does anyone know what magazine Norman Lear read that caused him to fire John Amos after reading what he said in a interview? I thought it was Ebony Magazine 1975 of sept but i was wrong so if anyone knows that would be great.

This is just a guess, but the "other" popular black magazine at the time was JET magazine. Maybe check TV Guide too.

valdefierro.com says it was an Ebony issue from early 1976. You should try to find a library that might have old issues on microfilm/microfiche.

Originally posted by vashti1999
valdefierro.com says it was an Ebony issue from early 1976. You should try to find a library that might have old issues on microfilm/microfiche.


So that means it was either Feb of 76 to April 76 because January 1976 issue i was able to get and there was nothing in that issue about Good Times

according to the good times hollywood story the artcile was from the spetember 1975 issue of ebony magazine its called bad times on the good times set you cant miss it its got the whole cast on the cover good luck finding it hope this helps

Originally posted by snl fan
according to the good times hollywood story the artcile was from the spetember 1975 issue of ebony magazine its called bad times on the good times set you cant miss it its got the whole cast on the cover good luck finding it hope this helps


No that's not the issue because that issue came out before the start of the 3rd season. John Amos was fired at the stArt of the 4th season and it was said that it was a 1976 Ebony Issue.

John Amos was very unruly and was a disruption. It is a shame because the character was very entertaining.

They obviously had no other alternative but to fire him. He was an actor. Not a writer. The show was obviously working the way it was going.

There was probably a lot of jealousy towards Jimmy Walker who became so popular and literally stole the show.

Originally posted by GeorgeWBushGOP
John Amos was very unruly and was a disruption. It is a shame because the character was very entertaining.

They obviously had no other alternative but to fire him. He was an actor. Not a writer. The show was obviously working the way it was going.

There was probably a lot of jealousy towards Jimmy Walker who became so popular and literally stole the show.


But the producers were making the oldest child look more foolish. That's the problem Amos and rolle had with the character. The character J.J was not NORMAL.



BTW: Welcome to the Boards!!!!!

Thanks for the welcome. NO DOUBT Amos is the better actor.

But on this show like it or not J.J. got all the ratings. But Jimmy Walker was a one trick pony that faded. Amos has been working steadily since Good Times while Jimmy Walker is reduced to bashing White People and doing horrible stand up acts in clubs. (I have seen it. It is as unfunny as you can get).

As goofy as JJ might have been, the fact is he was the lightning rod for that show. He helped put a big spotlight on that show. Was the writing and the issues they dealt with great in the beginning? Yes. However, who knows if we'd be talking about GT without the help of Jimmy Walker. It's like Welcome Back Kotter, where would that show be without John Travolta?

Originally posted by Brian Damage
As goofy as JJ might have been, the fact is he was the lightning rod for that show. He helped put a big spotlight on that show. Was the writing and the issues they dealt with great in the beginning? Yes. However, who knows if we'd be talking about GT without the help of Jimmy Walker. It's like Welcome Back Kotter, where would that show be without John Travolta?


I think he may have been the only sitcom character who was considered a star because of the way he looked and not because of his acting

His look had a lot to do with it, but his facial expressions and his timing were hilarious.