Did Esther Rolle need to be more diplomatic? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 07-11-2022, 02:45 AM

By diplomatic, I mean that as an actor, you can do your best to change the show and if you can’t change it, then you work within the confines of it. But at the end of the day, the producers always run the show.

As I think everybody knows, she left Good Times because she hated the direction in which it went. She and John Amos thought they were going do a show that sheds some light on the plight of black working class people and it turned into somewhat of another minstrel show where the stereotypical character (J.J. as played by Jimmie Walker) becomes the breakout. When the ratings started to tank, they lured her back for the final season but it was too late by then.

Was it possible that Esther bulldozed her way into meetings with Norman Lear and the producers of the show while not understanding the fact you get more flies with honey than vinegar? To put it in other way, going Ebony magazine and blasting the show wasn’t exactly going to help her or John Amos’ plight.

In fairness to John Amos, has admitted he was a hot head around this time and would handle it differently now. All in all, Esther Rolle ended up leaving and costing herself a year's salary and the show never got its mojo back.

GoldenTV · 07-15-2022, 07:37 PM

I don't think it would have made much difference if Esther Rolle was more diplomatic. As you said, at the end of the day the producers always run the show.

The consensus among most Tv producers back then was that TV audiences shy away from TV shows with serious themes such as plight of lower class families dealing with poverty and racial issues. And in JJ they found vehicle to move from serios issues to more J.J.'s comedic antics.

TV producer Norman Lear loved to discuss serious issues on his TV shows, but other forces at work were looking at the ratings and bottom line.

hatwink · 08-15-2022, 06:16 PM

Maybe, but being the 70s, it was a different time, and certain things and opinions, unfortunately, don't work.

TVFactFan · 08-15-2022, 10:42 PM

Norman Lear begged her to come back so I think she wasn't as aggressive as John Amos

07-11-2022, 02:45 AM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 126,272	Did Esther Rolle need to be more diplomatic? By diplomatic, I mean that as an actor, you can do your best to change the show and if you can’t change it, then you work within the confines of it. But at the end of the day, the producers always run the show. As I think everybody knows, she left Good Times because she hated the direction in which it went. She and John Amos thought they were going do a show that sheds some light on the plight of black working class people and it turned into somewhat of another minstrel show where the stereotypical character (J.J. as played by Jimmie Walker) becomes the breakout. When the ratings started to tank, they lured her back for the final season but it was too late by then. Was it possible that Esther bulldozed her way into meetings with Norman Lear and the producers of the show while not understanding the fact you get more flies with honey than vinegar? To put it in other way, going Ebony magazine and blasting the show wasn’t exactly going to help her or John Amos’ plight. In fairness to John Amos, has admitted he was a hot head around this time and would handle it differently now. All in all, Esther Rolle ended up leaving and costing herself a year's salary and the show never got its mojo back.
	Last edited by TMC; 10-21-2022 at 01:54 AM.

07-15-2022, 07:37 PM	#2
GoldenTV Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 10, 2019 Posts: 1,043	I don't think it would have made much difference if Esther Rolle was more diplomatic. As you said, at the end of the day the producers always run the show. The consensus among most Tv producers back then was that TV audiences shy away from TV shows with serious themes such as plight of lower class families dealing with poverty and racial issues. And in JJ they found vehicle to move from serios issues to more J.J.'s comedic antics. TV producer Norman Lear loved to discuss serious issues on his TV shows, but other forces at work were looking at the ratings and bottom line.

08-15-2022, 06:16 PM	#3
hatwink Member Forum Regular Join Date: Oct 19, 2004 Posts: 773	Maybe, but being the 70s, it was a different time, and certain things and opinions, unfortunately, don't work.

08-15-2022, 10:42 PM	#4
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,063	Norman Lear begged her to come back so I think she wasn't as aggressive as John Amos