Why was Lou Gossett a guest? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

nerrad · 04-12-2004, 10:21 AM

And where was James? Out of town. He never went anywhere. Anyway, I think LG was just a waste of time. He tried to emulate everything James did in one episode.

Jrnygrl · 04-12-2004, 04:49 PM

I think this was at a time when the disputes with Amos' character began, and they brought in Gossett to fill in. I may be wrong though. anyone else have an explaination???

jamesanthony · 04-12-2004, 04:55 PM

i remember this episode from year 3. i always thought john amos was in a disagreement with the producers and they brought in lou to do what should have been his part. lou acts a lot like james would have in the epsiode so they probably had him there so they wouldn't have to totally change the script.

TVFactFan · 04-12-2004, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jamesanthony
i remember this episode from year 3. i always thought john amos was in a disagreement with the producers and they brought in lou to do what should have been his part. lou acts a lot like james would have in the epsiode so they probably had him there so they wouldn't have to totally change the script.

I think Lou's character was MORE HYPED thn James-LOL

magellan · 05-19-2004, 05:04 PM

Often in sitcoms, when one regular is unexpectedly absent, they give his/her lines to another regular (or split them up among several regulars). In some cases, though, they have to completely write that character out of the episode, or bring in another guest to fill in. Evidently, the GT staff thought it best to bring in LG to fill in for John Amos.

Of course LG had made another appearance as a completely different character ealier in the series. I think GT was the leader in "same actor/different character" category.

Louis Gossett, Ron Glass, the kid who played "Eddie", Bebe Wilson (Sweet Daddy's lady), Teddy Wilson (Sweets), and one of JJ's girlfriends (can't remember her name) all played dual roles during the show's run.

TVFactFan · 05-19-2004, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by nerrad
And where was James? Out of town. He never went anywhere. Anyway, I think LG was just a waste of time. He tried to emulate everything James did in one episode.

The funny thing was, He was more HYPED that James-LOL. James was never that angry

GeeBee · 05-19-2004, 08:40 PM

Lou's character wasn't like James at all because he didn't direct his anger at the children. James would have been taking off his belt the minute he learned Michael messed up at school. Personally, I liked Lou's character a lot better.

TVFactFan · 05-19-2004, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by GeeBee
Lou's character wasn't like James at all because he didn't direct his anger at the children. James would have been taking off his belt the minute he learned Michael messed up at school. Personally, I liked Lou's character a lot better.

James took his belt off for a good reason. Michael walked out of a I.Q test and then refused to sit on a bus to go to a new school. And then one time Michael got suspended. So they were all good reasons.

GeeBee · 05-19-2004, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TVShow Analyzer
James took his belt off for a good reason. Michael walked out of a I.Q test and then refused to sit on a bus to go to a new school. And then one time Michael got suspended. So they were all good reasons.

That's just your opinion. Myself, and many others today, would say that he was abusive and irrational. In any case, he was a far cry from Ward Cleaver or Cliff Huxtable.

TVFactFan · 05-19-2004, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by GeeBee
That's just your opinion. Myself, and many others today, would say that he was abusive and irrational. In any case, he was a far cry from Ward Cleaver or Cliff Huxtable.

You are right. James was nothing like Cliff Huxtable. He wasn't PASSIVE. He was able to eat what he wanted. Unlike Cliff, who had his meals prepared for him by his wife.

GeeBee · 05-20-2004, 02:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by TVShow Analyzer
You are right. James was nothing like Cliff Huxtable. He wasn't PASSIVE. He was able to eat what he wanted. Unlike Cliff, who had his meals prepared for him by his wife.

Very important observation.

04-12-2004, 10:21 AM	#1
nerrad Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 06, 2003 Location: pfunkytown Posts: 1,253	Why was Lou Gossett a guest? And where was James? Out of town. He never went anywhere. Anyway, I think LG was just a waste of time. He tried to emulate everything James did in one episode.

04-12-2004, 04:49 PM	#2
Jrnygrl Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 03, 2003 Location: wheel in the sky Posts: 4,540	I think this was at a time when the disputes with Amos' character began, and they brought in Gossett to fill in. I may be wrong though. anyone else have an explaination???

04-12-2004, 04:55 PM	#3
jamesanthony Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 30, 2004 Posts: 2,180	i remember this episode from year 3. i always thought john amos was in a disagreement with the producers and they brought in lou to do what should have been his part. lou acts a lot like james would have in the epsiode so they probably had him there so they wouldn't have to totally change the script.

05-19-2004, 05:04 PM	#5
magellan Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jan 13, 2004 Posts: 20	Often in sitcoms, when one regular is unexpectedly absent, they give his/her lines to another regular (or split them up among several regulars). In some cases, though, they have to completely write that character out of the episode, or bring in another guest to fill in. Evidently, the GT staff thought it best to bring in LG to fill in for John Amos. Of course LG had made another appearance as a completely different character ealier in the series. I think GT was the leader in "same actor/different character" category. Louis Gossett, Ron Glass, the kid who played "Eddie", Bebe Wilson (Sweet Daddy's lady), Teddy Wilson (Sweets), and one of JJ's girlfriends (can't remember her name) all played dual roles during the show's run.

05-19-2004, 08:40 PM	#7
GeeBee Member Senior Member Join Date: Jun 22, 2003 Posts: 1,578	Lou's character wasn't like James at all because he didn't direct his anger at the children. James would have been taking off his belt the minute he learned Michael messed up at school. Personally, I liked Lou's character a lot better.