Solomon: Read what Norman Lear says abt GT NOT being a spin-off - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Ireneparalegal · 09-11-2007, 11:58 PM

Remember that book I got, that is authored by Sean Campbell called The Sitcoms of Norman Lear? Well I just read the chapter on Good Times and here is what Sean says and also what Norman Lear said abt the whole spin-off issue:

"Before the first episode aired, the talk was all about spin-offs, since Lear's Good Times appeared to be the first spin-off of a spin-off. As the New York Times phrased it, Good Times was a third-generation series. The journey started in a Queens neighborhood and ended in a Chicago projects. But Lear did not believe Good Times was a true spin-off. Lear said, "I got the idea for this show 2 1/2 years ago, before there ever was a Maude, from Michael Evans," Lear told reporters in 1974. "We'd never seen a black family on the tube and it sounded like a good idea. It's taken two years to develop it; we went through 30 drafts of the story for the first episode." As the show evolved and continued season after season, Lear was appalled by anyone who called Good Times a spin-off. By the third season, Lear went around Hollywood telling people he would "throw up" if he heard the show called that one more time."

Although you and I and few others already knew it is not a spin-off, I'd thought I would share this with you since you don't have the book. The same book that had the ratings information that Weezy fan and I "kept" from you.

catlover79 · 09-12-2007, 12:02 AM

This debate will go on forever - this and the Ginger vs. Mary Ann debate!

TVFactFan · 09-12-2007, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

Remember that book I got, that is authored by Sean Campbell called The Sitcoms of Norman Lear? Well I just read the chapter on Good Times and here is what Sean says and also what Norman Lear said abt the whole spin-off issue:

"Before the first episode aired, the talk was all about spin-offs, since Lear's Good Times appeared to be the first spin-off of a spin-off. As the New York Times phrased it, Good Times was a third-generation series. The journey started in a Queens neighborhood and ended in a Chicago projects. But Lear did not believe Good Times was a true spin-off. Lear said, "I got the idea for this show 2 1/2 years ago, before there ever was a Maude, from Michael Evans," Lear told reporters in 1974. "We'd never seen a black family on the tube and it sounded like a good idea. It's taken two years to develop it; we went through 30 drafts of the story for the first episode." As the show evolved and continued season after season, Lear was appalled by anyone who called Good Times a spin-off. By the third season, Lear went around Hollywood telling people he would "throw up" if he heard the show called that one more time."

Although you and I and few others already knew it is not a spin-off, I'd thought I would share this with you since you don't have the book. The same book that had the ratings information that Weezy fan and I "kept" from you.

That was my point 4 years ago-lol

Mikado · 09-12-2007, 12:07 AM

*Put fingers in ears* NANANANA I'M NOT LISTENIIIINGG!!!!NANANANANANANA

Ireneparalegal · 09-12-2007, 12:09 AM

Mikado!

I always maintained whatever the producer said, but it seemed many would go with what Norman Lear stated. Well, there it is above^^^^.

TVFactFan · 09-12-2007, 12:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mikado

*Put fingers in ears* NANANANA I'M NOT LISTENIIIINGG!!!!NANANANANANANA

The Debate of the Decade-lol

Brieannas21 · 09-12-2007, 12:33 AM

That's funny, because in the video clip he actually calls it a spinoff, so I'm taking his word for it, since I actually heard those words come out of his mouth.

Mr. Television · 09-12-2007, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brieannas21

That's funny, because in the video clip he actually calls it a spinoff, so I'm taking his word for it, since I actually heard those words come out of his mouth.

Maybe he eventually changed his mind. lol

Ireneparalegal · 09-12-2007, 12:43 AM

All I can say is what is written in this book by someone who actually received help in making this book and notes that on the inside cover where he states:

To all the people involved in the creation of the sitcoms discussed,
especially those involved with this book:

Rue McClanahan (Golden Girls)
Bill Macy (Maude)
Susan Harris (Golden Girls creator, producer)
Franklin Cover (The Jeffersons)
Marla Gibbs (The Jeffersons)
...and of course: Norman Lear

Brieannas21 · 09-12-2007, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Walking Tall

Maybe he eventually changed his mind. lol

Yeah, OK

Janice · 09-12-2007, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

As the show evolved and continued season after season, Lear was appalled by anyone who called Good Times a spin-off. By the third season, Lear went around Hollywood telling people he would "throw up" if he heard the show called that one more time."

