![]() While season five, in which the remaining Evans children live alone, included one of the show’s most talked about storylines, with Janet Jackson as abused child Penny, it did little to stop a drastic fall in ratings.īefore taping of season six began, CBS and the show’s producers decided that they had to do “something drastic” to increase viewership. However, as with Amos, Jimmy Walker’s portrayal of JJ was wearing thin with Rolle, who left after the end of the fourth season. The ratings continued to remain high with guest appearances in episodes such as, JJ and the Older Woman, staring Rosalind Cash. With Amos written out of good times, it fell to Rolle to keep the series, and Evans family, afloat. The friction between Amos and Lear finally came to ahead that season and John Amos made his final appearance in the last episode, The Rent Party. “I wasn’t going to be part of a negative stereo-type,” Amos said. Negative images have been slipped in on us through the character of the oldest child.”Īs season three approached, Amos’s anger was directed towards producer Norman Lear who felt that he was developing a negative stereotype of JJ, portraying him as a stupid black youth. The show didn’t start out to be that…Little by little-with the help of the artist, I suppose, because they couldn’t do that to me-they have made J.J. In a 1975 interview with Ebony magazine she stated: “He’s 18 and he doesn’t work. Rolle was vocal about her hate of his character. Through seasons two and three, Rolle and Amos grew increasingly disillusioned with the direction of the show and especially with J.J.’s antics and stereotypically buffoonish behavior. ![]() As a result of the character’s popularity, the writers focused more on J.J.’s comedic antics instead of serious issues. J.J.’s frequent use of the expression “Dy-no-mite!” became a popular and the producers insisted it was used in every episode. However, Jimmie Walker’s character, was an immediate hit with audiences and became the breakout character of the series. Both expected it to deal with serious topics in a comedic way while providing positive characters for viewers to identify with. The show was intended to be a good vehicle for Esther Rolle and John Amos. When he has to, he hustles money playing pool, although Florida disapproves of this. Often he was unemployed, but the character is a proud man who will not accept charity. James Evans was portrayed often working at least two jobs, mostly manual labor such as dishwasher, construction laborer, etc. The show was set in Chicago, with the family living in a housing project that was based on the infamous Cabrini-Green projects.Įpisodes of Good Times dealt with the characters’ attempts to overcome poverty. ![]() The show starred John Amos, as bull-headed father James Evans, Ester Rolle, who played his wife Florida Evans, with Ralph Carter, staring as socially conscious Michael, Jimmy Walker played James Evans Jnr, or J.J., with Bernadette Stanis, took on the role of Thelma, the studious daughter. Good Times was a phenomenally successful CBS sitcom that aired from Februuntil August 1, 1979. ![]()
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