Jimmie Walker Interview

[Zoneboy]

Link

When you think of Jimmy (J.J.) Walker, one word comes to mind: "Dy-no-mite!"

His TV sitcom "Good Times" can be seen only in reruns now, but Mr. Walker's fans can see him almost any night of the year on stage. He performs about 300 shows a year. He'll be at Monroe County Community College Jan. 30.

Born in the Bronx, Mr. Walker, 61, found his way out through comedy. He was a rising star when he was tapped for the CBS show, which aired from 1974-79. That's where he and the producer developed the catch phrase that was to become his signature.

Now, a resident of California and Nevada, he spends his time performing stand-up comedy on the stage and late-night TV (he was on "The Late Show with David Letterman" Jan. 13), appearing on game shows and writing scripts for TV and movies. He also hosts the "70s Soul Jam" touring revue.

Mr. Walker took time between shows at the Tropicana in Las Vegas recently to answer a few e-mail questions from The Evening News:

With one word, you became one of the most famous people in America. What was that time of your life like?

The trip has been amazing.

A kid from the ghetto drops out, then drops back in, takes a part-time gig at ABC radio, starts doing stand-up opening for the Black Panthers no less, gets on the Jack Paar show with a little help from his friends (Midler and Brenner), gets noticed by Dan Rowan, does one appearance on "Laugh-in" and gets noticed by Norman Lear, does "Good Times," ad libs "Dynomite" and John Rich (producer) sez "do that again." It becomes a national catchphrase and Time magazine names me Comic of the Decade.

If it didn't happen to me I wouldn't believe it myself.

Are there times you never want to hear "Dy-no-mite" again?

Yes, in an airport!!!

"Good Times" may have been a comedy but it tackled some pretty tough subjects and each episode usually had a moral. What was it like to tread the thin line between comedy and drama?

I think we did it really well. Although some people didn't like to emphasize the comedy, that's how we were listed in TV Guide: "Good Times"-comedy

The United States is going through trying times. What role does comedy play during times like these?

Comedy is essential at all times. It is as necessary as the air that we breathe, especially because it is how I have made my living since '64!!!

What we can do is to lighten up, don't be so thin- skinned, laugh a little, stop all this political correctness. We have forgotten how to laugh.

I was looking at "JJ's Views" on your Web site. You definitely have a serious side. Would audiences be surprised by that?

Some would be, some wouldn't.

Look, for some folks I will always be JJ, just like Ron Howard will always be Richie/Opie and Robin Williams will always be Mork, and that's fine. But thinking people will know that I was just actor and that was a character nothing more.

Tell me about your act. What should the audience expect to hear?

If it's in the news, it's in the act. I am not about the good old days. I may have been on "Good Times," but I talk about what's happening!

Where do you get your ideas?

You kidding me? Ever hear of Al Gore's invention, THE INTERNET.

Seriously, we are bombarded with new material everyday via newspapers, 24-hour news channels, etc. No shortage of material in this day and age

You've been doing comedy since the late '60s. Have audiences changed much since then? Have you had to change the style of your act?

From the Black Panthers to the first improv and Comedy Store, I have worked everywhere, Playboy Club to college campuses. Material always changes. Some holds up, some is dated.

Good audiences have one thing in common. They love to laugh. Pressure is on for Monroe.

Would you like to do another TV show?

You asking? Never say never, but I am first and foremost a stand-up comic. Always have been, always will be.

Do you have a family and what do you do in your free time?

No kids that have shown up yet!

I am a sports fan, so when I have free time I can be found watching all sports channels I follow all teams, all sports.

When I am not doing that I am watching news channels or surfing the Web for news and sports.

When you tour 46 weeks out of the year there isn't a lot of time for hobbies.



On the Net: www.dynomitejj.com

[catlover79]

Thanks for posting this, Charles. I enjoyed reading it.

[Marvo301]

Originally Posted by catlover79

Thanks for posting this, Charles. I enjoyed reading it.

Yeah, what she said.

[OOliver]

Walker is scheduled to be in my hometown tonight (Providence, RI) hosting a 70's "musicfest" ('The Stylistics', 'Harold Melvin and The Bluenotes', and another group). By the way, his former 'brother-in-law' (Ben) lives here as well.

[catlover79]

^ Sounds like a great show. What's Ben been up to these past 30 years? I wonder why he doesn't appear with the cast in their reunions (TV Land awards, etc.). Even Janet has been in some of them!

[OOliver]

Walker: I did not attend the concert, but someone I know did go. Walker emceed, did a half-hour comedy routine in the 'break' between the Stylistics and HM&TBN. They said his routine was funny, a bit raunchy, and a bit 'dated' (he does plenty of 'Michael Jackson' jokes, which is rather old news now). After the show, he was in the lobby autographing his tee shirts, and I believe she said 'CDs' (I think it was a comedy album he did a while ago which is now on CD). She said he didn't look too good, and wasn't too friendly with fans in the lobby (He wanted to be 'done' with it). He did announce beforehand, when fans gathered in the lobby, that he would not answer any questions about "Good Times" or the cast members. Hmmm....

