Was Jimmie Walker getting along with Esther Rolle and John Amos on the set? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TVFactFan · 12-13-2002, 05:14 PM

I'm asking this question because i found out that J.J wasn't in the episode "Rent Party" just like Esther Rolle wasn't in "Enlistment" and John Amos wasn't in "Michael's Big Fall", "A PLace to Die" and the "BABY. The characters Michael and Thelma were always seen. So since Rolle, Amos, and Walker were the onl characters missing, Iwanted to know did they get along on the set. Does anyone know?

W.J. Griffin · 12-15-2002, 11:56 PM

Considering all the backstage strife that went on, I would say "no", they didn't get along. Rolle and Amos never had a good thing to say about Jimmie Walker's character, and, presumably, Mr. Walker was probably offended and hurt by their accusations.

TVFactFan · 12-16-2002, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by W.J. Griffin
Considering all the backstage strife that went on, I would say "no", they didn't get along. Rolle and Amos never had a good thing to say about Jimmie Walker's character, and, presumably, Mr. Walker was probably offended and hurt by their accusations.

But did Walker feel the same way about the J.J character being too silly? If not, then that let's me know he is a goofball in real life. Is that why Walker, Rolle, and Amos was absent in certain episodes?

Brian Damage · 12-16-2002, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SOLOMON

But did Walker feel the same way about the J.J character being too silly? If not, then that let's me know he is a goofball in real life. Is that why Walker, Rolle, and Amos was absent in certain episodes?

Why would that make him a goofball in real life? Jimmy Walker wasn't a method actor he was a struggling comedian before Good Times.

Good Times was his big break that made him a national phenomenon overnight. Why would he or anybody for that matter complain that their character was too goofy, when it was making him a ton of money?

Don't get me wrong, I love GT, but the show probably wouldn't have lasted as long without the JJ character.

TVFactFan · 12-16-2002, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by briandamage

Why would that make him a goofball in real life? Jimmy Walker wasn't a method actor he was a struggling comedian before Good Times.

Good Times was his big break that made him a national phenomenon overnight. Why would he or anybody for that matter complain that their character was too goofy, when it was making him a ton of money?

Don't get me wrong, I love GT, but the show probably wouldn't have lasted as long without the JJ character.

The fact that Rolle and Amos wanted viewers to take the show seriously should made Walker want to tone down the silliness of the J.J character. And the fact that he wanted to continue to take focus off what the show was really about makes him look more stupid. I bet Amos woukdn't even speak to that fool if he saw him. Lots of people always label Good Times as a Goofy show but I always have to correct them and say the show wasn't Goofy, it was J.J

Brian Damage · 12-16-2002, 06:58 PM

Don't blame Jimmy Walker, blame the writers who made him that way. While you're at it, you mine as well blame the audience who wanted to see more and more of JJ.

ThomasE · 12-16-2002, 07:01 PM

SOLOMON, none of the cast members were seen on each episode.

Thelma was not featured in "A Matter of Mothers"
Michael was not in "The Art Contest"

ThomasE · 12-16-2002, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by briandamage
Don't blame Jimmy Walker, blame the writers who made him that way. While you're at it, you mine as well blame the audience who wanted to see more and more of JJ.

I didn't mind seeing J.J., however they should have made him a more respectable black character example and Ms. Rolle should have had more spotlight time IMO. Trust me, every one has their own tool on a show that will make it overly funny so JJ DID help make the show even funnier. Let's just say both actors were needed. Good Times without Florida caused the ratings to go no matter how funny or stupid J.J. was. The last season was too late to save the show when bringing back Ms. Rolle but it was a good decision to bring her back that way the show did have a mother in the end of the series. Too bad James Sr could not be brought back from the dead, though.

Brian Damage · 12-16-2002, 07:18 PM

I think that was the worst decision to kill him off. Then again, what else could they have done?

Brian Damage · 12-16-2002, 07:22 PM

The thing that just bothers me about SOLOMON'S comments is that he wants to put the blame squarely on Jimmy Walker's shoulders.

ThomasE · 12-16-2002, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by briandamage
I think that was the worst decision to kill him off. Then again, what else could they have done?

Work with him. They did when it came to Carroll O' Connor.

Brian Damage · 12-18-2002, 05:59 PM

So are you saying it was a rash decision by the producers to kill him off?

ThomasE · 12-18-2002, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by briandamage
So are you saying it was a rash decision by the producers to kill him off?

One of the writers for the show stated in her interview for "E True Hollywood Stories" is that "John was asked to leave. Some people thought he left on his own, but he was asked to leave."

Brian Damage · 12-18-2002, 08:10 PM

Interesting.

Moonlight Lady · 12-27-2002, 07:50 PM

It's a shame that they didn't get along with each other. Oh well it happens. For the most part, JJ was really funny. Sometimes, I found him to be annoying. Willona, Bookman and Penny were my favorites.

12-13-2002, 05:14 PM	#1
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,058	Was Jimmie Walker getting along with Esther Rolle and John Amos on the set? I'm asking this question because i found out that J.J wasn't in the episode "Rent Party" just like Esther Rolle wasn't in "Enlistment" and John Amos wasn't in "Michael's Big Fall", "A PLace to Die" and the "BABY. The characters Michael and Thelma were always seen. So since Rolle, Amos, and Walker were the onl characters missing, Iwanted to know did they get along on the set. Does anyone know?

12-27-2002, 07:50 PM	#15
Moonlight Lady Member Forum Star Join Date: Aug 18, 2002 Posts: 16,052	It's a shame that they didn't get along with each other. Oh well it happens. For the most part, JJ was really funny. Sometimes, I found him to be annoying. Willona, Bookman and Penny were my favorites.
	__________________ [ Last edited by Moonlight Lady; 12-27-2002 at 07:54 PM.

12-15-2002, 11:56 PM	#2
W.J. Griffin Member Forum Regular Join Date: Aug 29, 2002 Posts: 527	Considering all the backstage strife that went on, I would say "no", they didn't get along. Rolle and Amos never had a good thing to say about Jimmie Walker's character, and, presumably, Mr. Walker was probably offended and hurt by their accusations.

12-16-2002, 06:58 PM	#6
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	Don't blame Jimmy Walker, blame the writers who made him that way. While you're at it, you mine as well blame the audience who wanted to see more and more of JJ.

12-16-2002, 07:01 PM	#7
ThomasE Member Moderator Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 04, 2000 Location: New York, New York, U.S.A. Posts: 10,857	SOLOMON, none of the cast members were seen on each episode. Thelma was not featured in "A Matter of Mothers" Michael was not in "The Art Contest"

12-16-2002, 07:18 PM	#9
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	I think that was the worst decision to kill him off. Then again, what else could they have done?

12-16-2002, 07:22 PM	#10
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	The thing that just bothers me about SOLOMON'S comments is that he wants to put the blame squarely on Jimmy Walker's shoulders.

12-18-2002, 05:59 PM	#12
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	So are you saying it was a rash decision by the producers to kill him off?

12-18-2002, 08:10 PM	#14
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	Interesting.