The producers should have made a deal with Mike Evans for reduced air time so that he would have stayed, when he left the first time. His character was important to the show and he was also an important link between the Jeffersons and the Bunkers. Had he stayed, we may have seen more crossover episodes. When Damon Evans took the role, Lionel became less important was not seen as frequently and even when Mike Evans returned after Good Times ended he was not able to make Lionel more relevant again, thus he left the second time.
|