He certainly has a lot to say lol. More true thoughts & opinions than the nicey nice publicity front they most put out there. Makes u wonder how it really went on other shows!! I mean like any job some get along better than others & everyone has thoughts & feelings & it’s really cool he tells his like it is/was!!!
This was filmed in 2014. He was already talking about cultural shifts that most people only started to notice in the last couple of years. Brilliant guy.
I'm watching this today which is 2/29/2024...... AND, THIS JIMMIE WALKER INTERVIEW is EXCELLENT. I read Jimmie's book but I HAVE A WHOLE NEW PROSPECTIVE. EXCELLENT, JIMMIE. JUST EXCELLENT.
Walker knows comedy, and show business, inside and out. Extremely Frank and insightful. I watch this interview in its entirety, along with the ones he did for Television Academy, every chance I get.
Did u notice in his other in depth interview he had nothing good to say about any of his cast mates including Janet Jackson. Ive heard a few people in the industry say he is very homophobic and an ahole. Especially when his name was kind of big. He cancelled a guy opening up for him when he found out he was gay, and in a nasty way
I felt him once he mentioned Godfrey cambridge (RIP 🕯🕊) great comedian, an how he isn't really mentioned too often, much respect to Jimmy walker, great interview.
He really surprised me with his insights and knowledge. Not that I thought he wasn’t that intelligent, I was taken on how articulate he was about his profession and being honest about himself and others. I have a new found respect for him.!
James & Esther pissed he became the star. Well…he had the most charisma. It happens all the time on tv shows & movies & especially comedy stand up where he came from, the public decides who they want more of & the writers & directors etc go with it…even if some jokes were redundant & cheesy (I HATE overused catch phrases like “dynomite” or “Watchu talkin bout Willis” etc…) for the most part JJ made the show, I liked Thelma a lot too. I mean the whole cast was good together idk why Esther & John cried about having a huge hit show that people love to this day, I never thought of JJ as a bad influence on young black guys- he had morals, didn’t do drugs. Sure he was a little silly but it WAS a sitcom. Besides Thelma & Michael were serious. What do I know I was a little 70s white girl lol. Reminds us all of our own childhood :)
@@tinajeppesen5948 It was Esther Rolle who nixed the idea of having Walker's character be something of a thief. The ongoing bit was to have "JJ" always managing to "find" something; something of particular value, that is - the 'find' was a euphemism that would be employed to mean(with a wink to audience) that he had either pilfered the item himself or had come by it in a less than above-board manner. Again, this was to serve as a running joke. Rolle was having none of it.
JJ thank you, thank you, thank you for paying attention to life. You turn out to be so Smart, so much knowledge, l have so much love for you because you paid attention to what was going on back then. I'm so, so proud of you.
Saw „The Good Times“ show back in the 80‘s which was shown on TV once a week in Zimbabwe at that time. It’s amazing to see Jimmy Walker so many years later. What he says is so interesting and a pleasure to listen to. God bless Jimmy, from a big fan of yours!..🙂
Great story telling. Thank you Jimmie! When I rewatch Good Times, the onscreen chemistry is so real, still can make me laugh or cry. Amazing interview.
Loved reading his autobiography...Walker knows what he's talking about. I grew up watching "Good Times", glad this strong comedian was able to hold his own regardless of the opposition he faced at every turn.
Whether you like the man or not, it's hard not to respect him. I find him really interesting and he's far more intelligent than one might assume. I would put him at or very near the top of a list of famous people I would most enjoy sitting down and talking with.
Great interview with great information! I have learned more from Jimmy Walker in this interview, then from any other interview about TV History, in all of my years I'm watching TV.
JJ will always be a star.. It time to put his name on the walk of fame. This guy is so smart, so intelligent, know his history, he is a leader, and he tell it like it is. Because of watching Good times I always wanted to be smart like JJ. Love you JJ (Barbara)
TRUTH-thanks Mr. Walker for coming to Minneapolis last month. When he first came into the stage, I’m like OMG it’s JJ from good times. At the end of his set, I realized what I had just watched was much more nuisance than a tv character but a great thinker and comedy legend! Highly recommend if he comes to your town.
