I always wondered that. I honestly wouldn't miss Florida that much but I believe Thelma would have taken over the role of Florida. Also wouldn't an episode where James & Willona date would have been a hoot. I'm pretty sure the kids would have objected to that. I think the show would have still done well without Florida unlike when James died.

I never thought about that. I think it would have done better, the Willona and James dating episode would have been a good one.

I always wondered that. I honestly wouldn't miss Florida that much but I believe Thelma would have taken over the role of Florida. Also wouldn't an episode where James & Willona date would have been a hoot. I'm pretty sure the kids would have objected to that. I think the show would have still done well without Florida unlike when James died.




That question is too tough. I don't even want to think about it.


But, I think they needed each other. The episode when JJ goes into the army, it's something about that episode that don't feel right to me cause Flo's not in it. It would be weird to see James as a single father. I don't like the idea of James and Willona dating. Sorry folks I'm not that creative in thinking about alternative situations like this.

I got frozen on this curve ball.

Makes you wonder how many single black fathers there are in poor neighborhoods.

My guess . Not many. Especially back then.

I always wondered that. I honestly wouldn't miss Florida that much but I believe Thelma would have taken over the role of Florida. Also wouldn't an episode where James & Willona date would have been a hoot. I'm pretty sure the kids would have objected to that. I think the show would have still done well without Florida unlike when James died.


I think so because the episode when Florida was absent in -"The Enlistment" it was still an enjoyable episode

Ideally it would be better if neither character died, so my answer is no.

Ideally it would be better if neither character died, so my answer is no.


Come on, a show with JAMES and the kids instead of Penny, and Mrs. Bookman and Willona being the center of attention. So the show would not have been any better if the show centered around James? but it's fun to watch when it's centered around Willona?

That is a very interesting concept. I think it would've done well. Of course Norman Lear would've had a coronary considering he didn't want a father figure to begin with.

They would have all died, because once James' top blew, they would probably die of heart attacks.

James would've played around, that's for sure. He seem to love the ladies (who don't, unless you're his youngest son :lol: )

However, Florida never played the part of gazing/flirting/giggling when she saw a man. The worse I ever saw Florida was when the blind salesman complimented on her figure. Flo replied, "You just earned yourself a doughnut too".

We all have to admit that James, J.J, Michael and Thelma, would have been 75% better than watching Willona, J.J, Michael, Thelma, and Penny.

Oh, HELLLL Yes!!!!! I really enjoyed the episode The Enlistment with James(and no Flo). To me, having James remain on the show would have allowed for a bunch of very interesting stories. And I could see he and Willona hooking up on down the line for some reason. Wouldn't have minded seeing him interact w/Bookman either. He wouldn't have had to use any fat jokes, just give him the MEEEEEEEAN look. :lol:

Damn, now you've got me thinking about Willona and James. It would have been MUCH more interesting seeing them get together and interact than Florida and Carl. Could have made for some interesting stories. And can you imagine what James would have done when he found out J.J. was working with those two guys who were dealing dope? Man, wish there was a way to see how those shows would've turned out WITH John Amos. Oh, well . . .

Oh, HELLLL Yes!!!!! I really enjoyed the episode The Enlistment with James(and no Flo). To me, having James remain on the show would have allowed for a bunch of very interesting stories. And I could see he and Willona hooking up on down the line for some reason. Wouldn't have minded seeing him interact w/Bookman either. He wouldn't have had to use any fat jokes, just give him the MEEEEEEEAN look. :lol:


And it also wouldn't have been NO PENNY!!!

I don't think that would have worked, because Esther Rolle was playing the lead character and to kill her off would kill the show. I just don't think John Amos would have been as good heading up the show without Esther Rolle. And Florida's interactions with the other characters we're generally really good.

I don't think that would have worked, because Esther Rolle was playing the lead character and to kill her off would kill the show. I just don't think John Amos would have been as good heading up the show without Esther Rolle. And Florida's interactions with the other characters we're generally really good.



I still think the ratings would have been higher than #26 with Amos and the Kids

Maybe the idea could have worked, but I think Esther Rolle would have been the better choice to keep. I still don't know what Mr. Lear was think when he asked, "can you do a show without a mother?" The poor woman responded, "yes" knowing that she was not certain. TV Land is on season six. Yay! Thelma is so beautiful in the wedding eps. I loved the fact that she decided to wear the long weave. It was probably decided for her to have long hair for the wedding storyline. Anyways, I some people don't like season six but it this show had to end with no Esther Rolle, it would have been an incomplete picture. I loved the last season and loved the fact that Esther was asked to come back. You go Ms. Rolle.

Esther Rolle was a good actress but I personally also think the show would have been better the other way around. Willona & James getting married would have been funnier. That would also have to mean a new neighbor to barge in perhaps. There were alot of storyline opportunities that could have been explored because personally James was more interesting.Here's some episode possibilities.

1.)Florida eventually getting sick & dying, James has a meltdown.
2.)James coping with Florida's death & raising 3 kids on his own.
3.)James various new women in his life, on the road to destruction because of missing Florida,realising that dating women isn't going to help.
4.)Willona & James getting closer only to find that they have feelings for one another.I wouldn't want this to happen until the later seasons,not so soon after Florida's death.
5.)Willona & James getting married & the kids are against the idea.
6.)The kids dealing with Willona as a mother & the sudden hatred towards her because they see her as a replacement as Florida.

Overall I think it would have been way interesting!

Even though this is a very old thread, it's a great question and I hope more people will reply. :)

I think it would have been awesome if the situation were reversed. I liked James sooo much more than Florida. She got on my nerves quite a bit. I do think the ratings would have been higher if we got to see James as a single father. And I agree that a possible James & Willona match would have been far more interesting than *yawn* Florida and Carl.