What the heck happened to Carl? - Page 2 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Edster2973 · 03-12-2005, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVShow Analyzer

I'm not turning this into A DEBATE, i'm just saying I never thought Carl was added to fill the Hole in the show left by John Amos.

So he would've been brought on even if John Amos was still on?

Even on the E! True Hollywood Story on Good Times, they alluded to how John Amos' absence left a huge gap in the show and that Esther Rolle couldn't fill it, nor could Jimmy Walker or Ja'Net Du Bois.
They also remarked that Esther Rolle was plenty upset (but hey, when was she ever happy?) that she was the head of a household without a father figure, so in an attempt to try to appease her, they brought Carl on.

I even think they said the ratings were slipping at that point and they attributed that to John Amos' role being vacated. They spoke of Moses Gunn's character being the 'band aid' to help bring back the show. If that doesn't qualify as a replacement, I don't know what does.

No way was Carl going to measure up to James, either to the audience or to his family. With James gone, they wanted to bring on someone to be a surrogate father figure for the kids and a husband for Florida, so they created Carl. In that sense he is definitely a replacement, but only in the position that James held, his job as the male role model if you will.

Carl was the show's attempt to bring on a male model for the family (both kids & Florida) in lieu of the absence of James. This was deliberate, and the writers, producers, and the cast have gone on record as saying as such.

Ed

Brian Damage · 03-12-2005, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edster2973

So he would've been brought on even if John Amos was still on?

Even on the E! True Hollywood Story on Good Times, they alluded to how John Amos' absence left a huge gap in the show and that Esther Rolle couldn't fill it, nor could Jimmy Walker or Ja'Net Du Bois.
They also remarked that Esther Rolle was plenty upset (but hey, when was she ever happy?) that she was the head of a household without a father figure, so in an attempt to try to appease her, they brought Carl on.

I even think they said the ratings were slipping at that point and they attributed that to John Amos' role being vacated. They spoke of Moses Gunn's character being the 'band aid' to help bring back the show. If that doesn't qualify as a replacement, I don't know what does.

No way was Carl going to measure up to James, either to the audience or to his family. With James gone, they wanted to bring on someone to be a surrogate father figure for the kids and a husband for Florida, so they created Carl. In that sense he is definitely a replacement, but only in the position that James held, his job as the male role model if you will.

Carl was the show's attempt to bring on a male model for the family (both kids & Florida) in lieu of the absence of James. This was deliberate, and the writers, producers, and the cast have gone on record as saying as such.

Ed

Well said, I absolutely agree with you.

James"Thunder"Early · 03-12-2005, 05:17 PM

I think Carl was brought on to be the father figure but Esther Rolle left so it didn't work.

Edster2973 · 03-12-2005, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr. Phillips

I think Carl was brought on to be the father figure but Esther Rolle left so it didn't work.

Right, which is what was said earlier in this thread. Had she remained with the show, he might have also. I think it was unfortunate timing, that's all...

Ed

Jefffalan · 03-13-2005, 12:46 AM

Do you think the show would have stayed on track if Carl had remained along with Florida or would ratings still have kept slipping?

TVFactFan · 03-13-2005, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jefffalan

Do you think the show would have stayed on track if Carl had remained along with Florida or would ratings still have kept slipping?

I think so because the show finished in the top 30 after season 4.

Edster2973 · 03-13-2005, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jefffalan

Do you think the show would have stayed on track if Carl had remained along with Florida or would ratings still have kept slipping?

Well, I attribute the slip in ratings due to Esther Rolle's absence during Season 5, along with the many so-called pre-emptions and timeslot changes. Had she stayed, so would have Carl, and I think there could have been some development on Carl's part that could have made him a viable part of the family. Whether that would have worked is anyone's guess, but I think it might have helped the show last a little longer.

Ed

Edster2973 · 03-13-2005, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jefffalan

Do you think the show would have stayed on track if Carl had remained along with Florida or would ratings still have kept slipping?

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVShow Analyzer

I think so because the show finished in the top 30 after season 4.

You think so? You answer a two choice 'or' question like that? That's like answering the question "Is it good or bad?" with a "yes". Sometimes it seems you don't fully read what is written. I don't mean to dog on you, but you like to post a lot on these topics and sometimes it's like you pick one sentence out of thirty and expound on it, even if it's not even pertinent to the topic.

