Wouldn't it have made more sense to have just had John take a break like Esther for maybe one season and instead if Killing James off just mention him in episodes about his getting a job out in his hometown and maybe Norman and John could have worked things out paving way for James' return in season 5 ? Some concessions understandably would have needed to be made like was done for Esther but wouldn't it have been worth new negotiations to get John back?

Wouldn't it have made more sense to have just had John take a break like Esther for maybe one season and instead if Killing James off just mention him in episodes about his getting a job out in his hometown and maybe Norman and John could have worked things out paving way for James' return in season 5 ? Some concessions understandably would have needed to be made like was done for Esther but wouldn't it have been worth new negotiations to get John back?
Yeah!!!! (ok for the millionth time LOL) James should've gone to ALASKA!!!! DAMN DAMN DAMN!!!!! Even James told Florida he wouldn't be a part of the camp's EN-TER-TAIN-MENT. Florida's response: I know you wouldn't James. Okay, so if you know he won't be a part of that, you trust him, THEN YOU SHOULD HAVE LET HIM GO TO ALASKA. He could've sent $$$$ back home, etc. Whew, did I let that off my chest. I guess I am stuck on that Alaska job. It just didn't make sense. Never should have had that as an episode.

Yeah!!!! (ok for the millionth time LOL) James should've gone to ALASKA!!!! DAMN DAMN DAMN!!!!! Even James told Florida he wouldn't be a part of the camp's EN-TER-TAIN-MENT. Florida's response: I know you wouldn't James. Okay, so if you know he won't be a part of that, you trust him, THEN YOU SHOULD HAVE LET HIM GO TO ALASKA. He could've sent $$$$ back home, etc. Whew, did I let that off my chest. I guess I am stuck on that Alaska job. It just didn't make sense. Never should have had that as an episode.


You have to learn to express yourself LOL...but seriously that would have been a much better idea than killing the charecter off... I remember watching the opening credits and thinking how it didn't seem right that John's name wouldn't be on the credits anymore... I watched the 2 parter when Florida gets that telegram informing her that James was killed in an automobile accident when initially aired on CBS....what i don't remember was...was Jame's death kept a secret from viwers until the episode aired or was there a write up in the Tv Guide discussing it? also Am I right in assuming it was the first death of a charecter in a situation comedy?

Well I know one thing for sure, according to documentation that I found from 1979.

The taping of that episode took place on July 14, 1976. The audience did not know what was going to happen. People in the studio audience asked Lear beforehand, but he wouldn't give it up. So before the taping, the departure of John Amos was a rumor. I would have imagined that some people knew after that; word must've spread a little.

As far as the listing in TV Guide, I do not own any TV Guides from September of 1976, so I can't check.

You have to learn to express yourself LOL...but seriously that would have been a much better idea than killing the charecter off... I remember watching the opening credits and thinking how it didn't seem right that John's name wouldn't be on the credits anymore... I watched the 2 parter when Florida gets that telegram informing her that James was killed in an automobile accident when initially aired on CBS....what i don't remember was...was Jame's death kept a secret from viwers until the episode aired or was there a write up in the Tv Guide discussing it? also Am I right in assuming it was the first death of a charecter in a situation comedy?
Thanx. I should express my inner self more LOL. No, he has the dubious distinction of being the second sitcom character to be killed off. He was "McLeaned". Meaning McLean Stevenson from MASH was the first sitcom character killed off.

Well I know one thing for sure, according to documentation that I found from 1979.

The taping of that episode took place on July 14, 1976. The audience did not know what was going to happen. People in the studio audience asked Lear beforehand, but he wouldn't give it up. So before the taping, the departure of John Amos was a rumor. I would have imagined that some people knew after that; word must've spread a little.

As far as the listing in TV Guide, I do not own any TV Guides from September of 1976, so I can't check.


