Now don't get me wrong, Esther Rolle was fantastic on Good Times and I loved her Florida character.

However, Esther made such a big deal about Jimmie Walker's character being too silly. So much show she left the show for a while. When she came back, JJ was toned way down, but....

Nathan Bookman became a silly caricature. I don't think there are any complaints from her about Johnny Brown's silly character of "Buffalo Butt?"

Apples and oranges, though.

Yes, Bookman was a caricature, but Rolle's objection to J.J. was also that he was shady and not a good role model for kids. Bookman was an idiot and kind of full of himself but there was never any hint that he was involved in anything criminal, unlike J.J.

I'm not saying I agree with her assessment, but I don't think she can fairly be called a hypocrite.

Apples and oranges, though.

Yes, Bookman was a caricature, but Rolle's objection to J.J. was also that he was shady and not a good role model for kids. Bookman was an idiot and kind of full of himself but there was never any hint that he was involved in anything criminal, unlike J.J.

I'm not saying I agree with her assessment, but I don't think she can fairly be called a hypocrite.


I hear what you are saying, but I guess the main reason Esther wanted off the show (The same for John Amos) was the silliness of the JJ character. I am sure Esther when she came back, was not a fan of Bookman either. lol

Probably because bookman was an ocassional character, on the otherhand J.J was her TV son and she wanted a better role model

Probably because bookman was an ocassional character, on the otherhand J.J was her TV son and she wanted a better role model


Sol, do you think Bookman bothered her at least?

Sol, do you think Bookman bothered her at least?



No because he wasn't part of the family. And Bookman was just FAT not realy silly. Well atleast during the James era he was normal. During the last 2 seasons he was a GOOFBALL

No because he wasn't part of the family. And Bookman was just FAT not realy silly. Well atleast during the James era he was normal. During the last 2 seasons he was a GOOFBALL


That's what I mean though, the last season...

That's what I mean though, the last season...

But for a character who was not seen that often probably didn't bother her. Now if her husband was acting like bookman then she would have had a issue

No because he wasn't part of the family. And Bookman was just FAT not realy silly. Well atleast during the James era he was normal. During the last 2 seasons he was a GOOFBALL


I know that.

Thelma: Bookman, what are we supposed to do for heat?
Bookman: I dunno. Rub a stick against J.J. :lol:

Lazy James and Hypocrite Florida (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070991/board/flat/187524343?p=1)

Lazy James and Hypocrite Florida (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070991/board/flat/187524343?p=1)



That was a pathetic ep......."james decided not to go to the interview because the bus took too long which made him think he was going to get rejected again:lol:

A lot of the story lines were crappy and cliched - subtle like lead pipes. I don't blame her for leaving - don't think she should have returned and rather sought out better vehicles for her talent.

I think her major problem was with how popular JJ had become. He was over shadowing the rest of the cast. That's pretty much what happened on Family Matters with Jaleel White and Jo Marie Peyton. That happens sometimes. I think her and John wanted to move the show back to what it originally was but the producers saw the ratings and continued to make JJ the star.

I think her major problem was with how popular JJ had become. He was over shadowing the rest of the cast. That's pretty much what happened on Family Matters with Jaleel White and Jo Marie Peyton. That happens sometimes. I think her and John wanted to move the show back to what it originally was but the producers saw the ratings and continued to make JJ the star.


It wasn't like all her children was GOOFY. She still had a smart daughter and younger son who wanted to be a lawyer. And her husband was normal so it was obvious it was JEALOUSY

:lol:

It wasn't like all her children was GOOFY. She still had a smart daughter and younger son who wanted to be a lawyer. And her husband was normal so it was obvious it was JEALOUSY

:lol:
Exactly. JJ was goofy from the beginning but she didn't have a problem with it until it became clear that JJ was so popular. Then she wanted to change him. :lol:

Exactly. JJ was goofy from the beginning but she didn't have a problem with it until it became clear that JJ was so popular. Then she wanted to change him. :lol:


Yup because he was saying dynomite in season 1

Personally, I think Rolle and Amos were irritated because the JJ character became the break out role on the show. Amos and Rolle were both fairly established actors at that point and both thought of themselves as the stars of the show.

I did find the JJ character rather irritating and one dimensional but most break out sitcom characters are (or were, rather). Why should he have been a role model to kids? I think it was good that the writers finally matured him up a little towards the end, but I wish Rolle and especially Amos had thought of the show first and their egos second. Just my opinion.

I never liked the JJ character at all, and is probably the key reason I didn't watch the show on a regular basis.

I never liked the JJ character at all, and is probably the key reason I didn't watch the show on a regular basis.


I just ignored him like I did

Ralph on the Jeffersons

Cindy on Three's Company

Potsie on Happy Days


:lol:

I just ignored him like I did

Ralph on the Jeffersons

Cindy on Three's Company

Potsie on Happy Days


:lol:
Potsie's character was not the same when the show's format changed to being filmed in front of a live audienc. He was dumbed-down. Just like the character "Mark" on Roseanne. He was a rebel type of guy, but his character became so dumb it was unbelievable.