Who else gets depressed thinking about all of the backstage disagreements? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

retrochick9 · 05-03-2006, 05:30 PM

It's hard to believe when you watch the show that there were all of these disagreements going on behind the scenes. It's kind of depressing

It's too bad that happened. I guess I can understand that Rolle and Amos were worried with it being the first black sitcom and all, but it's just sad that everyone had to be so paranoid about every little thing. It was just as depressing as finding out about the disagreements on Three's Company.

But, I'm glad we can still watch the shows now cause I love them both!!!

Mr. Television · 05-03-2006, 05:34 PM

I know what you mean. It sucks that everybody on both those shows couldn't get along but they left a legacy that entertains fans long after the shows have left the air. For that I am thankful.

Ireneparalegal · 05-03-2006, 05:36 PM

i think it makes me angry because they (Esther & sometimes John) felt we the audience weren't smart enough to know that it was a sitcom and that we couldn't tell whether JJ was being a drawback to the "old days" of stereotyped characters. I don't know. I guess the anger comes from the writers too. Why couldn't they just not make JJ be such a dork at times. I am most of all angry at the person who LET JOHN AMOS GO!!!!!!

retrochick9 · 05-03-2006, 05:39 PM

At least everyone from GT was at the TVLand Awards, that was cool!!! Maybe they put some of it behind them. And as far as TC, at least Suzanne Somers and John Ritter made up before he died and she was even on his show.

Pitooey · 05-08-2006, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

i think it makes me angry because they (Esther & sometimes John) felt we the audience weren't smart enough to know that it was a sitcom and that we couldn't tell whether JJ was being a drawback to the "old days" of stereotyped characters. I don't know. I guess the anger comes from the writers too. Why couldn't they just not make JJ be such a dork at times. I am most of all angry at the person who LET JOHN AMOS GO!!!!!!

You and me both Irene....

I loved when James and Florida intermingled.

Who was the DUMMY who let James get away???

John Amos.......... wherever you are.......... You were GOOD!!!!!

nerrad · 05-09-2006, 01:47 PM

Someone in the cast needs to write a tell all book. And I damn sure would buy it.

retrochick9 · 05-09-2006, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nerrad

Someone in the cast needs to write a tell all book. And I damn sure would buy it.

So would I!!! Of course it would be biased with that particular person's side of the story. There seems to be such an interest in old shows now, you would think someone would interview the casts of these shows or something.

nerrad · 05-09-2006, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retrochick9

So would I!!! Of course it would be biased with that particular person's side of the story. There seems to be such an interest in old shows now, you would think someone would interview the casts of these shows or something.

I would prefer JJ. He seems to hate everything about GT.

TVFactFan · 05-09-2006, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retrochick9

It's hard to believe when you watch the show that there were all of these disagreements going on behind the scenes. It's kind of depressing

It's too bad that happened. I guess I can understand that Rolle and Amos were worried with it being the first black sitcom and all, but it's just sad that everyone had to be so paranoid about every little thing. It was just as depressing as finding out about the disagreements on Three's Company.

But, I'm glad we can still watch the shows now cause I love them both!!!

Good Times was the "First Black Family Sitcom" not the first Black Sitcom

retrochick9 · 05-09-2006, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVResearcher

Good Times was the "First Black Family Sitcom" not the first Black Sitcom

Picky, picky, picky, lol, you know what I meant.

Ireneparalegal · 05-09-2006, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retrochick9

Picky, picky, picky, lol, you know what I meant.

TVFactFan · 05-09-2006, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retrochick9

Picky, picky, picky, lol, you know what I meant.

LOL

GSU2004 · 05-09-2006, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retrochick9

It's hard to believe when you watch the show that there were all of these disagreements going on behind the scenes. It's kind of depressing

It's too bad that happened. I guess I can understand that Rolle and Amos were worried with it being the first black sitcom and all, but it's just sad that everyone had to be so paranoid about every little thing. It was just as depressing as finding out about the disagreements on Three's Company.

But, I'm glad we can still watch the shows now cause I love them both!!!

I do too, especially with What's Happening!! Everytime I watch the third season , I always wonder what could have been. I would have loved to see James on the show all the way to the end. Amos wanted to assist with the writing of Good Times but was denied on several occassions by the producers. On What's Happening!!, Mabel King wanted to also contribute with storylines.