As for Ben Powers, who played Thelma's hsuband "Keith"...


Powers, who turns 60 on February 13, fell on very hard times the past twenty years or so. He's been living in Providence, RI with his mother and sister since around the 90s.

Sadly, he's been battling addictions and other 'demons' for many, many years. He has been in and out of treatment programs trying to overcome these problems, with mixed success. He doesn't look at all like he did on the show 30 years ago, and doesn't talk much about the show (either he doesn't want to, or can't recall - it's hard to tell). He has some very good care-takers(I know one of them), so hopefully he will do better this time around.

[hatwink]

Originally Posted by OOliver

Walker: I did not attend the concert, but someone I know did go. Walker emceed, did a half-hour comedy routine in the 'break' between the Stylistics and HM&TBN. They said his routine was funny, a bit raunchy, and a bit 'dated' (he does plenty of 'Michael Jackson' jokes, which is rather old news now). After the show, he was in the lobby autographing his tee shirts, and I believe she said 'CDs' (I think it was a comedy album he did a while ago which is now on CD). She said he didn't look too good, and wasn't too friendly with fans in the lobby (He wanted to be 'done' with it). He did announce beforehand, when fans gathered in the lobby, that he would not answer any questions about "Good Times" or the cast members. Hmmm....

As for Ben Powers, who played Thelma's hsuband "Keith"...


Powers, who turns 60 on February 13, fell on very hard times the past twenty years or so. He's been living in Providence, RI with his mother and sister since around the 90s.

Sadly, he's been battling addictions and other 'demons' for many, many years. He has been in and out of treatment programs trying to overcome these problems, with mixed success. He doesn't look at all like he did on the show 30 years ago, and doesn't talk much about the show (either he doesn't want to, or can't recall - it's hard to tell). He has some very good care-takers(I know one of them), so hopefully he will do better this time around.

I hope he makes a good, solid recovery.

[hatwink]

Originally Posted by OOliver

Walker: I did not attend the concert, but someone I know did go. Walker emceed, did a half-hour comedy routine in the 'break' between the Stylistics and HM&TBN. They said his routine was funny, a bit raunchy, and a bit 'dated' (he does plenty of 'Michael Jackson' jokes, which is rather old news now). After the show, he was in the lobby autographing his tee shirts, and I believe she said 'CDs' (I think it was a comedy album he did a while ago which is now on CD). She said he didn't look too good, and wasn't too friendly with fans in the lobby (He wanted to be 'done' with it). He did announce beforehand, when fans gathered in the lobby, that he would not answer any questions about "Good Times" or the cast members. Hmmm....

As for Ben Powers, who played Thelma's hsuband "Keith"...


Powers, who turns 60 on February 13, fell on very hard times the past twenty years or so. He's been living in Providence, RI with his mother and sister since around the 90s.

Sadly, he's been battling addictions and other 'demons' for many, many years. He has been in and out of treatment programs trying to overcome these problems, with mixed success. He doesn't look at all like he did on the show 30 years ago, and doesn't talk much about the show (either he doesn't want to, or can't recall - it's hard to tell). He has some very good care-takers(I know one of them), so hopefully he will do better this time around.

I hope he makes a good, solid recovery.

[catlover79]

Originally Posted by OOliver

Walker: I did not attend the concert, but someone I know did go. Walker emceed, did a half-hour comedy routine in the 'break' between the Stylistics and HM&TBN. They said his routine was funny, a bit raunchy, and a bit 'dated' (he does plenty of 'Michael Jackson' jokes, which is rather old news now). After the show, he was in the lobby autographing his tee shirts, and I believe she said 'CDs' (I think it was a comedy album he did a while ago which is now on CD). She said he didn't look too good, and wasn't too friendly with fans in the lobby (He wanted to be 'done' with it). He did announce beforehand, when fans gathered in the lobby, that he would not answer any questions about "Good Times" or the cast members. Hmmm....

As for Ben Powers, who played Thelma's hsuband "Keith"...


Powers, who turns 60 on February 13, fell on very hard times the past twenty years or so. He's been living in Providence, RI with his mother and sister since around the 90s.

Sadly, he's been battling addictions and other 'demons' for many, many years. He has been in and out of treatment programs trying to overcome these problems, with mixed success. He doesn't look at all like he did on the show 30 years ago, and doesn't talk much about the show (either he doesn't want to, or can't recall - it's hard to tell). He has some very good care-takers(I know one of them), so hopefully he will do better this time around.

That is so sad. I hope he can overcome his demons for good. I liked him on the show.