John Amos denies Ebony article was reason he was no longer on GOOD TIMES - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Ireneparalegal · 07-22-2008, 10:13 PM

Death of James Evans Sr.

By Margena A. Christian
Jet Magazine January 2008

It was never the intention for "Good Times" to have a father on the show, said John Amos. He appeared in a few episodes of "Maude" in 1973 and 1974 as Florida Evans' husband, then named Henry.

But when Esther Rolle was offered her own show, she only accepted on the condition that her character had a husband, Amos said. A patriarch was added and his name became James Evans Sr.

"This was a wonderful opportunity to portray James Evans Sr. as the antihero to the stereotype," said Amos. "The fact that he stayed with his family despite the obstacles that the family faced financially. He was there."

James Evans Sr. was removed from the show in the fourth season when he was killed in a car accident out of state. Rolle delivered one of Florida's most unforgettable lines, "damn, damn, damn," once the realization of her husband's death finally hit her.

It was once reported that a 1975 EBONY cover story, Bad Times On The 'Good Times' Set, brought the demise of Amos' character, because in the article, Amos and Rolle spoke candidly about their disapproval about the show's direction with the JJ character's antics.

Amos denied that the EBONY story contributed to his being let go on the show.

"The truth is we reached a point where we were at an impasse that we could no longer dialogue civilly about the character (James Evans Sr.) and I wasn't the most diplomatic guy in those days. The writers got tired of having their lives threatened about a script and I got tired of threatening," Amos laughed.

The show's creator, Eric Monte, said, "(Amos) made it known in no uncertain terms that he was NOT going to play a degraded Black man! After I left the show, Norman Lear found the opportunity to write him out of the show."

After James' death, Rolle's character was immediately given a boyfriend, an atheist named Carl (played by the late Moses Gunn). Eventually she left the show. Rolle was written out by marrying Carl and moving away. But she eventually returned.

"Once you kill the head of the family, then something is lost that can never be replaced," Amos said. "It's like losing your real dad. There is a void left."

Amos admits to being amused that people remain fascinated about the killing off of his character.

"I'm glad the controversy rages to this day," laughed Amos. "It keeps me talked about."

Opening Theme Lyrics To 'Good Times'

Oscar-winning songwriters Alan and Marilyn Bergman provided JET with the lyrics to the show's theme song. Oscar-winning composer-arranger Dave Grusin wrote the music. Singers James "Jim" Gilstrap and Saundra "Blinky" Williams performed the soulful theme song.

Good times!
Any time you meet a payment,
Good times!
Any time you meet a friend,
Good times!
Any time you're out from under
Not gettin' hassled,
Not gettin' hustled.

Keepin' your head above water,
Makin' a wave when you can.
Temporary layoffs--
Good times!
Easy credit ripoffs--
Good times!
Scratchin' and survivin--
'Good times!
Hangin' in and jivin'--
Good times!
Ain't we lucky we got 'em?
Good times!!
By Margena A. Christian

JET MAGAZINE

catlover79 · 07-22-2008, 11:11 PM

Hmmmm...interesting. Thanks for sharing, Irene.

Ireneparalegal · 07-22-2008, 11:14 PM

Anytime salt sister.

Jude The Obscure · 07-22-2008, 11:21 PM

Counting down the seconds before Sol comes on here and disputes this.

catlover79 · 07-22-2008, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jude86

Counting down the seconds before Sol comes on here and disputes this.

Oh yeah - and he'll remind us that GT is NOT a spinoff of Maude.

Ireneparalegal · 07-22-2008, 11:33 PM

Let the countdown begin
10...9...8...7...6

You know, you have to back up your posts with a source FROM A BOOK, not a magazine or newspaper, although that was fine when Solomon was doing it.

ThomasE · 07-24-2008, 05:53 PM

5, 4, 3...

prestige · 11-13-2008, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

Death of James Evans Sr.

By Margena A. Christian
Jet Magazine January 2008

It was never the intention for "Good Times" to have a father on the show, said John Amos. He appeared in a few episodes of "Maude" in 1973 and 1974 as Florida Evans' husband, then named Henry.

