I found it odd that Jimmie Walker didn't appear in that episode (his absence was explained by one of the characters--Willona or Florida [I can't remember who]--mentioning that J.J. was in St. Louis participating in an art exhibit), which (unfortunately) marked John Amos's final appearance as James. Given that Jimmie was a traveling stand-up comedian (hell, he still is), it could've been a scheduling conflict.

My theory is that he was filling in for the absent Charles Nelson Reilly on "Match Game" in early 1976...I guess "MG's" producers called Jimmie on the spot and he decided to accept on short notice. Jimmie appeared as a guest panelist in two episodes (episodes #646 and #647) of "Match Game '76," alongside Gary Burghoff (Burghoff had actually filled in for Reilly for several months beginning in early 1975), Brett Somers, Susan Howard, Richard Dawson, and Fannie Flagg.

I found it odd that Jimmie Walker didn't appear in that episode (his absence was explained by one of the characters--Willona or Florida [I can't remember who]--mentioning that J.J. was in St. Louis participating in an art exhibit), which (unfortunately) marked John Amos's final appearance as James. Given that Jimmie was a traveling stand-up comedian (hell, he still is), it could've been a scheduling conflict.

My theory is that he was filling in for the absent Charles Nelson Reilly on "Match Game" in early 1976...I guess "MG's" producers called Jimmie on the spot and he decided to accept on short notice. Jimmie appeared as a guest panelist in two episodes (episodes #646 and #647) of "Match Game '76," alongside Gary Burghoff (Burghoff had actually filled in for Reilly for several months beginning in early 1975), Brett Somers, Susan Howard, Richard Dawson, and Fannie Flagg.


That could be it because of the times he appeared on the Match Game was around the filming date of rent part

1/13/76
2/11/76
2/25/76

So I am guessing one of those dates was around the time Rent Party was filmed. I don't think his 2/25 appearance was when Rent Party was filmed because it aired on 3/2/76

So either the 1/13/76 or 2/11/76 clashed with the filming of rent party



BTW: You are a nice addition to this website. I wish you were around years ago since you appear to be a passionate TV researcher like me:wave:

That could be it because of the times he appeared on the Match Game was around the filming date of rent part

1/13/76
2/11/76
2/25/76

So I am guessing one of those dates was around the time Rent Party was filmed. I don't think his 2/25 appearance was when Rent Party was filmed because it aired on 3/2/76

So either the 1/13/76 or 2/11/76 clashed with the filming of rent party



BTW: You are a nice addition to this website. I wish you were around years ago since you appear to be a passionate TV researcher like me:wave:


Interesting! Thanks for the info, TVFactFan! And thanks for your heartfelt compliment...I'm very flattered!

Interesting! Thanks for the info, TVFactFan! And thanks for your heartfelt compliment...I'm very flattered!


You don't know how long I been waiting for a possible answer to why he was not in the Rent party episode. It's been bugging me for years lol

Interesting! Thanks for the info, TVFactFan! And thanks for your heartfelt compliment...I'm very flattered!


Found out today rent party was filmed on 2/19 so it was in between 2/11 and 2/25 which explainshis absence

Finally found out the reason