Did you know the original plan to explain Florida's absence during season 5 was to... - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TVFactFan · 06-08-2024, 09:52 PM

have her die in a plane crash???

That would have been too much for viewers and I think everyone would have stopped watching. Im glad they decided on her living in Arizona with Carl.

TVLegend · 06-09-2024, 12:56 AM

I had no idea about this. I’m glad they didn’t go that route. If they did, Good Times would have ended after the 5th season for sure. I wish they would have explained Carl’s absence during the final season though. They could have at least said that he and Florida separated.

TVFactFan · 06-09-2024, 02:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVLegend

I had no idea about this. I’m glad they didn’t go that route. If they did, Good Times would have ended after the 5th season for sure. I wish they would have explained Carl’s absence during the final season though. They could have at least said that he and Florida separated.

His explanation was overshadowed by Esther Rolle leaving the show. His character became irrelevant once she left and came back.

Sonny Carson · 06-20-2024, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

have her die in a plane crash???

That would have been too much for viewers and I think everyone would have stopped watching. Im glad they decided on her living in Arizona with Carl.

That would have really made me hate Norman Lear. You kill off the father and then the mother, that is crazy!

TVFactFan · 06-20-2024, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sonny Carson

That would have really made me hate Norman Lear. You kill off the father and then the mother, that is crazy!

I think since her absence from work was due to health they decided not to kill her off

TVLegend · 07-03-2024, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

I think since her absence from work was due to health they decided not to kill her off

I thought Esther Rolle left the show because she wanted more money and didn’t like the Carl storyline.

TVFactFan · 07-03-2024, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVLegend

I thought Esther Rolle left the show because she wanted more money and didn’t like the Carl storyline.

It was because she didnt like the direction of the show

hch · 06-22-2025, 08:19 PM

Here is what BernNadette said about the whole situation in her book:

"When Moses joined the show, he brought new energy as Carl. However, there was always a sense that his character never genuinely blended with the family. This wasn't a reflection on Moses' performance- he was a phenomenal actor- but rather a result of how the character was written. Carl Dixon was an atheist, a start contrast to Florida, who was a very religious woman....I never learned how Esther felt about the show's direction with Carl and Florida's relationship. But later, after the show had ended, I heard rumors that this storyline may have been one of the reasons Miss Rolle chose to leave the show for a year. Esther was deeply connected to her character and had strong feelings about the choices they made for Florida. One of the aspects that disturbed Esther was the idea of her character leaving her three children to go to Arizona with Carl. She couldn't reconcile the Florida Evans she knew and loved with the woman who would abandon her teenage son, Michael, to run off with a man. Being a strong, principled woman, this storyline did not sit well with her. She felt it was out of character for Florida, and as the actress who had brought Florida to life, she did not agree with this choice. These creative differences ultimately lead to tension behind the scenes. Esther's departure from the show was a significant moment, not just for the viewers but for all of us who worked with her. Her commitment to authenticity in her character made Florida Evans such an iconic and beloved figure in television history. It's a testament to Esther's integrity as an actress that she stood by her principles, even if it meant stepping away from a role that had defined her career."

BestTVever · 07-01-2025, 05:02 AM

The sad part is she left the show because of the direction of the show yet returned to the show for episodes of her kids selling underwear out of the apartment

The show changed so much after the father was killed off. He was the discipline character and the foil for Willona. But there is major irony. John Amos and Esther hated the catchphrase "Dynomite" yet JJ stopped saying it when they both left. JJ took on to be a much more serious character once the father left.
Having said all of this I think Amos and Rolle overreacted to the character of JJ. Jimmy was not an actor. He was a comedian and most of his lines worked really well. I think there could of been a compromise early on to limit the catchphrase. This catchphrase also led to problems at Happy Days. Its what the network wanted.

TVFactFan · 07-01-2025, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BestTVever

The sad part is she left the show because of the direction of the show yet returned to the show for episodes of her kids selling underwear out of the apartment

The show changed so much after the father was killed off. He was the discipline character and the foil for Willona. But there is major irony. John Amos and Esther hated the catchphrase "Dynomite" yet JJ stopped saying it when they both left. JJ took on to be a much more serious character once the father left.
Having said all of this I think Amos and Rolle overreacted to the character of JJ. Jimmy was not an actor. He was a comedian and most of his lines worked really well. I think there could of been a compromise early on to limit the catchphrase. This catchphrase also led to problems at Happy Days. Its what the network wanted.

selling underwear ep was season 4. She came back in season 6

BestTVever · 07-02-2025, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVFactFan

selling underwear ep was season 4. She came back in season 6

Oh yes. That episode fueled the decision to leave for better scripts

It fit the stereotypes that the underwear was "hot" (a 1970's term for something stolen) and black people in the projects selling stuff must be stolen. It really must have irked her.