But when Esther Rolle was offered her own show, she only accepted on the condition that her character had a husband, Amos said. A patriarch was added and his name became James Evans Sr.

"This was a wonderful opportunity to portray James Evans Sr. as the antihero to the stereotype," said Amos. "The fact that he stayed with his family despite the obstacles that the family faced financially. He was there."

James Evans Sr. was removed from the show in the fourth season when he was killed in a car accident out of state. Rolle delivered one of Florida's most unforgettable lines, "damn, damn, damn," once the realization of her husband's death finally hit her.

It was once reported that a 1975 EBONY cover story, Bad Times On The 'Good Times' Set, brought the demise of Amos' character, because in the article, Amos and Rolle spoke candidly about their disapproval about the show's direction with the JJ character's antics.

Amos denied that the EBONY story contributed to his being let go on the show.

"The truth is we reached a point where we were at an impasse that we could no longer dialogue civilly about the character (James Evans Sr.) and I wasn't the most diplomatic guy in those days. The writers got tired of having their lives threatened about a script and I got tired of threatening," Amos laughed.

The show's creator, Eric Monte, said, "(Amos) made it known in no uncertain terms that he was NOT going to play a degraded Black man! After I left the show, Norman Lear found the opportunity to write him out of the show."

After James' death, Rolle's character was immediately given a boyfriend, an atheist named Carl (played by the late Moses Gunn). Eventually she left the show. Rolle was written out by marrying Carl and moving away. But she eventually returned.

"Once you kill the head of the family, then something is lost that can never be replaced," Amos said. "It's like losing your real dad. There is a void left."

Amos admits to being amused that people remain fascinated about the killing off of his character.

"I'm glad the controversy rages to this day," laughed Amos. "It keeps me talked about."

Opening Theme Lyrics To 'Good Times'

Oscar-winning songwriters Alan and Marilyn Bergman provided JET with the lyrics to the show's theme song. Oscar-winning composer-arranger Dave Grusin wrote the music. Singers James "Jim" Gilstrap and Saundra "Blinky" Williams performed the soulful theme song.

Good times!
Any time you meet a payment,
Good times!
Any time you meet a friend,
Good times!
Any time you're out from under
Not gettin' hassled,
Not gettin' hustled.

Keepin' your head above water,
Makin' a wave when you can.
Temporary layoffs--
Good times!
Easy credit ripoffs--
Good times!
Scratchin' and survivin--
'Good times!
Hangin' in and jivin'--
Good times!
Ain't we lucky we got 'em?
Good times!!
By Margena A. Christian

JET MAGAZINE

That quote is incorrect: Thelma stated that the correct quote is: Hangin in the Chow Line Good Times-

TVFactFan · 11-13-2008, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prestige

That quote is incorrect: Thelma stated that the correct quote is: Hangin in the Chow Line Good Times-

There was also a line in there orginally about-"roaches roamin in the hallway"

in was in a 1974 jet magazine

ThomasE · 11-14-2008, 02:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVandSportsGuy

There was also a line in there orginally about-"roaches roamin in the hallway"

in was in a 1974 jet magazine

"Roaches in the hallway". Why don't you stop?

TVFactFan · 11-14-2008, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThomasE

"Roaches in the hallway". Why don't you stop?

No seriously it was part of the Original Closing Theme and it went-"Roaches Roamin the Hallway"

CBS felt the line was needed

ThomasE · 11-17-2008, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVandSportsGuy

No seriously it was part of the Original Closing Theme and it went-"Roaches Roamin the Hallway"

CBS felt the line was needed

That is so messed up. "Roaches roamin' in the hallway". How did you find that out?

TVFactFan · 11-17-2008, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThomasE

That is so messed up. "Roaches roamin' in the hallway". How did you find that out?

The Lyrics were in a 1974 Jet Magazine that was discussing the New show good Times

hatwink · 12-21-2008, 05:35 PM

God bless John Amos! If he had come out several years later, him and Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs would've had Oscars by now.

megamanj2004 · 12-21-2008, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVandSportsGuy

There was also a line in there orginally about-"roaches roamin in the hallway"

in was in a 1974 jet magazine

"Roaches Roamin' in the Hallway?"

