Interview w/ Eric Monte - creator of Good Times & Jeffersons - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

knl9674 · 12-09-2004, 02:36 PM

i read a great blog by an AA published journalist (NY Times, SFC, etc) and has several columns on AA newsites etc. He has been on the hunt for Eric Monte as a true fan of Good Times - which I just realized.

At any rate, he located the man, they became friends and he has recorded his interview/conversations with him and they discuss many different topics of interest as it relates to the show - many you will be surprised to hear and know.

Teaser:
-his thoughts on the role of JJ
-why he left the show
-tv today

AND...this officially puts an end to the longstanding feud about whether or not Good Times was a spin off of Maude. From the horse's mouth for all you that thought it was, IT WAS NOT. Per Eric, he had thought of the idea of GT before Maude even aired. When ERolle found out she was getting her own show, she wanted to use the same name she had on Maude, plain and simple. NO SPIN OFF. This ends the debate and further speculation.

VERY interesting and a must read. i'm going to post it over on The Jeffersons board as well.

Go to his blog site: www.jimiizrael.com

It's the first entry dated 12-8.

Post up your comments and happy reading......

W.J. Griffin · 12-11-2004, 06:02 PM

Jimi Izrael is off the hook!!!

Reading his conversations with Eric Monte reveals just how much contempt American tv producers have for their dreative people...and their audiences. Under the same circumstances, one can understand Me. Monte's frustration and bitterness with our mass-media outlets. And his comments about "Amos 'n' Andy" and "Good Times", as well as his admiration for "I Love Lucy", is truly illuminating.

So our TV Analyzer Solomon was right all along!

TVFactFan · 12-12-2004, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by W.J. Griffin
Jimi Izrael is off the hook!!!

Reading his conversations with Eric Monte reveals just how much contempt American tv producers have for their dreative people...and their audiences. Under the same circumstances, one can understand Me. Monte's frustration and bitterness with our mass-media outlets. And his comments about "Amos 'n' Andy" and "Good Times", as well as his admiration for "I Love Lucy", is truly illuminating.

So our TV Analyzer Solomon was right all along!

That's what I have been trying to say for two years but no one wanted to listen to me-LOL

knl9674 · 12-13-2004, 10:20 AM

i've always said that Good Times WAS NOT a spin off of Maude...but didn't have anything solid to back it up.

Gee...doesn't it feel wonderful to be right?!

James"Thunder"Early · 12-13-2004, 04:10 PM

I still say it's a spinoff. it is how the network placed it. it wasn't written as a spinoff but, it turned into one when it was picked up.

knl9674 · 12-13-2004, 04:18 PM

heeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrreeeeeeeeee we go.

you have the information right in front of your face to show you that it was NOT a spin off but you still are holding on to it. do you understand what "spin off" means - it is planned. it is purposeful. it takes the concept characters of one show and rolls it into another show while commonly making references to the original so the connection is not questions.

this is not the case with Good Times.

tell me this: how can a show be a spin off when it was created PRIOR to the show you're saying it was spun off from?

end the madness and accept the fact that you are wrong.

James"Thunder"Early · 12-13-2004, 04:41 PM

That's just my opinion. I think when Esther Rolle wanted to use her name from Maude, the network decided to call it a spinoff to give a midseason show a boost. what I meant it is a spinoff in name only.

knl9674 · 12-13-2004, 05:24 PM

please note:

1. you can have an opinion. but when you are presented with facts to the contrary, your opinion is shot. the article came from the CREATOR and HEAD WRITER OF THE SHOW. he tells you it's not a spin off and you still are popping off that in your opinion, it is.
oooook.

2. the networks NEVER called GT a spin off. audience members created that buzz. the network knew they were not supposed to be related.

3. to further PROVE this point: florida's husband's name on Maude was NOT James. florida did not have a job on the first GT episode. Maude was not set in Chicago.

4. esther rolle only wanted to keep the NAME she had on Maude, not the character. there is a difference.

someone is in deep denial. believe what you will but also know that you are

horribly
seriously
terribly

incorrect.

i'm done.

Caffeine King · 12-13-2004, 06:52 PM

Cool interview...

W.J. Griffin · 12-13-2004, 10:43 PM

I think we're all missing the bigger picture here..

SOLOMON WAS RIGHT!!!

Line forms on the right for deep-fried CROW!

Brian Damage · 12-14-2004, 09:19 PM

We all knew GT was created before Good Times. The fact is Florida Evans is still Florida Evans. A maid on Maude and a former maid on GT. Those are the facts. GT is still spun off of Maude.

TVFactFan · 12-14-2004, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Brian Damage
We all knew GT was created before Good Times. The fact is Florida Evans is still Florida Evans. A maid on Maude and a former maid on GT. Those are the facts. GT is still spun off of Maude.

Brian i have too many people on my side now, your argument is weak buddy-LOL Give it up Brian!!!!!! I was right

Brian Damage · 12-14-2004, 11:07 PM

LOL I won't give up because Florida is still Florida.

Brian Damage · 12-14-2004, 11:21 PM

I'll tell you what Solomon, you get me what I asked of you and I'll begrudgingly admit GT was NOT a spinoff.

TVFactFan · 12-14-2004, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Brian Damage
I'll tell you what Solomon, you get me what I asked of you and I'll begrudgingly admit GT was NOT a spinoff.

I recorded Judge Judy Today but didn't see those two comercials. I will record Judge Judy the rest of the week and see if I catch them.

12-09-2004, 02:36 PM	#1
knl9674 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 18, 2004 Location: NYC Posts: 231	Interview w/ Eric Monte - creator of Good Times & Jeffersons i read a great blog by an AA published journalist (NY Times, SFC, etc) and has several columns on AA newsites etc. He has been on the hunt for Eric Monte as a true fan of Good Times - which I just realized. At any rate, he located the man, they became friends and he has recorded his interview/conversations with him and they discuss many different topics of interest as it relates to the show - many you will be surprised to hear and know. Teaser: -his thoughts on the role of JJ -why he left the show -tv today AND...this officially puts an end to the longstanding feud about whether or not Good Times was a spin off of Maude. From the horse's mouth for all you that thought it was, IT WAS NOT. Per Eric, he had thought of the idea of GT before Maude even aired. When ERolle found out she was getting her own show, she wanted to use the same name she had on Maude, plain and simple. NO SPIN OFF. This ends the debate and further speculation. VERY interesting and a must read. i'm going to post it over on The Jeffersons board as well. Go to his blog site: www.jimiizrael.com It's the first entry dated 12-8. Post up your comments and happy reading......

12-13-2004, 04:10 PM	#5
James"Thunder"Early Whoever's In New England Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 23, 2004 Location: The Apollo Posts: 7,088	I still say it's a spinoff. it is how the network placed it. it wasn't written as a spinoff but, it turned into one when it was picked up.
	__________________ 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.

12-11-2004, 06:02 PM	#2
W.J. Griffin Member Forum Regular Join Date: Aug 29, 2002 Posts: 527	Jimi Izrael is off the hook!!! Reading his conversations with Eric Monte reveals just how much contempt American tv producers have for their dreative people...and their audiences. Under the same circumstances, one can understand Me. Monte's frustration and bitterness with our mass-media outlets. And his comments about "Amos 'n' Andy" and "Good Times", as well as his admiration for "I Love Lucy", is truly illuminating. So our TV Analyzer Solomon was right all along!

12-13-2004, 10:20 AM	#4
knl9674 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 18, 2004 Location: NYC Posts: 231	i've always said that Good Times WAS NOT a spin off of Maude...but didn't have anything solid to back it up. Gee...doesn't it feel wonderful to be right?!

12-13-2004, 04:18 PM	#6
knl9674 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 18, 2004 Location: NYC Posts: 231	heeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrreeeeeeeeee we go. you have the information right in front of your face to show you that it was NOT a spin off but you still are holding on to it. do you understand what "spin off" means - it is planned. it is purposeful. it takes the concept characters of one show and rolls it into another show while commonly making references to the original so the connection is not questions. this is not the case with Good Times. tell me this: how can a show be a spin off when it was created PRIOR to the show you're saying it was spun off from? end the madness and accept the fact that you are wrong.

12-13-2004, 04:41 PM	#7
James"Thunder"Early Whoever's In New England Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 23, 2004 Location: The Apollo Posts: 7,088	That's just my opinion. I think when Esther Rolle wanted to use her name from Maude, the network decided to call it a spinoff to give a midseason show a boost. what I meant it is a spinoff in name only.

12-13-2004, 05:24 PM	#8
knl9674 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 18, 2004 Location: NYC Posts: 231	please note: 1. you can have an opinion. but when you are presented with facts to the contrary, your opinion is shot. the article came from the CREATOR and HEAD WRITER OF THE SHOW. he tells you it's not a spin off and you still are popping off that in your opinion, it is. oooook. 2. the networks NEVER called GT a spin off. audience members created that buzz. the network knew they were not supposed to be related. 3. to further PROVE this point: florida's husband's name on Maude was NOT James. florida did not have a job on the first GT episode. Maude was not set in Chicago. 4. esther rolle only wanted to keep the NAME she had on Maude, not the character. there is a difference. someone is in deep denial. believe what you will but also know that you are horribly seriously terribly incorrect. i'm done.

12-13-2004, 06:52 PM	#9
Caffeine King I Love Rayanne Graff Forum Regular Join Date: Jun 01, 2004 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 622	Cool interview...

12-13-2004, 10:43 PM	#10
W.J. Griffin Member Forum Regular Join Date: Aug 29, 2002 Posts: 527	I think we're all missing the bigger picture here.. SOLOMON WAS RIGHT!!! Line forms on the right for deep-fried CROW!

12-14-2004, 09:19 PM	#11
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	We all knew GT was created before Good Times. The fact is Florida Evans is still Florida Evans. A maid on Maude and a former maid on GT. Those are the facts. GT is still spun off of Maude.

12-14-2004, 11:07 PM	#13
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	LOL I won't give up because Florida is still Florida.

12-14-2004, 11:21 PM	#14
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	I'll tell you what Solomon, you get me what I asked of you and I'll begrudgingly admit GT was NOT a spinoff.