GoldenTV · 07-06-2025, 03:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BestTVever

Oh yes. That episode fueled the decision to leave for better scripts

It fit the stereotypes that the underwear was "hot" (a 1970's term for something stolen) and black people in the projects selling stuff must be stolen. It really must have irked her.

Not withstanding its stereotyping, I thought that episode was pretty hilarious. Especially when one of the customer calling Florida asking her whether he could come around to see her underwear, and them she hung up on him. And then the guy show up it at the end where Florida asked him to come in and see their underwear. And he said "I called you earlier"

BestTVever · 07-06-2025, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldenTV

Not withstanding its stereotyping, I thought that episode was pretty hilarious. Especially when one of the customer calling Florida asking her whether he could come around to see her underwear, and them she hung up on him. And then the guy show up it at the end where Florida asked him to come in and see their underwear. And he said "I called you earlier"

It was comedy. But Esther did not like that sort of things and I bet she hated this episode. All the customers come thinking its all stolen "hot" underwear.
The JJ character was comedy too. I get what irked her but Walker was hired not to be an actor but comedian. She personally took it out on Walker for not liking his character. She hated that JJ had no job or goals but I sort of take issue with that. JJ was a brilliant artist and had morals.

Gibson Girl · 07-07-2025, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVLegend

wish they would have explained Carl’s absence during the final season though. They could have at least said that he and Florida separated.

I always thought it was because he died. He had lung cancer when he and Florida got married and then moved to Arizona.

06-08-2024, 09:52 PM	#1
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 98,950	Did you know the original plan to explain Florida's absence during season 5 was to... have her die in a plane crash??? That would have been too much for viewers and I think everyone would have stopped watching. Im glad they decided on her living in Arizona with Carl. Attached Images

06-22-2025, 08:19 PM	#8
hch Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jun 07, 2001 Location: Montross, VA 22520 Posts: 983	Here is what BernNadette said about the whole situation in her book: "When Moses joined the show, he brought new energy as Carl. However, there was always a sense that his character never genuinely blended with the family. This wasn't a reflection on Moses' performance- he was a phenomenal actor- but rather a result of how the character was written. Carl Dixon was an atheist, a start contrast to Florida, who was a very religious woman....I never learned how Esther felt about the show's direction with Carl and Florida's relationship. But later, after the show had ended, I heard rumors that this storyline may have been one of the reasons Miss Rolle chose to leave the show for a year. Esther was deeply connected to her character and had strong feelings about the choices they made for Florida. One of the aspects that disturbed Esther was the idea of her character leaving her three children to go to Arizona with Carl. She couldn't reconcile the Florida Evans she knew and loved with the woman who would abandon her teenage son, Michael, to run off with a man. Being a strong, principled woman, this storyline did not sit well with her. She felt it was out of character for Florida, and as the actress who had brought Florida to life, she did not agree with this choice. These creative differences ultimately lead to tension behind the scenes. Esther's departure from the show was a significant moment, not just for the viewers but for all of us who worked with her. Her commitment to authenticity in her character made Florida Evans such an iconic and beloved figure in television history. It's a testament to Esther's integrity as an actress that she stood by her principles, even if it meant stepping away from a role that had defined her career."
	__________________ "You don't own the rights or the patent on scuffling!" Willona from "Good Times" Last edited by hch; 06-22-2025 at 08:22 PM. Reason: mispelling

06-09-2024, 12:56 AM	#2
TVLegend Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 06, 2020 Location: United States Posts: 4,306	I had no idea about this. I’m glad they didn’t go that route. If they did, Good Times would have ended after the 5th season for sure. I wish they would have explained Carl’s absence during the final season though. They could have at least said that he and Florida separated.

07-01-2025, 05:02 AM	#9
BestTVever Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 29, 2021 Location: Miami Posts: 1,874	The sad part is she left the show because of the direction of the show yet returned to the show for episodes of her kids selling underwear out of the apartment The show changed so much after the father was killed off. He was the discipline character and the foil for Willona. But there is major irony. John Amos and Esther hated the catchphrase "Dynomite" yet JJ stopped saying it when they both left. JJ took on to be a much more serious character once the father left. Having said all of this I think Amos and Rolle overreacted to the character of JJ. Jimmy was not an actor. He was a comedian and most of his lines worked really well. I think there could of been a compromise early on to limit the catchphrase. This catchphrase also led to problems at Happy Days. Its what the network wanted.