I'm not out to dog you though. I think you're a nice person and you try to be helpful. That much is obvious, believe me. But I see other posters on other boards singling you out for attacks, and answering posts like how you did above kind of sets you up for that. Try to take time to actually READ what is there pal. I don't want to see anyone else attacking you. You're a good egg.

Just my suggestion...

Ed

TVFactFan · 03-13-2005, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edster2973

You think so? You answer a two choice 'or' question like that? That's like answering the question "Is it good or bad?" with a "yes". Sometimes it seems you don't fully read what is written. I don't mean to dog on you, but you like to post a lot on these topics and sometimes it's like you pick one sentence out of thirty and expound on it, even if it's not even pertinent to the topic.

I'm not out to dog you though. I think you're a nice person and you try to be helpful. That much is obvious, believe me. But I see other posters on other boards singling you out for attacks, and answering posts like how you did above kind of sets you up for that. Try to take time to actually READ what is there pal. I don't want to see anyone else attacking you. You're a good egg.

Just my suggestion...

Ed

I don't believe the time slot had anything to due with the falling ratings in season 5. It was the addition of Penny, and no Esther Rolle that caused the show to lose a lot of it's adult viewers

Brian Damage · 03-13-2005, 12:44 PM

It wasn't the addition of Penny that caused the ratings slip, it was the subtraction of Florida and the maturity of JJ.

GeorgeWBushGOP · 03-13-2005, 11:47 PM

I thought it was explained in one of the season six episodes that Florida ate Carl.

Joeytrom · 03-20-2005, 04:10 PM

When Florida returned home in the second episode of the last season, she gives Michael a present and says "Carl and I bought it for you". That is the last mention of him.

Perhaps he died off camera a while before this episode.

With the addition of Keith, the producers probably didn't want another character on the show, so they chose not to have Carl back.

TVFactFan · 03-20-2005, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joeytrom

When Florida returned home in the second episode of the last season, she gives Michael a present and says "Carl and I bought it for you". That is the last mention of him.

Perhaps he died off camera a while before this episode.

With the addition of Keith, the producers probably didn't want another character on the show, so they chose not to have Carl back.

I'm going to have to pull the UNEDITED version of Homecoming Part 2 because I don;t remember Florida mentioning Carl at all in season 6.

TVFactFan · 03-20-2005, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joeytrom

When Florida returned home in the second episode of the last season, she gives Michael a present and says "Carl and I bought it for you". That is the last mention of him.

Perhaps he died off camera a while before this episode.

With the addition of Keith, the producers probably didn't want another character on the show, so they chose not to have Carl back.

I apologize, I was wrong. Just pulled the episode out of the Archives and Florida does mention Carl's Name. I sen that episode several times and never caught that.

03-12-2005, 05:17 PM	#18
James"Thunder"Early Whoever's In New England Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 23, 2004 Location: The Apollo Posts: 7,088	I think Carl was brought on to be the father figure but Esther Rolle left so it didn't work.
	__________________ Esther Anderson: Get thee behind me, Satan, but I'm gon' get behind you, 'cause I'm gonna put my foot in your--- Peggy Mitchell: Get outta my pub! You better pray you get the last laugh, it's a kick in the teeth when you don't get it.

03-13-2005, 12:46 AM	#20
Jefffalan Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 16, 2001 Location: Villa Rica, GA United States Posts: 184	Do you think the show would have stayed on track if Carl had remained along with Florida or would ratings still have kept slipping?
	__________________ Jeffrey

03-13-2005, 12:44 PM	#25
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,107	It wasn't the addition of Penny that caused the ratings slip, it was the subtraction of Florida and the maturity of JJ.

03-13-2005, 11:47 PM	#26
GeorgeWBushGOP Member Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 04, 2004 Location: NYC Posts: 802	I thought it was explained in one of the season six episodes that Florida ate Carl.

03-20-2005, 04:10 PM	#27
Joeytrom Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Aug 03, 2002 Posts: 60	When Florida returned home in the second episode of the last season, she gives Michael a present and says "Carl and I bought it for you". That is the last mention of him. Perhaps he died off camera a while before this episode. With the addition of Keith, the producers probably didn't want another character on the show, so they chose not to have Carl back.