John Amos Talks Being Killed Off 'Good Times', 'Roots' Remake + Playing Football
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.ย. 2024
- John Amos stops by to speak about how and why his character James Evans was killed off of 'Good Times'. Amos also talks about the 'Roots' Remake and why his son was named K.C.
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I still believe to this day that it was a HUGE mistake to take Mr John Amos off of Good Times.
Chris Morale The LIFE magazine article was the final nail in the coffin.
Mr. Amos was let go because he failed to follow the stereotypical script written for his role. Mr. Amos just showed me that he has integrity. He also showed that though of poor social class, that FAMILY is more important than anything. None of his kids became delinquents, he taught them accountability as well as integrity. And. This is sorely lacking today. Rarely does television "programming" illustrate evolved, secure, productive black fathers today. This is what a lot of kids are missing today.
That's true, but John Amos agreed to continue with the show and stop complaining in exchange for a bump in salary.
But then Life Magazine came along and he forgot his promise and spilled his guts to the writer of the Life magazine article.
The producers were furious and they fired him.
You are correct, Smith Lovy. Producers like Norman Lear, etc. wrote "stereotypical roles" for black actors, even going as far back as I recall as a kid, the television series "Julia." Granted, Julia was a working professional, but no father in the home. Yet Corey, her son had a friend with a stay at home mom and a working father? This is where black families and culture began to go astray. There were little, if any, black writers then, so these writers had little to no familiarity with "the black experience. John Amos, though he got paid, he was a "conscious" brother.
They know it was a huge mistake. Smh we need more shows like this now days
After Good times killed off james the show was never the same .
True...
i agree
Vj webb very true
Vj webb I also agree, it wasn't the same.
VERY VERY TRUE HE WAS A GOOD CHARACTER
They made a big mistake killing James. I was shocked he died. The show wasn't the same. John and Esther had chemistry. He is still handsome. John is a talented actor, legend and an American treasure. My favorite TV Dad. RIP Esther Rolls
I have a cousin that looks DEAD ON HIM!!! I swear!! His name is Earl S, and he looks EXACTLY like John Amos!!!
Thank you to LIBERALS everywhere, who destroy everything they touch.!!!!
I remember my CONSERVATIVE father telling me they killed him off because they didn't want a STRONG black father being shown on tv... That was in the late 70's....
It's 2022 and things are Unbelievably worse
SMH...
I'm white and hispanic. My dad ran out when I was three. I used to watch Good Times and James Evans made me feel like I had a dad. Good parenting doesn't have a color.
Reading this just made me smile. ;-)
yes...he was the best...
bluedragonrob1 God bless you. That is soo sweet! X💖
Truth
That's sad, you had to look to tv for a father figure.
We owe John Amos a huge debt for advocating diversity of the black image in TV.
As great as he is or was I don't owe him shit
And from following some other interviews on this man, about this particular situation of his roll on Good Times. I also understood that he tried to use some professionalism ,tact and persuasion to sit down and discuss with writers the possibility of say - Michael going off to college and becoming a surgeon or something to that effect . In those days I'm sure there was no love lost on a large imposing Blackman making positive suggestion .He did explain that the part of J. J saying dynomite - was too repetitive and had no real meaning .I'm sure he had other suggestions which where very good .
Rodney Morgan Brown My Grandfather when I was growing up was just like John Attitude and his son’s is to strong man until this day. But pawpaw is gone I miss that he didn’t play around.
@Donald Trump I don't either. What diversity?
ABSO-freaking-LUTELY!!!
I'm a white male, and my so called father left before i was born, and came around once every few years when his conscience got to him. And I have said this for over 40 years, that I wish James Evans had been my dad, more so than any other TV dad back in the day... Love me some John Amos :)
Funny how, as strick as he was....I yearned for his fatherly love and concern. He was the PERFECT DAD.
@Trumptard may be something else he is angry about . Be blessed u have and know y dad....have many cousins don't know / never seen their real dad......
Being black of course and back then my parents worked a lot so television kinda raised me. Elizabeth Montgomery and Lindsey Wagner were mother figures and most importantly Florence Henderson. Family values doesn't have a color! Side note, I never drank, smoked or done drugs thanks in part to the values set by those shows.
Lee Calebro me too,and my brother Matt and sister Thor a too.
