Was Esther Rolle A Hypocrite?!? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 10-28-2011, 09:36 PM

Now don't get me wrong, Esther Rolle was fantastic on Good Times and I loved her Florida character.

However, Esther made such a big deal about Jimmie Walker's character being too silly. So much show she left the show for a while. When she came back, JJ was toned way down, but....

Nathan Bookman became a silly caricature. I don't think there are any complaints from her about Johnny Brown's silly character of "Buffalo Butt?"

Retro4Life · 10-28-2011, 10:35 PM

Apples and oranges, though.

Yes, Bookman was a caricature, but Rolle's objection to J.J. was also that he was shady and not a good role model for kids. Bookman was an idiot and kind of full of himself but there was never any hint that he was involved in anything criminal, unlike J.J.

I'm not saying I agree with her assessment, but I don't think she can fairly be called a hypocrite.

Brian Damage · 10-28-2011, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retro4Life

Apples and oranges, though.

Yes, Bookman was a caricature, but Rolle's objection to J.J. was also that he was shady and not a good role model for kids. Bookman was an idiot and kind of full of himself but there was never any hint that he was involved in anything criminal, unlike J.J.

I'm not saying I agree with her assessment, but I don't think she can fairly be called a hypocrite.

I hear what you are saying, but I guess the main reason Esther wanted off the show (The same for John Amos) was the silliness of the JJ character. I am sure Esther when she came back, was not a fan of Bookman either. lol

TVFactFan · 10-28-2011, 11:52 PM

Probably because bookman was an ocassional character, on the otherhand J.J was her TV son and she wanted a better role model

Brian Damage · 10-29-2011, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

Probably because bookman was an ocassional character, on the otherhand J.J was her TV son and she wanted a better role model

Sol, do you think Bookman bothered her at least?

TVFactFan · 10-29-2011, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

Sol, do you think Bookman bothered her at least?

No because he wasn't part of the family. And Bookman was just FAT not realy silly. Well atleast during the James era he was normal. During the last 2 seasons he was a GOOFBALL

Brian Damage · 10-29-2011, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

No because he wasn't part of the family. And Bookman was just FAT not realy silly. Well atleast during the James era he was normal. During the last 2 seasons he was a GOOFBALL

That's what I mean though, the last season...

TVFactFan · 10-29-2011, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

That's what I mean though, the last season...

But for a character who was not seen that often probably didn't bother her. Now if her husband was acting like bookman then she would have had a issue

ThomasE · 01-29-2012, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

No because he wasn't part of the family. And Bookman was just FAT not realy silly. Well atleast during the James era he was normal. During the last 2 seasons he was a GOOFBALL

I know that.

Thelma: Bookman, what are we supposed to do for heat?
Bookman: I dunno. Rub a stick against J.J.

TMC · 06-14-2012, 02:23 AM

Lazy James and Hypocrite Florida

TVFactFan · 06-14-2012, 02:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMC

Lazy James and Hypocrite Florida

That was a pathetic ep......."james decided not to go to the interview because the bus took too long which made him think he was going to get rejected again

OH Nuts! · 06-14-2012, 08:06 AM

A lot of the story lines were crappy and cliched - subtle like lead pipes. I don't blame her for leaving - don't think she should have returned and rather sought out better vehicles for her talent.

Mr. Television · 06-14-2012, 11:16 AM

I think her major problem was with how popular JJ had become. He was over shadowing the rest of the cast. That's pretty much what happened on Family Matters with Jaleel White and Jo Marie Peyton. That happens sometimes. I think her and John wanted to move the show back to what it originally was but the producers saw the ratings and continued to make JJ the star.

TVFactFan · 06-14-2012, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuck In The '70's

I think her major problem was with how popular JJ had become. He was over shadowing the rest of the cast. That's pretty much what happened on Family Matters with Jaleel White and Jo Marie Peyton. That happens sometimes. I think her and John wanted to move the show back to what it originally was but the producers saw the ratings and continued to make JJ the star.

It wasn't like all her children was GOOFY. She still had a smart daughter and younger son who wanted to be a lawyer. And her husband was normal so it was obvious it was JEALOUSY

Mr. Television · 06-14-2012, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

It wasn't like all her children was GOOFY. She still had a smart daughter and younger son who wanted to be a lawyer. And her husband was normal so it was obvious it was JEALOUSY

Exactly. JJ was goofy from the beginning but she didn't have a problem with it until it became clear that JJ was so popular. Then she wanted to change him.

10-28-2011, 09:36 PM	#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 Esther Rolle A Hypocrite?!? Now don't get me wrong, Esther Rolle was fantastic on Good Times and I loved her Florida character. However, Esther made such a big deal about Jimmie Walker's character being too silly. So much show she left the show for a while. When she came back, JJ was toned way down, but.... Nathan Bookman became a silly caricature. I don't think there are any complaints from her about Johnny Brown's silly character of "Buffalo Butt?"
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet* Last edited by Brian Damage; 10-28-2011 at 10:00 PM.

10-28-2011, 10:35 PM	#2
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	Apples and oranges, though. Yes, Bookman was a caricature, but Rolle's objection to J.J. was also that he was shady and not a good role model for kids. Bookman was an idiot and kind of full of himself but there was never any hint that he was involved in anything criminal, unlike J.J. I'm not saying I agree with her assessment, but I don't think she can fairly be called a hypocrite.
	__________________ 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."

06-14-2012, 11:16 AM	#13
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	I think her major problem was with how popular JJ had become. He was over shadowing the rest of the cast. That's pretty much what happened on Family Matters with Jaleel White and Jo Marie Peyton. That happens sometimes. I think her and John wanted to move the show back to what it originally was but the producers saw the ratings and continued to make JJ the star.
	__________________ Sonny

10-28-2011, 11:52 PM	#4
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,067	Probably because bookman was an ocassional character, on the otherhand J.J was her TV son and she wanted a better role model

06-14-2012, 02:23 AM	#10
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 126,393	Lazy James and Hypocrite Florida

06-14-2012, 08:06 AM	#12
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	A lot of the story lines were crappy and cliched - subtle like lead pipes. I don't blame her for leaving - don't think she should have returned and rather sought out better vehicles for her talent.