Good Times was going downhill with or without John Amos - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 10-30-2006, 12:51 PM

Even though Good Times was still good by season 3, (Amos' final season) I did notice the quality starting to slip a bit. The JJ character was becoming more of a central character and even with James around, the show looked like it was slipping a bit in quality.

Even if John Amos wasn't fired from the show, if season 3 was any indication, the rest of the show would continue to go downhill.

TVFactFan · 10-30-2006, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Even though Good Times was still good by season 3, (Amos' final season) I did notice the quality starting to slip a bit. The JJ character was becoming more of a central character and even with James around, the show looked like it was slipping a bit in quality.

Even if John Amos wasn't fired from the show, if season 3 was any indication, the rest of the show would continue to go downhill.

Yep, the jump the shark moment is him graduating from trade school and not being able to find a job-lol I feel the show woukd have been on a upswing if he had gottne employed through the Trade School

Ireneparalegal · 10-30-2006, 01:02 PM

That was so stupid. Why show a man bettering himself and then show how he couldn't get work? It could have been a very slow build up to the family getting somewhere in the world...albeit, they would have still been in the ghetto, but they could have had it a little better. Maybe showing James having different struggles at a new construction job.

Brian Damage · 10-30-2006, 06:04 PM

I think the biggest Jump the Shark moment with James was the Rent Party episode. Talent shows on sitcoms=run out of ideas. lol

TVFactFan · 10-30-2006, 06:52 PM

I think the sho started going down hill when J.J was o longer afraid to stand up to his Dad

Brian Damage · 10-30-2006, 07:12 PM

The same can be said for Thelma. Who the hell was she to tell James how she was going to see Larry.

TVFactFan · 10-30-2006, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

The same can be said for Thelma. Who the hell was she to tell James how she was going to see Larry.

Well she was in the right, after she called off the engagement she was just telling her Dad that she is going to continue to see Larry. Your Parents can't stop you from Loving someone-lol

Ireneparalegal · 10-30-2006, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVResearcher

Well she was in the right, after she called off the engagement she was just telling her Dad that she is going to continue to see Larry. Your Parents can't stop you from Loving someone-lol

True, however, as long as you live under your parents roof and you are under 18, YOU DO AS YOUR PARENTS TELL YOU...regardless of the fact that you are in love.

Brian Damage · 10-30-2006, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

True, however, as long as you live under your parents roof and you are under 18, YOU DO AS YOUR PARENTS TELL YOU...regardless of the fact that you are in love.

RIGHT ON IRENE!

Lamont · 10-30-2006, 09:38 PM

the show became too big for its own good

a LOT Of shows do this--- they have a "breakout character" who ends up getting more airtime then he warrants

it happened with Fonzie taking over Happy Days, Urkel taking over Family Matters and JJ taking over Good Times

Jimmie Walker was so hot for a few years, that they had to try to work 1000 DYN-O-MITES into every episode, and that hurt the show

but even at its worst with James- it was better than the best eps without him!

Florida was the heart of the show, BUT James was the SOUL!

Brian Damage · 10-30-2006, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lamont

the show became too big for its own good

a LOT Of shows do this--- they have a "breakout character" who ends up getting more airtime then he warrants

it happened with Fonzie taking over Happy Days, Urkel taking over Family Matters and JJ taking over Good Times

Jimmie Walker was so hot for a few years, that they had to try to work 1000 DYN-O-MITES into every episode, and that hurt the show

but even at its worst with James- it was better than the best eps without him!

Florida was the heart of the show, BUT James was the SOUL!

I agree with you, but I think there was a misconception that the show tanked just because Amos left. That is partially true, but after seeing season three, the signs were there that the show was slowly starting its downward spiral with James there.