I had NO IDEA about his level of intelligence and his wealth of knowledge. What incredible stories and a true pioneer in the business. Very talented. 👏👏👏👏👏
Jimmy reminds me so much of Robin Williams. Very keen insight into show business. Never thought either was funny, but both understand the funny business.
How can Norman Lear feel that somebody hijacked his ideas/show when the actual/original idea for Good Times was created, pitched and written by Eric Monte?
I love listening to him talk! Why didn’t he go into radio ? He would be one of the greats ! Very intelligent man! Loved how he played the foolish character JJ!
Congratulations to you Jimmy Walker, that is one of the most intelligent and honest and objective assessments of society today I have ever heard from anybody black white gay straight it’s just the truth it’s exactly how is I see the world around me I’m a gay man I’m a minority I get discriminated against every day since I was young I’m 66 years old and I’m telling you things are never going to change
@@joejones9520 Lear to me was way to much of a leftist liberal. You know he hated conservatives. Look how he made Archie the conservative look like a buffoon and Meathead the Liberal look wise and intelligent all the time.
@@joejones9520 Lear was more of a preachy government propagandist, while Jimmie was a comic, not actually political at all. People that are not political and that believe in basic behavior values are constantly called 'conservatives', when the reality is that revulsion generated by the preachy propagandists tends to push many people to any alternative (which is typically the 'republican'). Lear didn't understand (with Good Times) that people mostly watch tv to be entertained, to laugh, not to be preached to constantly.
As he said himself, he may not have made it through the education system in New York with any useful knowledge, but this dude is very intelligent. First off, you need to be sharp to do standup for so long. Also, he put together such a mass of information in this interview, that I was thinking, who could keep up with this guy ? Very few. Excellent commentary as well.
I agree with Norman! That Dynomite was disruptive and unnecessary. I truly agree with Mr. Lear. That show took a turn for the worse when the father died!!
To be that funny and rapid fire entertaining while telling the whole damned truth about so many issues and people and society twists was a spellbinding watch.
You rarely see it because your mainstream media won't give a platform to African-Americans like Mr. Walker. They'd rather give you Jay-Z, Lil Ray Ray and whoever the latest trash mumble rapper is.
Totally nailed it, anyone who knows Norm, totally hijacked the original idea of Good Times by JJ character, totally......cause Jimmie was an iconic comic who paved the way, in a way, and when that happens, people get steamrolled (because the audience decides it-the King is the audience)
Sometimes I wonder how much of what Jimmie says is true or just bullshit but I have to admit he's likeable and very intelligent. I enjoyed watching this video.
Mr. Walker is simply brilliant! His experience is vast and the debt of his knowledge is simply awesome. He's into comedy, but he could relly knock out dramatic roles. Like here, he could easily portray a powerful, no-nonsense black American tycoon. Perhaps running a conglomerate of various industries. His depth of life would really shine through in such a role. Walker is right when he says that Bernadette Stanis was gorgeous. But it wasn't whorish, or made up. Stanis had an innocence about her that reminds you of Mary Ann, (Dawn Wells). Like Wells, Bernadette was beautiful, yet sensuous, and desirable, innocent, and naive. Had Norman Lear come into my office and tried to dress me down for making a suggestion, before I told him to get stuffed, I would have said, I didn't have any dirty thoughts about Bernadette, but now that you mentioned it, "huba, huba. There's a whole lotta stuff I'd like to do to her!" Now get out of my office, and find some kid you can lecture too with your bullshit. For too long, white people have tried to define black people according to their terms, and paint the pictures of them according to what they thought, not what it was. Lear was especially guilty of this. His shows were brilliant, true, but they were also condescending. He could have just said, "James, I disagree with you.", than to have some nonsensical conference, loaded with insults and belittling. Could it be at some level, America would have been presented with a black woman who was beautiful, and not whorish. Dawn Wells had plenty of pictures and posters, and for a white man to defend a black woman's chasteness is rich with irony. They would probably NEVER cast a black man as a powerful, no-nonsense black American tycoon. That's not the image they want. They make up all types of shit about white people, but when it comes to black, "Hey, let's be 'real.'" They'd rather show black people, especially a black man as an animal, or some a degenerate criminal, destroying his own people. - Hence -, in real life, this is what black kids look up to and repeat, powering a paradigm destroying black people. I have digressed - sorry. Back to the point, I really hope Jammie Walker stays in the public, he still has so much to contribute!
