......would the Penny and Keith characters would have been created? If he did, I don't think he would have tolerated that bullsh-t from Keith.

I don't think they would have been added. everytime a main character leaves a show they try to fill the gap with others.

I think that they would have added Penny anyway or someone like her because Michael was no longer a precocious kid. As for Keith, I think that they might have added some serious romantic interest for Thelma. Even in year 3 they had Larry who was more suitable for her. They should have kept him, ut I guess he wasn't funny enough.

Originally posted by jamesanthony
I think that they would have added Penny anyway or someone like her because Michael was no longer a precocious kid. As for Keith, I think that they might have added some serious romantic interest for Thelma. Even in year 3 they had Larry who was more suitable for her. They should have kept him, ut I guess he wasn't funny enough.


Penny was only added because Esther Rolle and John Amos were gone. Why would they have added a 10 year to the cast if both parents were still on the show?

I always wonder how a character who has left or been written out of a series would have gotten along with the people who came in to "replace" them. James might have taken over as a fatherly role for the Penny character. He would have killed Kieth.

they would have eventually left the projects

I DO think the J.J. character would have continued to be very slapstick, letting Esther Rolle and James(John Amos) be the serious dramatic-type leads. But the J.J. character would have fizzled out fast and audiences might have gotten more fed up with him. Rolle and Amos would have eventually become the more popular ones. Sort of like Archie and Edith. Just my opinion, though . . .

I do not think that Keith would've been created. James was a prideful man that believed in taking care of his family and stepping up to the plate. Broke leg or no broke leg, I doubt he would've tolerated Keith moving in and living with them in Thelma's small bedroom. I mean, that's embarrassing. How are you going to call yourself getting married to someone and A MAN, but you're living with them in the projects, not even able to contribute. James would've had it out with him and forced them to get out. And when he developed that drinking problem and was wilding out with Thelma? James would've put an end to that relationship AND Keith.

I think Penny may have still be created. Willona didn't have much of a storyline on her own. How many times are you going to come in with a tired story from the boutique? It made sense to give her own situation that could be played out silmutaneously. Penny also served a purpose with Michael. He didn't have anything going on in the later seasons either so she was an amicable sidekick that he could dress up with and sing with. I'm sure this was not their original intent on adding this character, but it's kind of how it played out.

Just my 2 cents. :p

Originally posted by knl9674
I do not think that Keith would've been created. James was a prideful man that believed in taking care of his family and stepping up to the plate. Broke leg or no broke leg, I doubt he would've tolerated Keith moving in and living with them in Thelma's small bedroom. I mean, that's embarrassing. How are you going to call yourself getting married to someone and A MAN, but you're living with them in the projects, not even able to contribute. James would've had it out with him and forced them to get out. And when he developed that drinking problem and was wilding out with Thelma? James would've put an end to that relationship AND Keith.

I think Penny may have still be created. Willona didn't have much of a storyline on her own. How many times are you going to come in with a tired story from the boutique? It made sense to give her own situation that could be played out silmutaneously. Penny also served a purpose with Michael. He didn't have anything going on in the later seasons either so she was an amicable sidekick that he could dress up with and sing with. I'm sure this was not their original intent on adding this character, but it's kind of how it played out.

Just my 2 cents. :p


Why would Penny have been created if James and Florida never left the show?

If James was still around during the show's latter season, I do not think he would allowed Thelma to marry Keith, because James was very protective of his "Baby Girl" and would not want her to settle for someone of Keith's caliber.

Keith and Thelma would have lived somewhere else if James were still living, I hope! :)

i think penny could still have been created to give the character of willona more depth and additional storylines. like i said above, how many stories could she have about adulterous tenants and that tired boutique?

penny was not completely necessary but i do think adding some new blood to the show, to assist with the development of other characters, could not have hurt.

Originally posted by knl9674
i think penny could still have been created to give the character of willona more depth and additional storylines. like i said above, how many stories could she have about adulterous tenants and that tired boutique?

penny was not completely necessary but i do think adding some new blood to the show, to assist with the development of other characters, could not have hurt.



Why would the Willona character need more depth if James and Florida remained on the show? She would have only needed more depth if her character was spinned off. Other than that, i don't think viewers would have cared that much about Willona if James and Florida was still on the show. You have to remember that Willona was not a family member, only a neighbor. Not if you are talking about a more in depth Thelma then that would have been fine.

i completely disagree. even when florida and james were still on the show, willona was still one of the most well liked characters. she always got applause when she entered a scene and served as consistent comic relief on the show. if willona were "just a neighbor" she would've floated in and out of episodes like other forgettable characters. this was not the case with willona.

part of helping a show develop, grow and keep from being stagnant, is to expand your characters. penny did this for willona. never before had willona had such a serious responsibility. she completely shifted her priorities from casual dates at the ambassador east to raising a child and providing a good home.

so i state, yet again, penny was not completely necessary but was beneficial to this character. her addition would not have hurt the show, only added a few more eyes.

that's my opinion and i'm sticking to it. :cool: