Did you know that BernNadette Stanis was planning on leaving the show in 1979? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TVFactFan · 03-26-2011, 01:56 PM

BernNadette Stanis formed Bern Nadette Corp and had other show business dreams according to her attorney at the time, Bill White.

Well Good Times was cancelled anyway so she didn't have to revisit the thought-LOL I mean how long did they think the show was going to last for her to even say she would leave?

Jet Magazine, November 24, 1977

Retro4Life · 03-26-2011, 02:27 PM

Well some sitcoms lasted a decade or more. I don't think it's unreasonable for her to have planned at that stage, or to have had some expectation that the show would have gone on for longer than it did. Honestly, if it had been handled correctly it could have easily gone ten seasons. The Jeffersons, Alice and One Day At a Time all lasted 9 and above seasons, and I'd say that Good Times was just as good a show as any of them.

TVFactFan · 03-26-2011, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retro4Life

Well some sitcoms lasted a decade or more. I don't think it's unreasonable for her to have planned at that stage, or to have had some expectation that the show would have gone on for longer than it did. Honestly, if it had been handled correctly it could have easily gone ten seasons. The Jeffersons, Alice and One Day At a Time all lasted 9 and above seasons, and I'd say that Good Times was just as good a show as any of them.

It was no way for Good tims to last 10 seasons with some type of financial growth

Retro4Life · 03-26-2011, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

It was no way for Good tims to last 10 seasons with some type of financial growth

Maybe, maybe not. It DID last five seasons, so it would have only had a few more to go.

Anyway, my point was that it wasn't unreasonable for the show to last SOMEWHAT longer, so her move wasn't that odd. The ten year mark was just an example I used.

TVFactFan · 03-26-2011, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retro4Life

Maybe, maybe not. It DID last five seasons, so it would have only had a few more to go.

Anyway, my point was that it wasn't unreasonable for the show to last SOMEWHAT longer, so her move wasn't that odd. The ten year mark was just an example I used.

Well her attorney made the comment in Dec of 77 and said she would leave after the 78-79 assuming that Good Times would still be around going into the 80's-lol And cast members have to stay updated on how the show is doing in the ratings so to even think that Good Times would last two more seasons at time without Esther Rolle was foolish.

Gabgirl · 03-27-2011, 04:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

BernNadette Stanis formed Bern Nadette Corp and had other show business dreams according to her attorney at the time, Bill White.

Well Good Times was cancelled anyway so she didn't have to revisit the thought-LOL I mean how long did they think the show was going to last for her to even say she would leave?

Jet Magazine, November 24, 1977

I don't exactly know how great the ratings were during those years, but I'm sure because the show had a core audience they probably felt they had a few more years on the air. Its interesting to hear after all these years that she was ready to leave the show. I assume she just got tired of just playing the Thelma role and wanting more. I don't blame her for this, but I must say I think the show would've been different had she left. JJ and Thelma throwing silly insults at each other would be no more. I'm sure they probably would've tried to fill her spot by possibly trying to bring in someone to fill her role, like a "cousin" or something, but it wouldn't have been the same. So I guess it was better that the show ended with most of the core characters basically Movin' on Up getting out of the Projects.

Just speaking Bern Nadette Stanis, I periodically will see her pop up from time to time, but "Good Times" still seems to be her biggest role.

catlover79 · 03-27-2011, 04:28 AM

I'm glad the show ended before she could leave. I love Bern Nadette and can't imagine GT without her/Thelma!!

Gabgirl · 03-27-2011, 04:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

Well her attorney made the comment in Dec of 77 and said she would leave after the 78-79 assuming that Good Times would still be around going into the 80's-lol And cast members have to stay updated on how the show is doing in the ratings so to even think that Good Times would last two more seasons at time without Esther Rolle was foolish.

But Esther Rolle had returned, and stayed the remainder of the season. So I was under the impression if the show had continued she'd stay as well.

TVFactFan · 03-27-2011, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gabgirl

But Esther Rolle had returned, and stayed the remainder of the season. So I was under the impression if the show had continued she'd stay as well.

But it wasn't confirmed that Esther Rolle was returning until May of 1978. That comment was made in December of 1977 when it was no sign of her ever returning.

