John Amos on Why He was Killed Off of Good Times - EURweb Thank God for reruns! They find humor and have strong family values and morals. In that way, Amos observes, Good Times and Roots had more in common than him. In a new interview with Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Why Did John Amos Leave Good Times? Reason Behind It Read Also Where is Pumpkin Pie Wars Filmed? Damn! We all loved JJ's dynamite and his antics. Amos, 80, recalls that one of the best perks of his West Wing tenure was meeting former Secretary of State Colin Powell. John Amos left the series immediately following the third season of Good Times. This show was excellent. J.J. (the eldest brother) was the tall comic relief in this show, and always fought with his sister Thelma (the curvacious beauty). For instance: Every book report had to be about black history, every movie had to involve black people, every politition had to be black, the list went on and on. It really suffered the year that Esther Rolle was off. And Ive always contended, as some of my mentors taught me, the best way to get a message across to people is through humor.. John Amos looks back at The Mary Tyler Moore Show 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. Esther Rolle has played her role of her. This pocket Bluetooth printer lets you print your precious memories before they hit Instagram. John Amos Details Being Fired From Good Times - EBONY 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. Having recently watched a few episodes, I was happy to see that it still holds up after all these years. 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. 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. Fans will forever remember how Florida Evans broke down in her kitchen and we can confidently say, most fans broke down with her. After repeated disagreements with the production staff, Amos was fired from the show. JJ wanted to be an artists. We may say that John did not want to leave the 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. We all know that happened throughout the decade, but Good Times revolved around the 70's style. I don't find it stereotypical or shuckin'/jivin' at all. 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. Especially without the original cast. He was out of town, got hit by a car, and died. Michael, involved in legal/justice. I think the critics of this show miss the point of the show. 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. 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. 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. The sitcom Good Times, created by Eric Monte and Mike Evans, premiered on CBS in 1974. 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). FLAMIO. 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. 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. John Amos, though, how about him? Florida was the glue that kept the family together, Amos joyfully recalls. 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. It was then that Lear told him that they were being picked up for another season, which wasnt a surprise to Amos. From 1974 to 1976, John Amos touched millions of lives as the iconic patriarch James Evans, Sr., on Good Times until he was unceremoniously dumped from the cast midway through its run. On the Maude series, the Findlays up there in Tuckahoe had a maid played by Esther Rolle named Florida Evans. "Movin' On Up" for The Jeffersons, of course. Better than most of the family comedies today! Are you curious as to why John Amos left Good Times? After Season 3, his contract was not renewed, and he was sacked. 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. Due to proximate causes. "Dynomite"! Which of his works do you like, if youre a fan? They are really what made Good Times GoodTimes. 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. Amos John Amos Talks Good Times, Roots and Career - TVLine Seems to me when at least one parent was in the home, children were a bit more manageable. J.J. was the skirt-chasing but well-meaning teenage son who made up for his lack of subtlety with artistic talent. Amos said he was shocked but not surprised, since he had already been labeled a disruptive element.. 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 Great acting. They make The Jefferson's look really sickly rich. Ive had a blessed career, and I attribute that to my faith in God and the fact that I was raised right. There's no denying the shows impact, it still holds, after forty years. Christine Paduch, a teacher, is detained on suspicion of abusing a student with special needs. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Yes, we are talking about the sitcom and his sudden departure. 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. 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. I remember when it came back on t.v. They didn't dwell on it. | Heres Everything We Know About Him. But they don't dwell on it. This funeral episode was excellent. | It concluded with Season 6, [] He was let go. "Good Times" was one of the first African American family sitcoms to air. It seldomly is. 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? It was too often for Norman and the other writers to accept. . Good Times was a form of Roots, except it told the story of who we are on a comedic basis. Yes, we are talking about the sitcom and his sudden departure. It is a crime that John Amos never received an Emmy nomination for his role on this show. Yes, we are referring to the sitcom and his unexpected exit. 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 As a child,this show was mandatory when me and my brother saw the show each week. Webhttps://comedyhype.com/ - In 1974 Good Times would premiere showcasing black family life like never before. Metacritic Reviews. I first saw the reruns once our local WB affiliate took off the weekday morning reruns of Happy Days and began airing this instead. Getting fired from Good Times is one of the best things that could have ever happened to John Amos. We Publish News 24/7. 