Wow the audience must have really been in shock.. that would have been one taping I wouldn't have wanted to attend.... I obviously didn't see the opener that night because I thought they were going to move out with James or that James was goin to come back home at the end and just tell the family that he lost his job :(

Yeah!!!! (ok for the millionth time LOL) James should've gone to ALASKA!!!! DAMN DAMN DAMN!!!!! Even James told Florida he wouldn't be a part of the camp's EN-TER-TAIN-MENT. Florida's response: I know you wouldn't James. Okay, so if you know he won't be a part of that, you trust him, THEN YOU SHOULD HAVE LET HIM GO TO ALASKA. He could've sent $$$$ back home, etc. Whew, did I let that off my chest. I guess I am stuck on that Alaska job. It just didn't make sense. Never should have had that as an episode.



You got to be jivin' about not having that as an episode, one of my favorites. That's what Good Times was all about, giving you situations that you have to make tough decisions about. I was with Florida in not wanting James to go cause the family needed a father figure, But I was with James too about finally getting a good opportunity for a good job and he could send the money home.

Well I know one thing for sure, according to documentation that I found from 1979.

The taping of that episode took place on July 14, 1976. The audience did not know what was going to happen. People in the studio audience asked Lear beforehand, but he wouldn't give it up. So before the taping, the departure of John Amos was a rumor. I would have imagined that some people knew after that; word must've spread a little.

As far as the listing in TV Guide, I do not own any TV Guides from September of 1976, so I can't check.


I have the TV Guide from 76 and the ep description didn't list anything about James Death. It just said James took and a Job in Mississippi and his Family prepares to join him. Part one of Twoo

You got to be jivin' about not having that as an episode, one of my favorites. That's what Good Times was all about, giving you situations that you have to make tough decisions about. I was with Florida in not wanting James to go cause the family needed a father figure, But I was with James too about finally getting a good opportunity for a good job and he could send the money home.
This father ended up "dying" so what father figure did they have then? Like I said, I would rather miss my dad for a year, then have him die and miss him forever.

Wouldn't it have made more sense to have just had John take a break like Esther for maybe one season and instead if Killing James off just mention him in episodes about his getting a job out in his hometown and maybe Norman and John could have worked things out paving way for James' return in season 5 ? Some concessions understandably would have needed to be made like was done for Esther but wouldn't it have been worth new negotiations to get John back?



There was a difference. Esther Rolle's character wasn't killed off because she LEFT the show. John Amos character was killed off because he was FIRED from the show.

I have the TV Guide from 76 and the ep description didn't list anything about James Death. It just said James took and a Job in Mississippi and his Family prepares to join him. Part one of Twoo
I can vouch for that. It's been a while since I have even read TV Guide, but the guide information on my t.v. says the same exact thing. And I remember when the show first appeared as reruns, that was the info given for the episode.

I can vouch for that. It's been a while since I have even read TV Guide, but the guide information on my t.v. says the same exact thing. And I remember when the show first appeared as reruns, that was the info given for the episode.



It did say in front of that TV Guide, in the CHANGES FOR THE NEW TV SEASON, that John Amos has left the Series

It did say in front of that TV Guide, in the CHANGES FOR THE NEW TV SEASON, that John Amos has left the Series
LEFT???? He was FIRED!!!!! TV Guide misrepresents.

I'm sure the audience still didn't know that he was going to be killed off.

LEFT???? He was FIRED!!!!! TV Guide misrepresents.



During that time no one knew he was fired, him being fired didn't come out until a couple of years ago.

During that time no one knew he was fired, him being fired didn't come out until a couple of years ago.
Why wouldn't John come out and let people know the truth. He was already fired so wouldn't it be in his best interest to tell his story? Maybe not. That was a different era in the entertainment business.

This father ended up "dying" so what father figure did they have then? Like I said, I would rather miss my dad for a year, then have him die and miss him forever.





I agree with you on that, but it's not like they had that choice. I'm sure the family would have sent him packing to Alaska for a year if the other choice was to be gone forever, but they didn't know he was gonna die next year. Ha Ha Ha.

I am only responding to the "father figure" statement that keeps coming up regarding this. A strong father figure he was. Whether he left out of state or stayed at home, his lasting effect would remain with his kids. Of course they had no choice when he died, but it seems James going to Alaska would cause his kids to astray. Not true. You can have a great father figure and still be a screw up. That's all.