Mike Evans almost played J.J. in ''Good Times'' — but the producers refused...

[TMC]

...because of ''All in the Family''

https://www.metv.com/stories/mike-ev...-in-the-family

In addition to creating the series, Evans was originally supposed to be one of the stars of Good Times.

[Sonny Carson]

Originally Posted by TMC

...because of ''All in the Family''

https://www.metv.com/stories/mike-ev...-in-the-family

In addition to creating the series, Evans was originally supposed to be one of the stars of Good Times.

I can’t see him playing JJ. JJ was too goofy and Mike was cool. I actually could see Mike playing ‘Lamont’ or ‘Clifton Curtis’ on ‘That’s My Mama’ instead of ‘JJ’!

[Bonniegirl]

Originally Posted by Sonny Carson

I can’t see him playing JJ. JJ was too goofy and Mike was cool. I actually could see Mike playing ‘Lamont’ or ‘Clifton Curtis’ on ‘That’s My Mama’ instead of ‘JJ’!

Yes ! I agree !

If he played JJ the show would have taken a different direction . Like you said, Mike wasn't goofy enough to play JJ . And as good looking as he was, and Thelma so pretty . Two really good looking Evans children would take away from the story lines , the focus would be on them , not the tough life in the ghetto as much !

Mike as Clifton , totally yes ! As Lamont , well I loved Demond Wilson as Lamont , as good looking as Mike Evans was, to me Demond will always be the best Lamont Sanford !

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by Bonniegirl

Yes ! I agree !

If he played JJ the show would have taken a different direction . Like you said, Mike wasn't goofy enough to play JJ . And as good looking as he was, and Thelma so pretty . Two really good looking Evans children would take away from the story lines , the focus would be on them , not the tough life in the ghetto as much !

Mike as Clifton , totally yes ! As Lamont , well I loved Demond Wilson as Lamont , as good looking as Mike Evans was, to me Demond will always be the best Lamont Sanford !

It would have foolish for him to go from Lionel to a goofball role like JJ

[Janice Johnson]

Originally Posted by Bonniegirl

Yes ! I agree !

If he played JJ the show would have taken a different direction . Like you said, Mike wasn't goofy enough to play JJ . And as good looking as he was, and Thelma so pretty . Two really good looking Evans children would take away from the story lines , the focus would be on them , not the tough life in the ghetto as much !

Mike as Clifton , totally yes ! As Lamont , well I loved Demond Wilson as Lamont , as good looking as Mike Evans was, to me Demond will always be the best Lamont Sanford !

Bernadette and Mike would look to much like boyfriend and girlfriend than brother and sister. Mike looked like a lot of Thelma's boyfriends to bring home my point even more..

[TVLegend]

I’m glad that didn’t happen…it’s bad enough that Thelma and Michael didn’t look like James and Florida, but with Mike Evans playing J.J., all of the kids would have looked adopted.