I was reading the thread about Jimmy Walker and knl.. was correct. Talking about Barry Williams, he is cashing in big time on his Brady Bunch success. Writing books, appearing on talk shows. Why haven't the cast of Good Times did that? I receive Vibe magazines monthly and saw that John Amos article. Why could he write a book or something. During the 80's-90's, everyone was alive and well, they could done something. JJ should've written a book titled, "My Times On Good Times". I would've bought it, along with everyone on here. If he feels that bitter, I bet he has some stories to tell. Really, the only ones who has been successful is James and Willona.

I can remember Thelma being on a talk show many years ago, and she started crying. I think the topic was 'why can't child stars find work'? Don't remember the host name though.

Originally posted by nerrad
I was reading the thread about Jimmy Walker and knl.. was correct. Talking about Barry Williams, he is cashing in big time on his Brady Bunch success. Writing books, appearing on talk shows. Why haven't the cast of Good Times did that? I receive Vibe magazines monthly and saw that John Amos article. Why could he write a book or something. During the 80's-90's, everyone was alive and well, they could done something. JJ should've written a book titled, "My Times On Good Times". I would've bought it, along with everyone on here. If he feels that bitter, I bet he has some stories to tell. Really, the only ones who has been successful is James and Willona.

I can remember Thelma being on a talk show many years ago, and she started crying. I think the topic was 'why can't child stars find work'? Don't remember the host name though.


I read in a TV guide that Bernadette Stanis could not find a job anywhere. This was in 1981. It was probably because the Thelma character was minor on GT.

There was talk of a reunion once. Nobody cared.

None of those Norman Lear shows have reunion specials. I think they cheapen the shows.

DYNOMITE was a catch phrase that went dead fast.

I hated the Brady Bunch but it was so hokey it hit a nich. Cast of nine. Solid for five seasons. Good Times after three years the cast was always changing. as were the characters.

the only thing i think of is that some celebrities just get BITTER. picture this:
you're on some start up show, you become a huge star, everybody loves you, you're on magazines, you're on TV ..all for playing this character. you're on top of the world. 3 seasons later, your character is played out, show starts to slip in the ratings and content, cast members starts swapping, show is canceled. you start auditioning again..purposely auditioning for parts outside of what you were famously known for, nobody buys it. you give up, start typecasting yourself b/c you gotta work...nobody is interested. you now realize you had it good, but you are officially a hasbeen.

i think people just get fed up with an industry that is so up and down and so fickle and always ready for the next big thing. some people just turn their backs on it all together (JJ) when i think they may have had a bad experience or been burned. it always seems to happen with larger than life characters or huge characters emersed in pop culture that seem to overshadow the actor. Pretty soon, people can see you as nothing else.

Ex:
Gary Coleman
Urkel
Kramer
James Alexander - Kramer

has to be hurtful to be so successful and then you can't even pay people to let you audition for anything.