Esther Let the Good Times Rolle - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 11-28-2012, 08:23 PM

11/8/2012

by Linnea Crowther

Link

On the day she would have turned 82, we remember the gifted actress who played one of TV’s greatest moms…

In the history of television sitcoms, there have been many memorable mother figures. Some are nurturing and gentle (think June Cleaver on Leave It to Beaver), while others follow more of a “tough love” approach (the saucy Sophia on Golden Girls, for example). But the best, perhaps, are the moms who manage to do a little of both.

As Florida Evans, matriarch of the 1970s classic sitcom Good Times, Esther Rolle was just such a mom. She worked hard to keep her family afloat, could be serious and stern at times – but she got in some good jokes, too.

Rolle played Evans for six seasons, including five on Good Times and one on Maude, where she originated the character. Florida Evans was memorable, but Esther Rolle’s talents extended beyond sitcoms, and even beyond acting. Rolle was also an accomplished singer and dancer – she directed the dance troupe Shogolo Oloba – and showed off her skills in her onstage appearances, like her starring role in the 1973 play Don't Play Us Cheap.

And, though she’s best remembered for her role in a comedy, Rolle was an award-winning dramatic actor. She took home an Emmy for TV movie Summer of My German Soldier, and she won an Image Award for her role in Rosewood.

But for those of us who grew up watching TV in the ‘70s and ‘80s, Esther Rolle will always be one of our favorite moms.

Retro4Life · 11-28-2012, 09:00 PM

Nice article.

I assume by "watching TV in the 70's and 80's" the writer means watching reruns of the show in the 80's, since it ended in 1979.

comedyfreak · 11-29-2012, 09:33 AM

I liked when she could be serious, "Settle down James Jr.". LOL

11-28-2012, 08:23 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,416	Esther Let the Good Times Rolle 11/8/2012 by Linnea Crowther Link On the day she would have turned 82, we remember the gifted actress who played one of TV’s greatest moms… In the history of television sitcoms, there have been many memorable mother figures. Some are nurturing and gentle (think June Cleaver on Leave It to Beaver), while others follow more of a “tough love” approach (the saucy Sophia on Golden Girls, for example). But the best, perhaps, are the moms who manage to do a little of both. As Florida Evans, matriarch of the 1970s classic sitcom Good Times, Esther Rolle was just such a mom. She worked hard to keep her family afloat, could be serious and stern at times – but she got in some good jokes, too. Rolle played Evans for six seasons, including five on Good Times and one on Maude, where she originated the character. Florida Evans was memorable, but Esther Rolle’s talents extended beyond sitcoms, and even beyond acting. Rolle was also an accomplished singer and dancer – she directed the dance troupe Shogolo Oloba – and showed off her skills in her onstage appearances, like her starring role in the 1973 play Don't Play Us Cheap. And, though she’s best remembered for her role in a comedy, Rolle was an award-winning dramatic actor. She took home an Emmy for TV movie Summer of My German Soldier, and she won an Image Award for her role in Rosewood. But for those of us who grew up watching TV in the ‘70s and ‘80s, Esther Rolle will always be one of our favorite moms.
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

11-28-2012, 09:00 PM	#2
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	Nice article. I assume by "watching TV in the 70's and 80's" the writer means watching reruns of the show in the 80's, since it ended in 1979.
	__________________ 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."

11-29-2012, 09:33 AM	#3
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,061	I liked when she could be serious, "Settle down James Jr.". LOL
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