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. How did things turn out for John Amos in the movie Good Times? And it made me laugh! No. Did the actor and the cast have a falling out? 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? | And of course theres the scene when Florida had her breakdown in the kitchen, when she could no longer play strong in her time of mourning. In the season finale, Esther Rolle returned; did he do the same? Whats your favorite John Amos role? 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. 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, something unique was missing from the show. He worked hard. Dave Chappelle gets his message across but doesnt offend people who dont need to be offended, Amos opines. ABCs Live in Front of a Studio Audience promised to be full of surprises while bringing back to life Good Times and All in the Family. But Good Times corrected that imagery with its crazy teenage kids, a studious son Michael, as portrayed by Ralph Carter, and a beautiful young daughter with unlimited mental potential, as portrayed by BernNadette Stanis as Thelma.. Thank God for reruns! 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. That's when I got hooked!!! The Real Reason John Amos Was Fired From Good Times Some may find that chauvinistic by today's standards, but, I'm not so sure about that. Ester Rolle was handling the death all well untill the end. It also dated politics, recession, wages, history. Aids wiped him out not long ago. This was a family that just happened to be black and live in the projects. They make The Jefferson's look really sickly rich. John Amos Reveals How His Departure From 'Good Times' Went 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. Want to know why did John Amos leave Good Times? John Amos Says He Was Kicked Off 'Good Times' Because He Didn't Agree With The Shucking And Jiving John Amos Explains Why He Was Kicked Off 'Good Times' By Brennan Williams Jun 5, 2015, 04:44 PM EDT | Updated Jun 5, 2015 It was one of the most realistic shows ever about the black experience in America,and a product of 1970's TV culture of what the black family was going through. Getting fired from Good Times is one of the best things that could have ever happened to John Amos. 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. This show, to me reflected on the good side of poverty. But while the show would air for an additional three years without Amos, his career would hardly stop there. Amos, 80, recalls that one of the best perks of his West Wing tenure was meeting former Secretary of State Colin Powell. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); WHO WE AREThe news you want unfiltered.The Electronic Urban Report/EUR puts the most buzz worthy African American news at your fingertips. He was tough, but loving and kind. Amos stated that during the shows hiatus, Lear called him. I realize everyone has their own opinion, but, I don't know . Black News and Black Views with a Whole Lotta Attitude. It was a ground breaking, memorable and well acted for a sitcom. 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. But Amos adds that he wants the course correction to keep going. Rolle quit when her contract concluded. In that way, Amos observes, Good Times and Roots had more in common than him. The show ended with Season 6, and recently, people have expressed concern about John Amos departure. So does JJ. John Amos on Why He was Killed Off of Good Times - EURweb They didn't dwell on it. This was a good show for the first three seasons. As a child,this show was mandatory when me and my brother saw the show each week. Pay Property Tax Before April 30; You Can Receive a $5,000 Rebate: GCC. Click HERE to SUBSCRIBE to Our Newsletter Now! The movie also reunited him with his Roots costar, the late Madge Sinclair, who played Bell, the wife of his character, adult Kunta Kinte. 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. Good Times embraces the reality of what hard living in the ghetto is like, and what one must do, to overcome many hindrances, and the Evan's really have it tough. John Amos 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.. What makes Good Times so awesome is that it defined the decade. John Amos Details Being Fired From Good Times - EBONY 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. I certainly hope that the phrase "Kid Dynamite" will come back into common usage some day. John Amos Reveals How His Departure From 'Good Times' Went Why Did John Amos Leave Good Times Is John Amos Dead? | Snopes.com The actor was never afraid to express his thoughts on writing. Florida Evans (later Florida Evans-Dixon) is the protagonist of Good Times in Seasons 1-4 and 6. | It was too often for Norman and the other writers to accept. Once Amos left the show, there was definitely a missing element. 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. Why Did John Amos Leave Good Times? Reason Behind It Well, John Amos played the character of Better than most of the family comedies today! "Movin' On Up" for The Jeffersons, of course. He referred to himself as the disruptive element as well. You know a show is going downhill when they have to resort to bringing on a cute kid character. John Amos The explanation for John Amos dismissal from Good Times is revealed. 