Why John Amos Was Fired From 'Good Times' - Here's Why
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- čas přidán 12. 04. 2021
- comedyhype.com/ - In 1974 Good Times would premiere showcasing black family life like never before. The series would star Esther Rolle, Jimmie Walker, Bern Nadette Stanis, Ralph Carter, and John Amos. Amos would surprisingly be removed from the show due to a number of issues. In a new 'Here's Why' we explain, Narrated by Symphony Thompson. Instagram: @ComedyHype & Twitter: @ComedyHype_
- Komedie
I’m very convinced that if John Amos’ character was never killed off, Good Times would’ve ran a lot longer than it did. The show was never the same after his departure
Facts after killing James off Good Times wasn't the same no more in the later seasons.
The show was still popular.
back then TV networks was very Strict... Liked Batman, Brady Bunch. Network Fired Robert Reed.....
@@vjwebb6182 the ratings department suffered because of it. If I also recall, the late Esther Rolle left after season 4 & ratings took an even bigger nosedive. They begged for her to return for season 6 in hopes of getting more viewers. Even though she agreed to come back, by that point it was too little too late
I only liked good times when John Amos was on the show
They fired him because he was a real brotha✊
Bingo 🍾
Absolutely 💯
@@queenladybug1702 that is right, Subscribe to My Channel Plus Follow My Twitter Malcolmj_214 and Follow My Instagram Malcolm_j111
Absolutely!
@Sherrieff Hammond Thank you🙏👏👏
A strong, level headed, African American father that would do anything for his family.
So naturally executives and writers hated him.
💯
FACTS!
And not because he thought he was the one running things?
Racist much?
@@TheFishdoctor1952 Racism excuse much ?
They fired john amos cause he was 💯 n didnt like the bafoonery going on.
Ester Rolle had the same issues that Amos did. She left the show, and they asked her back.She made the same demands for a male figure in the house.And they gave it to her.
Yup yup
He rehired him 44 years later , Norman Lear, But a as Alderman Davis
Absolutely!
They fired him because he threatened the life of the writers.
I’m glad he fought for more authentic content for real black families.
James Amos was thinking ahead of the times and was living in the future. Which is a good thing to have the power of discernment.
Agreed 👁✨💯💓
He certainly was! I am very proud of him! It was just a little setback because Mr. Amos came back strong and is one of the greatest Black actors.
James Amos. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Preach up In hea!!! "Discernment...i felt that"
I feel like the producers could have explored John's character if they had let him stayed.
The show was never the same after john left never
Truth!
Soo dam true
Facts
NEVER 👎🏾
I said that for over 40 years
I'm so glad they cared about their impact on the black community
@Javier Zapata in my opinion secure ur mask before you help others get out of the shit they call life then help ask can we get the doctor lawyer or professional to be black can we actually be married kids watch this shit
THEY didn’t, but thank God Ester Rolle did! She was the the one that cared, and we would not have the good times we know and love today w/o her. THEY ain’t give a damn about the impact on the black community, give that woman alllllll her credit! A true Queen.
And I still love them for that! Still to this day my all-time favorite t.v. sitcom. It represented the life I knew. The struggles.
Def set the trail for geat shows we grew up with
@Javier Zapata Necessary evil. How can you help others and/or build your own thing for others without securing the bag?
Even in the 1970’s Hollywood had white writers trying to write for black characters. And all of it was stereotypes, I’m glad that James Amos fought to see that black fathers are in the home. Because my parents where married for 60 years until death do them part, and my father was a Huge influence in my life.
Mines to.
God bless you. Unfortunately my parents were divorced but my father was still in my life
Me too
Actually it was Mrs. Esther Role who insisted that they give her a husband or she wouldn't do the show. She stated that black families have two parents in the home as well. Either way they both were phenomenal people who did all of us proud! Wish there were more shows like this today!
@@georgemiller7248 me to
I love her for that saying stop showing black family as unable to hold a marriage
Thankyou🙏
She is so beautiful to me and he is handsome. Altogether they were a beautiful family.. Can you imagine what would've happened if they all stood together and if Jimmie would've refused the roll unless they kept him on?
AMEN 💯
Everybody in Hollywood needs to stand up and demand what they want.🌹 Everybody deserve Repect
Yes
"DAMN, DAMN, DAMN"...Will go down in tv history...
No doubt
Broke my ❤️!!!
I grew up on Good Times and even then JJ was a bit much with the antics "jive talkin" and when James left, the show went left.
The show went downhill.