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. I had to make a commitment, he said. Good Times focuses on Florida and Jamess efforts to raise their three children in the best possible ways. 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. The Real Reason John Amos Was Fired From Good Times I liked Good Times. Some of the people who star in the series like cast regulars Jimmie Walker(J.J. She never had the chance to finish high school, because she wanted to help support her parents and she started working minimum wage jobs. The secret is to be happy! Aids wiped him out not long ago. I wish they would bring the show back. Throughout those times, many African American families consisted of a single mom with numerous kids. 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. 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.. It's hard to say which one is my favorite. She is known to throw a good party, and doesn't hesitate to offer whatever she has to those in need. 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. All Rights Reserved. But despite all the fights behind the scenes, Good Times was a show about a family. America and the world got to see what life could be like within a Black family on Good Times, Amos shares. 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.. He also states that he wasnt the most diplomatic guy back then and producers got tired of having their lives threatened over jokes.. Unexpectedly, Florida Evans, John Amos on-screen spouse, left the show after Good Times Season 4. Good Times is a spin-off of Maude, which itself is a spin-off of All in the Family, arguably In any case, James Evans was portrayed by John Amos. Speaking of theme songs, Ja'net DuBois (neighbor Willona) co-wrote and sang another truly memorable one during this time. The Evans were a real family with real problems, but they also truly loved each other. No. You have entered an incorrect email address! 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. Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson in Chicago: We do not support that behavior.. Good Times was originally great, thanks to John Amos. Some folks need bracing, as my uncle used to say. I don't think a movie or a new show would work. Humperdink! So does JJ. And it made me laugh! 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. As a young adult, she met her childhood sweetheart and the love of her life, James Evans, Sr., and eventually married him. We have a low bullst threshold in New Jersey. 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. PMC Entertainment. It centered on the poor Chicago-based Evans family and their struggles to make ends meet. Once Amos left the show, there was definitely a missing element. They tried to show their kids to strive for more in life, DESPITE obstacles. John Amos Says He Was Kicked Off Good Times Because He Didn These were the words the producers used to describe John, as opinionated and troublesome as he was for them, they believed they didnt need such a person on set, so Mr. Evans died and in real life, John Amos discovered just how unimportant he was. Most of the early episodes focused on the parents, James and Florida Evans, and their struggle to provide for the family. Hey, its your dime, you made the call, Amos replied. Rolle quit when her contract concluded. What better representation of a family values can you ask for? When many people think about the most memorable Law. They are all great shows. You get to learn a lot about the hardships of life. You must have realised from the title alone that the sitcom only spreads good vibes to its audience. You probably had no idea that John Amos, who portrayed Glenn Johnson in King of the Hill, also amassed enormous popularity. America and the world got to see what life could be like within a Black family on Good User Ratings According to rumours, Good Times emphasises the dynamics of African-American households. Claim: Actor John Amos died from a heart attack on 28 December 2016. 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: Amos was fired from the show and his character killed off after he often complained about the shows writing. We got to see them experience a few good times. 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. Q: I was wondering why networks dont show TV shows like Dynasty, Dallas, Knots Landing and L.A. . FAQ This is the most memorable TV series that I saw in my youth and it left a strong impression on me. (on which he guest-starred) have Black writers and showrunners. 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. Contract disputes? During the daytime so people can actually stay up to watch. His 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. He is doing an excellent job in his roles, even at this young age. 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. Life for the Evans family is not easy, especially when trying to keep their 3 children on the straight and narrow. Big John, I got some good news and some bad news. 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. What happened? During a trip to Mississippi, his character James Evans was fatally injured in a vehicle accident. I think JJ was a precursor to characters such as Horshack, Screech, Urkel, Rerun, etc. due to the scripts' lack of authenticity in portraying the African-American experience. Roots? Everytime Willona came in with"great news", she would informed them that she was just made the "head buyer" for the boutique. What makes Good Times so awesome is that it defined the decade. 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. There were a lot of behind the scenes issues, which led to cast members leaving the show. The end of James Evans Sr. Mekeisha Madden Toby / 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. The show ended. 