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. Claim: Actor John Amos died from a heart attack on 28 December 2016. Speaking of theme songs, Ja'net DuBois (neighbor Willona) co-wrote and sang another truly memorable one during this time. In an interview, Amos said that he felt the show was giving too much attention to one of his children on the show who was more interested in fooling around in a chicken hat when more emphasis could have been placed on his other two children who had ambitions of becoming a surgeon and Supreme Court Justice respectively. Yet why? John Amos Says He Was Kicked Off 'Good Times' Because He Didn't Agree With The Shucking And Jiving. 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. It appears to be comparable. Humperdink! Common, Chicago wasn't all black! And just like that, his fate was sealed. Television Images: My Favorite TV Characters of All-Time: (1970s edition). Conclusion A: Amos was fired from the show and his character killed off after he often complained about the shows writing. Because of his offensive remarks about the brawls behind the scenes, John Amos was fired. To receive additional updates, you can follow John on Instagram. He claimed that the sitcoms creative team demanded his departure because they could not stand that. Esther Rolle has played her role of her. All posters in there rooms were black people, furniture pieces were African. They argued all the time, but they loved the hell out of each other. Some of the people who star in the series like cast regulars Jimmie Walker(J.J. It's hard to say which one is my favorite. Despite their many financial issues, Florida is the quintessential hostess and is possessed of a generous spirit. This is a classic show. He reportedly left the show, after 3 seasons, because he disapproved of Jimmie Walker's character. A movie career? John Amos discusses why he stopped doing Good Times - YouTube When "Good Times" premiered in 1974, it was one the first black family sitcoms. Running from 1974 to 1979, Good Times followed the Evans family as they navigate the daily woes of life in addition to their own particular family dynamics and the hardships of poverty. Another great aspect of the show was JJ and Thelma. Good Times is a spin-off of a spin-off: this spun-off of Maude and Maude spun-off of All in the Family. "Dynomite"! John Amos Says He Was Kicked Off Good Times Because He Didn Dont Miss A Story. The reason I like the show is that of John Amos'character of James Evans. So when I was being fed a line that was bullst, I wasnt apprehensive at all about saying, Uh-uh. Why did James(John Amos) leave the show? 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 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. By He took no bull from any of the kids. 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). Additionally, he used to assert that in practice, he wouldnt permit his kids to do that. The creators soon became irate over these variances. Id want to send John Amos my warmest wishes for the remainder of his days. I think the episode with the black Jesus was my favorite. Read Also Where is Pumpkin Pie Wars Filmed? He depicted a strong father figure-something likely missing in many people's lives. Has Tension risen Between President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris? External Reviews There's no denying the shows impact, it still holds, after forty years. Amos and Lear have since made amends, and Amos appeared in Lears 2019 special Live in Front of a Studio Audience: All in the Family and Good Times. I'm getting emotional, too! 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. Some folks need bracing, as my uncle used to say. 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. Roots? If you like TVLine, you'll LOVE our email news alerts! He loved his wife. But Good Times creator Norman Lear gave him a call to let him know that he would also be absent from Season 4. 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. Then? It seemed as if every other season, fiesty neighbor and friend Willona, always received the same promotion on her job. We all loved JJ's dynamite and his antics. It centered on the poor Chicago-based Evans family and their struggles to make ends meet. We may earn a commission from links on this page. Tulsa Library Shooting: Two People Died, Others Injured At Convenience Store, Phoenix Bar Shooting, Several People Injured, How Did Elizabeth Santos Die? John Amos - Wikipedia Most of the early episodes focused on the parents, James and Florida Evans, and their struggle to provide for the family. Christine Paduch, a teacher, is detained on suspicion of abusing a student with special needs. That wasnt very pleasant, as it was already said that he spoke those things in public when asked in an interview. What was it? The way he was written out of the show was very abrupt. To wit: The first time I saw this show was on my UPN (UPN Atlanta) and it currently airs weekdays at 11 PM. 