Ireneparalegal
07-22-2008, 10:13 PM
Death of James Evans Sr.
By Margena A. Christian
Jet Magazine January 2008
It was never the intention for "Good Times" to have a father on the show, said John Amos. He appeared in a few episodes of "Maude" in 1973 and 1974 as Florida Evans' husband, then named Henry.
But when Esther Rolle was offered her own show, she only accepted on the condition that her character had a husband, Amos said. A patriarch was added and his name became James Evans Sr.
"This was a wonderful opportunity to portray James Evans Sr. as the antihero to the stereotype," said Amos. "The fact that he stayed with his family despite the obstacles that the family faced financially. He was there."
James Evans Sr. was removed from the show in the fourth season when he was killed in a car accident out of state. Rolle delivered one of Florida's most unforgettable lines, "damn, damn, damn," once the realization of her husband's death finally hit her.
It was once reported that a 1975 EBONY cover story, Bad Times On The 'Good Times' Set, brought the demise of Amos' character, because in the article, Amos and Rolle spoke candidly about their disapproval about the show's direction with the JJ character's antics.
Amos denied that the EBONY story contributed to his being let go on the show.
"The truth is we reached a point where we were at an impasse that we could no longer dialogue civilly about the character (James Evans Sr.) and I wasn't the most diplomatic guy in those days. The writers got tired of having their lives threatened about a script and I got tired of threatening," Amos laughed.
The show's creator, Eric Monte, said, "(Amos) made it known in no uncertain terms that he was NOT going to play a degraded Black man! After I left the show, Norman Lear found the opportunity to write him out of the show."
After James' death, Rolle's character was immediately given a boyfriend, an atheist named Carl (played by the late Moses Gunn). Eventually she left the show. Rolle was written out by marrying Carl and moving away. But she eventually returned.
"Once you kill the head of the family, then something is lost that can never be replaced," Amos said. "It's like losing your real dad. There is a void left."
Amos admits to being amused that people remain fascinated about the killing off of his character.
"I'm glad the controversy rages to this day," laughed Amos. "It keeps me talked about."
Opening Theme Lyrics To 'Good Times'
Oscar-winning songwriters Alan and Marilyn Bergman provided JET with the lyrics to the show's theme song. Oscar-winning composer-arranger Dave Grusin wrote the music. Singers James "Jim" Gilstrap and Saundra "Blinky" Williams performed the soulful theme song.
Good times!
Any time you meet a payment,
Good times!
Any time you meet a friend,
Good times!
Any time you're out from under
Not gettin' hassled,
Not gettin' hustled.
Keepin' your head above water,
Makin' a wave when you can.
Temporary layoffs--
Good times!
Easy credit ripoffs--
Good times!
Scratchin' and survivin--
'Good times!
Hangin' in and jivin'--
Good times!
Ain't we lucky we got 'em?
Good times!!
By Margena A. Christian
JET MAGAZINE
By Margena A. Christian
Jet Magazine January 2008
It was never the intention for "Good Times" to have a father on the show, said John Amos. He appeared in a few episodes of "Maude" in 1973 and 1974 as Florida Evans' husband, then named Henry.
But when Esther Rolle was offered her own show, she only accepted on the condition that her character had a husband, Amos said. A patriarch was added and his name became James Evans Sr.
"This was a wonderful opportunity to portray James Evans Sr. as the antihero to the stereotype," said Amos. "The fact that he stayed with his family despite the obstacles that the family faced financially. He was there."
James Evans Sr. was removed from the show in the fourth season when he was killed in a car accident out of state. Rolle delivered one of Florida's most unforgettable lines, "damn, damn, damn," once the realization of her husband's death finally hit her.
It was once reported that a 1975 EBONY cover story, Bad Times On The 'Good Times' Set, brought the demise of Amos' character, because in the article, Amos and Rolle spoke candidly about their disapproval about the show's direction with the JJ character's antics.
Amos denied that the EBONY story contributed to his being let go on the show.
"The truth is we reached a point where we were at an impasse that we could no longer dialogue civilly about the character (James Evans Sr.) and I wasn't the most diplomatic guy in those days. The writers got tired of having their lives threatened about a script and I got tired of threatening," Amos laughed.
The show's creator, Eric Monte, said, "(Amos) made it known in no uncertain terms that he was NOT going to play a degraded Black man! After I left the show, Norman Lear found the opportunity to write him out of the show."
After James' death, Rolle's character was immediately given a boyfriend, an atheist named Carl (played by the late Moses Gunn). Eventually she left the show. Rolle was written out by marrying Carl and moving away. But she eventually returned.
"Once you kill the head of the family, then something is lost that can never be replaced," Amos said. "It's like losing your real dad. There is a void left."
Amos admits to being amused that people remain fascinated about the killing off of his character.
"I'm glad the controversy rages to this day," laughed Amos. "It keeps me talked about."
Opening Theme Lyrics To 'Good Times'
Oscar-winning songwriters Alan and Marilyn Bergman provided JET with the lyrics to the show's theme song. Oscar-winning composer-arranger Dave Grusin wrote the music. Singers James "Jim" Gilstrap and Saundra "Blinky" Williams performed the soulful theme song.
Good times!
Any time you meet a payment,
Good times!
Any time you meet a friend,
Good times!
Any time you're out from under
Not gettin' hassled,
Not gettin' hustled.
Keepin' your head above water,
Makin' a wave when you can.
Temporary layoffs--
Good times!
Easy credit ripoffs--
Good times!
Scratchin' and survivin--
'Good times!
Hangin' in and jivin'--
Good times!
Ain't we lucky we got 'em?
Good times!!
By Margena A. Christian
JET MAGAZINE