It's hard to believe when you watch the show that there were all of these disagreements going on behind the scenes. It's kind of depressing :( It's too bad that happened. I guess I can understand that Rolle and Amos were worried with it being the first black sitcom and all, but it's just sad that everyone had to be so paranoid about every little thing. It was just as depressing as finding out about the disagreements on Three's Company. :(
But, I'm glad we can still watch the shows now cause I love them both!!! :)

I know what you mean. It sucks that everybody on both those shows couldn't get along but they left a legacy that entertains fans long after the shows have left the air. For that I am thankful. :)

i think it makes me angry because they (Esther & sometimes John) felt we the audience weren't smart enough to know that it was a sitcom and that we couldn't tell whether JJ was being a drawback to the "old days" of stereotyped characters. I don't know. I guess the anger comes from the writers too. Why couldn't they just not make JJ be such a dork at times. I am most of all angry at the person who LET JOHN AMOS GO!!!!!!:mad:

At least everyone from GT was at the TVLand Awards, that was cool!!! Maybe they put some of it behind them. And as far as TC, at least Suzanne Somers and John Ritter made up before he died and she was even on his show.

i think it makes me angry because they (Esther & sometimes John) felt we the audience weren't smart enough to know that it was a sitcom and that we couldn't tell whether JJ was being a drawback to the "old days" of stereotyped characters. I don't know. I guess the anger comes from the writers too. Why couldn't they just not make JJ be such a dork at times. I am most of all angry at the person who LET JOHN AMOS GO!!!!!!:mad:

You and me both Irene.... :mad:

I loved when James and Florida intermingled.

Who was the DUMMY who let James get away??? :confused: John Amos.......... wherever you are.......... You were GOOD!!!!! :thumbsup: :rock:

Someone in the cast needs to write a tell all book. And I damn sure would buy it.:cool:

Someone in the cast needs to write a tell all book. And I damn sure would buy it.:cool:
So would I!!! Of course it would be biased with that particular person's side of the story. There seems to be such an interest in old shows now, you would think someone would interview the casts of these shows or something.

So would I!!! Of course it would be biased with that particular person's side of the story. There seems to be such an interest in old shows now, you would think someone would interview the casts of these shows or something.


I would prefer JJ. He seems to hate everything about GT.:lol: :lol: :lol:

It's hard to believe when you watch the show that there were all of these disagreements going on behind the scenes. It's kind of depressing :( It's too bad that happened. I guess I can understand that Rolle and Amos were worried with it being the first black sitcom and all, but it's just sad that everyone had to be so paranoid about every little thing. It was just as depressing as finding out about the disagreements on Three's Company. :(
But, I'm glad we can still watch the shows now cause I love them both!!! :)


Good Times was the "First Black Family Sitcom" not the first Black Sitcom

Good Times was the "First Black Family Sitcom" not the first Black Sitcom
Picky, picky, picky, lol, you know what I meant. :D

Picky, picky, picky, lol, you know what I meant. :D
:D :lol: :wave:

Picky, picky, picky, lol, you know what I meant. :D


LOL

It's hard to believe when you watch the show that there were all of these disagreements going on behind the scenes. It's kind of depressing :( It's too bad that happened. I guess I can understand that Rolle and Amos were worried with it being the first black sitcom and all, but it's just sad that everyone had to be so paranoid about every little thing. It was just as depressing as finding out about the disagreements on Three's Company. :(
But, I'm glad we can still watch the shows now cause I love them both!!! :)

I do too, especially with What's Happening!! Everytime I watch the third season , I always wonder what could have been. I would have loved to see James on the show all the way to the end. Amos wanted to assist with the writing of Good Times but was denied on several occassions by the producers. On What's Happening!!, Mabel King wanted to also contribute with storylines.

You and me both Irene.... :mad:

I loved when James and Florida intermingled.

Who was the DUMMY who let James get away??? :confused: John Amos.......... wherever you are.......... You were GOOD!!!!! :thumbsup: :rock:

Norman Lear had alot of tension on his sets from his actors. At one point, they wanted to kill Archie off because of problems with Carroll O'Connor but they worked with him and compromised. With Amos, it was either our way or the highway. In fact, the script used for the season finale of season three was initially drafted for All in the Family. This was told on an E special highlighting Norman Lear.

I also think what could have been. It's a shame that John and Esther couldn't work things out. I know that JJ was goofy, but he had goals, and he wasn't a juvenille deliquent. There have been plenty of silly white characters before and since JJ. A part of me suspects that they were jealous of JJ's fame.