@Trumptard, James never blamed his family for his "shit life". Yes, he was angry about his "shit life" because he saw the injustices. He was angry about his "shit life" because no matter how hard he tried, he seemed to move ahead, he always seemed to end up back in the same spot. He was angry about his "shit life" because wanted better for his kids; for his family. That's why his kids getting their education was extremely important to him. He didn't want them to end up scratcin' and survivin' like him.
There is a HUGE difference between a James Evans and a Black, angry father who is angry at you. . .
He is so handsome. He played such a great Black Father character. He was so real, believable, and noble. Love me some John Amos.
Here's a guy I think still has major box office potential. Give him the right role. He oozes authority and integrity.
I used to wish I had a father like his character in Good Times. I thought he was the epitome of the no-nonsense, Black father who's strength, pride and commanding presence was almost regal.
DID YOU MISS DIE HARD II. HE KILLED THAT ROLE AS THE COLONEL.
One of my favorite scenes from Good Times was in the court house when the kid who shot JJ was giving James dirty looks, & he snapped the pretzel, then outside the court room when he realized how the kid got to be like he was, & felt sorry for him even though he shot his son...
James Evans is my all time favorite TV dad! He didn't take any junk in the home
Raphael Collins Nope...if I remember correctly, he would take off the belt every now and then.
MD D “The Big Mac”
@@brianoconner2972 Michael's bully schoolmate Eddie was being a wiseguy with James and James reminded him that inmates don't run the asylum.
Mad dog if you don't get your finger out my wife face I'mma slap a muzzle on u .....lol
@@kinfolk76 CLASSIC!! 😂😂🤣🤣🤣😂😂
I grew up watching Good Times.. Mr. Evans was the closest thing I had to a Dad.. great actor and great role model..
Ilto Roots that's exactly what this enemy knew. They already knew this wicked system had already removed strong Black Fathers out of the homes through Demonic social programs, that told sisters they couldn't have housing for her/children if a man was living there. This was by design, so just like you John Amos and Bill Cosby was that strong father figure many young brothers and sisters emulated. The Mission to Destroy The Black Man is The Main Reason They Have Worked Around The Clock To Destroy Bill Cosby's Legacy...Eventhough the Majority Of The Women Were Caught Lying.Separation is The Only Solution!
Being fired was actually a blessing for John because it opened the door for other opportunities, everyone else from the show was typecasted and never heard from again!
Ruben Delgadillo everyone except Esther Rolle...
Just Ugly Eh. Esther went back to Broadway for a few but it wasn't the welcome she expected. She did a couple of movies and it hurts to say really small roles. She was type cast for sure.
janimom Yeah, I think Janet Jackson had a pretty good career after “Good Times” in 1979....lol
*janet Jackson had super bowl ti.....*
@@Sunshine_day Janet did good because she's a Jackson and one of the more talented ones.
My son is 2...and he loves Good Times....especially James. Yes...I still watch the reruns and even have some seasons on dvd😉
You're not alone. James Evans was a father figure to a lot kids in the hood for real.
i met him today at my job at Kings in New Jersey such a nice man and i helped him with his groceries to his car and i did 2 impressions of him from his movies coming to america and die hard 2 and he was really impressed and he said wow he knows the lines better than i do and i got his autograph and a picture with him such a kind person and great actor and a legend
thatscreally cool
Thank you 😊
thank u
James California I know it was I did a line from the movie for John Amos and he was really impressed
I love this 💙💙💙
I love John Amos what a Handsome youngman he still is and a true warrior Good luck in all your endeavors John.
Young Man ???
Ok he was 🥵 hot. In the Beastmaster
He was like a father figure to me as a kid. Keep on, keeping on.
condenser mike He was like my dad. I wish I could talk to my father and let him know.
ONE OF THE BEST TV FATHER'S. 👍👍👍👍👌
He was a hottie but more importantly he portrayed the real way working class/poor dads come home from work. A little grumpy and tired and ready to eat. We had no idea what indignities our fathers faced out there in the world but he came home every night and softened after they had a hot meal and could relax. God bless all the dads out there who feel like nobody cares about all they go through.
Yes! God bless the mothers who struggle as well.
Beautifully put!
He reminded me so much of my dad.
John Amos is a screen treasure.
Remember when James on the show was killed off, I was about 10. It was COMPLETELY SHOCKING to me and all of my friends and school mates at the time. It was about as shocking as Michael Jackson's death.
