Jimmie Walker admits tonight during his interview on TV one that he never... - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TVFactFan · 02-17-2010, 12:49 AM

really had words with Esther Rolle off the set. He said they never really had words for each other off camera and was never close.

That was some NEW INFO-lol

Also when Bernadette Stanis was asked-"Why did John Amos and Esther Rolle Leave the Show? Her reply was-"I don't know"

She didn't want to answer because she was sitting next to..........Jimmie Walker-lol

TV Knowledge Fan · 02-17-2010, 03:14 AM

...about trying to make "J.J." their equivalent of "The Fonz" on "HAPPY DAYS", "GOOD TIMES" never would have taken the path it eventually tumbled down towards...with John Amos and then Esther Rolle leaving the series {"I cannot stand working with that conceited young man!! Who is HE to think he's the star of this show????"/"The network, that's who. I'm gettin' out of here while the gettin's good!"}. Sure, Esther had to be "coaxed" back to the series, but only if Jimmie's role was "downplayed" (I can understand her attitude towards him- if I had to work with someone with a "swelled head" like Walker's every day, I'd avoid him as much as possible, away from the job). See, he also got a development deal from ABC [around 1977] to star in his own series, whenever "GOOD TIMES" ended; that hurt the show as well. And what did Jimmie wind up in? Supporting roles on two short-lived ABC series: "B.A.D. CATS" (1980), and "AT EASE" (1983). His "successful" career never quite recovered after those, either....

TVFactFan · 02-17-2010, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TV Knowledge Fan

...about trying to make "J.J." their equivalent of "The Fonz" on "HAPPY DAYS", "GOOD TIMES" never would have taken the path it eventually tumbled down towards...with John Amos and then Esther Rolle leaving the series {"I cannot stand working with that conceited young man!! Who is HE to think he's the star of this show????"/"The network, that's who. I'm gettin' out of here while the gettin's good!"}. Sure, Esther had to be "coaxed" back to the series, but only if Jimmie's role was "downplayed" (I can understand her attitude towards him- if I had to work with someone with a "swelled head" like Walker's every day, I'd avoid him as much as possible, away from the job). See, he also got a development deal from ABC [around 1977] to star in his own series, whenever "GOOD TIMES" ended; that hurt the show as well. And what did Jimmie wind up in? Supporting roles on two short-lived ABC series: "B.A.D. CATS" (1980), and "AT EASE" (1983). His "successful" career never quite recovered after those, either....

As long as the J.J character being a BUFFOON was keeping her and John employed, why should they have even cared? If they felt that strongly about it they could have looked for other opportunities on the sneak tip and then left without anyone knowing why. Not bad mouth a coworker in the media like she did which is why it's no surprise he didn't like her

catlover79 · 02-17-2010, 03:30 PM

Which talk show was this?

OOliver · 02-17-2010, 03:56 PM

I'd like to see this interview. Where is it available or will it be reaired?

MickeyMac · 02-17-2010, 07:35 PM

Interesting points.

Its true Esther Rolle and John Amos didnt like that face that J.J was potrayed as this clownish figure (frankly at times I thought he was ridiculous). That said he became the star of the show, and thus their meal ticket. To make things smooth John Amos was even given a salary increase, but after his complaints about JJ, he was axed.

jcastrogiovanni · 02-19-2010, 11:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickeyMac

Interesting points.

Its true Esther Rolle and John Amos didnt like that face that J.J was potrayed as this clownish figure (frankly at times I thought he was ridiculous). That said he became the star of the show, and thus their meal ticket. To make things smooth John Amos was even given a salary increase, but after his complaints about JJ, he was axed.

I had to miss this because channels in canada refuse to air any Good Times related events. What else did they talk about?

TVFactFan · 02-20-2010, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OOliver

I'd like to see this interview. Where is it available or will it be reaired?

The Interview was part of TV One's Black History celebration which was sitcom week. The Interview schedule went like this

2/15-Interview with Enrest Thomas and Haywood Nelson from What's Happening at 8pm

2/16-Interview with Berdanette Stanis and Jimmie Walker from Good Times

2/17-Interview with Donna from Sanford and Son

2/18-Interview with Marla Gibbs from
Jeffersons

Not sure if they will be reaired

Mr. Television · 02-20-2010, 12:39 PM

I do remember seeing an interview with Esther Rolle years ago in which she talked about this. She did say that she never had any problems with Jimmie. It was just his character on the show that she didn't like.

catlover79 · 02-20-2010, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clint Eastwood Fan

I do remember seeing an interview with Esther Rolle years ago in which she talked about this. She did say that she never had any problems with Jimmie. It was just his character on the show that she didn't like.

