How the John Amos/James Evans death could have worked out better - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Janice Johnson · 06-05-2006, 11:27 AM

The writers could have saved the show in a few ways...........

1.They could have replaced the John Amos character with a new person(Fresh-Prince Of Bel-Air's Vivian character).

2.They could have had John Amos come back as a "ghost" many times.

3.They could have John Amos die, have the "Big Move" episododes, and then cancel Good Times. They could have cancelled GT on Top.

4.They could have had the GT end right after The Rent Party. (Kind of like Number 3, with out the BM.)

5. They could have had Esther Rolle carry out the series into the fourth season, and then when she walked, they should have made "Love has a spot on his lung, 1 and 2 the last episode.

Brian Damage · 06-05-2006, 11:35 AM

Replacing John Amos would've never worked. He in my opinion was irreplaceable.

GSU2004 · 06-05-2006, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice Johnson

The writers could have saved the show in a few ways...........

1.They could have replaced the John Amos character with a new person(Fresh-Prince Of Bel-Air's Vivian character).

2.They could have had John Amos come back as a "ghost" many times.

3.They could have John Amos die, have the "Big Move" episododes, and then cancel Good Times. They could have cancelled GT on Top.

4.They could have had the GT end right after The Rent Party. (Kind of like Number 3, with out the BM.)

5. They could have had Esther Rolle carry out the series into the fourth season, and then when she walked, they should have made "Love has a spot on his lung, 1 and 2 the last episode.

Given the often serious tone of the show, I doubt that the 'ghost' storyline would have worked. With Amos gone, it goes to the original premise of how the producers wanted the show, a single mom living in the ghetto. If Rolle and the problems would have worked out, the series could have lasted probably eight seasons rather than six. To concur with what others have stated before, the addition of Carl was horrible. I think Florida really wouldn't have dated again or she would have been pressured into doing it as Wilona would have played matchmaker or something.

TVFactFan · 06-05-2006, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice Johnson

The writers could have saved the show in a few ways...........

1.They could have replaced the John Amos character with a new person(Fresh-Prince Of Bel-Air's Vivian character).

2.They could have had John Amos come back as a "ghost" many times.

3.They could have John Amos die, have the "Big Move" episododes, and then cancel Good Times. They could have cancelled GT on Top.

4.They could have had the GT end right after The Rent Party. (Kind of like Number 3, with out the BM.)

5. They could have had Esther Rolle carry out the series into the fourth season, and then when she walked, they should have made "Love has a spot on his lung, 1 and 2 the last episode.

There is not a such thing as a finale after 3 seasons-lol

Brieannas21 · 06-05-2006, 03:10 PM

Replacing him wouldn't have worked at all. I think they should have used the ol' Newhart trick. In the series finale they should have had Florida wake up next to James and say that she had a weird dream, and then have her get up and start to make breakfast

TVFactFan · 06-05-2006, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brieannas21

Replacing him wouldn't have worked at all. I think they should have used the ol' Newhart trick. In the series finale they should have had Florida wake up next to James and say that she had a weird dream, and then have her get up and start to make breakfast

Yeah I never liked replacements

Edster2973 · 06-05-2006, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brieannas21

Replacing him wouldn't have worked at all. I think they should have used the ol' Newhart trick. In the series finale they should have had Florida wake up next to James and say that she had a weird dream, and then have her get up and start to make breakfast

Yeah, right, like John Amos would've agreed to come back after they canned him. Not a chance pal...

Ed

TVFactFan · 06-05-2006, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edster2973

Yeah, right, like John Amos would've agreed to come back after they canned him. Not a chance pal...

Ed

You never know, money talks and bullsh*t well you know the rest-lol

Ireneparalegal · 06-05-2006, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice Johnson

The writers could have saved the show in a few ways...........

1.They could have replaced the John Amos character with a new person(Fresh-Prince Of Bel-Air's Vivian character).

2.They could have had John Amos come back as a "ghost" many times.

3.They could have John Amos die, have the "Big Move" episododes, and then cancel Good Times. They could have cancelled GT on Top.

4.They could have had the GT end right after The Rent Party. (Kind of like Number 3, with out the BM.)

5. They could have had Esther Rolle carry out the series into the fourth season, and then when she walked, they should have made "Love has a spot on his lung, 1 and 2 the last episode.

I seem to recall it being said here many times already abt replacing John Amos with another actor. NO NO NO NO...WOULD NOT HAVE WORKED. The producer never wanted a father figure to begin with; so he basically got his wish when they decided to fire John.