The producers tried to redeem themselves by bringing Moses Gunn(Carl Dixon)to play another strong father figure, but Moses couldn't replace John.
Loved when James put his foot down and was for the family.
Thats why he played that role so well he wasnt with none of that jive bull😂😂✊✊
J.J. was the Steve Urkel of his time.
But more annoying but the one liners.
Not really, Urkel was a smart genius, they made JJ to be a dumb fool! But both are really annoying
@@DJaySplitSecond Yup. 🙄
Urkel was a better character in my opinion. He gave representation to 'black nerds' when they had literally no representation. Although, his depiction was clearly hyperbolic.
qqqqqlqqq
JAMES EVANS..........YOU WOULD BE A GREAT DAD FOR 2DAY'S GENERATION........YOU RAISED EVERY SINGLE LAST ONE OF US 70'S BABIES AND THAT ISN'T A SLAP IN THE FACE TO OUR REAL DAD'S IN WHICH I MYSELF WAS BLESSED WITH A GREAT ONE.....
The real first black father on TV! He was the one I grow up with. What a strong role model to learn from. Thank you Mr. Amos, you did touch the hearts of many! You will forever be part of black culture.
He was my favorite dad because we came from the same background, STRUGGLE. Was sad when they took him off the show.
I actually cried that day
When they killed off the father they killed the show. John Amos was a big reason why I watched the show. My favorite sitcom of All-time. I was raised very poor and lived in the ghetto so I could definitely relate to Good Times.
The Truth, No lie detected!!
The producers tried to redeem the show in season 4 when they brought in Moses Gunn to play Carl Dixon, but it didn't work, and when Esther Rolle left, the show was sure enough over. In my opinion, once the producer seen how season 4 was and the ratings, season 5 and 6 was not needed.
@@josephclegg3562 agreed
Vernon Lee Warren I'm with you. When they killed him off the show I stop looking at it.
@@josephclegg3562 I agree however had they not killed James Evans off they could have brought him back and the ratings I'm sure would have picked up.
I admire Ester Roll , wanting to portrait a loving family
God Bless Her 🙏
@Francine Huffington
*PORTRAY
John Amos was a strong 💪🏾 black father on the show and he did whatever he could to make sure that his family was taken care no matter what.
All facts
THANK YOU, MR. JOHN AMOS FOR MAKING A STAND FOR THE BLACK FAMILY UNIT!
I didn't much care for it after James was killed off. Children need a strong loving father. James is what a father should be.
Carl wasn't needed either, because he was not JJ'S, Thelma's, or Michael's father. He couldn't put that strong fatherly figure on them, because wasn't their real father.
They lost a great actor when they fired John Amos. When you think about it, John Amos became the most successful actor from Good Times. He went on to star in Roots, Die Hard Two, and other action packed movies.
John Amos was the anchor of strength on Good Times..A fabulous Example of a Good Man yet held his ground when pushed.
I never knew this story in detail but I'm glad to hear it!
I loved James Evans he reminded me of my father who is still with my mother and raised three of us. I cried like a baby when they killed him off and if I was to watch that episode today I wouldn’t be able to get through it.
Agreed. I cried that day also and I definitely don't want to ever watch that episode of him dying ever again
These writers and producer don't want america to see a positive black family on tv. Look at the year when only a few black shows was on tv.
Even now, black men with back bones are not welcomed on TV.
You're definitely right about that and even Jimmy walker said in a old interview that you will never see a poor black family on tv again and nowadays on black sitcoms you see a few of them with families or either they taking on the leverage on being a single father/mother.
@@jamesgibson3716 OMG you hit it on the head, and for us too at jobs and all
True that's so true
The Parenthood with Robert Townsend and Suzzanne Douglas.
Back in the 1970's, my dad was the athletic equipment manager at Cal State LA, and he met John Amos at a public event held there. He was so impressed with how down to earth and unpretentious Mr Amos was. It speaks well of the man.
So sad good times writer were wrong
@@rubylee446 You can say that again Ruby. John Amos was never given enough credit for his role as James, the head of the household.
I don't give a damn what anyone says but John Amos was good times and when he was fired that was the end of good times. John Amos left some unfilliable shoes he is, was, and will always be one the greatest tv dads of all-time.
Superman 1 I agree whole heartedly. James Evans was Good Times.
They tried to neuter John Amos’s strong black father character and he wouldn’t let them, THAT’S why they got rid of him.
That's hollyweird for you
In my opinion, the best TV father of all time
Of all times, with uncle Phil coming at a close 2nd.