I've read that Michael Gross and Meridith Baxter-Birney were upset when Michael J. Fox's character broke out on Family Ties, but they didn't blow the show out of the water. The show was originally supposed to be focused on the couple.

Don't even get me started on Three's Company. Suzanne Somers thought that since she got a lot of attention, that she was the star of the show, but was she ever wrong. Three's Company could survive the departure of any character, except Jack Tripper, in my opinion anyway.

There's often a clash of egos. Struggling stars get a taste of fame, and next thing, they start making demands...i.e...creative control, they want to be stars, they want more $$$, and often, they're shown the door.

I also think what could have been. It's a shame that John and Esther couldn't work things out. I know that JJ was goofy, but he had goals, and he wasn't a juvenille deliquent. There have been plenty of silly white characters before and since JJ. A part of me suspects that they were jealous of JJ's fame.

I've read that Michael Gross and Meridith Baxter-Birney were upset when Michael J. Fox's character broke out on Family Ties, but they didn't blow the show out of the water. The show was originally supposed to be focused on the couple.

Don't even get me started on Three's Company. Suzanne Somers thought that since she got a lot of attention, that she was the star of the show, but was she ever wrong. Three's Company could survive the departure of any character, except Jack Tripper, in my opinion anyway.

There's often a clash of egos. Struggling stars get a taste of fame, and next thing, they start making demands...i.e...creative control, they want to be stars, they want more $$$, and often, they're shown the door.



I don't think it was jealousy, because more than one cast member had a problem with J.J's silliness on the show. If it was just one person, then I would say Jealousy

I don't think it was jealousy, because more than one cast member had a problem with J.J's silliness on the show. If it was just one person, then I would say Jealousy
More than one person can be jealous. I don't think it was all jealousy, but I think it played a big part. I saw just a few episodes of GT during the original run, but I knew that Jimmie Walker was famous, and DYNOMITE was a huge catch phrase. Walker dominated the show, and that wasn't the original plan. It's completely normal to get jealous over that.

More than one person can be jealous. I don't think it was all jealousy, but I think it played a big part. I saw just a few episodes of GT during the original run, but I knew that Jimmie Walker was famous, and DYNOMITE was a huge catch phrase. Walker dominated the show, and that wasn't the original plan. It's completely normal to get jealous over that.


Esther and John just wanted their characters to have a NORMAL son. THat's what they wanted

Esther and John just wanted their characters to have a NORMAL son. THat's what they wanted
Me thinks Esther and John wanted a son that didn't steal their spotlight. JJ wasn't ABNORMAL. JJ was funny. He added to the show's popularity.

The same thing happen to Urkel. Urkel dominated the series Family Matters. It didn't start like that. It just happened.

As far as Suzanne Sommers is concerned I watched the show from the beginning and her head just got too big for the show.

Bottom line, "if it ain't broke, why fix it?" be happy with the income, the work, the success...:rolleyes:

Me thinks Esther and John wanted a son that didn't steal their spotlight. JJ wasn't ABNORMAL. JJ was funny. He added to the show's popularity.


J.J wasn't abnormal? Janice you need to watch some more eps of Good Times-lol

Bottom line, "if it ain't broke, why fix it?" be happy with the income, the work, the success...:rolleyes:


What's wrong them wanting an intelligent OLDER SON?

Norman Lear had alot of tension on his sets from his actors. At one point, they wanted to kill Archie off because of problems with Carroll O'Connor but they worked with him and compromised. With Amos, it was either our way or the highway. In fact, the script used for the season finale of season three was initially drafted for All in the Family. This was told on an E special highlighting Norman Lear.

Wow, can you imagine if they did kill off Archie on AITF?. :crazy:

Wow, can you imagine if they did kill of Archie on AITF?. :crazy:


Well we all know they were not going to do something crazy like that

What's wrong them wanting an intelligent OLDER SON?
Because it would have been BORING.:lol: JJ added some fun and comedy to the series.

I also think what could have been. It's a shame that John and Esther couldn't work things out. I know that JJ was goofy, but he had goals, and he wasn't a juvenille deliquent. There have been plenty of silly white characters before and since JJ. A part of me suspects that they were jealous of JJ's fame.

I've read that Michael Gross and Meridith Baxter-Birney were upset when Michael J. Fox's character broke out on Family Ties, but they didn't blow the show out of the water. The show was originally supposed to be focused on the couple.

