John Amos departure from Good Times appears to have much to do with his African-American cultural values. Actually, that was not the case as the show certainly lacked some personality after his exit and many viewers just could not cope with the void his absence left. We got to see them experience a few good times. WebJohn Amos discusses why he stopped doing Good Times - EMMYTVLEGENDS.ORG - YouTube 0:00 / 2:54 John Amos discusses why he stopped doing Good Times - In that way, Amos observes, Good Times and Roots had more in common than him. Floridas Damn, damn, damn is still relevant in todays pop culture and memes. "); Thelma, their only daughter (BernNadette Stanis)who is a disaster in the kitchen, but who had hopes,dreams and intelligence. 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. It spawned some dy-no-mite catchphrases and 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. Print fond memoriesThis pocket Bluetooth printer lets you print your precious memories before they hit Instagram. All guests were black people. 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. Like most shows, it went on a little too long but for fans, each season has it's moments. Web"Good Times" was one of the first African American family sitcoms to air. John, who was born in 1939, is now 82 years old. 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. Metacritic Reviews. I don't think a movie or a new show would work. She had the authority to discuss the plot in more detail. Another Norman Lear hit detailing the problems that African Americans had to go through in the turbulent 1960s and 1970s. I love everything he does, and to work with him day after day, for such an extended period of time, was a blessing. Yes, we are talking about the sitcom and his sudden departure. Good Times is a spin-off of Maude, which itself is a spin-off of All in the Family, arguably Once Amos left the show, there was definitely a missing element. 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! According to rumours, Good Times emphasises the dynamics of African-American households. When Norman Lear who just dominated television in the 70s decided to give Rolle her own series, he took her character and moved them to the south side of Chicago where they lived in the projects. He was tough, but loving and kind. The parents loved their children more than anything, were always there for them , and wanted the best for them. 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. Some folks need bracing, as my uncle used to say. He claimed that the sitcoms creative team demanded his departure because they could not stand that. This is one of my all time favorite shows. I don't find it stereotypical or shuckin'/jivin' at all. Amos, 80, recalls that one of the best perks of his West Wing tenure was meeting former Secretary of State Colin Powell. All posters in there rooms were black people, furniture pieces were African. 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. Awards She and JJ have one last hassle. She is known to throw a good party, and doesn't hesitate to offer whatever she has to those in need. 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? Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson in Chicago: We do not support that behavior.. Dave Chappelle gets his message across but doesnt offend people who dont need to be offended, Amos opines. Amos stated that during the shows hiatus, Lear called him. Read Also Where is Pumpkin Pie Wars Filmed? Devastated, the now-widowed Florida had to support herself and their three children alone. Better than most of the family comedies today! You have entered an incorrect email address! In Amos eyes, Good Times had too much shucking and jiving, which was something he couldnt take anymore. Yes, we are talking about the sitcom and his sudden departure. 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. Famous words by Jimmie Walker as JJ the breakout character and due to providing over in very bad role model for African-American teens there led both the parents on the TV show, the late Esther Rolle and John Amos to leave the show with the latter's character dying in a car wreck. 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. He referred to himself as the disruptive element as well. John Amos Reveals How His Departure From 'Good Times' Went In Amos eyes, Good Times had too much shucking and jiving, which was something he couldnt take anymore. It was too often for Norman and the other writers to accept. He occasionally disagreed with the writings and questioned the writers about how long they had been black. In that way, Amos observes, Good Times and Roots had more in common than him. 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. 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. But they don't dwell on it. J.J. (the eldest brother) was the tall comic relief in this show, and always fought with his sister Thelma (the curvacious beauty). Most of the early episodes focused on the parents, James and Florida Evans, and their struggle to provide for the family. All Rights Reserved. | Princr Humperdink! 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.. Fascinatingly enough, Good Times Season 4B premiered mere weeks before the Roots miniseries debuted in January 1977 on competing network ABC and changed television as we know it forever because of the grippingly personalized way it portrayed enslaved Black Americans. The lives and times of the Evans family living the projects of Chicago. Contract disputes? Roots? On the Maude series, the Findlays up there in Tuckahoe had a maid played by Esther Rolle named Florida Evans. And with Roots, I dont think any of us involved in the production, particularly the network, were aware audiences would tune in to the extent that they did.. He is doing an excellent job in his roles, even at this young age. They didn't dwell on it. He loved his wife. Additionally, he used to assert that in practice, he wouldnt permit his kids to do that. The creators soon became irate over these variances. Created by Eric Monte and Mike Evans, Good Times is a sitcom that made its debut in 1974 on CBS. But Good Times creator Norman Lear gave him a call to let him know that he would also be absent from Season 4. 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. 