Those are Campbell's words, not Norman Lear's. He can say the moon is made out of cream cheese, but that doesn't make it so. I believe the words that actually came out of Norman Lear's mouth. He stated Good Times was a spin-off of Maude, so it is.

Brian Damage · 09-12-2007, 02:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice

Those are Campbell's words, not Norman Lear's. He can say the moon is made out of cream cheese, but that doesn't make it so. I believe the words that actually came out of Norman Lear's mouth. He stated Good Times was a spin-off of Maude, so it is.

LOL...RIGHT ON!

TVFactFan · 09-12-2007, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice

Those are Campbell's words, not Norman Lear's. He can say the moon is made out of cream cheese, but that doesn't make it so. I believe the words that actually came out of Norman Lear's mouth. He stated Good Times was a spin-off of Maude, so it is.

I haven't bought his book yet but I will soon

mstewart · 09-13-2007, 11:11 AM

The character of Florida Evans began on Maude so it is a spin off if an actress plays the same character from one show where she was a supporting actress and now is the lead that is a spinoff. If it was another character, other than Florida Evans, then it would not been a spinoff. That's my take on it.

TVFactFan · 09-13-2007, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mstewart

The character of Florida Evans began on Maude so it is a spin off if an actress plays the same character from one show where she was a supporting actress and now is the lead that is a spinoff. If it was another character, other than Florida Evans, then it would not been a spinoff. That's my take on it.

It was a different character, just the same name by a accident

09-11-2007, 11:58 PM	#1
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,689	Solomon: Read what Norman Lear says abt GT NOT being a spin-off Remember that book I got, that is authored by Sean Campbell called The Sitcoms of Norman Lear? Well I just read the chapter on Good Times and here is what Sean says and also what Norman Lear said abt the whole spin-off issue: "Before the first episode aired, the talk was all about spin-offs, since Lear's Good Times appeared to be the first spin-off of a spin-off. As the New York Times phrased it, Good Times was a third-generation series. The journey started in a Queens neighborhood and ended in a Chicago projects. But Lear did not believe Good Times was a true spin-off. Lear said, "I got the idea for this show 2 1/2 years ago, before there ever was a Maude, from Michael Evans," Lear told reporters in 1974. "We'd never seen a black family on the tube and it sounded like a good idea. It's taken two years to develop it; we went through 30 drafts of the story for the first episode." As the show evolved and continued season after season, Lear was appalled by anyone who called Good Times a spin-off. By the third season, Lear went around Hollywood telling people he would "throw up" if he heard the show called that one more time." Although you and I and few others already knew it is not a spin-off, I'd thought I would share this with you since you don't have the book. The same book that had the ratings information that Weezy fan and I "kept" from you.
	__________________ DALLAS COWBOYS ARE HERE AT TRAINING CAMP!!!

09-12-2007, 12:02 AM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	This debate will go on forever - this and the Ginger vs. Mary Ann debate!
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

09-12-2007, 12:07 AM	#4
Mikado Main st bridge Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 06, 2005 Posts: 25,880	Put fingers in ears NANANANA I'M NOT LISTENIIIINGG!!!!NANANANANANANA

09-12-2007, 12:09 AM	#5
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,689	Mikado! I always maintained whatever the producer said, but it seemed many would go with what Norman Lear stated. Well, there it is above^^^^.

09-12-2007, 12:33 AM	#7
Brieannas21 Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 05, 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 9,792	That's funny, because in the video clip he actually calls it a spinoff, so I'm taking his word for it, since I actually heard those words come out of his mouth.

09-12-2007, 12:43 AM	#9
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,689	All I can say is what is written in this book by someone who actually received help in making this book and notes that on the inside cover where he states: To all the people involved in the creation of the sitcoms discussed, especially those involved with this book: Rue McClanahan (Golden Girls) Bill Macy (Maude) Susan Harris (Golden Girls creator, producer) Franklin Cover (The Jeffersons) Marla Gibbs (The Jeffersons) ...and of course: Norman Lear

09-13-2007, 11:11 AM	#14
mstewart mstewart Senior Member Join Date: Jan 25, 2002 Location: California Posts: 1,780	The character of Florida Evans began on Maude so it is a spin off if an actress plays the same character from one show where she was a supporting actress and now is the lead that is a spinoff. If it was another character, other than Florida Evans, then it would not been a spinoff. That's my take on it.