GSU2004 · 05-09-2006, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pitooey

You and me both Irene....

I loved when James and Florida intermingled.

Who was the DUMMY who let James get away???

John Amos.......... wherever you are.......... You were GOOD!!!!!

Norman Lear had alot of tension on his sets from his actors. At one point, they wanted to kill Archie off because of problems with Carroll O'Connor but they worked with him and compromised. With Amos, it was either our way or the highway. In fact, the script used for the season finale of season three was initially drafted for All in the Family. This was told on an E special highlighting Norman Lear.

Janice · 05-09-2006, 08:27 PM

I also think what could have been. It's a shame that John and Esther couldn't work things out. I know that JJ was goofy, but he had goals, and he wasn't a juvenille deliquent. There have been plenty of silly white characters before and since JJ. A part of me suspects that they were jealous of JJ's fame.

I've read that Michael Gross and Meridith Baxter-Birney were upset when Michael J. Fox's character broke out on Family Ties, but they didn't blow the show out of the water. The show was originally supposed to be focused on the couple.

Don't even get me started on Three's Company. Suzanne Somers thought that since she got a lot of attention, that she was the star of the show, but was she ever wrong. Three's Company could survive the departure of any character, except Jack Tripper, in my opinion anyway.

There's often a clash of egos. Struggling stars get a taste of fame, and next thing, they start making demands...i.e...creative control, they want to be stars, they want more $$$, and often, they're shown the door.

05-03-2006, 05:30 PM	#1
retrochick9 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Apr 07, 2006 Location: On the couch, in my jammies, watching TV! Posts: 620	Who else gets depressed thinking about all of the backstage disagreements? It's hard to believe when you watch the show that there were all of these disagreements going on behind the scenes. It's kind of depressing It's too bad that happened. I guess I can understand that Rolle and Amos were worried with it being the first black sitcom and all, but it's just sad that everyone had to be so paranoid about every little thing. It was just as depressing as finding out about the disagreements on Three's Company. But, I'm glad we can still watch the shows now cause I love them both!!!

05-03-2006, 05:34 PM	#2
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	I know what you mean. It sucks that everybody on both those shows couldn't get along but they left a legacy that entertains fans long after the shows have left the air. For that I am thankful.
	__________________ Sonny

05-03-2006, 05:36 PM	#3
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	i think it makes me angry because they (Esther & sometimes John) felt we the audience weren't smart enough to know that it was a sitcom and that we couldn't tell whether JJ was being a drawback to the "old days" of stereotyped characters. I don't know. I guess the anger comes from the writers too. Why couldn't they just not make JJ be such a dork at times. I am most of all angry at the person who LET JOHN AMOS GO!!!!!!
	__________________ DALLAS COWBOYS ARE HERE AT TRAINING CAMP!!!

05-03-2006, 05:39 PM	#4
retrochick9 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Apr 07, 2006 Location: On the couch, in my jammies, watching TV! Posts: 620	At least everyone from GT was at the TVLand Awards, that was cool!!! Maybe they put some of it behind them. And as far as TC, at least Suzanne Somers and John Ritter made up before he died and she was even on his show.

05-09-2006, 01:47 PM	#6
nerrad Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 06, 2003 Location: pfunkytown Posts: 1,253	Someone in the cast needs to write a tell all book. And I damn sure would buy it.

05-09-2006, 08:27 PM	#15
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	I also think what could have been. It's a shame that John and Esther couldn't work things out. I know that JJ was goofy, but he had goals, and he wasn't a juvenille deliquent. There have been plenty of silly white characters before and since JJ. A part of me suspects that they were jealous of JJ's fame. I've read that Michael Gross and Meridith Baxter-Birney were upset when Michael J. Fox's character broke out on Family Ties, but they didn't blow the show out of the water. The show was originally supposed to be focused on the couple. Don't even get me started on Three's Company. Suzanne Somers thought that since she got a lot of attention, that she was the star of the show, but was she ever wrong. Three's Company could survive the departure of any character, except Jack Tripper, in my opinion anyway. There's often a clash of egos. Struggling stars get a taste of fame, and next thing, they start making demands...i.e...creative control, they want to be stars, they want more $$$, and often, they're shown the door.