@@jamesgibson3716 Yeah, I liked Phil a lot!
Agreed!
This generation today need more fathers like him for better guidance he was strick and kept it real
@@trini_boi2414 Yes...We definitely need to get back to having more Alpha male heads of the household!
“ Well, How Long Have You Been Black? “ 😊 💯!!!
I love it!!!!
He was the best actor on that show
No doubt
Facts
Too me...He was always ANGRY and yelled way too much!
The show went down hill when they killed off james
Season 4 was okay, but once Esther let, Good Times was gone.
On the bright side, he finally had time to build his McDowells franchise.
On what episode
@@taqaripayne8122 Coming to America, with Eddie Murphy & Arsenio Hall.
This generation throw around "keepin it 💯" but have no idea
The show was type whack after they took off John Amos too. The show was WAY better when they had him on it.
Black unity and black love is something "They" will always try to disrupt! Look at rap and r&b music videos....no black unity and no black love! It's too powerful, so "they" try to destroy it!
Bruh wtf does rap and r&b gotta do with this
@@youngboyneverbrokeagain1899 everything. Are you serious? The attitudes of a lot of children and younger adults mimics and reflects the music and entertainment they consume. When someone makes a comment you should try exploring what they are saying and try to verify its level of truth before questioning the comment or opposing it. Music may not have the same direct influence that parents and family has but it can influence how we think subconsciously. When something affects you subconsciously it’s harder to shake because you may not even be aware of the hold it has on you. Look at the obsession with materialism that we have as black people, and a people in general as Americans. Rap music, in general promotes these ideas of individualism, materialism, warped views of man and woman’s purpose, among other things. I love rap music but it’s undeniable. And the fact that some people can’t admit this is alarming.
@@sebastienc.2257 thank you. people don't t try to research or think for themselves. they believe and absorb everything they're told and everything that's put in front of them. automatically think the truth sounds absofuckinglutely ridiculous
@@theeladyj im so glad there are people who realize the bs that's going on in the music industry. You don't see any rap or r&b music that talks about strong family relationships or working to have good careers hitting the top list or even being heard of. They'll tell you nobody wants to here that but have you ever seen enough people try make music about it?
@@youngboyneverbrokeagain1899 everything!
His firing caused the show to plummet in the ratings leading Esther Rolle to leave as well but she returned for the last season. The show simply never recovered from the firing of John Amos. I, for one, couldn’t stand the JJ character.
Love me some James Evans. Correction in the video though, the Jefferson's were married with one child.
No correction needed. Lionel was a grown-ass man.
If anything that needed correction is that Thelma wanted to be a surgeon. ..I never seen that episode😨
@@donnarichards8681 Thelma wanted to be a writer, singer, dancer, etc. That annoyed me. Why couldn't they just pick a career? In the later seasons, you don't hear anything about it other than she worked at Willona's shop. Did they even have her graduate from college?
Because the brother tooooo real for them. And I need to see this ad everywhere...not just here.
Its like a empty house without James Evans Sr . I miss him so much .
Good Times had a great run of six seasons but after John Amos' departure it wasn't the same.
When Mr Evans "died" my family cried! It was so sad
The usual when they want somebody to tapdance for more comedy, They focus on that one person and leave the rest of cast out
Jimmie walker got more fan mail than the rest of the cast members.
I think we sometimes forget why the show exists in the first place, to make money. Whether it's Fonzie, JJ, or Urkel, whenever there is a breakout character that the audience loves, the writers and producers are going to focus on them because it makes them more money.
@@harperstacey9604 So what.
@@catherinewilliams4354 so what to you, too.
George was married and supporting a family!!
Exactly
His kids were grown.
@@thankthelord4536 not when it first came on air Lionel was away in college.
John Amos was my favorite character. When it came time for DAD to administer corporal discipline, JAMES EVANS SENIOR DID NOT HESSITATE !
JJ was a fool in the show! They were laughing at him, not with him! James was the real star of the show!
James Evans is still my number 1 tv black father .. Nobody kept it 💯 like his character. And Esther Rolle was so intelligent and eloquent when she spoke RIP queen . My all time fav Black family on tv
I 100% agree
Cemo 202 to the Huxtables: "As far a all-time Black TV families go, the line starts at the back!" LMFAO.
I'm so happy I was able to watch this show growing up Good Times was my family. My dad mama are very strong careful loving parents.
