Did the producers really think TV viewers were going to believe that Florida and

[TVFactFan]

Willona were in the same age bracket? You can tell by just looking at both of them that they were 20 years or more apart. and don't even get me started on James and Florida being in the same age group.lol

[vze3t9q9]

I do realize that John Amos was years younger than Esther Rolle but so was Sherman Hemsley and to Isabel Sanford. I felt Jimmie Walker looked too old to play a teen. I had more problems there.

[TVFactFan]

Originally posted by vze3t9q9
I do realize that John Amos was years younger than Esther Rolle but so was Sherman Hemsley and to Isabel Sanford. I felt Jimmie Walker looked too old to play a teen. I had more problems there.

Exactly, Jimmie was 27 when the show started

[Edster2973]

Originally posted by TVShow Analyzer
Willona were in the same age bracket? You can tell by just looking at both of them that they were 20 years or more apart. and don't even get me started on James and Florida being in the same age group.lol

Not to bemoan the obvious, but I think the producers were more concerned about getting decent actors for the parts than they were with getting african-american actors who were closer to the characters' age. Each actor was well-suited for their roles and that's what counts.

But I agree that there is a disparity of the actors looking older than their character's, but if they had aged the characters to the actors' ages, we'd probably end up with another version of The Jeffersons, except the family would be dirt poor.

Just my opinion anyway...

Ed

[TVFactFan]

Originally posted by Edster2973
Not to bemoan the obvious, but I think the producers were more concerned about getting decent actors for the parts than they were with getting african-american actors who were closer to the characters' age. Each actor was well-suited for their roles and that's what counts.

But I agree that there is a disparity of the actors looking older than their character's, but if they had aged the characters to the actors' ages, we'd probably end up with another version of The Jeffersons, except the family would be dirt poor.

Just my opinion anyway...

Ed

What do you mean by another version of the Jeffersons?

[Edster2973]

Originally posted by TVShow Analyzer
What do you mean by another version of the Jeffersons?

By another version of The Jeffersons, I meant that, like George and Louise, they'd be older and their kids wouldn't still be living at home, with the exception of Michael (who would be like Lionel, who was sort of the 'militant midget' to Archie Bunker, although that was more on All in the Family than The Jeffersons).

I'm not saying it would be a carbon copy of The Jeffersons but I don't think it would've been that different, except for the Evans being poorer than George & Louise. The concepts would be too similar and you'd have racial groups crying that they were only portraying african americans in only one light. Quite frankly, I'd have a problem with that sort of depiction myself, and I'm white.

African americans were not fairly utilized or represented on TV back then and I think in order to educate America about the diversity that existed among them, the show was right in doing what they did. Otherwise, having two african american shows that were more similar than not would only have served to perpetuate stereotypes.

In doing what they did, the producers avoided that, which did help to educate the non-african americans living in this country, as well as make Good Times one of the better comedies that was ever produced, regardless of race.

Ed

[hch]

Originally posted by Edster2973
By another version of The Jeffersons, I meant that, like George and Louise, they'd be older and their kids wouldn't still be living at home, with the exception of Michael (who would be like Lionel, who was sort of the 'militant midget' to Archie Bunker, although that was more on All in the Family than The Jeffersons).

I'm not saying it would be a carbon copy of The Jeffersons but I don't think it would've been that different, except for the Evans being poorer than George & Louise. The concepts would be too similar and you'd have racial groups crying that they were only portraying african americans in only one light. Quite frankly, I'd have a problem with that sort of depiction myself, and I'm white.

African americans were not fairly utilized or represented on TV back then and I think in order to educate America about the diversity that existed among them, the show was right in doing what they did. Otherwise, having two african american shows that were more similar than not would only have served to perpetuate stereotypes.

In doing what they did, the producers avoided that, which did help to educate the non-african americans living in this country, as well as make Good Times one of the better comedies that was ever produced, regardless of race.

Ed

Edster, As the "Good Times" audience would say: RIGHT ON! No truer words spoken!

[Edster2973]

Originally posted by hch
Edster, As the "Good Times" audience would say: RIGHT ON! No truer words spoken!

Thanks pal. I appreciate it.


Ed

[jamesanthony]

Originally posted by Edster2973

In doing what they did, the producers avoided that, which did help to educate the non-african americans living in this country, as well as make Good Times one of the better comedies that was ever produced, regardless of race.

Ed

This show had a lot of things wrong with it: holes in the writing that we have all been posting about being the most glaring yet it IS one of the better comedies. No wonder 30 years later it is still so popular, and not just with African Americans.

What tv show now is going to have the characters wearing only 5 or 6 outfits in a given season? James only had about 6 shirts, 1 suit and tie and always wore the same slacks. I remember one episode where he puts on his suit to go to a job interview and everyone in the family was raving about his look, but its the exact same suit, tie and yellow dress shirt that he wore in every other episode where he had to get dressed up for a wedding, special occasion etc. Florida wore the same pink robe in all 6 seasons (and I think the same overcoat too)

[laneyday]

Originally posted by TVShow Analyzer
Exactly, Jimmie was 27 when the show started

He was 24.

[laneyday]

My bad. TV, you're right. He was 26 going on 27.

[TVFactFan]

Originally posted by laneyday
He was 24.

He was born in 1947, and the show started in 1974 which means he was 27 in 1974

THE END

[laneyday]

Didn't you see my post before you replied???????????? sheeeesh.