I read in a 1974 Jet that a Black Feminist Group wanted to know why


1)Florida wasn't working

2)Why did the show have to be based on a Poor Black Family instead of a Black living in suburbia.


THese were the Two Things the Executive Producer, Alan Manings was asked about.

Everyone is a doggone critic. In 1968, liberals and some blacks had problems with Julia, there were some issues with the Huxtables in 1984. We must learn to open our minds to different things. Everything can't be the way we want it. I see justifications behind the makings of Julia, Good Times and The Cosby Show.

Originally posted by ThomasE
Everyone is a doggone critic. In 1968, liberals and some blacks had problems with Julia, there were some issues with the Huxtables in 1984. We must learn to open our minds to different things. Everything can't be the way we want it. I see justifications behind the makings of Julia, Good Times and The Cosby Show.


THe only thing GT should have been criticized for was the way the producers presented the J.J character to viewers

Originally posted by TVShow Analyzer
THe only thing GT should have been criticized for was the way the producers presented the J.J character to viewers

They abused the power withiin J.J. The show should have been more focused on Esther and John. Balance is the key. I think kthey over exposed JJ due to business purposes.

They capitalized on JJ. Nothing wrong with that. The Fonz character was only a spacre part on Happy Days in the beginning. J.J. soared and they gave the people what they wanted which is what they are supposed to do. They owe it to the audience who ate J.J. up. Sure he was one dimensional.

I hate groups that cry about what a show SHOULD be... Creators have visions with certain show that create episodes...If they think it should be another way let them create their own show.

The issues that Good Times dealt with could not be done in suburban USA. And the producers had a show about a SUCCESSFUL minority family anyway(Jeffersons). some people are never happy I suppose.

It would have been like doing Gilligan's Island with a boat there in case they ever wanted to get off.

Originally posted by GeorgeWBushGOP
They capitalized on JJ. Nothing wrong with that. The Fonz character was only a spacre part on Happy Days in the beginning. J.J. soared and they gave the people what they wanted which is what they are supposed to do. They owe it to the audience who ate J.J. up. Sure he was one dimensional.

I hate groups that cry about what a show SHOULD be... Creators have visions with certain show that create episodes...If they think it should be another way let them create their own show.

The issues that Good Times dealt with could not be done in suburban USA. And the producers had a show about a SUCCESSFUL minority family anyway(Jeffersons). some people are never happy I suppose.

It would have been like doing Gilligan's Island with a boat there in case they ever wanted to get off.


The Feminist Group approached the executive producer about those issues before the Jeffersons was created. I guess since there was already a black show on TV where the family was not doing financially well-(Sanford and Son), they probably wanted to know why there had to be another black show about a family living in poverty.

That is interesting. But the Jeffersons were already characters on AITF even without their own show they were pretty successful living in the suburbs even if they were not the stars.

They were hardly financially strapped if they lived in a white neighborhood and had their own business.. They might have been made millionaires out of that complaint from feminists. Who knows. Some people have no lives I suppose and get upset about nothing.

Blacks were used in roles in white sitcoms already at that point and seemed equal to their white counterparts. John Amos himself played Gordy on MTM. Seemed like one of the gang to me. I dont recall them ever making his color an issue on the show.

And Hawaii Five 0 used minorities as high profile police officers in 1968 when they went on the airs. (not african) and they got top billing..

Originally posted by TVShow Analyzer
I read in a 1974 Jet that a Black Feminist Group wanted to know why


1)Florida wasn't working

2)Why did the show have to be based on a Poor Black Family instead of a Black living in suburbia.


THese were the Two Things the Executive Producer, Alan Manings was asked about.

Do you happen to have any back issues of Ebony you can sell or perhaps help me to obtain because Ebay(US) does not serve Canada. We have a Canadian Ebay but they don't have access to Ebony or Jet magazines let alone back issues.:)

Originally posted by TVShow Analyzer
I read in a 1974 Jet that a Black Feminist Group wanted to know why


1)Florida wasn't working

2)Why did the show have to be based on a Poor Black Family instead of a Black living in suburbia.


THese were the Two Things the Executive Producer, Alan Manings was asked about. I think the issue with Florida not working is ridiculous to make an issue out of. June Cleaver didn't work as well as other 50s sitcom mothers. as for them not living in suburbia, I really don't see why the had to at the time it was more realistic to have them poor.