EccentricGenius
01-28-2016, 05:39 PM
One of my favorite episodes of "Good Times" is season four's "A Friend In Need," in which J.J., Michael, and Thelma decide to throw a wild party while Florida's away. One of the guests at the party is J.J.'s old high school classmate, college basketball phenom Robert "Superstar" Simpson (Ralph Wilcox). As the party progresses, Robert reveals to J.J. that he flunked out of college and subsequently cut from the college basketball team as a result. Down on his luck, presumably due to the pressures of being a basketball phenom and after being dumped by his girlfriend Ellen (Debbi Morgan), Robert locks himself in the Evans' bathroom and attempts suicide by swallowing sleeping pills he discovered in the medicine cabinet. After the kids remove him from the bathroom, J.J. attempts to keep Robert conscious by carrying him throughout the apartment and explaining to Robert that in spite of everything that's happened to him, life is worth living and suicide is not the answer.
In the end, J.J. saves Robert's life, and the paramedics arrive in time to take Robert to the hospital to have his stomach pumped. Robert thanks J.J. for saving his life. A memorable moment in "A Friend In Need" occurs when the arriving paramedics accidentally place J.J. on the gurney instead of Robert. Ralph Wilcox delivered a brilliant performance as the suicidal former college basketball star; it's a shame he didn't become a familiar face on television.
When I watched "A Friend In Need" a few years ago, I thought about the parallels between J.J.'s former high school chum Robert and one of Jimmie Walker's real-life pals (and fellow stand-up comedian), the late Freddie Prinze ("Chico and the Man"). Like Robert, Freddie was emotionally damaged and saddled with the pressures of being a celebrity (in his case, an instant celebrity). After appearing on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" in late 1973, Freddie was catapulted into instant stardom. Legendary writer/producer/director James Komack had seen Freddie's performance on "The Tonight Show" and quickly created a vehicle for Freddie to star in; the end result was, of course, "Chico and the Man."
As Freddie's career (and continued success with "Chico and the Man" and his stand-up comedy career) progressed, the pressures of stardom crashed in on him, and he turned to drugs (particularly cocaine and Quaaludes) to cope with his instant fame. On 28 January 1977, with his manager looking on, Freddie fatally shot himself in the head; he died the following day. Freddie was only twenty-two. It remains one of Hollywood's greatest tragedies.
My question is, since "A Friend In Need" aired four days after Freddie's death (on 2 February 1977), could the episode be a possible metaphor (and cautionary tale) for Freddie's tragic death?
Drop me a line...I'd love to hear for you! Enjoy your day!
In the end, J.J. saves Robert's life, and the paramedics arrive in time to take Robert to the hospital to have his stomach pumped. Robert thanks J.J. for saving his life. A memorable moment in "A Friend In Need" occurs when the arriving paramedics accidentally place J.J. on the gurney instead of Robert. Ralph Wilcox delivered a brilliant performance as the suicidal former college basketball star; it's a shame he didn't become a familiar face on television.
When I watched "A Friend In Need" a few years ago, I thought about the parallels between J.J.'s former high school chum Robert and one of Jimmie Walker's real-life pals (and fellow stand-up comedian), the late Freddie Prinze ("Chico and the Man"). Like Robert, Freddie was emotionally damaged and saddled with the pressures of being a celebrity (in his case, an instant celebrity). After appearing on "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" in late 1973, Freddie was catapulted into instant stardom. Legendary writer/producer/director James Komack had seen Freddie's performance on "The Tonight Show" and quickly created a vehicle for Freddie to star in; the end result was, of course, "Chico and the Man."
As Freddie's career (and continued success with "Chico and the Man" and his stand-up comedy career) progressed, the pressures of stardom crashed in on him, and he turned to drugs (particularly cocaine and Quaaludes) to cope with his instant fame. On 28 January 1977, with his manager looking on, Freddie fatally shot himself in the head; he died the following day. Freddie was only twenty-two. It remains one of Hollywood's greatest tragedies.
My question is, since "A Friend In Need" aired four days after Freddie's death (on 2 February 1977), could the episode be a possible metaphor (and cautionary tale) for Freddie's tragic death?
Drop me a line...I'd love to hear for you! Enjoy your day!