Quotes from the Stars During the Show's Run

[Flash72]

Ja'net DuBois on the original conception of Willona:

"When they gave me Willona, she was a mother of three kids who loved to bake and cook. I said 'No way!' The days of the black mammy are over."

John Amos on leaving Good Times:

"The only regrets I would have about leaving Good Times is that it might mean the show would revert to the matriarchal thing-the fatherless black family. TV is the most powerful medium we have, and there just are not enough positive black male images-which I would think James Evans is-on TV. What bothers me, too, is that they seem to be trying to project an image of jealousy among the cast. It's an ensemble company. The emphasis may be on anybody. The show's longevity is not counted on how long any individual is on the camera."

Esther Rolle on the character of JJ:

"I resent the imagery that says to black kids that you can make it by standing on the corner saying 'Dyn-O-Mite!' He's eighteen and he doesn't work. He can't read or write. He doesn't think. the show didn't start out to be that. Little by little...they have made JJ more stupid and enlarged the role. Negative images have been quietly slipped in on us through the character of the oldest child."

Esther Rolle upon quitting the show:

"It's a matter of black pride, not pique."

Jimmie Walker on his reaction to Rolle's opinion of JJ:

"I don't know how it all started. The series is in its fifth year and all of a sudden these people are finding fault with my character. Where have they been all these years? He's not supposed to be a genius. And he's not supposed to be dumb. All I do is deliver the lines the writers turn out for the series. They seem to be acceptable to most people or we wouldn't be in the top twenty in the Nielsen ratings. I mean, is The Fonz on Happy Days representative of white teenagers? Are the sweathogs on Welcome Back Kotter a reflection of young whites? I surely don't feel guilty or apologize for the character I portray. Many of the scripts deal with real-life topics such as my hatred of narcotics, which I think is healthy for my young viewers."

Esther Rolle on the way her character was written off the show:

"A mother just wouldn't do that. It's wrong, terribly wrong."

Esther Rolle on the character of Willona, who was never home, adopting a child:
"This is a reflection on Social Service!"

Esther Rolle on her return:

"There were a lot of things that I was dissatisfied with. Well, CBS fixed the things that were troubling me the most. They agreed to my terms. Having gotten all those concessions, how could I turn them down? I must admit there was a bit of practicality behind my decision to come back. Having been off regular salary for a year, my funds were getting depleted. They are suppose to make JJ a more meaningful character. They say they'll take some of that junk off of him and dress him a little differently. They say they'll try to make him more intelligent. Personally, I don't know how intelligent they can make him. After all, you can't get blood from a turnip. But we're sure gonna try. Basically, we hope to put the show back on the foundation that the spinoff started on. Instead of using me as a stage prop, the show will revolve around me. I just hope it isn't too late to make the show work."

[TVFactFan]

Originally posted by Flash72
Ja'net DuBois on the original conception of Willona:

"When they gave me Willona, she was a mother of three kids who loved to bake and cook. I said 'No way!' The days of the black mammy are over."

John Amos on leaving Good Times:

"The only regrets I would have about leaving Good Times is that it might mean the show would revert to the matriarchal thing-the fatherless black family. TV is the most powerful medium we have, and there just are not enough positive black male images-which I would think James Evans is-on TV. What bothers me, too, is that they seem to be trying to project an image of jealousy among the cast. It's an ensemble company. The emphasis may be on anybody. The show's longevity is not counted on how long any individual is on the camera."

Esther Rolle on the character of JJ:

"I resent the imagery that says to black kids that you can make it by standing on the corner saying 'Dyn-O-Mite!' He's eighteen and he doesn't work. He can't read or write. He doesn't think. the show didn't start out to be that. Little by little...they have made JJ more stupid and enlarged the role. Negative images have been quietly slipped in on us through the character of the oldest child."

Esther Rolle upon quitting the show:

"It's a matter of black pride, not pique."

Jimmie Walker on his reaction to Rolle's opinion of JJ:

"I don't know how it all started. The series is in its fifth year and all of a sudden these people are finding fault with my character. Where have they been all these years? He's not supposed to be a genius. And he's not supposed to be dumb. All I do is deliver the lines the writers turn out for the series. They seem to be acceptable to most people or we wouldn't be in the top twenty in the Nielsen ratings. I mean, is The Fonz on Happy Days representative of white teenagers? Are the sweathogs on Welcome Back Kotter a reflection of young whites? I surely don't feel guilty or apologize for the character I portray. Many of the scripts deal with real-life topics such as my hatred of narcotics, which I think is healthy for my young viewers."

Esther Rolle on the way her character was written off the show:

"A mother just wouldn't do that. It's wrong, terribly wrong."

Esther Rolle on the character of Willona, who was never home, adopting a child:
"This is a reflection on Social Service!"

Esther Rolle on her return:

"There were a lot of things that I was dissatisfied with. Well, CBS fixed the things that were troubling me the most. They agreed to my terms. Having gotten all those concessions, how could I turn them down? I must admit there was a bit of practicality behind my decision to come back. Having been off regular salary for a year, my funds were getting depleted. They are suppose to make JJ a more meaningful character. They say they'll take some of that junk off of him and dress him a little differently. They say they'll try to make him more intelligent. Personally, I don't know how intelligent they can make him. After all, you can't get blood from a turnip. But we're sure gonna try. Basically, we hope to put the show back on the foundation that the spinoff started on. Instead of using me as a stage prop, the show will revolve around me. I just hope it isn't too late to make the show work."

I'm still searching for the Ebony Magazine Article that frustrated Norman Lear and caused him to fired John Amos. Amos made statements about the J.J character. I have the September 1975 Ebony Magazine Issue and did not see anything. I think it was early 1976.