In the final season of GT when Esther Rolle came back, was there still tension between her and Jimmie Walker?

I don't think so, because Rolle was guaranteed that Walker's character would be toned down.

I don't think so, because Rolle was guaranteed that Walker's character would be toned down.



Looks like it was still tension because Esther Rolle didn;t appear in certain eps and Jimmie didn;t appear in certain eps during season 6 just like in season 3 and 4

That's true.

I noticed that too. I wonder what the set was like when they were both on together? Knowing what I do about the backstage stuff from interviews I've seen, I'm amazed at how they were able to actually appear like a family. That's good acting.

To those of you who have the GT E! Online True Story, can you please tell me what they said caused all the tension? Were there arguments back stage? Were they really extremely UN-family-like when the cameras were turned off?

I saw a bit of the E! episode and from what I can remember, Esther Rolle and John Amos wanted more relevant storylines and didn't like the way that J.J. was being written. This lead to numerous backstage arguments resulting in the elimination of John Amos' character. As we all know, Esther Rolle left the show the following season. She was lured back to the show with the promise that J.J. would be a more upstanding character (this and the fact that - even by her own admittance - she was running low on financial funds). But, like we all have noticed, there were a few episodes in which either she or Jimmie Walker were absent. I do know that Jan'et DuBois said that Esther Rolle had a problem with her too on the show. I don't know why this was because I didn't see the rest of the episode though.

I saw a bit of the E! episode and from what I can remember, Esther Rolle and John Amos wanted more relevant storylines and didn't like the way that J.J. was being written. This lead to numerous backstage arguments resulting in the elimination of John Amos' character. As we all know, Esther Rolle left the show the following season. She was lured back to the show with the promise that J.J. would be a more upstanding character (this and the fact that - even by her own admittance - she was running low on financial funds). But, like we all have noticed, there were a few episodes in which either she or Jimmie Walker were absent. I do know that Jan'et DuBois said that Esther Rolle had a problem with her too on the show. I don't know why this was because I didn't see the rest of the episode though.

Thank you dear. :wave: What exactly was being said in the backstage arguments? Why did Rolle have a problem with Dubois?

Well, Amos and Rolle didn't like the "Jive Talkin'" portrayal of J.J. As far as what her problem was with JDu, I don't think even JDu really knew. I gather that they were friends before the series, but once she was cast as Wilona, ER was rather cold to her. Hopefully, someone who knows more about this will tell us.

Was this an E! True Hollywood Story?

If it is, does anyone know if it's going to air again anytime soon? I'd love to see it.

Was this an E! True Hollywood Story?

If it is, does anyone know if it's going to air again anytime soon? I'd love to see it.


Janice If u send me a blank VHS tape I can copy this for you and ship it back. Let me know

Janice If u send me a blank VHS tape I can copy this for you and ship it back. Let me know
Great. I'll PM you. Thanks. :)

I recall watching the True Story. Actually the producers asked Janet Du'Bois if Esther Rolle had a problem with her, and she said that she didn't. They thought there was a problem because of how mad Esther Rolle got when they gave Janet Du'Bois the part. But Janet Du'Bois explained that Esther Rolle was angry because she hadn't been given the choice of who got the role. She wanted to have more say in the casting. But the producers cast Janet Du'Bois without consulting Esther Rolle I think.

Janet Du'Bois also went on to say that there was also tension because most of the writers were white and weren't able to relate to the cast since they were all black. That is, the cast resented being given a script by writers who had no idea of what a black family would do in certain situations.

To those of you who have the GT E! Online True Story, can you please tell me what they said caused all the tension? Were there arguments back stage? Were they really extremely UN-family-like when the cameras were turned off?
That E! THS was one of the worst for any sitcom. I expected ALOT MORE. They said nothing that hadn't already been written elsewhere or said elsewhere. It should have been two hours!!!!!