Mr. Amos looks very good!!! He really would be "GREAT" in a Movie or Cable someone hire him. He really is a legend.
Dora Camarena he was in movies he was in coming to America with Eddie Murphy.
1
Great to see John Amos still doing his acting works. Very rewarding to hear the truth about his departure from the show. Hollywood hasn't been good times for the moral plights of African-Americans. Restructured their culture. And NOT for the better. Thanks for this interview WBLS!!!!!!!!
Can't do The Lord's children wrong...He seen Norman's tricks and evils but made sure to bless John with something better. When 1 door slams in your face, The Good Lord opens another. Not even 3 weeks and he was on to a new project. John is the man!
I think EVERY black person like me, born in the 70's feltb it when James has died, I STILL feel it ......many moons later...John Amos nows he's loved......forever.
I was grown man when Good Times came on in the 70s. I raise my kids base on his character in the show. When he got fired I stop looking at the show. Bless you John Amos for making me the father that I am.
John Amos is a living legend! Peace and blessings to him!
my favorite all time actor The man keeps it real and im always thrilled when i see him in ANYTHING. he is on the ranch on netflix makes it better just having him there. great show
Thank you Mr. John Amos" for bring the Best Father on T.V at that time. ALMIGHTY GOD " can't be stopped.
way better tv dad than bill cosby
every time I watch Bill Cosby I get really sleepy
Marco Marco He probably only think of you when he's taking a shit. Stop watching him, trust me you won't be missed.
Trina Dee awwwww thank you for the info. Your amazing
Marco Marco Thank you.....i agree!
Trina Dee I will put u in my list. You will understand later.
I still can't believe good time kill his character but he still look the same and in must better shape
I was sad when John Amos left the show. I was a kid about 14 and my dad's ways of parenting, were like James. He believed in discipline, but loved us and worked two hard jobs to support the six of us. John depicted a strong, father figure, who would not tolerate, disrespect. 👍👍👍
The show JUST wasnt the same after "James" left! I was disappointed too when "Florida" read the telegram.
black men should've taken some lessons on how James handled the Mad Dog situation. I bet there would be less gang activity today
Amen, amen amen!!!
Or even how to be father's and take care of their responsibilities
What’s the “Mad Dog” situation?
Bonnie Schuerman If you need to ask, then it’s best you shouldn’t know
All day
Norman Lear messed up the family household when they removed James from Good Times! This generation today really need a father figure in their lives like James Evans.
He was and is so cool. Loved his character on Good times. He rocked the construction look on that show. Those pants and boots!!
Rumors r circulating he's dead. Absolutely not. He's still alive, & just recently celebrated his 77th birthday.
TheRenard10
the original famous Amos 😊 great actor
Total respect. He was like another dad.
john looks good for his age
The "Dad" when Mr Amos was no longer on the show the show died.......guess 'killed' their own show....lol
So happy for him....great actor The best dad on tv.....such a fine person.......
I love how Mr. Amos portrayed such a strong father yet was vulnerable with his wife. Legendary.
one of the great Father figures on Television.. Loved that character he developed on Good Times. John Amos was the Bomb on the show..the sign of a strong Father..Missed him in the show.
Back in the day, I really was very happy to see John Amos on the show, 'Good Times"! I've enjoyed the show so much that it move to buy the TV series on DVD!!
They didn't want to tell good and topical stories that were affecting many Black families around the country. It was okay to have Archie Bunker bitching and moaning about Black and Brown people. But a Black man struggling to take care of his family, loving his children, and treating his wife with respect, well that was not going to stand.
Is that all you got from All in the Family? Shows like this one and Maude made it acceptable to accept folks from other races.
Nonsense. The show had good ratings while Amos was on it, so clearly the audience watched. The fact was Rolle and Amos resented Walker being the "star"of the show and in interviews slammed the producers, writers, etc. You can't bite the hand that feeds you in public. Walker was right, they should have appreciated that they had a hit show on their hands, and rode the wave together. Norman Lear dealt with strong personalities in his other shows, but Amos became too cocky. Show definitely went downhill after he left. That said, it still remained on the air for 3 more seasons. Classic example of too many ego's spoiling a good show.
Well put
@rj zander Drummond was not her husband, Bill Macy was.
My all time favorite line from Good Times, or any other sitcom, was when James took the encyclopedia salesman's hand and rubbed it across his knuckles and asked, "What do this say?"