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. They argued all the time, but they loved the hell out of each other. Princr Humperdink! Television Images: My Favorite TV Characters of All-Time: (1970s edition). The explanation for John Amos dismissal from Good Times is revealed. He depicted a strong father figure-something likely missing in many people's lives. Also, I really love the theme song. The show lost something when Amos left, but the others were good enough to keep it going. When and how did Janet Abelson die? 2023 TVLine Media, LLC. The Real Reason John Amos Was Fired From Good Times. He claimed that the sitcoms creative team demanded his departure because they could not stand that. Stimulus Check Proposal Could Give Americans Monthly $1,200 Checks. 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? I had the chance to portray a father on a situational comedy that so many Black fathers and men of all races could identify with and appreciate., Amos adds that up until that point, there had never been a complete Black family portrayed on television. Well, John Amos played the character of James Evans. There is no more complete source for urban news than the Electronic Urban Report. I don't know. JJ was never stupid-he only acted that way most of the time. The way he was written out of the show was very abrupt. In an interview with the American Archive of Television. Black News and Black Views with a Whole Lotta Attitude. 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. The parents loved their children more than anything, were always there for them , and wanted the best for them. In Amos eyes, Good Times had too much shucking and jiving, which was something he couldnt take anymore. His departure so soon caught everyone off guard. No canned laughter, no music. Florida Evans They were actually trying to do everything they could to get out of the projects. 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. Everyone always gave a good performance, the production design was spectacular, the costumes were well-designed, and the writing was always very strong. why did However, once John Amos left, the show was not the same and suffered as a result. He had been with the show since its inception. Amos said he regretted leaving the show, but the offer from Norman Lear to portray James Evans on Good Times couldnt wait. 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. Returning to the thrilling Good Times, in which John Amos stars as the main character, has astounded the audience. They struggle a lot since they reside in a low-income black Chicago area where nothing is simple. Amos While Amos doesnt mention Walker or his character JJ, his fond recollections do include the late Esther Rolle. 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. 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. COPYRIGHT 2022 EURweb.com/Rabercom Enterprises. 2023-04-30 Pine Creek Charge(Trinity & Avis) worship It appears to be comparable. 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. He worked hard. A great show! Im an Eddie Murphy fanatic. My husband and I enjoy this movie so much, we began our wedding ceremony with quotes from this movie. Print fond memoriesThis pocket Bluetooth printer lets you print your precious memories before they hit Instagram. Why Did John Amos Leave Good Times 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. Being a white guy from a white city, it was one of my first glimpses into black culture. Without being to preachy, The Evans always tried to do the right thing rather than do something wrong to get out of the ghetto. 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. Pay Property Tax Before April 30; You Can Receive a $5,000 Rebate: GCC. In the season finale, Esther Rolle returned; did he do the same? When Florida was pregnant with their third child, Michael, they moved to the North Side of Chicago in the Housing Projects. 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. The gospelish theme song and title sequences shown over inner-city Chicago only added to the realism. ),Bernadette Stanis(the teenage daughter Thelma),and Janet Jackson(who made her TV debut as Penny and also as Willona's daughter after she adopted her from a abusive stepmomvery touching episode),and Janet Dubois. Issues such as gun control, teen pregnancy, v.d., gangs and teen suicide. Copyright 2021 The republic Monitor All Right Reserved, The explanation for John Amos dismissal from Good Times is revealed. Good Times is a spin-off of a spin-off: this spun-off of Maude and Maude spun-off of All in the Family. A: Amos was fired from the show and his character killed off after he often She had the authority to discuss the plot in more detail. Here are the explanations for John Amos departure from Good Times. Everybody had afros, went rollerskating, danced around a disco, and had platform shoes. The Real Reason John Amos Was Fired From Good Times Aaron Homer The 1970s represented a period of drastic changes in the TV landscape. Id want to send John Amos my warmest wishes for the remainder of his days. In an interview, Amos said that he felt the show was giving too much attention to one of his children on the show who was more interested in fooling around in a chicken hat when more emphasis could have been placed on his other two children who had ambitions of becoming a surgeon and Supreme Court Justice respectively. 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. And just like that, his fate was sealed. In Amos eyes, Good Times had too much shucking and jiving, which was something he couldnt take anymore. I hope that this phenomenon continues until we are totally in absolute control of our own imagery, the Newark, New Jersey native divulges while comparing Good Times to its television descendants. 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 Real Reason John Amos Was Fired From Good Times 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. No matter how much the family suffered financially, they never turned to crime or other illegal actions to make ends meet. Good Times Q: Why did John Amos leave Good Times?