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. Good Times was just that: It was a show that was very depicted in the everyday situations of the African American family growing up in the dangerous streets of Chicago. The Real Reason John Amos Was Fired From Good Times Aaron Homer The 1970s represented a period of drastic changes in the TV landscape. James tried to work several jobs, just so Florida could stay home and tend to the needs of the house/family. Esther Rolle and John Amos on set of Good Times Ms. Rolle was finally fed ALL the way up with the coonery: In 1977 Esther walked out of the still high-rated Good Times series because she felt the popular character J.J., played by Jimmy Walker, was tailored into a buffoon. In Amos eyes, Good Times had too much shucking and jiving, which was something he couldnt take anymore. Everybody had afros, went rollerskating, danced around a disco, and had platform shoes. 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? I would like to know why John Amos left the show, and how did he die off the show again? 2023 TVLine Media, LLC. Amos stated that during the shows hiatus, Lear called him. I don't find it stereotypical or shuckin'/jivin' at all. Dave Chappelle gets his message across but doesnt offend people who dont need to be offended, Amos opines. We got to see them experience a few good times. Sad part though: the guy who played Micheal(Ralph Carter) recently passed away.but his character was a symbol of black pride and black progress towards black success,and against racial intolerence in with he quoted that the word "boy" is a white racist word. STEVE HARVEYS STEVE IS DONE DAYTIME TALKER OFFICIALLY CANCELED, KENYA BARRIS ANNOUNCES FIRST NETFLIX SERIES (WITH RASHIDA JONES): BLACK EXCELLENCE, Blac Chyna Accused of Pulling Knife Hair Stylist who Defended Her Self with Soda Cans: Report, Polish Instagram Influencer Denies Accusations of Blackfishing for Clout, Gladys Knights Farewell Tour Continues This Summer in US. But Good Times creator Norman Lear gave him a call to let him know that he would also be absent from Season 4. I don't know. Yet why? WebRalph Carter, BernNadette Stanis, Janet DuBois, John Amos, Esther Rolle, and Jimmie Walker in Good Times / Everett Collection. 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. The best episodes were the first few years with James Evans, the father. After Season 3, his contract was not renewed, and he was sacked. Metacritic Reviews. Id want to send John Amos my warmest wishes for the remainder of his days. Now you say one more word about Lisa, and Ill break my foot off in your royal ass., I have to take credit for that. Aids wiped him out not long ago. due to the scripts' lack of authenticity in portraying the African-American experience. Why Did John Amos Leave Good Times? Reason Behind It Michael, involved in legal/justice. This show was groundbreaking to show despair in drugs, gangs, and alcoholism. What makes Good Times so awesome is that it defined the decade. What better representation of a family values can you ask for? It was actually quite funny> All references in the show had to be "black". The show revolves around a blue collar family, making the best of it, in the dangerous projects, where you should always pray the elevator doesn't break down. His departure so soon caught everyone off guard. But Amos adds that he wants the course correction to keep going. A great show! It spawned some dy-no-mite catchphrases and The show wasnt as good after he left. (on which he guest-starred) have Black writers and showrunners. The Real Reason John Amos Was Fired From Good Times. John said that was the last he heard from him for months, he never called back to check on him and even today, many fans can agree that after Mr. Evans death, | It also dated politics, recession, wages, history. Good Times was a groundbreaking comedy about the first nuclear black family living in the Chicago projects. Because of his strong beliefs, John Amos was fired from Good Times. Many other stars have faced similar situations with producers who simply want to be blindly obeyed, but with actors and actresses getting a stronger voice these days, we can only hope that the same fate that befell the character of Mr. James Evans, does not happen to some of our current unproblematic and beloved TV stars. 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. February 25 2022, 6:52 PM PST. What I do know is that when Janet Jackson, Bookman, and that annoying neighbor Willona; Miss Big Mouth, I'm beautiful, took over, this show was lost forever(but I did like sweet daddy). John Amos Reveals How His Departure From 'Good Times' Went She is known to throw a good party, and doesn't hesitate to offer whatever she has to those in need. The show wasnt as good after he left. To work with Eddie Murphy on Coming to America was a paid vacation for me because Im an Eddie Murphy fan. To receive additional updates, you can follow John on Instagram. But they don't dwell on it. Big John, I got some good news and some bad news. Want to know why did John Amos leave Good Times? . 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. JJ wanted to be an artists. The lives and times of the Evans family living the projects of Chicago. They had three kids: J.J., Thelma, and Michael. The entertainer admits that he wasnt the most diplomatic guy back then. Stimulus Check Proposal Could Give Americans Monthly $1,200 Checks. The show lost something when Amos left, but the others were good enough to keep it going. So does JJ. He was tough, but loving and kind. America and the world got to see what life could be like within a Black family on Good Although the producer wanted to get some words out of him, he didnt budge, he simply hung up and remained his same old recalcitrant self to the very end. She is the beautiful mother of J.J., Thelma, and Michael Evans, and the widow of James Evans and Carl Dixon after the untimely death of James, who died in a automobile accident while preparing his family to move to Mississippi. 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. We all know that happened throughout the decade, but Good Times revolved around the 70's style. What do you want to hear first? Amos said Lear asked him. In it's time, Good Times, would of been a hell of a show. Why John Amos Was Fired From 'Good Times' - Here's Why They make The Jefferson's look really sickly rich. Looking back on both experiences, just before Black History Month comes to a close, Amos says hes proud he was a part of both small-screen offerings because their historical impacts can still be felt today. I realize everyone has their own opinion, but, I don't know . 