Years Later, John Amos Regrets How He Handled His Time On 'Good Times'....Sorta - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 06-25-2012, 10:10 AM

It's all the more remarkable because his career nearly derailed in 1976 when he was let go after three seasons on the CBS sitcom "Good Times" in his starring role as the patriarch of a lower-middle class African American family, married to Esther Rolle's Florida and living on the south side of Chicago. Amos didn't like the path the sitcom was taking by veering away from social issues and focusing instead on the comedic antics supplied by Jimmie Walker, who played the jive-talking son J.J.

But Amos' career didn't suffer. He resurfaced the following year, earning an Emmy nomination as the adult Kunta Kinte — his slave name was Toby — in "Roots." The epic ABC miniseries was based on Alex Haley's bestseller about the life of Kinte.

Though Amos said he wouldn't have changed his "ultimate actions" considering "Good Times," he feels in retrospect, "I would have been considerably more diplomatic. I wouldn't have brought such a confrontational, 'Let's take it outside attitude.' I was still recovering from post-traumatic stress from football, boxing and being young, aggressive and angry."

Amos and "Good Times" producer Norman Lear eventually made up. Amos starred in Lear's 1994 sitcom "704 Hauser," playing the patriarch of a family who moves into Archie Bunker's old house.

"I matured to the point if I had creative differences, I would say 'Norman, can I speak to you?' instead of threatening to do bodily harm," Amos jokes.

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment...,7557501.story

TVFactFan · 06-26-2012, 01:33 AM

I just know all the Good times Fans in 1976 were hurt by his being gone from the show.

It wasn't as tough for us since we discovered the show in syndication

Brian Damage · 06-26-2012, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

I just know all the Good times Fans in 1976 were hurt by his being gone from the show.

It wasn't as tough for us since we discovered the show in syndication

He single handily ruined the show.

PracTz · 06-26-2012, 01:57 PM

I'm glad John Amos has actually considered his own role in how things went badly here. Not everyone does and better late than never re his growth as a person. Still, as much as I like his work and considered his character a vital part of the show's dynamics, I can't say I'd want to keep someone employed who'd threatened 'to do bodily harm'.

TVFactFan · 06-26-2012, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

He single handily ruined the show.

It's understandable, his didn't want a GOOFY TV son as a TV dad

neutron66 · 06-26-2012, 05:13 PM

John Amos was a complete fool what was he thinking why spend 3 years of his life on a popular tv show like Good Times with a nice paycheck per episode and then out of nowhere just quit a show just because he did not like the character JJ EVANS in the show because he thought he was tooo crazy and childish, he seemed to be friends with the other cast members except jimmy walker he had to be jealous of the guy i understand jimmy was in his 30's but he was acting goofy to keep the ratings up so people would watch, now if jimmy had left the show good times would have been cancelled and season 4 would have never happened.

ThomasE · 07-08-2012, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neutron66

John Amos was a complete fool what was he thinking why spend 3 years of his life on a popular tv show like Good Times with a nice paycheck per episode and then out of nowhere just quit a show just because he did not like the character JJ EVANS in the show because he thought he was tooo crazy and childish, he seemed to be friends with the other cast members except jimmy walker he had to be jealous of the guy i understand jimmy was in his 30's but he was acting goofy to keep the ratings up so people would watch, now if jimmy had left the show good times would have been cancelled and season 4 would have never happened.

Maybe John could have handled that matter differently. However, I don't blame him at all for being annoyed.

Sonny Carson · 07-10-2012, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neutron66

John Amos was a complete fool what was he thinking why spend 3 years of his life on a popular tv show like Good Times with a nice paycheck per episode and then out of nowhere just quit a show just because he did not like the character JJ EVANS in the show because he thought he was tooo crazy and childish, he seemed to be friends with the other cast members except jimmy walker he had to be jealous of the guy i understand jimmy was in his 30's but he was acting goofy to keep the ratings up so people would watch, now if jimmy had left the show good times would have been cancelled and season 4 would have never happened.