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. These were the words the producers used to describe John, as opinionated and troublesome as he was for them, they believed they didnt need such a person on set, so Mr. Evans died and in real life, John Amos discovered just how unimportant he was. The end of James Evans Sr. I love everything he does, and to work with him day after day, for such an extended period of time, was a blessing. To work with Eddie Murphy on Coming to America was a paid vacation for me because Im an Eddie Murphy fan. John Amos left the series immediately following the third season of Good Times. 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. By the way, did they ever make it out of the ghetto? This series is not only entertaining but instructive at the same time. She played his wife, matriarch Florida Evans, despite being 20 years his senior in real life. This is not gonna work. I just didnt do it in the most diplomatic terms.. 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. However, there was one little pesky problem that always seemed to bother me. Stimulus Check Proposal Could Give Americans Monthly $1,200 Checks. Well, John Amos played the character of James Evans. After repeated disagreements with the production staff, Amos was fired from the show. And with Roots, I dont think any of us involved in the production, particularly the network, were aware audiences would tune in to the extent that they did.. If Amos believed this, he was wrong. 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. This is a good show steered by characters I like, of course, loose, fat lipped Jimmy Walker as J.J., as the strikingly brilliant artist, and too, fat maintenance man, Bookman, where Est her Rolle and John Amos, lend strong support as Mother and father team, Amos in particular, who sadly was kicked off the storm, while acting up a bit of the storm, off the set, where the quality of the show, kind of dropped, in the absence of his killed off character, as they went into the second season, where really it was up to J.J to carry it on. But he did return to Good Times in a way in 2019, when he made a surprise appearance during a live re-creation of a Good Times episode on ABC. In an interview with the American Archive of Television. I think the critics of this show miss the point of the show. This show was excellent. Good Times Because he was always butting heads with producers, his character was killed off which came as a shock to him. 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. It really suffered the year that Esther Rolle was off. 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. Who Is UAE's Astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi Wife. It spawned some dy-no-mite catchphrases and The original lineup could've easily gone on a few more years. What happened? I hope that this phenomenon continues until we are totally in absolute control of our own imagery, the Newark, New Jersey native divulges while comparing Good Times to its television descendants. 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. (on which he guest-starred) have Black writers and showrunners. Here are the explanations for John Amos departure from Good Times. Hey, its your dime, you made the call, Amos replied. why did Floridas Damn, damn, damn is still relevant in todays pop culture and memes. When you allow other people to perpetuate your imagery, they will do so out of their own perceptions and minds, and its not always an accurate view, he continues. America and the world got to see what life could be like within a Black family on Good Times, Amos shares. Why? James was the father figure everyone like,and he was always providing something for his family even though they was struggling through tough times,but they came through. The entertainer admits that he wasnt the most 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. 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. We Publish News 24/7. John Amos America and the world got to see what life could be like within a Black family on Good 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. I had to make a commitment, he said. 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, Good Times focuses on Florida and Jamess efforts to raise their three children in the best possible ways. Also, I really love the theme song. It concluded with Season 6, [] I think good times was a very good show, a lot of us African Americans could relate. There is no more complete source for urban news than the Electronic Urban Report. Will Downing on New Song Following Daughters Suicide, Advice Kandi Burruss Hustles Up KFC Ad Based on Scene Dr. Phil Calls Professors $350,000-Per-Person Reparations Idea an Absolute Four Tops Singer to Sue Racist Hospital: They Told Suge Knight Says Snoop Dogg and Harry-Os Death Row Barbies Racial Justice Dolls Continue Mattels Path Toward Representation Daveed Diggs Planned Twister Sequel with All-Black and Brown Laura Coates Unlikely to Host CNNs 11 p.m. In Amos eyes, Good Times had too much shucking and jiving, which was something he couldnt take anymore. John Amos left the series immediately following the third season of Good Times. Devastated, the now-widowed Florida had to support herself and their three children alone. Fans will forever remember how Florida Evans broke down in her kitchen and we can confidently say, most fans broke down with her. Why John Amos Was Fired From 'Good Times' - Here's Why JJ is about to insult her, but he breaks down and tells her he'll miss her. The show wasnt as good after he left. Wi Election Results: Wisconsin Supreme Court Election Results: Who Won? 