Omg! Mine too!
When John left good times they show was never the same............. I wish that would never have happened..... the show would get a lot more recognition.
I like him in die hard 2 excellent actor he always looks and sounds like a authority figure good time daddy keepem your head above water temporary layoffs good times scratching and surviving that's
life today for sure
Jhon they f***ed up you should have never got taken off of good times it was never the same.
u fine.
+Andrea Banks Yes, it was NEVER the same. My worst moment in TV was his death. I'm still mad. HE was the show, not JJ.
+Andrea Banks YOU AINT LYING!!!!!
he had problems with the producers involving the character jj
Andrea Banks
He portrayed the father that I needed growing up. I thank him so much for what he showed up.
I can remember when John Amos was one of the cast members of the Mary Tyler Moore show. He was the sportscaster for the show. Then the show Maude, and this is where the show got the characters Florida and James came from.
Portia Matthews He played the weatherman on the The Mary Tyler Moore Show.
I love, love, LOVE John Amos!!!!!!!!! I don't bother with Good Times episodes without him.
James still looks good after all these years! Bless him 💓
i missed this shows
As a young teen, I was in shock and disbelief when Florida read the letter that James had been killed in an accident. To me the show was real and had become a part of my life. So many things about my teen years are a blur, but the night James Evans died is forever seared in my memory.
What a gentleman. ❤️He could’ve thrown some shade, but evidently “trash talking” is not his style. 🙏🏼🙏🏾🙏🏿
2019 March....watch it 6 times a.day on getTV. From the pjs...had a father who worked..Mom who worked...education and morals a must. It exists. Love this show for eternity.
John was also on the first season of The Mary Tyler Moore Show!
The man is an ICON!!!
He played Gordy, the weatherman on the Mary Tyler Moore show.
Loved this interview. John Amos has it. Nice. :)
He aged so well...anybody would recognize him from "The good times"70's era.
One of my favorite episodes was when JJ was gonna paint the portrait of the young curvy neighbor lady and kept puffing his chest out and laughing and Florida mocking his laugh band rolling her eyes. Then the phone rang and a neighbor asked if that was Florida posing and he yelled, "NO, NO, NO...Junior, close up those curtains!!!"
Worked with John at Macdonald’s around 1967 in Vancouver, Canada. He was a real gentleman, called everyone chief. He said he
I thought Mr Amos had passed away years ago, but he’s still going!
Way cool
James Evans was a good representation of a true black father, head of the family. More need to follow his example a good father figure.
Follow his example??? Do you know anything about his real family?
When I was little, I was glad James wasn't my dad. As a grown man, I wish he was.
i understand what you mean.
Respect, respect, respect. I've got nothing but respect for you, John Amos.
John Amos was a good guy and good actor from the good times.
When James Evans left Good Times, it truly was not the same. John amos, the way he played James Evans. Reminded me of my own father. A strong father figure who did whatever he needed to do to feed his family.
John Amos was one of a group of serious black actors whose time it was to step-up into the big leagues and ended up playing major roles as opposed to just playing one of the supporting roles that were the only one's offered to African American actors of his time. A trailblazer who set the bar high for so many who would came after him.
remember James in uptown Saturday he was a gansta. Sidney and Bill Cosby co stared in this movie.
I meant John
uptown Saturday Night!!! Google it!!
John Suggs that's Let's Do it Again.
Derrick Threex That movie is an absolute classic!
Just like the strong family man he portrayed, John Amos was the glue that held good times together. The real star of the show. A man of strong convictions.Love all his work.
James was my favorite on the show, he was just so much more realer than everyone else. I guess that is why he is a great actor.
John Amos was a real life TV Dad. He kept it 100. ALL of our Dad's back in that day did not play.
Does he get any royalties from GT? That show is always on. I just binge watched a marathon.😃👏👏
One of the greatest disappointments of my childhood was when James Evans was killed off "Good Times". The show was never the same! I watched all the episodes again on dvd as an adult and felt the same way.
James Evans was everbody's dad while his character was alive on Good Times. You will never see another African American dad like John Amos' character on tv again. All of these tv dads today are soft and pretty boys. I stopped watching tv because of the way African American men are potrayed. We are liars, bums, deadbeats abusers, mams's boys hustlers, dope dealers, pimps, Uncle Toms, felons, dumb jocks, or any other negative stereotype. I refuse to give any of these producers my hard earned money on a product that emasculates my race.