Wasn't John Amos fired?

Mr. Television · 07-10-2012, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sonny Carson

Wasn't John Amos fired?

yes.

ThomasE · 07-13-2012, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sonny Carson

Wasn't John Amos fired?

He was "asked to leave" according to Tracee, one of the writers for the show.

lucyandethel · 07-18-2012, 05:22 PM

I've always felt had John Amos stayed "Good Times" could have ran for years. But when his character was killed off, it fell apart. It is hard to watch after he left in my opinion.

TVFactFan · 07-18-2012, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucyandethel

I've always felt had John Amos stayed "Good Times" could have ran for years. But when his character was killed off, it fell apart. It is hard to watch after he left in my opinion.

The show took a big drop in ratings after the 1st season due to being on the same time as Happy Days. Then it was another slight dip the following season. So it's not even a given that the show would have lasted until the 80's with John Amos

06-25-2012, 10:10 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	Years Later, John Amos Regrets How He Handled His Time On 'Good Times'....Sorta It's all the more remarkable because his career nearly derailed in 1976 when he was let go after three seasons on the CBS sitcom "Good Times" in his starring role as the patriarch of a lower-middle class African American family, married to Esther Rolle's Florida and living on the south side of Chicago. Amos didn't like the path the sitcom was taking by veering away from social issues and focusing instead on the comedic antics supplied by Jimmie Walker, who played the jive-talking son J.J. But Amos' career didn't suffer. He resurfaced the following year, earning an Emmy nomination as the adult Kunta Kinte — his slave name was Toby — in "Roots." The epic ABC miniseries was based on Alex Haley's bestseller about the life of Kinte. Though Amos said he wouldn't have changed his "ultimate actions" considering "Good Times," he feels in retrospect, "I would have been considerably more diplomatic. I wouldn't have brought such a confrontational, 'Let's take it outside attitude.' I was still recovering from post-traumatic stress from football, boxing and being young, aggressive and angry." Amos and "Good Times" producer Norman Lear eventually made up. Amos starred in Lear's 1994 sitcom "704 Hauser," playing the patriarch of a family who moves into Archie Bunker's old house. "I matured to the point if I had creative differences, I would say 'Norman, can I speak to you?' instead of threatening to do bodily harm," Amos jokes. http://www.latimes.com/entertainment...,7557501.story
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

06-26-2012, 01:33 AM	#2
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,067	I just know all the Good times Fans in 1976 were hurt by his being gone from the show. It wasn't as tough for us since we discovered the show in syndication

06-26-2012, 01:57 PM	#4
PracTz Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 14, 2002 Location: United States of America [Happily Living in the 20th Century] Posts: 2,711	I'm glad John Amos has actually considered his own role in how things went badly here. Not everyone does and better late than never re his growth as a person. Still, as much as I like his work and considered his character a vital part of the show's dynamics, I can't say I'd want to keep someone employed who'd threatened 'to do bodily harm'.

06-26-2012, 05:13 PM	#6
neutron66 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 17, 2012 Location: sarasota,florida Posts: 234	John Amos was a complete fool what was he thinking why spend 3 years of his life on a popular tv show like Good Times with a nice paycheck per episode and then out of nowhere just quit a show just because he did not like the character JJ EVANS in the show because he thought he was tooo crazy and childish, he seemed to be friends with the other cast members except jimmy walker he had to be jealous of the guy i understand jimmy was in his 30's but he was acting goofy to keep the ratings up so people would watch, now if jimmy had left the show good times would have been cancelled and season 4 would have never happened.

07-18-2012, 05:22 PM	#11
lucyandethel Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 18, 2009 Location: Los Angeles CA Posts: 435	I've always felt had John Amos stayed "Good Times" could have ran for years. But when his character was killed off, it fell apart. It is hard to watch after he left in my opinion.