It's interesting, I heard Mr. Walker mention how great the writers were, mentioned them by name but never mentioned the creator & a writer on the show Mr. Eric Monty or the co-creator, Mike Evans..... Mr Walker gave all those accolades to everyone else, except, Mr. Monte & Mr. Evans, hmmm And if a person doesn't believe in your talent at all, as Mr Walker stated in regard to Mr. Lear, but said were close & we hang out......how can anyone be close to a person who doesn't believe in your talent, which, is a close inter part of yourself? Just noticing & asking......
Uncle Ruckus, Tim Scott, and the black guy in the audience at Trump rallies. He’s a conservative, which is his prerogative, but he comes off like Herschel Walker, but with more brains, lol
Jimmie is one of the most honest men in the business.
He certainly has a lot to say lol. More true thoughts & opinions than the nicey nice publicity front they most put out there. Makes u wonder how it really went on other shows!! I mean like any job some get along better than others & everyone has thoughts & feelings & it’s really cool he tells his like it is/was!!!
This was filmed in 2014. He was already talking about cultural shifts that most people only started to notice in the last couple of years. Brilliant guy.
I'm watching this today which is 2/29/2024...... AND, THIS JIMMIE WALKER INTERVIEW is EXCELLENT. I read Jimmie's book but I HAVE A WHOLE NEW PROSPECTIVE. EXCELLENT, JIMMIE. JUST EXCELLENT.
Dynamite 2012 was a good read. 📕
He's smart. This is tv education 101 right here. Nice Job JJ
😅 nice job JJ
Yep, you're absolutely right.
I saw Jimmie do stand up tonight. Very sharp, smart, insightful, he never uttered his trade mark saying.
I appreciate his honesty and opinion, and he really knows the people in his industry.
I agree 100%! I enjoyed this very honest interview.
That's right, only the audience can tell if something's funny. That is authentic. JJ was authentic and real comedy.
Walker knows comedy, and show business, inside and out. Extremely Frank and insightful. I watch this interview in its entirety, along with the ones he did for Television Academy, every chance I get.
Agreed. I checked it out, and stayed for the whole thing. Well spoken man.
Did u notice in his other in depth interview he had nothing good to say about any of his cast mates including Janet Jackson. Ive heard a few people in the industry say he is very homophobic and an ahole. Especially when his name was kind of big. He cancelled a guy opening up for him when he found out he was gay, and in a nasty way
@@thelog86 - No, I didn’t see negativity - just frankness. And I don’t know about the homophobia charge. There may be more to it than that.
I've always liked him ever since Good Times. He's very down to earth and interesting to listen to.
I felt him once he mentioned Godfrey cambridge (RIP 🕯🕊) great comedian, an how he isn't really mentioned too often, much respect to Jimmy walker, great interview.
Cambridge was deep, and a riot at the same time. Remember "Watermelon Man"? Lol
He really surprised me with his insights and knowledge. Not that I thought he wasn’t that intelligent, I was taken on how articulate he was about his profession and being honest about himself and others. I have a new found respect for him.!
Nothing but pure truth. Jimmie Walker always keeps it 100. Great interview.
James & Esther pissed he became the star. Well…he had the most charisma. It happens all the time on tv shows & movies & especially comedy stand up where he came from, the public decides who they want more of & the writers & directors etc go with it…even if some jokes were redundant & cheesy (I HATE overused catch phrases like “dynomite” or “Watchu talkin bout Willis” etc…) for the most part JJ made the show, I liked Thelma a lot too. I mean the whole cast was good together idk why Esther & John cried about having a huge hit show that people love to this day, I never thought of JJ as a bad influence on young black guys- he had morals, didn’t do drugs. Sure he was a little silly but it WAS a sitcom. Besides Thelma & Michael were serious. What do I know I was a little 70s white girl lol. Reminds us all of our own childhood :)
@@tinajeppesen5948 It was Esther Rolle who nixed the idea of having Walker's character be something of a thief. The ongoing bit was to have "JJ" always managing to "find" something; something of particular value, that is - the 'find' was a euphemism that would be employed to mean(with a wink to audience) that he had either pilfered the item himself or had come by it in a less than above-board manner. Again, this was to serve as a running joke. Rolle was having none of it.