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. It was then that Lear told him that they were being picked up for another season, which wasnt a surprise to Amos. In a new interview with 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. GT is very family themed, illustrating how family is so important, amidst difficulties and hardships, especially when they lose one of their own, and such a great actor too. Q: I was wondering why networks dont show TV shows like Dynasty, Dallas, Knots Landing and L.A. Norman Lear The original lineup could've easily gone on a few more years. Christine Paduch, a teacher, is detained on suspicion of abusing a student with special needs. 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. The parents loved their children more than anything, were always there for them , and wanted the best for them. He reportedly left the show, after 3 seasons, because he disapproved of Jimmie Walker's character. As a stay-at-home mother, she's the super-glue that keeps the family together. What was it? COPYRIGHT 2022 EURweb.com/Rabercom Enterprises. Some may find that chauvinistic by today's standards, but, I'm not so sure about that. The movie also reunited him with his Roots costar, the late Madge Sinclair, who played Bell, the wife of his character, adult Kunta Kinte. It showed a Black family that had the same trials and tribulations as the rest of America, especially those who were financially challenged. Like most shows, it went on a little too long but for fans, each season has it's moments. There were a lot of behind the scenes issues, which led to cast members leaving the show. She and JJ have one last hassle. Common, Chicago wasn't all black! In an interview with the American Archive of Television. Getting fired from Good Times is one of the best things that could have ever happened to John Amos. Another Norman Lear hit detailing the problems that African Americans had to go through in the turbulent 1960s and 1970s. The actor was never afraid to express his thoughts on writing. They didn't dwell on it. This affected the quality in later years. 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. "Dynomite"! However, once John Amos left, the show was not the same and suffered as a result. Amos worked with Murphy on the 1988 classic Coming to America, in which he played Cleo McDowell, a businessman who owned a fast-food restaurant that too hilariously and closely resembled McDonalds. The little brother "Michael" was Mr. Militant black pride. Amos 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. A movie career? Roots? This show, to me reflected on the good side of poverty. He referred to himself as the disruptive element as well. She did, however, make a return in Season 6 under one condition. When and how did Janet Abelson die? It was great. From 1974 to 1976, John Amos touched millions of lives as the iconic patriarch James Evans, Sr., on Good Times until he was unceremoniously dumped from the cast midway through its run. 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. This was a good show for the first three seasons. Want to know why did John Amos leave Good Times? Princr Humperdink! 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. Seems to me nowadays, the projects or ghetto life is romanticized (see BET videos or MTV videos), whereas the Evans family in "Good Times" was trying to get out and onto something better. It centered on the poor Chicago-based Evans family and their struggles to make ends meet. As she was putting away dishes from the wake at their house, she saw a flower James had left her and kept working, she finally stopped and smashed a bowl on the kitchen floor as she swore and then broke down in tremendous grief over the loss of her husband. A real true cut of reality, and it' cuts deep, which carries more weight, than many other black themed comedies, making this one especial, where the lives of the Evans, demand your attentiveness, as does the shows title song's lyrics. And just like that, his fate was sealed. This is one of the few shows that became just as big as its presider's. I ad-libbed quite a bit, and John Landis, the director, was very receptive to my ad-libs, Amos concludes proudly. JJ has to be the unlikeliest playa in the history of television but he always had a lot of girls, which is funny to me. It was a ground breaking, memorable and well acted for a sitcom. Smart-TV Maker Vizio Launches Branded Content Studio, Building, Bruins' Historic Loss Wasn't the Week's Biggest Upset: DataViz, Patti LuPone Didn't Know Marvel Before 'Agatha: Coven of Chaos', 'Beef' Breakout Young Mazino Signs With M88 (EXCLUSIVE), Editor's Choice: I Purchased This TikTok-Viral Walking Pad and I, TVLine is a part of Penske Media Corporation. This is one of my all time favorite shows. Claim: Actor John Amos died from a heart attack on 28 December 2016. John Amos - Wikipedia Rolle quit when her contract concluded. Headed by two parents who realized there own shortcomings (lack of education, money), but didn't they try to lead by example by teaching their kids values, strong work ethic and didn't they try to IMPROVE the lives of THEIR children? I wish they would bring the show back. Returning to the thrilling Good Times, in which John Amos stars as the main character, has astounded the audience. Why? Yes, we are referring to the sitcom and his unexpected exit. They were actually trying to do everything they could to get out of the projects. External Reviews I initially ad-libbed the line at a reading of the script, and when Eddie Murphy dropped the script, hollered, and released that signature laugh that he has, I knew my line had gotten the laughing approval of a master comedian.. When many people think about the most memorable moments in black television history, the first storyline to pop into their minds is when Florida Evans read a letter informing her that her husband, James Evans, had died. If you like TVLine, you'll LOVE our email news alerts! Having recently watched a few episodes, I was happy to see that it still holds up after all these years.