I contrast this with the sitcom Family Ties. The parents were the focus also until Michael J Fox became the breakout star and more storylines were written about him. The two actors playing the parents also rebelled against the producers for this to change but they weren't fired.
Why are you bringing up a white family show into this?
@@SVPREME101 Only to show that the white producers did John Amos wrong. They should have improved the show along his lines instead of letting him go.
The difference, though, is that Alex Keaton was an intelligent young man, unlike J.J.
@@SVPREME101 Did u need that explained to you?
Difference is that they weren't confrontional and didn't give veiled threats like "taking it outside". Like any employee dealing with an employer, you have to negotiate civilly.
John Amos spoke his mind. And the produceers didn't like it. Watch Goodtimes every week, and when James was killed off. The show wasn't the same
Seemed Totally Empty Without Him To Me He Was The Show Supporting But Very Important Part Too Much Attention Around Jimmie Walker Put Show On Life Support No Disrespect Where Jimmie Walker Been Since Good 🕙 Went Off Air John Amos Still Going Strong
Not Only Supporting Actor But Very Important Member Of Ensemble Like Esther Rolle Bernadette Stanis Ralph Carter Jimmie Walker But Put Show Around One Person Like Producers Did For Jimmie Walker It Out Good Times On Borrowed Times Especially When Firing John Amos Bad Idea
No, he was making repeated veiled threats to them when he wasn't getting his way. Would you like it if your employee physically threatened you when telling you how to run your own business?
Ty Hollywood refuses to show black n poc as married.
John Amos the real American Black Father on Good Times
Proud to say I grew up watching Good Times... I was definitely disappointed when he left the show... I got to meet the Bern Nadette, Ralph and Jimmie they are great people I’m still a fan!
When and where did you meet them?
@@harperstacey9604 at a Soul Food Picnic Concert Bern Nadette had a book signing and they all were taking photos with fans…
@@GH3TToR1CHieRICH how did Jimmie Walker act towards his fans? I heard that he doesn't like to mingle with the fans.
@@harperstacey9604 funny you should say that because he was hmmm what do you call it when you’re going through the motions he said something under his breath I didn’t care to ask what did you say because it wasn’t meant for me and my wife… it was cool… Bern Nadette’s energy was special though…
I am a 77 year old white guy and always thought He was a strong person and thought a lot of his role..
Very sorry the writers fired him.. Hes' a strong person I admire and don't see color..A good man is a good man period
I respect that
A good man is hard to find
@@baldnblack3664 yup
I grew up on that show and John's character was definitely an idol of mine. Not JJ, although he did crack me up sometimes! Being no more than 6-9 years old, and living in the same house with a highly explosive, violent war veteran, I was constantly looking for any kind of stability in the world! I found it through that character. What a father should be! WOW! Never really thought about it, but the character put forth by John Amos gave hope to a little half breed Irish/Shawnee boy through the squiggly lines of a 10" black and white, on a farm in Oklahoma! You did very good John.
I noticed the older Michael got the less he became pro-black
The reason for Michael being less pro-black as he got older probably had to with advertisers & the white audience who watched the show!! Let me explain, it was much more acceptable for Michael to be militant when he was younger because it was easier for the show to make its social statements if it came out of the mouth of a child instead of the adult. Once, Ralph Carter started maturing it became harder to do that because Michael was no longer the precocious kid & instead would've been looked at as threatening & an angry young black man.
James called him in the early seasons "The Militant Midget".
And gay as a debutante off screen !
They had that boy go from Michael Evans to Michael Jackson all that damn singing and dancing he started doing towards the end.
How does this channel not have millions of subs. I thought I was watching something from an actual televion history reel.
Right! I love this channel.
I’m white and because of how the dad was on that show is how i could relate with it my family was dirt poor and my dad was very strict and just like the dad on the show you did not want dad to take off his belt it’s not just a black thing
Funny thing is John Amos looks like my father lol
I need this episode was going to come sooner or later
One question. Wasn't The Jeffersons also on TV at that time? They were not only a solid family, but also a financially successful one.
But George Jefferson was still a Buffoon character, a black version of Archie Bunker.
I love this show, I wish it never ended. A big fan from San Diego Lina Sandoval
I remember when the show changed and made J.J. the main character and I hated the way it turned what started out as a great family show into a one-line circus and basically downplayed the family story!
100% agree with John Amos. Loved the show when I was a kid and I remember a sense that something big was missing when his character was gone. The black community needed (needs) strong male role models. Not just a celebrity to be idolized.
This was an excellent report! Thanks so much!
