I loved John Amos and Esther Rolle together they to me were the heart & soul of Good Times. Realistically, however, could the show thrive and survive without the JJ evans character becoming so popular?

Yes, I didn't even notice he was mising in the ep Rent Party

Yes, I didn't even notice he was mising in the ep Rent Party

I like to compare the topic to Jaleel White & Family Matters. If the character of Urkel didn't come along, Family Matters probably wouldn't have lasted as long as it did.

I like to compare the topic to Jaleel White & Family Matters. If the character of Urkel didn't come along, Family Matters probably wouldn't have lasted as long as it did.


That's only because the parents wasn't as strong as florida and james

That's only because the parents wasn't as strong as florida and james


That's a good point, but you still cannot discount both Urkel & JJ were extremely popular and boosted their shows into big hits.

I agree with the claims of Esther Rolle and John Amos that the show became too much about J.J. "Good Times" had great potential, it could have been the first successful sitcom with a black family, but they turned it into "The Jimmie Walker Show". Otherwise, the show could have ran for years had Rolle & Amos stayed on and the show was focused on the family rather than one character.

Yes, I didn't even notice he was mising in the ep Rent Party

I kinda agree with this. Jimmie provided the extra kick to the show. However, it was not enough to carry alone. He and Janet tried during season five but it was bland. My friend who is a Jewish man in his early 50's told me that he actually stopped watching after Esther Rolle left. He said that he was not interested in seeing Wilona and J.J. try to hold the show down on their own. I agree with him on this. Norman Lear IMO didn't take Esther Rolle or John Amos seriously. When Esther threatned to walk and did not get her raise, Norman let her quit. When Carroll O' Connor did it, they brought him back in and with more money. It took Esther a year to get what she wanted but then it was too late by then. At least the show ended with her back in the "Rolle". LOL.