Charles Williams it is not just the African American dad that has been emasculated.
Right on
Right on brother
@@nickeppolito6185 Its men period.
Still good and shining ⭐✨ star We love you Mr. Amos❤️
Man I Love John Amos he has a beautiful spirit... Bless you brother
Great great interview with a LEGEND!! I was a 11yro white girl when Roots came out and I’m here to tell you THIS series on tv introduced me to the horror that was slavery in America. At such a young age I felt so ashamed to be “white” I was the type of kid who didn’t see color and living in E. LA at the time I prolly thought I was “black” back than lol I know Jon Amos thinks that the role of Jj took from the seriousness of the show and maybe because I was so young back than but I never saw any tension between the actors on screen, I’m only now at 52 finding out different. That is a shame cause if there was a harmony between the actors as well than maybe Jon would have stayed and they could have had a much longer run.
Love to see this John Amos discussion from Good Times
Excellent and Funny Interview showing good family cohesion, thank you💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾💣
Family Matters followed right in line with Good Times. Good Times tackled real issues that Black people were dealing with in those times, but the powers that be were more concerned with JJ working “dynamite” into every episode. The show started to focus more on his silliness than Black folk issues, which is why viewership tumbled. With Family Matters, season 1&2 (mostly season 1) was AWESOME. It was centered around family. They dealt with Family issues. They did things as a family. And then they introduced Urkel & the show became more centered around Urkel’s clumsiness/nerdiness/goofiness than Family.
I’m white and grew up watching good times and John Amos showed me what it was like to be a man and a father.
7:45 John Amos-
"I only had one question for Bill...."
Lady- "What"?
John Amos- "Was it something the jell-o"?
😂🤣😭🤪
The John Amos + Esther Rolle dynamic was the heart, soul and anchor of that show. It was never the same after. JJ's was comic relief and his "act" wasn't enough to carry the show. It could have continued at the top of it's game for several years like MASH, All in the Family and other great shows did, but once John was gone the writing was on the wall. Sad.
Never judge a book by its cover. John Amos is an amazingly intelligent man!
John Amos was wonderful on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show"! Gordy Howard was so funny playing opposite Ted Baxter!
Mr Amos is the man!!!
John Amos is pure class and just plane out one of the best there is and was ever in the business. The time he spent on Good Times as a father who cared about his family no matter what his social & racial or monitory status was the part I took from his time on the show and the stupid BS that went with all of these things that are still very much alive today..
love John Amos and I Loved him in Good Times, Roots, Coming to America.
Legend. Such a great actor
He played on a couple other shows too; Martin for one and I'm glad I once and for all hear the truth of what happen from Good Times outa gis mouth
Speaking on his stage work, I ushered at Shakespeare In The Park while he was in Twelfth Night. Very nice man
He's always been one of my arrows a great man and a strong presence he played the father on Good Times to the T always love this man
John Amos defined fatherhood, manhood and family pride from a perspective America was ready for in the mid 70's. For many who did not have a father figure to immulate, his character of James Evans set a standard to follow. He wasn't a TV doctor, lawyer, etc. He was an average man just trying to get by the best he could in a system that was set up to not see a black man succeed. He kept his family close, he didn't allow him or his kids to "hustle". he instilled family unity. He respected his wife and was a friend to all who needed one. We are not related but when the day comes that he takes his final bow on this earthly plane, I will feel like I've lost my father again. The reason why I identify with this man so much. Cause his character was my father. My father never finished HS. He got his GED in his 30's. But he served his country with honor in the air force. We weren't rich, but I was never to feel like we were poor. I never lacked for anything. I never knew how much he struggled until I became an adult / father. I respect that man like no other and if I ever had one wish, it would be a chance to spend just one more day with him. I will someday, but not on this plane of existence. Salute to both men. Examples of what a strong black man is.
A true talent!
We love you John Amos
I’ll never forget the immediate “killing off” of James Evans. As a ten year old it pissed me off. I had a barrage of erstwhile stepfathers during that period - none of them came close to the stature of a John Amos...
I remember watching this show with my grandparents. They do show re-runs on now! And yes the show was never the same after they killed the father off.
James showed me what a real man is
I still watch the show I know every show from first to last
Good job Mr. Amos.