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. My husband and I enjoy this movie so much, we began our wedding ceremony with quotes from this movie. Ive had a blessed career, and I attribute that to my faith in God and the fact that I was raised right. It's not an overly funny show, but does has some good hearty chuckle moments. JJ was never stupid-he only acted that way most of the time. Due to proximate causes. The show wasnt as good after he left. I remember when it came back on t.v. He reportedly left the show, after 3 seasons, because he disapproved of Jimmie Walker's character. The show ended with Season 6, and recently, people have expressed concern about John Amos departure. Florida was the glue that kept the family together, Amos joyfully recalls. Mekeisha Madden Toby / When and how did Janet Abelson die? He worked hard. 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. By the way, did they ever make it out of the ghetto? In any case, James Evans was portrayed by John Amos. I think the episode with the black Jesus was my favorite. Claim: Actor John Amos died from a heart attack on 28 December 2016. Esther Rolle has played her role of her. When Florida was pregnant with their third child, Michael, they moved to the North Side of Chicago in the Housing Projects. To work with Eddie Murphy on Coming to America was a paid vacation for me because Im an Eddie Murphy fan. But despite all the fights behind the scenes, Good Times was a show about a family. After repeated disagreements with the production staff, Amos was fired from the show. This series is not only entertaining but instructive at the same time. 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. You probably had no idea that John Amos, who portrayed Glenn Johnson in King of the Hill, also amassed enormous popularity. John Amos left the series immediately following the third season of Good Times. The movie also reunited him with his Roots costar, the late Madge Sinclair, who played Bell, the wife of his character, adult Kunta Kinte. What I do know is that when Janet Jackson, Bookman, and that annoying neighbor Willona; Miss Big Mouth, I'm beautiful, took over, this show was lost forever(but I did like sweet daddy). What happened? She played his wife, matriarch Florida Evans, despite being 20 years his senior in real life. John Amos Says He Was Kicked Off 'Good Times' Because He Didn't Agree With The Shucking And Jiving. Getting fired from Good Times is one of the best things that could have ever happened to John Amos. Aids wiped him out not long ago. Returning to the thrilling Good Times, in which John Amos stars as the main character, has astounded the audience. The Real Reason John Amos Was Fired From Good Times. Well, John Amos played the character of It appears to be comparable. 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. The explanation for John Amos dismissal from Good Times is revealed. (on which he guest-starred) have Black writers and showrunners. 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. How did things turn out for John Amos in the movie Good Times? Damn! Speaking of theme songs, Ja'net DuBois (neighbor Willona) co-wrote and sang another truly memorable one during this time. 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. Heres Everything We Know About Him. As a young adult, she met her childhood sweetheart and the love of her life, James Evans, Sr., and eventually married him. The show revolves around a blue collar family, making the best of it, in the dangerous projects, where you should always pray the elevator doesn't break down. A: Amos was fired from the show and his character killed off after he often Despite the fact that I've never seen every episode, I still enjoy it. Click HERE to SUBSCRIBE to Our Newsletter Now! What makes Good Times so awesome is that it defined the decade. Christine Paduch, a teacher, is detained on suspicion of abusing a student with special needs. This was a good show for the first three seasons. Stimulus Check Proposal Could Give Americans Monthly $1,200 Checks. It's hard to say which one is my favorite. 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. It concluded with Season 6, [] 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. Personally, even while watching repeats when I was younger, I seem to remember asking myself what happened with James Evans, and eventually I stopped watching altogether. This show was groundbreaking to show despair in drugs, gangs, and alcoholism. In a new interview with Thank You!! This funeral episode was excellent. The entertainer admits that he wasnt the most diplomatic guy back then. The parental figures in "Good Times" didn't last the duration of the series. 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. 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. Having recently watched a few episodes, I was happy to see that it still holds up after all these years. Issa Rae and Shameik Moore Would Unalive Spiders Matthew Lawrence Shaquille ONeal Releasing New Hip-Hop Track to Celebrate NBA Playoffs, Elon Musk Announces Charging Option for Publishers on Twitter. 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. A movie career? It really suffered the year that Esther Rolle was off. 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. Florida Evans (later Florida Evans-Dixon) is the protagonist of Good Times in Seasons 1-4 and 6. Great acting. It was then that Lear told him that they were being picked up for another season, which wasnt a surprise to Amos. You get to learn a lot about the hardships of life. 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There were a lot of behind the scenes issues, which led to cast members leaving the show. 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. Rolle quit when her contract concluded. Dont Miss A Story. I liked Good Times. 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. When many people think about the most memorable John also revealed that he had shared creatively divergent ideas with the Good Times shows founders and producers. 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? 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. There's no denying the shows impact, it still holds, after forty years. 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. The truth of it is, when I started acting, I never thought I would live this long, much less be an actor, the 82-year-old tells TVLine with a chuckle. There's Michael (Ralph Carter), who is intelligent beyond his years and very outspoken (He is often heard saying that "Boy is a white racist word. 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