Pleased to hear from Jimmie Walker. Fantastic interview.
JJ thank you, thank you, thank you for paying attention to life. You turn out to be so Smart, so much knowledge, l have so much love for you because you paid attention to what was going on back then. I'm so, so proud of you.
Jimmy Walker to me have the greatest stories, I could listen to him tell these stories all day......Jimmy is still a throw back of greatness...👌👍🏼💙💯
Saw „The Good Times“ show back in the 80‘s which was shown on TV once a week in Zimbabwe at that time. It’s amazing to see Jimmy Walker so many years later. What he says is so interesting and a pleasure to listen to. God bless Jimmy, from a big fan of yours!..🙂
I enjoyed this interview. I think Jimmie is really underrated.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE WATCHING JIMMIE WALKER DO INTERVIEWS! I LOVE THE WAY HE EXPLAINS THINGS, AND I LOVE HOW FRANK HE IS ABOUT HIS LIFE!
What a delight Jimmie Walker is. I really enjoy these interviews on youtube.
I enjoy listening to Jimmy Walker
I can listen Mr Walker all day he knows a lot of history
Jimmie Walker really seems like a really nice guy he probably fun to hang out with
Great story telling. Thank you Jimmie! When I rewatch Good Times, the onscreen chemistry is so real, still can make me laugh or cry. Amazing interview.
Loved reading his autobiography...Walker knows what he's talking about. I grew up watching "Good Times", glad this strong comedian was able to hold his own regardless of the opposition he faced at every turn.
Jimmy Walker is the embodiment of charisma.
He is absolutely correct about our contradictions
I want to see Jimmie Walker back on television 📺 again.
Wow! So smart, just great. Thank you Mr. Walker.
This man is so educated . Thank you, thank you for telling us about all history. 😊😊😊😊
Love all of Jimmies stories !! Great “behind the scenes” insight …….
Jimmie is great! I love his metaphor about “taking the pie”. He tells it like it is!
No one watching "Good Times" in 1974 realized just yet that Jimmie is one of the most honest, articulate and intelligent people in show business.
Jj is one of the best ❤
Jimmy Walker IS one of those BIG guys to many of his fans. He will have a resurgence just as big as his level of ambition.
Great Pioneering Talent
Agreed and I only watched good times for him and bernadette she's still beautiful and fine!!!
Whether you like the man or not, it's hard not to respect him. I find him really interesting and he's far more intelligent than one might assume. I would put him at or very near the top of a list of famous people I would most enjoy sitting down and talking with.
Fantastic interview!!
Excellent Mr Walker. Well done.
You’ll always be JJ to me Jimmie Walker. I grew up watching Good Times and I watch reruns too 😂
He's very knowledgeable and honest.
I’ll never get why something else didn’t come along for Jimmie in television or film. He was so funny, so professional. Just love Jimmie.
He's a stand ùp. He did at his peak 300 dates a year
He didn't get anything after good times because he was type cast
because he can't act.
His reputation preceeded him. Have you heard his interview about the relationship he had with his cast members?? AWFUL!
What an intelligent observer. I agree with most of what he said. Jimmy needs podcast.
Dynamite!!! Cheers from Milwaukee Wisconsin
Great interview with great information! I have learned more from Jimmy Walker in this interview, then from any other interview about
TV History, in all of my years I'm watching TV.
JJ will always be a star.. It time to put his name on the walk of fame. This guy is so smart, so intelligent, know his history, he is a leader, and he tell it like it is. Because of watching Good times I always wanted to be smart like JJ. Love you JJ (Barbara)
Very insightful interview.
Woooow! Married with Children! Who knew!😯. Good interview man! ❤👍
He doesn't have kid's!!!
@@angholloway5091 *kids
@@angholloway5091 she meant the tv show
Great interview Jimmie knows his stuff… comedy was great back then…. It’s the audience not the writers! No more laugh tracks!
TRUTH-thanks Mr. Walker for coming to Minneapolis last month. When he first came into the stage, I’m like OMG it’s JJ from good times. At the end of his set, I realized what I had just watched was much more nuisance than a tv character but a great thinker and comedy legend! Highly recommend if he comes to your town.
Jimmie you are & always have been brilliant! Dynamite was brilliant also. Norman was so wrong. You are my fav comic ♥️🇨🇦
I had NO IDEA about his level of intelligence and his wealth of knowledge.
