Was It A Mistake For John Amos to Leave the Mary Tyler Moore Show? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 06-27-2010, 02:08 AM

Sure, Amos went on to the hit show Maude and then to its spin-off Good Times, but let's look at the facts...

On Maude he was nothing more than a background character. He really didn't shine.

On Good Times, he had a hit show as a star, but "quit" or was "fired" depending on who you talk to.

John Amos has since gone on to cameo on several tv series and movies, but never again matched the stardom that MTM originally gave him as Gordy the weatherman. Thoughts???

scotsguy · 06-27-2010, 09:22 AM

I disagreee with you there,John Amos went on in 1977 to play the grown up

Kunta Kinte in the world wide smash hit "Roots".

I also have season1 of "Good Times",he does some really dramatic turns there.

I read too,he was killed off on the show as he didn't like the way,the show was going.

The part of Gordy wasn't a regular part so I think he did the right thing,particularly with "Good Times" and "Roots",the character of Henry in "Maude" and "James" in "Good Times",was a lot older than his years too.

Mr. Television · 06-27-2010, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scotsguy

I disagreee with you there,John Amos went on in 1977 to play the grown up

Kunta Kinte in the world wide smash hit "Roots".

I also have season1 of "Good Times",he does some really dramatic turns there.

I read too,he was killed off on the show as he didn't like the way,the show was going.

The part of Gordy wasn't a regular part so I think he did the right thing,particularly with "Good Times" and "Roots",the character of Henry in "Maude" and "James" in "Good Times",was a lot older than his years too.

Yea I remember when Roots came out. It was a national event. He was bigger on that one mini-series than he ever was on Good Times. Good Times made him a household name though and he was never going to be any more than a semi-regular on MTM. There were too many scene stealers on that show.Since then he's been one of the few GT cast members that has had a long career. He's appeared on television many times since then.

catlover79 · 06-27-2010, 03:47 PM

No, I don't think it was a mistake for him to leave TMTMS. Gordy was such a minor character anyway, and he was being offered one of the lead roles on GT. Plus, like Sonny said, John Amos was one of the few cast members from Good Times to have a long lasting, steady acting career.

Brian Damage · 06-27-2010, 06:41 PM

Interesting takes....thanks guys!

catlover79 · 06-28-2010, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Interesting takes....thanks guys!

Always happy to help.

McGillicuddy · 06-28-2010, 10:45 PM

I don't know that he made a mistake, but I heard at least once that if he stuck around, his role would likely have been expanded.

catlover79 · 06-28-2010, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markway895

I don't know that he made a mistake, but I heard at least once that if he stuck around, his role would likely have been expanded.

Alas, I guess we'll never know for sure!!

06-27-2010, 02:08 AM	#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	Was It A Mistake For John Amos to Leave the Mary Tyler Moore Show? Sure, Amos went on to the hit show Maude and then to its spin-off Good Times, but let's look at the facts... On Maude he was nothing more than a background character. He really didn't shine. On Good Times, he had a hit show as a star, but "quit" or was "fired" depending on who you talk to. John Amos has since gone on to cameo on several tv series and movies, but never again matched the stardom that MTM originally gave him as Gordy the weatherman. Thoughts??? Attached Images
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06-27-2010, 03:47 PM	#4
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	No, I don't think it was a mistake for him to leave TMTMS. Gordy was such a minor character anyway, and he was being offered one of the lead roles on GT. Plus, like Sonny said, John Amos was one of the few cast members from Good Times to have a long lasting, steady acting career.
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06-27-2010, 09:22 AM	#2
scotsguy Member Forum Regular Join Date: Nov 25, 2002 Location: Edinburgh,Scotland Posts: 696	I disagreee with you there,John Amos went on in 1977 to play the grown up Kunta Kinte in the world wide smash hit "Roots". I also have season1 of "Good Times",he does some really dramatic turns there. I read too,he was killed off on the show as he didn't like the way,the show was going. The part of Gordy wasn't a regular part so I think he did the right thing,particularly with "Good Times" and "Roots",the character of Henry in "Maude" and "James" in "Good Times",was a lot older than his years too.

06-27-2010, 06:41 PM	#5
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	Interesting takes....thanks guys!

06-28-2010, 10:45 PM	#7
McGillicuddy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 28, 2002 Posts: 5,179	I don't know that he made a mistake, but I heard at least once that if he stuck around, his role would likely have been expanded.