Don't even get me started on Three's Company. Suzanne Somers thought that since she got a lot of attention, that she was the star of the show, but was she ever wrong. Three's Company could survive the departure of any character, except Jack Tripper, in my opinion anyway.

There's often a clash of egos. Struggling stars get a taste of fame, and next thing, they start making demands...i.e...creative control, they want to be stars, they want more $$$, and often, they're shown the door.

That happens all the time and many times it results in the show being cancelled. In other cases, they grant the requests and then the quality of the show goes downhill and viewers are lost. The funny part is after the show goes off the air, they fail to find other work.

Because it would have been BORING.:lol: JJ added some fun and comedy to the series.
I agree, it wouldn't have been as funny. A lot of the lines played off of his actions. And as I said before, he wasn't THAT silly. He just wanted to make the best of their bad living conditions, cheering people up instead of bringing them down.

More than one person can be jealous. I don't think it was all jealousy, but I think it played a big part. I saw just a few episodes of GT during the original run, but I knew that Jimmie Walker was famous, and DYNOMITE was a huge catch phrase. Walker dominated the show, and that wasn't the original plan. It's completely normal to get jealous over that.

True and some stars refuse to admit that. With a show like Good Times comic relief enhanced the show. If they would have taken away the comedy, then it would have been boring and no one would have watched. Rolle and Amos have to admit the show touched on alot of issues of the day and they should be proud of how the show brought light to alot of urban poverty issues.

I agree Retro, Plus he had James to keep him in check when he got too silly.

The same thing happen to Urkel. Urkel dominated the series Family Matters. It didn't start like that. It just happened.

As far as Suzanne Sommers is concerned I watched the show from the beginning and her head just got too big for the show.

The difference with Family Matters was that Urkel was only supposed to be a one-time only characte whereas JJ was already a main character. The audiences loved him, brought him back for a few more episodes and the rest is history.

It also happened on Lost In Space, the Dr. Smith character got really popular he took over too. The show went from foucusing on the family to Smith, Will, and the Robot. Guy Williams wasn't too pleased either. Originally Smith's character was going to be killed off, but he became popular so they decided against it.

That's what made the show good. I loved Dr. Smith. Guy Williams's chacter was boring. :lol:

I also think what could have been. It's a shame that John and Esther couldn't work things out. I know that JJ was goofy, but he had goals, and he wasn't a juvenille deliquent. There have been plenty of silly white characters before and since JJ. A part of me suspects that they were jealous of JJ's fame.

I've read that Michael Gross and Meridith Baxter-Birney were upset when Michael J. Fox's character broke out on Family Ties, but they didn't blow the show out of the water. The show was originally supposed to be focused on the couple.

Don't even get me started on Three's Company. Suzanne Somers thought that since she got a lot of attention, that she was the star of the show, but was she ever wrong. Three's Company could survive the departure of any character, except Jack Tripper, in my opinion anyway.

There's often a clash of egos. Struggling stars get a taste of fame, and next thing, they start making demands...i.e...creative control, they want to be stars, they want more $$$, and often, they're shown the door.

Mainly it was Meredith Baxter Birney who was upset over the way her part on the show was shrinking after season 4. In season 5 and especially 6 she was not hardly on the show. The show was originally a vehicle for her and Michael Gross. She was the well known star of the show after coming off Family. In the final season of Family Ties they did retified the problem and Meredith was given more screen time. It was too bad because there was a lot of potential of good storylines of Steven and Elyse Keaton's relationship. I enjoyed watching Michael Gross and Baxter-Birney TV marriage. They looked as though they could had been married in real life.

As for Good Times it was sad that there was so much backstage fighting between the actors, producers, directors, writers and Norman Lear. The J.J. buffonish act went too far and yelling kid dynomite, walking around the house with that hat on to a point of going to bed with it on and lack of intelligence did send out a bad message. That's what got Esther Rolle and John Amos upset was the Amos and Andy stick that was put out there. That was another good TV marriage with good potential storylines. John Amos was excellent as James Evans and given the significant age difference between him and Esther they still had the romantic chemistry between them. I enjoyed their TV marriage more than George and Louise Jefferson. Good Times had all the potential of going down as a classic but with the overboard J.J. antics, the firing of John Amos, Esther leaving before season 5 began and came back the following season and the show's direction hurt the show in a bad way. The damage was already done when Esther came back for season 6 and the show was basically done. When Esther walked off you can see the impact it made on the cast when you watch season 5 shows. Here they lost their TV father the previous season and the following the mom walks off. Season 5 without Esther was unwatchable.