I remembering reading in the newspaper back in 1976 that John Amos was leaving "Good Times". So, when the episode aired that he was killed in a car accident, everyone thought he had really died. But I already knew that he was only leaving the series and he was still alive and kicking!
Very good once again you guys go deep. Love you guys work. ❤️❤️❤️
The minute that James was fired the good times changed into bad times
Amos was absolutely beautiful as a strong man a strong family man a strong positive father figure.He was one of the most important ones on good times.
I love Good times. I watch it every day. ❤ wish it would've had a 7th season. But I get the message.
At the end of the sixth season, the Evans family were able to move out of the ghetto.
AWESOME CAST & SHOW❤️🌹💋
James Evans Sr is the man of the house in every sense of the word .
You did not have to be black to enjoy Good Times, I was raised by my grandfather in high school back in the 70s, grandmother was decease. We watch The show every week, when John Amos left, we also stopped watching it. killing off the wholesome father figure was foolish. I am not black, but Good times is one of my favorite shows, it brings back good memories of my own grandpa and me who spent time watching it while Mr. Amos was in it.
We they killed him off I was done with the show. I loved his fatherful character and it was lost without him.
From the looks of it on tik Tok, he is living his best life traveling with his son. He looks at peace and happy. #win/win.
John Amos found work a year later as the adult Kunta Kinte in Roots. He found more work in later years. He and Norman Lear settled their differences and in 1994, he was cast in 704 Hauser which was another All In The Family spinoff. Then in 2019, he appeared on Good Times Live In Front Of A Studio Audience, but as Alderman Davis in a re-created episode of Good Times.
The Jefferson had a married couple with a grown son and later daughter-in-law. That was the first show which featured an upward middle class Black family.
When I watch Good Times reruns if John Amos ain't in the show I won't watch it. I only watch the ones with John Amos.
Sounds like they hated him from the jump.
Only those that dont know us, seem to think they do.
We all still watch and support all the old episodes of Good Time preferably with the father and the mother those are the best episodes of the show
He got rehired after 44 Years by Norman Lear, live on stage Good Times on Abc 2020 Dec Christmas episode, he played alderman davis
*Man that's really wack how they took his character off the show, "died from a car crash," they could had said, he found a job in another state, or a went to college or some shit, but a car crash....and they said there NOT used to his type of aggression towards them but they show theirs off on national television on how they felt about him....!*
That car crash storyline was stupid. Why couldn't they just say he got another job opportunity in Alaska and took it. That way he could support Florida and the kids. Oddly enough, JJ's character was less annoying once James wasn't there.
Just Imagine what Eric Monte went through when dealing with Norman Lear..
And Michael Evans, better known as Lionel Jefferson. He created the George Jefferson character on All in the Family.
He didn't create george Jefferson. He created the character Michael evans on Good times.
Harper Stacey Eric Monte created the Jefferson Characters as well as The Black Family Script aka "Good Times"
Norman Lear took credit for the Jeffersons and Good Times.. Lear was sued by Eric Monte
John Amos is a great actor, & I think he's got what it takes to be supportive to his real life to his family & friends
Anybody else when your heard and saw the last few images of major black shows that followed, started smiling🙂🙏🏽
When James died so did the show he was the most believable dad on the show
Fact Check: George Jefferson was married to Louise, and they had one son.
Lionel was a grown-ass man.
@@JAWrightonline So what? Lionel was the child of George and Louise, regardless of his age.
@@dustykeele James Evans was a father raising a nuclear family. Fred Sandford and George Jefferson had already done it.
Loving the crew!!!🥰🥰🥰.... gob bless yall
Man i remember the show and love it watch it every time i could when i was young and even still watch it on u tube now .
Great show to watch living in Australia
John was great when he left the show so did it’s quality
John Amos was awesome. they did the whole black culture a disservice removing him
Thank you for the knowledge
I grew up watching good times and now that I'm older I now understand in great detail about the true struggles of the African Americans in our country. Even though I'm a white person I still care about the equality of everyone regardless there race. I have seen first hand the injustices against African Americans from our crooked racist judicial system and I hate it.
I respect great actors but like Carl Winslow they have to learn the shows not about them and the audience chooses the stars
*Eastside Low Bottoms sh*t !*
_Tappin' in from South Central Los Angeles_
There's no way in holy hell they'd want Us to tell THEIR story from OUR perspective !
As a little boy I had the biggest crush on John Amos..❤❤❤❤
Well said, well orchestrated 👏🏾👏🏾