07-22-2008, 10:13 PM	#1
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	John Amos denies Ebony article was reason he was no longer on GOOD TIMES Death of James Evans Sr. By Margena A. Christian Jet Magazine January 2008 It was never the intention for "Good Times" to have a father on the show, said John Amos. He appeared in a few episodes of "Maude" in 1973 and 1974 as Florida Evans' husband, then named Henry. But when Esther Rolle was offered her own show, she only accepted on the condition that her character had a husband, Amos said. A patriarch was added and his name became James Evans Sr. "This was a wonderful opportunity to portray James Evans Sr. as the antihero to the stereotype," said Amos. "The fact that he stayed with his family despite the obstacles that the family faced financially. He was there." James Evans Sr. was removed from the show in the fourth season when he was killed in a car accident out of state. Rolle delivered one of Florida's most unforgettable lines, "damn, damn, damn," once the realization of her husband's death finally hit her. It was once reported that a 1975 EBONY cover story, Bad Times On The 'Good Times' Set, brought the demise of Amos' character, because in the article, Amos and Rolle spoke candidly about their disapproval about the show's direction with the JJ character's antics. Amos denied that the EBONY story contributed to his being let go on the show. "The truth is we reached a point where we were at an impasse that we could no longer dialogue civilly about the character (James Evans Sr.) and I wasn't the most diplomatic guy in those days. The writers got tired of having their lives threatened about a script and I got tired of threatening," Amos laughed. The show's creator, Eric Monte, said, "(Amos) made it known in no uncertain terms that he was NOT going to play a degraded Black man! After I left the show, Norman Lear found the opportunity to write him out of the show." After James' death, Rolle's character was immediately given a boyfriend, an atheist named Carl (played by the late Moses Gunn). Eventually she left the show. Rolle was written out by marrying Carl and moving away. But she eventually returned. "Once you kill the head of the family, then something is lost that can never be replaced," Amos said. "It's like losing your real dad. There is a void left." Amos admits to being amused that people remain fascinated about the killing off of his character. "I'm glad the controversy rages to this day," laughed Amos. "It keeps me talked about." Opening Theme Lyrics To 'Good Times' Oscar-winning songwriters Alan and Marilyn Bergman provided JET with the lyrics to the show's theme song. Oscar-winning composer-arranger Dave Grusin wrote the music. Singers James "Jim" Gilstrap and Saundra "Blinky" Williams performed the soulful theme song. Good times! Any time you meet a payment, Good times! Any time you meet a friend, Good times! Any time you're out from under Not gettin' hassled, Not gettin' hustled. Keepin' your head above water, Makin' a wave when you can. Temporary layoffs-- Good times! Easy credit ripoffs-- Good times! Scratchin' and survivin-- 'Good times! Hangin' in and jivin'-- Good times! Ain't we lucky we got 'em? Good times!! By Margena A. Christian JET MAGAZINE
	__________________ DALLAS COWBOYS ARE HERE AT TRAINING CAMP!!!

07-22-2008, 11:11 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	Hmmmm...interesting. Thanks for sharing, Irene.
	__________________ "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

07-24-2008, 05:53 PM	#7
ThomasE Member Moderator Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 04, 2000 Location: New York, New York, U.S.A. Posts: 10,857	5, 4, 3...
	__________________ Check out my my "It's A Living" Facebook Fanpage!!! https://m.facebook.com/groups/107208...&source=result

07-22-2008, 11:14 PM	#3
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	Anytime salt sister.

07-22-2008, 11:21 PM	#4
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,520	Counting down the seconds before Sol comes on here and disputes this.

07-22-2008, 11:33 PM	#6
Ireneparalegal LEGAL SPICE ;) Forum Legend Join Date: Jul 25, 2005 Location: OXNARD, CA - WHERE THE DALLAS COWBOYS TRAIN & PRACTICE Posts: 38,691	Let the countdown begin 10...9...8...7...6 You know, you have to back up your posts with a source FROM A BOOK, not a magazine or newspaper, although that was fine when Solomon was doing it.

12-21-2008, 05:35 PM	#14
hatwink Member Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 19, 2004 Posts: 773	God bless John Amos! If he had come out several years later, him and Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs would've had Oscars by now.