Yeah, I remember that, too. She said it was nothing personal against Jimmie - she had problems with the writers who were turning JJ into a buffoon.

catlover79 · 02-20-2010, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhilaEaglesHater

The Interview was part of TV One's Black History celebration which was sitcom week. The Interview schedule went like this

2/15-Interview with Enrest Thomas and Haywood Nelson from What's Happening at 8pm

2/16-Interview with Berdanette Stanis and Jimmie Walker from Good Times

2/17-Interview with Donna from Sanford and Son

2/18-Interview with Marla Gibbs from
Jeffersons

Not sure if they will be reaired

Maybe they'll turn up on YouTube.

GeorgeWBushGOP · 02-22-2010, 09:41 AM

I was very young when this show aired originally

But I remember the J.J. character catching my attention

and he was the reason I wanted to watch the show..

I think this is what CBS saw as well and capitalized..

It was probably the best direction it could take because he had the charisma.

I mean the Fonz stole Happy Days from it's original premise and you hear the actors on that show rave about it with no jealousy..

hatwink · 03-29-2010, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Yeah, I remember that, too. She said it was nothing personal against Jimmie - she had problems with the writers who were turning JJ into a buffoon.

I've read that also.But I think it seems that Jimmie wasn't often the easiest guy to get along with.

catlover79 · 03-29-2010, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hatwink

I've read that also.But I think it seems that Jimmie wasn't often the easiest guy to get along with.

Maybe the sudden fame did go to his head a bit.

USATVFAN · 03-29-2010, 09:07 PM

Look at Urkel on Family Matter. at First some of the other cast wrere not happy with the attention the Character was getting bu after a couple of seasons they did not have a problems with the character anymore.

02-17-2010, 12:49 AM	#1
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,065	Jimmie Walker admits tonight during his interview on TV one that he never... really had words with Esther Rolle off the set. He said they never really had words for each other off camera and was never close. That was some NEW INFO-lol Also when Bernadette Stanis was asked-"Why did John Amos and Esther Rolle Leave the Show? Her reply was-"I don't know" She didn't want to answer because she was sitting next to..........Jimmie Walker-lol

02-17-2010, 03:14 AM	#2
TV Knowledge Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 29, 2006 Location: Long Branch, N.J. Posts: 2,577	If CBS hadn't been so "greedy"... ...about trying to make "J.J." their equivalent of "The Fonz" on "HAPPY DAYS", "GOOD TIMES" never would have taken the path it eventually tumbled down towards...with John Amos and then Esther Rolle leaving the series {"I cannot stand working with that conceited young man!! Who is HE to think he's the star of this show????"/"The network, that's who. I'm gettin' out of here while the gettin's good!"}. Sure, Esther had to be "coaxed" back to the series, but only if Jimmie's role was "downplayed" (I can understand her attitude towards him- if I had to work with someone with a "swelled head" like Walker's every day, I'd avoid him as much as possible, away from the job). See, he also got a development deal from ABC [around 1977] to star in his own series, whenever "GOOD TIMES" ended; that hurt the show as well. And what did Jimmie wind up in? Supporting roles on two short-lived ABC series: "B.A.D. CATS" (1980), and "AT EASE" (1983). His "successful" career never quite recovered after those, either....

02-17-2010, 03:30 PM	#4
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	Which talk show was this?
	__________________ "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

02-20-2010, 12:39 PM	#9
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	I do remember seeing an interview with Esther Rolle years ago in which she talked about this. She did say that she never had any problems with Jimmie. It was just his character on the show that she didn't like.
	__________________ Sonny

03-29-2010, 09:07 PM	#15
USATVFAN Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 31, 2007 Location: Kalispell, USA Posts: 1,742	Look at Urkel on Family Matter. at First some of the other cast wrere not happy with the attention the Character was getting bu after a couple of seasons they did not have a problems with the character anymore.
	__________________ Love watching 1960's-1990's TV Classics! 1970-2004: The best Years of Televsion

02-17-2010, 03:56 PM	#5
OOliver Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 28, 2009 Location: Providence RI Posts: 569	I'd like to see this interview. Where is it available or will it be reaired?

02-17-2010, 07:35 PM	#6
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,006	Interesting points. Its true Esther Rolle and John Amos didnt like that face that J.J was potrayed as this clownish figure (frankly at times I thought he was ridiculous). That said he became the star of the show, and thus their meal ticket. To make things smooth John Amos was even given a salary increase, but after his complaints about JJ, he was axed.

02-22-2010, 09:41 AM	#12
GeorgeWBushGOP Member Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 04, 2004 Location: NYC Posts: 802	I was very young when this show aired originally But I remember the J.J. character catching my attention and he was the reason I wanted to watch the show.. I think this is what CBS saw as well and capitalized.. It was probably the best direction it could take because he had the charisma. I mean the Fonz stole Happy Days from it's original premise and you hear the actors on that show rave about it with no jealousy..