I know fans of the show AND Esther Rolle, rejected the character of Carl. I wonder if they would have accepted Ben a lot more if he was made into a regular? He seemed to have so much more in common with Florida and genuinely seemed to make Florida happy.

God, I know. I loved Ben. Why the writers felt they needed that ugly Carl to fill James' shoes is beyond me. Ben was perfect. The writers wanted the Carl character to be brass, loud, somewhat like James. Florida and Ben, with his gentle manners, low-keyed voice and his stature made him a good-looking match with Florida.

Ben's Personality was TOO DRY for me. He didn't have enough Energy

We didn't see Ben but only one episode. His personality didn't get a chance to "shine". How he behaved in the club is one thing, but how abt in everyday life? How would he have been around the kids? We saw how loud and abrasive Carl was because of certain predicaments. We only saw Ben in a club, he wasn't going to show much there especially with only five minutes of screen time. You can't judge anyone on that. Even with just those five minutes, I could see Ben was someone who I would have loved to see with Flo.

We didn't see Ben but only one episode. His personality didn't get a chance to "shine". How he behaved in the club is one thing, but how abt in everyday life? How would he have been around the kids? We saw how loud and abrasive Carl was because of certain predicaments. We only saw Ben in a club, he wasn't going to show much there especially with only five minutes of screen time. You can't judge anyone on that. Even with just those five minutes, I could see Ben was someone who I would have loved to see with Flo.
I liked Ben too........much more than I did Carl. Carl's grating voice just got on my last nerve.

I liked Ben too........much more than I did Carl. Carl's grating voice just got on my last nerve.
Because of all them damn cigars no doubt!:lol:

ANYONE was better than Carl!

ANYONE was better than Carl!
Sweet Jesus, you are so right!

Ben's Personality was TOO DRY for me. He didn't have enough Energy


I think Ben would've been accepted more than Carl by the audience, because he was softer and gentler. He was a gentleman and much more believable as someone who Florida could fall in love with rather than grumpy ass Carl.

I think Ben would've been accepted more than Carl by the audience, because he was softer and gentler. He was a gentleman and much more believable as someone who Florida could fall in love with rather than grumpy ass Carl.
Thank you. I know I would have loved having him around.

we always called carl
THE BLACK LURCH!

He was on The Jeffersons last night. He was just as annoying, if not worse, on that show as well. The only time I really could deal with him as an actor was on Little House on the Prairie playing Joe Kagan. Especially when he put Mrs. Olsen in her place.

He was on The Jeffersons last night. He was just as annoying, if not worse, on that show as well. The only time I really could deal with him as an actor was on Little House on the Prairie playing Joe Kagan. Especially when he put Mrs. Olsen in her place.Moses Gunn was a good actor. I also liked him as Hawk's mentor in the short lived "Man Called Hawk", with Avery Brooks. The only role that I saw him in that I hated was as Carl. He was totally wrong for Florida, being that Florida was a devout Christian, and he (the character) was an atheist.

I totally do not remember Ben... Who was the actor that played that character. Also I did not like Carl for Florida, but I thought he was a good actor. I also liked him on Little House.

I totally do not remember Ben... Who was the actor that played that character. Also I did not like Carl for Florida, but I thought he was a good actor. I also liked him on Little House.


Ben was the older bald headed man with glasses that Florida met when she went out to a Bar with Willona. Ben was never in the Evans apt just at the Bar

Ben was the older bald headed man with glasses that Florida met when she went out to a Bar with Willona. Ben was never in the Evans apt just at the Bar


Ooooh thank you. I remember he seemed like a nice old dude but I don't think he had enough of an edge to him for Florida.

I totally do not remember Ben... Who was the actor that played that character. Also I did not like Carl for Florida, but I thought he was a good actor. I also liked him on Little House.Ben was the man Florida met at the bar after James died. He was played by Julius Harris. He appeared in the movie "Let's Do It Again". He was "Bubble Top" Wilson one of the henchmen of Kansas City Mack (played by Jon Amos). Harris died about a year ago.

I doubt florida wouldd go out with ben anymore when she finds out he is really scatter the old drug deeler from super fly.

I doubt florida wouldd go out with ben anymore when she finds out he is really scatter the old drug deeler from super fly.


That is to FUNNY:lol:

Wow, great recall. I had forgotten about Ben/Julius Harris on this show. Yeah, that was such a nice character.

I couldn't stand Carl, he just didn't fit in. Frankly I'm still wondering how and why Florida fell in love with him. It was relatively soon after James and Carl seems like he'd take decades to grow on you.

Carl Dixon was okay but marrying him within a year's time was not cool. I did not buy that SL. I do like Moses' Gunn's work especially when he "Little House". No wonder Esther Rolle left the show.

Moses Gunn was a very good character actor. I think it was more the character of Carl, than him as an actor, that did not work. I also saw MG on an ep of Kung Fu ("The Stone", Season 1, now available on DVD). He had very good fight scenes with David Carradine (though I'm not sure how much was actually MG and not a stunt double). Also featured in that ep was my fave, Gregory Sierra. :eyes: :heart: :drool:

I just watched the Ben episode last night. He was awesome! I think Ben and Flo would've made a terrific married couple. I like to think that once the series was over they found each other again and then married. :love: