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

GeorgiaboyJeff! · 09-21-2005, 11:17 PM

I always wondered that. I honestly wouldn't miss Florida that much but I believe Thelma would have taken over the role of Florida. Also wouldn't an episode where James & Willona date would have been a hoot. I'm pretty sure the kids would have objected to that. I think the show would have still done well without Florida unlike when James died.

Jrnygrl · 09-22-2005, 12:14 AM

I never thought about that. I think it would have done better, the Willona and James dating episode would have been a good one.

craftman · 09-22-2005, 02:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeorgiaboyJeff!

I always wondered that. I honestly wouldn't miss Florida that much but I believe Thelma would have taken over the role of Florida. Also wouldn't an episode where James & Willona date would have been a hoot. I'm pretty sure the kids would have objected to that. I think the show would have still done well without Florida unlike when James died.

That question is too tough. I don't even want to think about it.

But, I think they needed each other. The episode when JJ goes into the army, it's something about that episode that don't feel right to me cause Flo's not in it. It would be weird to see James as a single father. I don't like the idea of James and Willona dating. Sorry folks I'm not that creative in thinking about alternative situations like this.

GeorgeWBushGOP · 09-22-2005, 08:13 AM

I got frozen on this curve ball.

Makes you wonder how many single black fathers there are in poor neighborhoods.

My guess . Not many. Especially back then.

TVFactFan · 09-22-2005, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeorgiaboyJeff!

I always wondered that. I honestly wouldn't miss Florida that much but I believe Thelma would have taken over the role of Florida. Also wouldn't an episode where James & Willona date would have been a hoot. I'm pretty sure the kids would have objected to that. I think the show would have still done well without Florida unlike when James died.

I think so because the episode when Florida was absent in -"The Enlistment" it was still an enjoyable episode

vashti1999 · 09-22-2005, 09:52 AM

Ideally it would be better if neither character died, so my answer is no.

TVFactFan · 09-22-2005, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vashti1999

Ideally it would be better if neither character died, so my answer is no.

Come on, a show with JAMES and the kids instead of Penny, and Mrs. Bookman and Willona being the center of attention. So the show would not have been any better if the show centered around James? but it's fun to watch when it's centered around Willona?

Brian Damage · 09-22-2005, 10:15 AM

That is a very interesting concept. I think it would've done well. Of course Norman Lear would've had a coronary considering he didn't want a father figure to begin with.

hatwink · 09-22-2005, 01:53 PM

They would have all died, because once James' top blew, they would probably die of heart attacks.

nerrad · 09-22-2005, 01:58 PM

James would've played around, that's for sure. He seem to love the ladies (who don't, unless you're his youngest son

)

However, Florida never played the part of gazing/flirting/giggling when she saw a man. The worse I ever saw Florida was when the blind salesman complimented on her figure. Flo replied, "You just earned yourself a doughnut too".

TVFactFan · 09-22-2005, 02:53 PM

We all have to admit that James, J.J, Michael and Thelma, would have been 75% better than watching Willona, J.J, Michael, Thelma, and Penny.

JeffRuss1972 · 09-22-2005, 03:24 PM

Oh, HELLLL Yes!!!!! I really enjoyed the episode The Enlistment with James(and no Flo). To me, having James remain on the show would have allowed for a bunch of very interesting stories. And I could see he and Willona hooking up on down the line for some reason. Wouldn't have minded seeing him interact w/Bookman either. He wouldn't have had to use any fat jokes, just give him the MEEEEEEEAN look.

JeffRuss1972 · 09-22-2005, 03:45 PM

Damn, now you've got me thinking about Willona and James. It would have been MUCH more interesting seeing them get together and interact than Florida and Carl. Could have made for some interesting stories. And can you imagine what James would have done when he found out J.J. was working with those two guys who were dealing dope? Man, wish there was a way to see how those shows would've turned out WITH John Amos. Oh, well . . .

TVFactFan · 09-22-2005, 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffRuss1972

Oh, HELLLL Yes!!!!! I really enjoyed the episode The Enlistment with James(and no Flo). To me, having James remain on the show would have allowed for a bunch of very interesting stories. And I could see he and Willona hooking up on down the line for some reason. Wouldn't have minded seeing him interact w/Bookman either. He wouldn't have had to use any fat jokes, just give him the MEEEEEEEAN look.

And it also wouldn't have been NO PENNY!!!

James"Thunder"Early · 09-22-2005, 06:42 PM

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.

09-21-2005, 11:17 PM	#1
GeorgiaboyJeff! Member Forum Regular Join Date: May 25, 2002 Posts: 664	If Florida died instead of James, would it be better? I always wondered that. I honestly wouldn't miss Florida that much but I believe Thelma would have taken over the role of Florida. Also wouldn't an episode where James & Willona date would have been a hoot. I'm pretty sure the kids would have objected to that. I think the show would have still done well without Florida unlike when James died.

09-22-2005, 09:52 AM	#6
vashti1999 NY METS - #1 Forum Fanatic Join Date: Oct 14, 2003 Location: The world's greatest city - New York City Posts: 11,404	Ideally it would be better if neither character died, so my answer is no.
	__________________ .

09-22-2005, 10:15 AM	#8
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	That is a very interesting concept. I think it would've done well. Of course Norman Lear would've had a coronary considering he didn't want a father figure to begin with.
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

09-22-2005, 03:24 PM	#12
JeffRuss1972 70s Sitcoms Rule!!! Eternal Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 11, 2005 Location: Villa Rica, GA Posts: 1,257	Oh, HELLLL Yes!!!!! I really enjoyed the episode The Enlistment with James(and no Flo). To me, having James remain on the show would have allowed for a bunch of very interesting stories. And I could see he and Willona hooking up on down the line for some reason. Wouldn't have minded seeing him interact w/Bookman either. He wouldn't have had to use any fat jokes, just give him the MEEEEEEEAN look.
	__________________ Previously JalanRuss for a SHORT time, but got my OLD Username Back! Hello Again

09-22-2005, 06:42 PM	#15
James"Thunder"Early Whoever's In New England Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 23, 2004 Location: The Apollo Posts: 7,088	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.
	__________________ 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.

09-22-2005, 12:14 AM	#2
Jrnygrl Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 03, 2003 Location: wheel in the sky Posts: 4,540	I never thought about that. I think it would have done better, the Willona and James dating episode would have been a good one.

09-22-2005, 08:13 AM	#4
GeorgeWBushGOP Member Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 04, 2004 Location: NYC Posts: 802	I got frozen on this curve ball. Makes you wonder how many single black fathers there are in poor neighborhoods. My guess . Not many. Especially back then.

09-22-2005, 01:53 PM	#9
hatwink Member Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 19, 2004 Posts: 773	They would have all died, because once James' top blew, they would probably die of heart attacks.

09-22-2005, 01:58 PM	#10
nerrad Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 06, 2003 Location: pfunkytown Posts: 1,253	James would've played around, that's for sure. He seem to love the ladies (who don't, unless you're his youngest son ) However, Florida never played the part of gazing/flirting/giggling when she saw a man. The worse I ever saw Florida was when the blind salesman complimented on her figure. Flo replied, "You just earned yourself a doughnut too".

09-22-2005, 02:53 PM	#11
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,062	We all have to admit that James, J.J, Michael and Thelma, would have been 75% better than watching Willona, J.J, Michael, Thelma, and Penny.

09-22-2005, 03:45 PM	#13
JeffRuss1972 70s Sitcoms Rule!!! Eternal Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 11, 2005 Location: Villa Rica, GA Posts: 1,257	Damn, now you've got me thinking about Willona and James. It would have been MUCH more interesting seeing them get together and interact than Florida and Carl. Could have made for some interesting stories. And can you imagine what James would have done when he found out J.J. was working with those two guys who were dealing dope? Man, wish there was a way to see how those shows would've turned out WITH John Amos. Oh, well . . .