If Florida died instead of James, would it be better? - Page 2 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TVFactFan · 09-22-2005, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leland McKenzie

I don't think that would have worked, because Esther Rolle was playing the lead character and to kill her off would kill the show. I just don't think John Amos would have been as good heading up the show without Esther Rolle. And Florida's interactions with the other characters we're generally really good.

I still think the ratings would have been higher than #26 with Amos and the Kids

ThomasE · 09-22-2005, 06:49 PM

Maybe the idea could have worked, but I think Esther Rolle would have been the better choice to keep. I still don't know what Mr. Lear was think when he asked, "can you do a show without a mother?" The poor woman responded, "yes" knowing that she was not certain. TV Land is on season six. Yay! Thelma is so beautiful in the wedding eps. I loved the fact that she decided to wear the long weave. It was probably decided for her to have long hair for the wedding storyline. Anyways, I some people don't like season six but it this show had to end with no Esther Rolle, it would have been an incomplete picture. I loved the last season and loved the fact that Esther was asked to come back. You go Ms. Rolle.

GeorgiaboyJeff! · 09-23-2005, 04:51 PM

Esther Rolle was a good actress but I personally also think the show would have been better the other way around. Willona & James getting married would have been funnier. That would also have to mean a new neighbor to barge in perhaps. There were alot of storyline opportunities that could have been explored because personally James was more interesting.Here's some episode possibilities.

1.)Florida eventually getting sick & dying, James has a meltdown.
2.)James coping with Florida's death & raising 3 kids on his own.
3.)James various new women in his life, on the road to destruction because of missing Florida,realising that dating women isn't going to help.
4.)Willona & James getting closer only to find that they have feelings for one another.I wouldn't want this to happen until the later seasons,not so soon after Florida's death.
5.)Willona & James getting married & the kids are against the idea.
6.)The kids dealing with Willona as a mother & the sudden hatred towards her because they see her as a replacement as Florida.

Overall I think it would have been way interesting!

Tap Dancer · 08-13-2011, 12:12 PM

Even though this is a very old thread, it's a great question and I hope more people will reply.

I think it would have been awesome if the situation were reversed. I liked James sooo much more than Florida. She got on my nerves quite a bit. I do think the ratings would have been higher if we got to see James as a single father. And I agree that a possible James & Willona match would have been far more interesting than *yawn* Florida and Carl.

09-22-2005, 06:49 PM	#17
ThomasE Member Moderator Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 04, 2000 Location: New York, New York, U.S.A. Posts: 10,857	Maybe the idea could have worked, but I think Esther Rolle would have been the better choice to keep. I still don't know what Mr. Lear was think when he asked, "can you do a show without a mother?" The poor woman responded, "yes" knowing that she was not certain. TV Land is on season six. Yay! Thelma is so beautiful in the wedding eps. I loved the fact that she decided to wear the long weave. It was probably decided for her to have long hair for the wedding storyline. Anyways, I some people don't like season six but it this show had to end with no Esther Rolle, it would have been an incomplete picture. I loved the last season and loved the fact that Esther was asked to come back. You go Ms. Rolle.

09-23-2005, 04:51 PM	#18
GeorgiaboyJeff! Member Forum Regular Join Date: May 25, 2002 Posts: 664	Esther Rolle was a good actress but I personally also think the show would have been better the other way around. Willona & James getting married would have been funnier. That would also have to mean a new neighbor to barge in perhaps. There were alot of storyline opportunities that could have been explored because personally James was more interesting.Here's some episode possibilities. 1.)Florida eventually getting sick & dying, James has a meltdown. 2.)James coping with Florida's death & raising 3 kids on his own. 3.)James various new women in his life, on the road to destruction because of missing Florida,realising that dating women isn't going to help. 4.)Willona & James getting closer only to find that they have feelings for one another.I wouldn't want this to happen until the later seasons,not so soon after Florida's death. 5.)Willona & James getting married & the kids are against the idea. 6.)The kids dealing with Willona as a mother & the sudden hatred towards her because they see her as a replacement as Florida. Overall I think it would have been way interesting!

08-13-2011, 12:12 PM	#19
Tap Dancer Member Forum Regular Join Date: Mar 20, 2005 Location: Virginia Posts: 754	Even though this is a very old thread, it's a great question and I hope more people will reply. I think it would have been awesome if the situation were reversed. I liked James sooo much more than Florida. She got on my nerves quite a bit. I do think the ratings would have been higher if we got to see James as a single father. And I agree that a possible James & Willona match would have been far more interesting than yawn Florida and Carl.