why did john amos leave good times why did john amos leave good times

Returning to the thrilling Good Times, in which John Amos stars as the main character, has astounded the audience. The parental figures in "Good Times" didn't last the duration of the series. I had the chance to portray a father on a situational comedy that so many Black fathers and men of all races could identify with and appreciate., Amos adds that up until that point, there had never been a complete Black family portrayed on television. They didn't dwell on it. Regarding John Amos, he has acted in many movies and TV shows, including Me Time, Maude, Shadowboxing, The Ranch, All About The Andersons, The Righteous Gemstones, and many others. If you ask me, even though I like everyone, it would have been nice if everyone had stayed on the show throughout its entire run. Actually, that was not the case as the show certainly lacked some personality after his exit and many viewers just could not cope with the void his absence left. If you got past all the stereotypes, you would notice that many of the episodes discussed issues that are just as relevant today as they were back then. But Amos adds that he wants the course correction to keep going. WebJohn Amos discusses why he stopped doing Good Times - EMMYTVLEGENDS.ORG - YouTube 0:00 / 2:54 John Amos discusses why he stopped doing Good Times - Between the cooking, cleaning, laundry, and shopping, Florida often squeezes in a part-time job to help stretch the family dollar, and she even returned to school to get her high school diploma. Without being to preachy, The Evans always tried to do the right thing rather than do something wrong to get out of the ghetto. Just as Florida shockingly received notice that her husband had died, so, too, Amos received a call out of the blue that his character was no longer needed. On the Maude series, the Findlays up there in Tuckahoe had a maid played by Esther Rolle named Florida Evans. Whether or not, you live in the inner cities, ghettos, suburbs, or rural countryside, this show is still a treasure to watch and observe a family being just a family rather than a show about a poor black family. So apparently, from Amos standpoint, there was too much shucking and jiving on the show, and he didnt want to tolerate it any more. She did, however, make a return in Season 6 under one condition. Thank You!! Much to the chagrin of the shows supporters, James Evans was killed during the height of Good Times popularity. Many wondered why the shows producers would make such a decision and, over the years, rumors surfaced that they and Amos could not reach an agreement in their contractual negotiations. Print fond memoriesThis pocket Bluetooth printer lets you print your precious memories before they hit Instagram. Seems to me when at least one parent was in the home, children were a bit more manageable. It could be more genuine, he thought. If you like TVLine, you'll LOVE our email news alerts! Great acting. User Ratings Ive had a blessed career, and I attribute that to my faith in God and the fact that I was raised right. Amos, 80, recalls that one of the best perks of his West Wing tenure was meeting former Secretary of State Colin Powell. No canned laughter, no music. As a child,this show was mandatory when me and my brother saw the show each week. In that way, Amos observes, Good Times and Roots had more in common than him. I'm getting emotional, too! They make The Jefferson's look really sickly rich. All guests were black people. Dave Chappelle gets his message across but doesnt offend people who dont need to be offended, Amos opines. I don't think a movie or a new show would work. FLAMIO. Humperdink! I had to make a commitment, he said. It centered on the poor Chicago-based Evans family and their struggles to make ends meet. John Amos and Esther Rolle were the best part of the show. Good Times is a spin-off of Maude, which itself is a spin-off of All in the Family, arguably I would like to know why John Amos left the show, and how did he die off the show again? He depicted a strong father figure-something likely missing in many people's lives. Esther Rolle has played her role of her. Her children(who were shocked she hadn't grieved in front of others but was laughing) then ran from their rooms and comforted her with a family hug. This is America, Jack. This is one of the few shows that became just as big as its presider's. They are really what made Good Times GoodTimes. Web"Good Times" was one of the first African American family sitcoms to air. Amos left show after not so Good Times with writers 2020-02-11 - By Rich Heldenfels Tribune News Service Q: Why did John Amos leave Good Times? A disruptive factor The show ended. The acting veteran, whose credits also include Future Cop, Die Hard 2 and Two and a Half Men, says he feels relieved and proud that modern sitcoms such as black-ish, The Neighborhood and The Last O.G. Good Times focuses on Florida and Jamess efforts to raise their three children in the best possible ways. JJ was never stupid-he only acted that way most of the time. Christine Paduch, a teacher, is detained on suspicion of abusing a student with special needs. An explanation of the cause of death of the former mayor of EL Cerrito, California, Gut-wrenching: Rep. Quentin Williams, a rising political star, killed in wrong-way accident. Well, John Amos played the character of James Evans. In Amos eyes, Good Times had too much shucking and jiving, which was something he couldnt take anymore. But they don't dwell on it. something they didn't have very often. When many people think about the most memorable It was a ground breaking, memorable and well acted for a sitcom. It was actually quite funny> All references in the show had to be "black". This is not gonna work. I just didnt do it in the most diplomatic terms.. Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson in Chicago: We do not support that behavior.. In 2014, Amos gave a lengthy interview with the Television Academy Foundation, during which he discussed his career and, in particular, his experiences on "Good Times" and the series of events that led to his firing. Part of the problem was that he didn't see eye to eye with the producers over the directions of the characters of his three children. After Season 3, his contract was not renewed, and he was sacked. The secret is to be happy! Common, Chicago wasn't all black! An interesting comedy series about a poor black family trying to make ends meet and make a better life in the projects of Chicago. Aids wiped him out not long ago. Issues such as gun control, teen pregnancy, v.d., gangs and teen suicide. When questioned about it, John Amos responded that the reason for his departure was that Good Times higher-ups informed him that his contributions were no longer required at the time. For instance: Every book report had to be about black history, every movie had to involve black people, every politition had to be black, the list went on and on. Additionally, he used to assert that in practice, he wouldnt permit his kids to do that. The creators soon became irate over these variances. Thelma, a dancer. The sitcom Good Times, created by Eric Monte and Mike Evans, premiered on CBS in 1974. As of 15 January 2018, Amos was still with us and posting on social media: While the news about Amos alleged demise originated on a disreputable web site, many viewers may have readily accepted it as true at the time due to a perceived increase in celebrity deaths during 2016. And last, but not least, Thelma, the older Sister to Michael, another seasoned performer. What makes Good Times so awesome is that it defined the decade. In 85, my second best year, I begin to take notice of it, where recently it has come back on the new channel 76 Flix, like Benson has. By "); Thelma, their only daughter (BernNadette Stanis)who is a disaster in the kitchen, but who had hopes,dreams and intelligence. Princr Humperdink! And the differences I had with the producers of the show I felt too much emphasis was being put on J.J. and his chicken hat and saying dy-no-mite every third page, when just as much emphasis and mileage could have been gotten out of my other two children , Amos stated. It showed a Black family that had the same trials and tribulations as the rest of America, especially those who were financially challenged. I think the episode with the black Jesus was my favorite. Like The Jeffersons, Good Times was one of the those classic American sitcoms which was never aired in the UK, not to mention it came out in the 1970s- a decade where of which I wasn't born yet. I first saw the reruns once our local WB affiliate took off the weekday morning reruns of Happy Days and began airing this instead. American Idol's Top 10 Revealed Live, Following Pair of Brutal Eliminations, Yellowstone's Kelly Reilly Offers Explanation For Her PaleyFest Absence, Morning Show Renewed for Season 4 Plus, Find Out When Season 3 Will Air, Stephen Amell Doesn't Think He's Done Playing Green Arrow, Days of Our Lives' Victoria Grace Loses Daytime Emmy Nomination After, Morning Show Renewed for Season 4 Plus, Find Out When Season 3 Will, Will Trent Recreates the Scene of Angie's Abduction and Betty's, Shades of Funny: A Celebration of TV Comedy's Trailblazers & Rising Stars, Fresh Off Ted Lasso, Emmy Winner Ashley Nicole Black Is On a Mission to 'Make More People Feel Seen'. He was out of town, got hit by a car, and died. Want to know why did John Amos leave Good Times? Good Times Wiki is a FANDOM TV Community. He was tough, but loving and kind. I was very sadden when James Evans was killed in an auto accident,and that was the show's very best episode and an emotional one as well in what the family was going through without a father figure for the children,but they continued on with J.J. stepping from a kid into manhood and the fatherly role after John Amos' character left the show. I remember when it came back on t.v. We may say that John did not want to leave the Good Times. Fascinatingly enough, Good Times Season 4B premiered mere weeks before the Roots miniseries debuted in January 1977 on competing network ABC and changed television as we know it forever because of the grippingly personalized way it portrayed enslaved Black Americans. The entertainer admits that he wasnt the most diplomatic guy back then. Great show early but suffered a decline in quality in later seasons, Good Times Early On, But Faded In the End, Good Times- Weren't We Lucky We Had Them & This Show ?****. Micheal (the youngest of the Evans children) was always the militant of the family and always keeping the family together even after the mom(Florida played by Esther Rolle)had a emotional breakdown after James' funeral. She never had the chance to finish high school, because she wanted to help support her parents and she started working minimum wage jobs. A: Amos was fired from the show and his character killed off after he often Despite the fact that I've never seen every episode, I still enjoy it. You know a show is going downhill when they have to resort to bringing on a cute kid character. Forever FLOTUS Michelle Obama Jams w/Bruce Springsteen Will Smith Posts BTS of Emancipation & More | WATCH, Lil Meech Calls Cap on 2-Year-Old Pic w/Groupie Doctor Says Oral Sex Causes Throat Cancer & More | PicsVideos, Ne-Yo Says Celebs Are Weirdos-Hes Willing to Love Down A Plain Jane + Ime Udoka Publicly Apologizes for Affair & More | PicsVideos. Because of his offensive remarks about the brawls behind the scenes, John Amos was fired. It seldomly is. When Norman Lear who just dominated television in the 70s decided to give Rolle her own series, he took her character and moved them to the south side of Chicago where they lived in the projects. It made history as the first African American show with two parents and gathered a following of avid fans countrywide, so if Good Times had such a good reputation and following, why did one of the lead actors, John Amos, famous for playing James Evans Sr suddenly stop doing the show? Everytime Willona came in with"great news", she would informed them that she was just made the "head buyer" for the boutique. To wit: The first time I saw this show was on my UPN (UPN Atlanta) and it currently airs weekdays at 11 PM. Fans will forever remember how Florida Evans broke down in her kitchen and we can confidently say, most fans broke down with her. After repeated disagreements with the production staff, Amos was fired from the show. It was great. While he was eventually let go, he went on to bounce back with memorable roles in the original Roots miniseries, and later Coming to America. The explanation for John Amos dismissal from Good Times is revealed. Thelma was an attractive, bright girl who was constantly trading insults with J.J. Michael was a near child prodigy who was well-educated on social issues and was destined to become a lawyer. We have a low bullst threshold in New Jersey. The show wasnt as good after he left. I don't find it stereotypical or shuckin'/jivin' at all. Getting fired from Good Times is one of the best things that could have ever happened to John Amos. This is a classic show. I ad-libbed quite a bit, and John Landis, the director, was very receptive to my ad-libs, Amos concludes proudly. It appears to be comparable. Contract disputes? If Amos believed this, he was wrong. Actor John Amos died from a heart attack on 28 December 2016. On 28 December 2016, the web site Headline NewsNetwork published an article reporting that actor John Amos, best known for his role on the 1970s TV sitcom Good Times, had passed away from a heart attack at the age of 77: There was no truth to this article. The show was a huge success since it was a spinoff of Maude in which Florida was the Maude's housekeeper,and it ran on CBS from 1974-1979. His departure so soon caught everyone off guard. WebTrivia Esther Rolle's departure from the show during the 19771978 season, the reason why she left was because she was unhappy that the success of Jimmie Walker's character J.J. Evans took the show in what she thought was a frivolous direction. Im an Eddie Murphy fanatic. Before leaving my own comments about the TV series GOOD TIMES, I feel that I simply MUST comment on the remarks of one Mr. Larry Wall. They used to live in the South Side of Chicago in a cold water flat where they had their two oldest children, James "J.J." Evans, Jr. and Thelma. Will Downing on New Song Following Daughters Suicide, Advice to Parents, TikTok Food Critic Regrets Houston Hot Chicken Review | Watch, Issa Rae and Shameik Moore Would Unalive Spiders Matthew Lawrence Opens Up About Hollywood Casting Couch & More | PicVideos. Personally, even while watching repeats when I was younger, I seem to remember asking myself what happened with James Evans, and eventually I stopped watching altogether. Another Norman Lear hit detailing the problems that African Americans had to go through in the turbulent 1960s and 1970s. Big John, I got some good news and some bad news. Click HERE to SUBSCRIBE to Our Newsletter Now! They argued all the time, but they loved the hell out of each other. John Amos left the series immediately following the third season of Good Times. Heres Everything We Know About Him. With her stern, but loving disposition, Florida does her best to to give her often unemployed husband emotional support and be a good mother and role model for their three children. Despite the story behind the scenes, this show was worth keeping on the air except I didn't like them killing off the father which I agreed with Esther Rolle who fought hard to keep the family