Lamont · 10-30-2006, 10:31 PM

well u never know

some shows go downhill but come back and finish strong (like frasier or cheers or Mash, that had weak seasons but ended solid)

i think that if Amos had stayed, at least it would have had more potential

the last 2 seasons were so weak, and all the focus on willona and bookman hurt the show a lot

amos wasnt the ONLY reason, but he was one of them

Ireneparalegal · 10-30-2006, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

I agree with you, but I think there was a misconception that the show tanked just because Amos left. That is partially true, but after seeing season three, the signs were there that the show was slowly starting its downward spiral with James there.

I too wonder abt your theory. I mean, how many episodes could they have done abt James NOT getting work, being given an opportunity and Florida whining abt why he shouldn't take the job, etc. The ideas were slim.

Lamont · 10-30-2006, 11:08 PM

there was still plenty of life left in the show with james

of course the focus would shift some

but a lot of shows do that

look at how MASH or Frasier or Night Court changed over the years

they evolved with time

i think if james had lived, u would have seen a focus shift on the show

maybe florida would have gone to work to help out financially
or maybe they would have had martial trouble

who knows

Brian Damage · 10-31-2006, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

I too wonder abt your theory. I mean, how many episodes could they have done abt James NOT getting work, being given an opportunity and Florida whining abt why he shouldn't take the job, etc. The ideas were slim.

Very true. Besides, the show was starting to revolve around JJ and that was a sure fire death notice.

10-30-2006, 12:51 PM	#1
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	Good Times was going downhill with or without John Amos Even though Good Times was still good by season 3, (Amos' final season) I did notice the quality starting to slip a bit. The JJ character was becoming more of a central character and even with James around, the show looked like it was slipping a bit in quality. Even if John Amos wasn't fired from the show, if season 3 was any indication, the rest of the show would continue to go downhill.
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10-30-2006, 01:02 PM	#3
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	That was so stupid. Why show a man bettering himself and then show how he couldn't get work? It could have been a very slow build up to the family getting somewhere in the world...albeit, they would have still been in the ghetto, but they could have had it a little better. Maybe showing James having different struggles at a new construction job.
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10-30-2006, 06:04 PM	#4
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 think the biggest Jump the Shark moment with James was the Rent Party episode. Talent shows on sitcoms=run out of ideas. lol

10-30-2006, 06:52 PM	#5
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,058	I think the sho started going down hill when J.J was o longer afraid to stand up to his Dad

10-30-2006, 07:12 PM	#6
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	The same can be said for Thelma. Who the hell was she to tell James how she was going to see Larry.

10-30-2006, 09:38 PM	#10
Lamont Lamont says Smile! Forum Veteran Join Date: May 28, 2005 Location: Deep in the Heart of Nowhere Posts: 5,217	the show became too big for its own good a LOT Of shows do this--- they have a "breakout character" who ends up getting more airtime then he warrants it happened with Fonzie taking over Happy Days, Urkel taking over Family Matters and JJ taking over Good Times Jimmie Walker was so hot for a few years, that they had to try to work 1000 DYN-O-MITES into every episode, and that hurt the show but even at its worst with James- it was better than the best eps without him! Florida was the heart of the show, BUT James was the SOUL!

10-30-2006, 10:31 PM	#12
Lamont Lamont says Smile! Forum Veteran Join Date: May 28, 2005 Location: Deep in the Heart of Nowhere Posts: 5,217	well u never know some shows go downhill but come back and finish strong (like frasier or cheers or Mash, that had weak seasons but ended solid) i think that if Amos had stayed, at least it would have had more potential the last 2 seasons were so weak, and all the focus on willona and bookman hurt the show a lot amos wasnt the ONLY reason, but he was one of them

10-30-2006, 11:08 PM	#14
Lamont Lamont says Smile! Forum Veteran Join Date: May 28, 2005 Location: Deep in the Heart of Nowhere Posts: 5,217	there was still plenty of life left in the show with james of course the focus would shift some but a lot of shows do that look at how MASH or Frasier or Night Court changed over the years they evolved with time i think if james had lived, u would have seen a focus shift on the show maybe florida would have gone to work to help out financially or maybe they would have had martial trouble who knows