Mr. Television · 03-27-2011, 01:51 PM

Usually when a show's ratings drop, they don't come back up that much. The Jeffersons was the exception and that's because it was moved to a night featuring all hit sitcoms. Good Times had really fallen during the last 2 seasons. I don't think the producers realized how much losing the parents hurt the show until it was too late.

Gabgirl · 03-28-2011, 02:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

But it wasn't confirmed that Esther Rolle was returning until May of 1978. That comment was made in December of 1977 when it was no sign of her ever returning.

Ahh, okay gotcha! Well, it was a good thing she stayed on for that last year. I think the show really would've taken a different turn had Bern Nadette left before the show ended.

lucyandethel · 03-29-2011, 12:30 AM

I think most of the cast wanted out after John Amos left. You could tell the show had no core after that. Had they kept John Amos on and something was worked out, I have no doubt Good Times would have last 7 - 9 seasons. It really was a good show with all of the original cast intact.

catlover79 · 03-29-2011, 12:34 AM

The biggest blunder Norman Lear & co. EVER did regarding Good Times, without a doubt, was firing John Amos. Thankfully, Mr. Amos went on to build a fantastic body of work in projects like Roots, The West Wing, etc.

TVFactFan · 03-29-2011, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucyandethel

I think most of the cast wanted out after John Amos left. You could tell the show had no core after that. Had they kept John Amos on and something was worked out, I have no doubt Good Times would have last 7 - 9 seasons. It really was a good show with all of the original cast intact.

I don't think think the entire cast wanted out after Amos left because they still had a way to pay the rent-lol I had friends who were let go and it was tough but I didn't want to leave because they were fired because still had to pay my bills-lol

catlover79 · 03-29-2011, 11:35 PM

One of my favorite exchanges came in the post-James era, I have to admit:

Florida: The Lord moves in mysterious ways.
JJ: And so does James Brown.
Florida: JJ, hush!!

03-26-2011, 01:56 PM	#1
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,065	Did you know that BernNadette Stanis was planning on leaving the show in 1979? BernNadette Stanis formed Bern Nadette Corp and had other show business dreams according to her attorney at the time, Bill White. Well Good Times was cancelled anyway so she didn't have to revisit the thought-LOL I mean how long did they think the show was going to last for her to even say she would leave? Jet Magazine, November 24, 1977

03-26-2011, 02:27 PM	#2
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	Well some sitcoms lasted a decade or more. I don't think it's unreasonable for her to have planned at that stage, or to have had some expectation that the show would have gone on for longer than it did. Honestly, if it had been handled correctly it could have easily gone ten seasons. The Jeffersons, Alice and One Day At a Time all lasted 9 and above seasons, and I'd say that Good Times was just as good a show as any of them.
	__________________ Alex Reiger :[Trying to convince Louie not to antagonize Bobby] "It's not hard to make people feel bad about their lives. What's hard is making people feel good about their lives."

03-27-2011, 04:28 AM	#7
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	I'm glad the show ended before she could leave. I love Bern Nadette and can't imagine GT without her/Thelma!!
	__________________ "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

03-27-2011, 01:51 PM	#10
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	Usually when a show's ratings drop, they don't come back up that much. The Jeffersons was the exception and that's because it was moved to a night featuring all hit sitcoms. Good Times had really fallen during the last 2 seasons. I don't think the producers realized how much losing the parents hurt the show until it was too late.
	__________________ Sonny

03-29-2011, 12:30 AM	#12
lucyandethel Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 18, 2009 Location: Los Angeles CA Posts: 435	I think most of the cast wanted out after John Amos left. You could tell the show had no core after that. Had they kept John Amos on and something was worked out, I have no doubt Good Times would have last 7 - 9 seasons. It really was a good show with all of the original cast intact.

03-29-2011, 12:34 AM	#13
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	The biggest blunder Norman Lear & co. EVER did regarding Good Times, without a doubt, was firing John Amos. Thankfully, Mr. Amos went on to build a fantastic body of work in projects like Roots, The West Wing, etc.

03-29-2011, 11:35 PM	#15
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,382	One of my favorite exchanges came in the post-James era, I have to admit: Florida: The Lord moves in mysterious ways. JJ: And so does James Brown. Florida: JJ, hush!!