What incredible stories and a true pioneer in the business.
Very talented. 👏👏👏👏👏
Good interview.
I could listen to this guy all day. Honest and insightful.
My left ear really enjoyed this interview!
he sure has alot to say. wish there was more
He made a good point ,about millionaires teaching people to feel good about themselves .
Very well spoken
Jimmy Walker for President.
I love Jimmie walker damn. His free through and just letting it out.
Great interview, very informative and eye-opening! Michael Moye went to Lenoir Community College in Kinston, North Carolina
Jimmy reminds me so much of Robin Williams. Very keen insight into show business. Never thought either was funny, but both understand the funny business.
How can Norman Lear feel that somebody hijacked his ideas/show when the actual/original idea for Good Times was created, pitched and written by Eric Monte?
Thank you
EXACTLY.
Most definitely 💯 and also Michael Evans who played Lionel from The Jeffersons.
Jimmie needs a PODCAST!
I love listening to him talk! Why didn’t he go into radio ? He would be one of the greats ! Very intelligent man! Loved how he played the foolish character JJ!
I agree with you. Jimmie Walker would make a great radio host.
Best guess: He preferred being a road comic where he could be as open and honest as he wanted to be. In radio he'd have to deal with the FCC.
He explains things really well
Jimmy Walker Knows exactly what to do. he should be a writer producer creator and colaberator!!!
Congratulations to you Jimmy Walker, that is one of the most intelligent and honest and objective assessments of society today I have ever heard from anybody black white gay straight it’s just the truth it’s exactly how is I see the world around me I’m a gay man I’m a minority I get discriminated against every day since I was young I’m 66 years old and I’m telling you things are never going to change
He's a real stand up guy. No pun intended.
I could listen to this man talk forever. 👍
GENIUS in my book! He could make reading 'The Canterbury Tales' FUNNY.
Jimmy is so down to earth.Tells it like it is.
Very interesting and informative.
Lear is dead wrong. Jimmie Walker is funny. To me he was the star of Good Times.
lear was a leftist, walker is a consv, that is the real issue
@@joejones9520 Lear to me was way to much of a leftist liberal. You know he hated conservatives. Look how he made Archie the conservative look like a buffoon and Meathead the Liberal look wise and intelligent all the time.
@@joejones9520 Lear was more of a preachy government propagandist, while Jimmie was a comic, not actually political at all. People that are not political and that believe in basic behavior values are constantly called 'conservatives', when the reality is that revulsion generated by the preachy propagandists tends to push many people to any alternative (which is typically the 'republican'). Lear didn't understand (with Good Times) that people mostly watch tv to be entertained, to laugh, not to be preached to constantly.
The first black man to tell the truth and be totally honest in his approach!!!!!!!!!!
As he said himself, he may not have made it through the education system in New York with any useful knowledge, but this dude is very intelligent. First off, you need to be sharp to do standup for so long. Also, he put together such a mass of information in this interview, that I was thinking, who could keep up with this guy ? Very few. Excellent commentary as well.
Jimmie Walker was DYNOMITE. They don't make classic shows like Good Times anymore.
He looks amazing 👏🏾
EXTRAORDINARY PIONEER IN AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY THANK YOU JIMMIE WALKER!!
Jimmie "J.J." Walker
Straight outta Brooklyn
In 1975-1976, in American pop culture, there was The Fonz, J.J., and everybody else.
Probably the most solid cat to ever come out of Hollywood.
I have produced a couple stand up comedy shows featuring Jimmy
mr walker , is on the money . he should run for office .
Jimmie Walker will always be “DYNOMITE” 🧨
People have to be in your circle who will tell you no. People who care enough to give you the right kind of help
I agree with Norman! That Dynomite was disruptive and unnecessary. I truly agree with Mr. Lear. That show took a turn for the worse when the father died!!
I thought the show did well when Janet Jackson was added to the cast.
John Rich knew better. People tuned in simply waiting for JJ to say that.
To be that funny and rapid fire entertaining while telling the whole damned truth about so many issues and people and society twists was a spellbinding watch.
Jimmie Walker speaks with such scholarly eloquence, which is sadly something we rarely see in today's African-American demographics.