2. PLEEEEEEEEZE.

3. NOPE. same reason as number 1 that i gave.

4. NOPE

5. GOOD ANSWER.

retrochick9 · 06-05-2006, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brieannas21

Replacing him wouldn't have worked at all. I think they should have used the ol' Newhart trick. In the series finale they should have had Florida wake up next to James and say that she had a weird dream, and then have her get up and start to make breakfast

That would have been great! But, that idea hadn't caught on yet, lol.

GSU2004 · 06-06-2006, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVResearcher

There is not a such thing as a finale after 3 seasons-lol

Unless you are told early on by the network you show is definetly not coming back then you could do something of a closure.

GSU2004 · 06-06-2006, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brieannas21

Replacing him wouldn't have worked at all. I think they should have used the ol' Newhart trick. In the series finale they should have had Florida wake up next to James and say that she had a weird dream, and then have her get up and start to make breakfast

I think Roseanne did something similar when John Goodman was voicing his grievances with her antics. They showed him having a heart attack on the season finale and on the last season, Roseanne is living in a dream which is never revealed until the series finale.

Brieannas21 · 06-06-2006, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GSU2004

I think Roseanne did something similar when John Goodman was voicing his grievances with her antics. They showed him having a heart attack on the season finale and on the last season, Roseanne is living in a dream which is never revealed until the series finale.

No Roseanne was writing a book, not having a dream. But some concept

GeorgeWBushGOP · 06-06-2006, 02:53 PM

If they could have a white JJ then they could have James come back in a dream sequence or two!!

I can picture the ghost thing..Complete with wings and a harp.

Yeah. That would have worked!!!

The one good thing about the James character dying was his stupid statistics died with him!!

magellan333 · 06-06-2006, 11:07 PM

When I was a young'in, I envisioned James coming back someday to the apartment to find somebody else living there. Turns out the person killed in the auto accident wasn't him! It was a mistake. He was carjacked and he was forced out of the car and shot, left in a coma. The man who stole the car was high on drugs and drove it into a ravine and perished in a flaming crash. Since the car was registered to James, it was assumed it was him that died in the wreck. James was in a coma in a small rural hospital for the remaining seasons of Good Times. He awakens and can not locate the family. Michael is dorm resident, no phone listing. Thelma has a different last name. J.J. has moved to L.A. to promote Dyno Girl. Florida is in the phone book as Florida Dixon.... He finally tracks the family down at Vegas Ave and the Good Times really start.

Far fetched I know, but in the mind of a child, believable.

06-05-2006, 11:27 AM	#1
Janice Johnson Commercial Lover Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 30, 2003 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 4,739	How the John Amos/James Evans death could have worked out better The writers could have saved the show in a few ways........... 1.They could have replaced the John Amos character with a new person(Fresh-Prince Of Bel-Air's Vivian character). 2.They could have had John Amos come back as a "ghost" many times. 3.They could have John Amos die, have the "Big Move" episododes, and then cancel Good Times. They could have cancelled GT on Top. 4.They could have had the GT end right after The Rent Party. (Kind of like Number 3, with out the BM.) 5. They could have had Esther Rolle carry out the series into the fourth season, and then when she walked, they should have made "Love has a spot on his lung, 1 and 2 the last episode.

06-05-2006, 11:35 AM	#2
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	Replacing John Amos would've never worked. He in my opinion was irreplaceable.
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

06-05-2006, 03:10 PM	#5
Brieannas21 Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 05, 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 9,792	Replacing him wouldn't have worked at all. I think they should have used the ol' Newhart trick. In the series finale they should have had Florida wake up next to James and say that she had a weird dream, and then have her get up and start to make breakfast

06-06-2006, 02:53 PM	#14
GeorgeWBushGOP Member Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 04, 2004 Location: NYC Posts: 802	If they could have a white JJ then they could have James come back in a dream sequence or two!! I can picture the ghost thing..Complete with wings and a harp. Yeah. That would have worked!!! The one good thing about the James character dying was his stupid statistics died with him!!

06-06-2006, 11:07 PM	#15
magellan333 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jun 26, 2003 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 822	When I was a young'in, I envisioned James coming back someday to the apartment to find somebody else living there. Turns out the person killed in the auto accident wasn't him! It was a mistake. He was carjacked and he was forced out of the car and shot, left in a coma. The man who stole the car was high on drugs and drove it into a ravine and perished in a flaming crash. Since the car was registered to James, it was assumed it was him that died in the wreck. James was in a coma in a small rural hospital for the remaining seasons of Good Times. He awakens and can not locate the family. Michael is dorm resident, no phone listing. Thelma has a different last name. J.J. has moved to L.A. to promote Dyno Girl. Florida is in the phone book as Florida Dixon.... He finally tracks the family down at Vegas Ave and the Good Times really start. Far fetched I know, but in the mind of a child, believable.