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. As a stay-at-home mother, she's the super-glue that keeps the family together. 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. All Rights Reserved. In conclusion, even though it can be seen on TV Land now, I strongly recommend you catch it just in case it goes off the air for good. I don't find it stereotypical or shuckin'/jivin' at all. 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 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. Thelma, a dancer. 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. It seldomly is. It was actually quite funny> All references in the show had to be "black". John Amos He was out of town, got hit by a car, and died. According to rumours, Good Times emphasises the dynamics of African-American households. The entertainer admits that he wasnt the most diplomatic guy back then. And Ive always contended, as some of my mentors taught me, the best way to get a message across to people is through humor.. Web2 2.Why Esther Rolle Quit Good Times Heres Why YouTube; 3 3.45 Years Ago: Esther Rolle Takes a Stand by Leaving Good Times 4 4.John Amos Reveals How Departure From Good Times Went Down; 5 5.Did John Amos Leave Good Times Because of J.J. Evans? You must have realised from the title alone that the sitcom only spreads good vibes to its audience. The show lost something when Amos left, but the others were good enough to keep it going. It could be more genuine, he thought. They were terrific actors and had great chemistry as James and Florida Evans. They tried to show their kids to strive for more in life, DESPITE obstacles. Amos got the call that ended his time on the show while they were on a hiatus and he recalled Norman Lears voice saying, Big John, Ive got some good news and some bad news. The good news was that Good Times had renewed for another season, which wasnt exactly big news and he wasnt surprised to hear this as they had a solid spot with high ratings and then Lear hit him with you want the bad news? To which the actor replied sure how bad can it be Lear then said to him, you wont be with us.. . This is one of the few shows that became just as big as its presider's. We may say that John did not want to leave the Good Times. Q: Why did John Amos leave Good Times? Damn! The show wasnt as good after he left. 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? 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What better representation of a family values can you ask for? Thank You!! *If you are a fan of 70s sitcoms then you definitely enjoyed the show Good Times. The hilarious TV show aired in the mid 70s for 6 whole seasons before it ended. "Good Times" was one of the first African American family sitcoms to air. Her husband, James fought to get his family out of the ghetto, and he almost succeeded when he left Chicago to find a better job in his home State of Mississippi, and his family was scheduled to move to Mississippi with him, but while in Mississippi, James was killed in a car accident. The secret is to be happy! Ive had a blessed career, and I attribute that to my faith in God and the fact that I was raised right. 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. That theme got a little over done at times, but it was the 70's and blacks were still seeking equality. 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? We watched Janet Jackson's Penny grow up a little. 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. Like most shows, it went on a little too long but for fans, each season has it's moments. I liked many things about this show. An interesting comedy series about a poor black family trying to make ends meet and make a better life in the projects of Chicago. Want to know why did John Amos leave Good Times? Classic episodes include the unfortunate death of James Evans and the one where Penny falls down the elevator shaft. We all know that happened throughout the decade, but Good Times revolved around the 70's style. On the Maude series, the Findlays up there in Tuckahoe had a maid played by Esther Rolle named Florida Evans. 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? It was then that Lear told him that they were being picked up for another season, which wasnt a surprise to Amos. FLAMIO. Throughout those times, many African American families consisted of a single mom with numerous kids.