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.
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.
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.!
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
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.
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.
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.
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)
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.
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?
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.
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.
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. 👏👏👏👏👏
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
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!!
@@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.
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!
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
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.
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)
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.
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.
I feel Jimmie never received his just do. I can hear him talk all day. Especially about the REAL DEAL of the real going ons behind the scenes on Good Times which would shock anyone that is a loyal fan of the show like me.
That's right, we need to at least try to have a stable family and image. Not act like it's not a problem to have kids from fly by night encounters, especially as celebrities who are keys to positive role models.
Pryor and Prinze weren’t the only comedians who had trouble with drugs. Funny he never mentioned John Belushi or Robin Williams, who were known addicts at that time
Belushi wasn't a standup comic per se. He did Second City and National Lampoon shows. You're right about Williams (and other comics), but Jimmy knew Prinze and was familiar with Pryor more than he was with Williams, I imagine.
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. 📕
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've always liked him ever since Good Times. He's very down to earth and interesting to listen to.
I appreciate his honesty and opinion, and he really knows the people in his industry.
I agree 100%! I enjoyed this very honest interview.
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.
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.!
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.
That's right, only the audience can tell if something's funny. That is authentic. JJ was authentic and real comedy.
Jj is one of the best ❤
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.
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...👌👍🏼💙💯
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
Jimmy Walker is the embodiment of charisma.
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.
I enjoy listening to Jimmy Walker
I can listen to Jimmie Walker for hours.
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!..🙂
This man is so educated . Thank you, thank you for telling us about all history. 😊😊😊😊
He is absolutely correct about our contradictions
I want to see Jimmie Walker back on television 📺 again.
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!
Wow! So smart, just great. Thank you Mr. Walker.
What a delight Jimmie Walker is. I really enjoy these interviews on youtube.
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.
I enjoyed this interview. I think Jimmie is really underrated.
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
Love all of Jimmies stories !! Great “behind the scenes” insight …….
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.
Excellent Mr Walker. Well done.
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.
What an intelligent observer. I agree with most of what he said. Jimmy needs podcast.
He's very knowledgeable and honest.
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.
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.
Jimmie is great! I love his metaphor about “taking the pie”. He tells it like it is!
Fantastic interview!!
The first black man to tell the truth and be totally honest in his approach!!!!!!!!!!
Great Pioneering Talent
Agreed and I only watched good times for him and bernadette she's still beautiful and fine!!!
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)
I could listen to this guy all day. Honest and insightful.
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.
he sure has alot to say. wish there was more
Very insightful interview.
Jimmie you have great insight information of TV shows and society 👍
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!
You’ll always be JJ to me Jimmie Walker. I grew up watching Good Times and I watch reruns too 😂
Jimmy Walker for President.
Dynamite!!! Cheers from Milwaukee Wisconsin
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.
He made a good point ,about millionaires teaching people to feel good about themselves .
Good interview.
He explains things really well
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.
Very well spoken
Jimmy is so down to earth.Tells it like it is.
Jimmie needs a PODCAST!
I could listen to this man talk forever. 👍
Great interview Jimmie knows his stuff… comedy was great back then…. It’s the audience not the writers! No more laugh tracks!
Jimmie you are & always have been brilliant! Dynamite was brilliant also. Norman was so wrong. You are my fav comic ♥️🇨🇦
I love Jimmie walker damn. His free through and just letting it out.
My left ear really enjoyed this interview!
Woooow! Married with Children! Who knew!😯. Good interview man! ❤👍
He doesn't have kid's!!!
@@angholloway5091 *kids
@@angholloway5091 she meant the tv show
Jimmy Walker Knows exactly what to do. he should be a writer producer creator and colaberator!!!
mr walker , is on the money . he should run for office .
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.
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. 👏👏👏👏👏
EXTRAORDINARY PIONEER IN AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY THANK YOU JIMMIE WALKER!!
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
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.
Probably the most solid cat to ever come out of Hollywood.
He's a real stand up guy. No pun intended.
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.
Great interview, very informative and eye-opening! Michael Moye went to Lenoir Community College in Kinston, North Carolina
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.
Jimmie Walker was DYNOMITE. They don't make classic shows like Good Times anymore.
People have to be in your circle who will tell you no. People who care enough to give you the right kind of help
He looks amazing 👏🏾
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 "J.J." Walker
Straight outta Brooklyn
In 1975-1976, in American pop culture, there was The Fonz, J.J., and everybody else.
Jimmie Walker will always be “DYNOMITE” 🧨
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 have produced a couple stand up comedy shows featuring Jimmy
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.
A very intelligent man !
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!
GENIUS in my book! He could make reading 'The Canterbury Tales' FUNNY.
Wish he could have shown his intellect in other areas of society besides his comedic side.
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.
Too bad Quentin Tarantino never found a spot for JJ in one of his films. Could’ve been great.
hell ya
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.
He didn't mention Eric Monte
Yea I was disappointed about that, but I have seen him in other interviews and he mentioned him.
I feel Jimmie never received his just do. I can hear him talk all day. Especially about the REAL DEAL of the real going ons behind the scenes on Good Times which would shock anyone that is a loyal fan of the show like me.
Any chance you can get Kathryn Morris interviewed on here some time? 🙂
That's right, we need to at least try to have a stable family and image. Not act like it's not a problem to have kids from fly by night encounters, especially as celebrities who are keys to positive role models.
NOW JJ is really really smart…
While i didn't think he was funny as a comedian, this is a great interview. Mind boggling how Esther Rolle and John Amos hated his existence.
Esther Rolle and John Amos had huge egos.
Pryor and Prinze weren’t the only comedians who had trouble with drugs. Funny he never mentioned John Belushi or Robin Williams, who were known addicts at that time
He was cooler with the whites
Belushi wasn't a standup comic per se. He did Second City and National Lampoon shows.
You're right about Williams (and other comics), but Jimmy knew Prinze and was familiar with Pryor more than he was with Williams, I imagine.
@@jamesanthony5681 you’re right about Belushi, he was a comedic actor. Great response
Does anyone know why the sentence about Mission Impossible flashed on the screen? Was it supposed to appear during the Leonard Nimoy interview?
Technical error