You rarely see it because your mainstream media won't give a platform to African-Americans like Mr. Walker. They'd rather give you Jay-Z, Lil Ray Ray and whoever the latest trash mumble rapper is.
Totally nailed it, anyone who knows Norm, totally hijacked the original idea of Good Times by JJ character, totally......cause Jimmie was an iconic comic who paved the way, in a way, and when that happens, people get steamrolled (because the audience decides it-the King is the audience)
Look up the co creator who created good times and what's happening named Eric Monte
@@jeremiahwoods-xc6gy Eric Monte really created everything. Norman lear couldn't possibly know about black ghetto life like Monte.
Norman lear wanted more drama, but the show was a dramedy. This is what made the concept work. The name and theme.
Jimmie Walker has the NAZZ! He is so fucking honest!
Sometimes I wonder how much of what Jimmie says is true or just bullshit but I have to admit he's likeable and very intelligent. I enjoyed watching this video.
A very intelligent man !
Mr. Walker is simply brilliant! His experience is vast and the debt of his knowledge is simply awesome. He's into comedy, but he could relly knock out dramatic roles. Like here, he could easily portray a powerful, no-nonsense black American tycoon. Perhaps running a conglomerate of various industries. His depth of life would really shine through in such a role. Walker is right when he says that Bernadette Stanis was gorgeous. But it wasn't whorish, or made up. Stanis had an innocence about her that reminds you of Mary Ann, (Dawn Wells). Like Wells, Bernadette was beautiful, yet sensuous, and desirable, innocent, and naive. Had Norman Lear come into my office and tried to dress me down for making a suggestion, before I told him to get stuffed, I would have said, I didn't have any dirty thoughts about Bernadette, but now that you mentioned it, "huba, huba. There's a whole lotta stuff I'd like to do to her!" Now get out of my office, and find some kid you can lecture too with your bullshit. For too long, white people have tried to define black people according to their terms, and paint the pictures of them according to what they thought, not what it was. Lear was especially guilty of this. His shows were brilliant, true, but they were also condescending. He could have just said, "James, I disagree with you.", than to have some nonsensical conference, loaded with insults and belittling. Could it be at some level, America would have been presented with a black woman who was beautiful, and not whorish. Dawn Wells had plenty of pictures and posters, and for a white man to defend a black woman's chasteness is rich with irony.
They would probably NEVER cast a black man as a powerful, no-nonsense black American tycoon. That's not the image they want. They make up all types of shit about white people, but when it comes to black, "Hey, let's be 'real.'" They'd rather show black people, especially a black man as an animal, or some a degenerate criminal, destroying his own people. - Hence -, in real life, this is what black kids look up to and repeat, powering a paradigm destroying black people. I have digressed - sorry. Back to the point, I really hope Jammie Walker stays in the public, he still has so much to contribute!
1 of the last few alive from MATCH GAME 😁👍🏻
Regardless of and how well he may not be doing according to our perspective, you know who he is many years later mission accomplished
Nobody needs a Thousand Channels. It's OVERKILL!😏
It's interesting, I heard Mr. Walker mention how great the writers were, mentioned them by name but never mentioned the creator & a writer on the show Mr. Eric Monty or the co-creator, Mike Evans.....
Mr Walker gave all those accolades to everyone else, except, Mr. Monte & Mr. Evans, hmmm
And if a person doesn't believe in your talent at all, as Mr Walker stated in regard to Mr. Lear, but said were close & we hang out......how can anyone be close to a person who doesn't believe in your talent, which, is a close inter part of yourself?
Just noticing & asking......
Uncle Ruckus, Tim Scott, and the black guy in the audience at Trump rallies. He’s a conservative, which is his prerogative, but he comes off like Herschel Walker, but with more brains, lol
This a great video but the audio is monoral which is only coming out of one channel
as. kid I would be JJ for hours at a Time ....
did you do That or have friends do that???
was a high to emulate this character... 😂
I well done open honest interview, one of the best ones on the “Pioneers of TV”. 👏👏👏🍺🍺🍺🍺
Any chance you can get Kathryn Morris interviewed on here some time? 🙂
JW kept it 💯.
Jimmie Walker is really intelligent. 37:02
Too bad Quentin Tarantino never found a spot for JJ in one of his films. Could’ve been great.
hell ya