together. Wi Election Results: Wisconsin Supreme Court Election Results: Who Won? Law. They are all great shows. As a young adult, she met her childhood sweetheart and the love of her life, James Evans, Sr., and eventually married him. The parents loved their children more than anything, were always there for them , and wanted the best for them. There is no more complete source for urban news than the Electronic Urban Report. Created by Norman Lear as a spin off from "Maude" (Which itself was a spin off from "All In The Family"), the show focused on the Evans Family, consisting of Florida (Esther Rolle)and James (John Amos), the heads of the household, trying to survive in the projects of Chicago. This is one of my all time favorite shows. Q: I was wondering why networks dont show TV shows like Dynasty, Dallas, Knots Landing and L.A. In it's time, Good Times, would of been a hell of a show. Amos said he was shocked but not surprised, since he had already been labeled a disruptive element.. Yes, we are referring to the sitcom and his unexpected exit. Stimulus Check Proposal Could Give Americans Monthly $1,200 Checks. The next day, that guy was gone never to be seen again. This funeral episode was excellent. I think good times was a very good show, a lot of us African Americans could relate. Amos stated that during the shows hiatus, Lear called him. Television Images: My Favorite TV Characters of All-Time: (1970s edition). This show was excellent. Damn! WebGood Times is an American television sitcom that aired for six seasons on CBS, from February 8, 1974, to August 1, 1979.Created by Eric Monte and Mike Evans and developed by executive producer Norman Lear, it was television's first African American two-parent family sitcom. Some folks need bracing, as my uncle used to say. This series is not only entertaining but instructive at the same time. They find humor and have strong family values and morals. What do you want to hear first? Amos said Lear asked him. FAQ His The truth of it is, when I started acting, I never thought I would live this long, much less be an actor, the 82-year-old tells TVLine with a chuckle. I couldn't relate to everything, but sometimes they hit home with the problems they were facing. All Rights Reserved. I reflect back on that with very, very fond memories., One of Amos favorite moments from the movie is when he ad-libbed the line, I dont give a damn who you are. | In any case, James Evans was portrayed by John Amos. When "Good Times" premiered in 1974, it was one the first black family sitcoms. In an interview with the American Archive of Television, Amos discussed why he received the boot from the show: I felt that with two other younger children, one of whom aspired to become a Supreme Court justicethat would be Ralph Carter, or Michaeland the other, BernNadette Stanis she aspired to become a surgeon. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, 17C at 963 N.Gilbert Ave Housing Projects Chicago. In an interview with the American Archive of Television. Humperdink! Pay Property Tax Before April 30; You Can Receive a $5,000 Rebate: GCC. And Ive always contended, as some of my mentors taught me, the best way to get a message across to people is through humor.. What better representation of a family values can you ask for? He was let go. Did the actor and the cast have a falling out? After three seasons of fighting with executive producer Norman Lear and the CBS sitcoms white writers about the stereotypical Black portrayals and dialogue the show perpetuated, particularly when it came to star Jimmie Walker, Amos contract to play patriarch James Evans wasnt renewed at the end of Season 3 in 1976 and his character was killed off. What happened? due to the scripts' lack of authenticity in portraying the African-American experience. In Amos eyes, Good Times had too much shucking and jiving, which was something he couldnt take anymore. This show, to me reflected on the good side of poverty. All posters in there rooms were black people, furniture pieces were African. Rolle quit when her contract concluded. They were actually trying to do everything they could to get out of the projects. I certainly hope that the phrase "Kid Dynamite" will come back into common usage some day. Get Updates About Stimulus Check 4 Expected Date Direct Deposit 2023, IRS Announces Possibility of Fourth Stimulus Check for Americans, Updates About Fed rate hike: All of Fed Chair Powells market-moving remarks following the rate hike, Who is Ivan Ardila-Perez? The lives and times of the Evans family living the projects of Chicago. You must have realised from the title alone that the sitcom only spreads good vibes to its audience. That theme got a little over done at times, but it was the 70's and blacks were still seeking equality. Some of the people who star in the series like cast regulars Jimmie Walker(J.J. Due to proximate causes. Good Times was originally great, thanks to John Amos. Amos was a force to be reckoned with on the show, and apparently, because of his personality and the fact that he realized the show was making a coonery out of the family, he couldnt be a part of it any more. Very cool. You get to learn a lot about the hardships of life.