Did the quality of the acting decline?

[jamesanthony]

Do you think the acting got worse (or even better) as the series progressed? Some would say the writing got worse but I don't think Esther Rolle and Ja'Net Dubois performed any worse in year 6 than they did in year 1. To me they seemed consistent. Jimmie Walker toned it down a bit so I could say his acting got better though he was never a major acting person. Bernadtte Stanis had a very underdeveloped character to me so there was never enough for her to flesh out in Thelma. I think she was consistent. Ralph Carter to me got hammier in the later years than in the years when James was around.

[Lady T]

Originally posted by jamesanthony
Do you think the acting got worse (or even better) as the series progressed? Some would say the writing got worse but I don't think Esther Rolle and Ja'Net Dubois performed any worse in year 6 than they did in year 1. To me they seemed consistent. Jimmie Walker toned it down a bit so I could say his acting got better though he was never a major acting person. Bernadtte Stanis had a very underdeveloped character to me so there was never enough for her to flesh out in Thelma. I think she was consistent. Ralph Carter to me got hammier in the later years than in the years when James was around.

What acting? I love Good Times, and it is one of my favorite sitcoms, but...I do not consider any of the actors of the show to be known for their surperb acting abilities.
I think James Amos was the only decent actor on Good times, he was also great on The Mary Tyler Moore Show....

[TVFactFan]

Originally posted by jamesanthony
Do you think the acting got worse (or even better) as the series progressed? Some would say the writing got worse but I don't think Esther Rolle and Ja'Net Dubois performed any worse in year 6 than they did in year 1. To me they seemed consistent. Jimmie Walker toned it down a bit so I could say his acting got better though he was never a major acting person. Bernadtte Stanis had a very underdeveloped character to me so there was never enough for her to flesh out in Thelma. I think she was consistent. Ralph Carter to me got hammier in the later years than in the years when James was around.

When you mentioned Ralph Carter getting hammier, do you mean in seasons 4, 5, and 6? Or just the 5 and 6?

[Lady T]

Originally posted by TVShow Analyzer
When you mentioned Ralph Carter getting hammier, do you mean in seasons 4, 5, and 6? Or just the 5 and 6?

I was watching an episode from the 6ht season, and I noticed that JJ's character did tame down a tad, and that Willona personality was the pretty much the same, but Thelma seemed a little more out spoken..and Michael was less of a smart ass

[TVFactFan]

Originally posted by Undercover Angel
I was watching an episode from the 6ht season, and I noticed that JJ's character did tame down a tad, and that Willona personality was the pretty much the same, but Thelma seemed a little more out spoken..and Michael was less of a smart ass

I'm glad J.J took off that dumb a$$ blue hat after season 4-LOL

[Lady T]

Originally posted by TVShow Analyzer
I'm glad J.J took off that dumb a$$ blue hat after season 4-LOL

I also did not see him wearing any of his notorious "Crazy Outfits " either during the latter seasons....

[TVFactFan]

Originally posted by Undercover Angel
I also did not see him wearing any of his notorious "Crazy Outfits " either during the latter seasons....

What was up with J.J's S-Curl in season 5 and no mustache?-LOL!!!!!!!

[Lady T]

Originally posted by TVShow Analyzer
What was up with J.J's S-Curl in season 5 and no mustache?-LOL!!!!!!!

yuck!!!!! the only way Jimmie Walker could improve his looks, if he placed a paper bag over his head....

[laneyday]

Originally posted by jamesanthony
Do you think the acting got worse (or even better) as the series progressed? Some would say the writing got worse but I don't think Esther Rolle and Ja'Net Dubois performed any worse in year 6 than they did in year 1. To me they seemed consistent. Jimmie Walker toned it down a bit so I could say his acting got better though he was never a major acting person. Bernadtte Stanis had a very underdeveloped character to me so there was never enough for her to flesh out in Thelma. I think she was consistent. Ralph Carter to me got hammier in the later years than in the years when James was around.

In my opinion, the episodes that I did see from the later seasons lacked chemistry. Maybe they were tired of doing the show or there was a lot of friction off camera...who knows but you can tell when everyone is nsync. Since James left there was a sort of falling away whether it was the writing or what. But you can sense it.

[jamesanthony]

Originally posted by laneyday
In my opinion, the episodes that I did see from the later seasons lacked chemistry. Maybe they were tired of doing the show or there was a lot of friction off camera...who knows but you can tell when everyone is nsync. Since James left there was a sort of falling away whether it was the writing or what. But you can sense it.

I would guess that there was less friction in years 5 and 6 when Esther Rolle was either gone or had been ameliorated by Norman Lear. Years 1-3 are the best but I was analyzing the individual performers' work.

I guess the show wasn't as vital in the Jamesless years. The very fact that they made very little reference to him after DAMN DAMN DAMN shows the level of realism was missing.

As for Ralph Carter, I find his acting was more hammy at this point. Maybe it is a case of the cute kid growing up and not being a cute kid anymore. He was written as a smart/smart-mouthed though not rude young man. As he got older the novelty wore off and he became just another character who reacted to JJ, Florida and the general situation of that week's plot.

[nerrad]

I think JJ stopped wearing those orange underwear also.

[jamesanthony]

Originally posted by Undercover Angel
I also did not see him wearing any of his notorious "Crazy Outfits " either during the latter seasons....

The year 6 episode with Sheryl Lee Ralph as JJ's ridiculously snooty girlfriend had him wearing a burgundy crush velvet suit with wide collar and a loud shirt. And I think he had on some sort of unusual hat.