As a seasoned gamer with a soft spot for 70’s sitcoms, I must say John Amos’ departure from “Good Times” left quite an impact on me, much like a well-timed critical hit in a role-playing game can alter the course of your adventure. The way he stood up for what was right, even if it meant stepping away from a beloved character and iconic show, is something I deeply admire.
John Amos, renowned for his extensive and captivating acting career, particularly known for playing patriarch James Evans Sr. on the CBS sitcom “Good Times,” passed away on August 21, 2024. Despite his advanced age, he remained active until his final days, even having three upcoming projects at the time of his death. However poignant his passing may be, it serves as a significant milestone in the show’s legacy. Indeed, James Amos led an unforgettable life, and his departure from our screens left an iconic imprint on “Good Times.
The incident occurred mainly because Amos strongly disapproved of the character portrayals in the sitcom, which he wasn’t hesitant to discuss with the show’s writers. This led to a confrontation with series producer Norman Lear that eventually ended with Amos being dismissed. Not only did this alter the path of the show, it also influenced the direction of Amos’ acting career. Although things ultimately worked out for him, Amos left an indelible mark on “Good Times” through his steadfastness — even after James Evans was written off and Amos moved forward with his own career.
Why John Amos left Good Times (and how his leaving the show changed it)
Despite the show “Good Times” being a massive hit in terms of viewership, John Amos wasn’t overly satisfied with the writing quality, particularly the way his breakout character, J.J., was developed and depicted.
Initially, when the show began, it didn’t have any African American scriptwriters, and some of the scenes they wrote for my character, as well as others, made me say, “No way, we can’t do this.” They would ask, “What do you mean we can’t do this?” In an interview with Sway in the Morning in 2017, Amos shared that despite being created by two Black men, Eric Monte and Mike Evans, there were very few other African American writers on staff. Amos wasn’t shy about highlighting cultural mishaps in the scripts to the writing team and the show’s management, which didn’t sit well with everyone.
In the same interview with the Television Academy in 2014, Amos expressed his concern that the Evans kids were not being treated equally. Specifically, he felt that J.J., wearing his chicken hat and frequently saying “Dy-no-mite!”, was receiving too much attention compared to the other two children. He suggested that equal focus and potential could have been capitalized on for all three of the Evans kids.
Back in the day, as a passionate gamer on the team, I didn’t hold back my gripes about the script direction. This eventually escalated into a confrontation with our executive producer, Norman Lear. Instead of addressing my concerns, he opted to dismiss me, focusing more on eliminating ‘James’. As I wasn’t exactly known for mincing words then, they grew weary of their creative freedom being threatened by my jokes. They suggested, “Hey, why don’t we write your character out? That way, we can move forward with our work!” And boy, did that lesson stick – it showed me that I wasn’t as crucial to the project or Norman Lear’s vision as I believed.
It wasn’t just Amos who felt upset about the writing quality; Esther Rolle also had concerns regarding how J.J.’s character was being portrayed. Despite this, she continued for one more season before her character, Florida, was written out at the end of Season 4. Later on, she was persuaded to return to the show to help wrap it up in Season 6.
How they wrote James Evans off of Good Times
In the Season 4 premiere of “The Big Move,” Norman Lear had only one choice left following John Amos’ dismissal – writing off James Evans’ character by having him die in a car accident. The Evans family was initially excited about their fresh start with James’ new job in Mississippi, but their joy was cut short by the telegram announcing his untimely demise. Over two episodes, the children grieved, while Florida struggled to express her sorrow. However, her pent-up emotions were released when she shattered a punchbowl and dramatically exclaimed “damn, damn, damn!”, symbolizing her ability to finally mourn the loss of James.
At the culmination of the series, Florida departs “Good Times” at the end of that specific season, relocating to Phoenix with her new partner, Carl. However, she’s enticed back to Chicago during Season 6 to assist Thelma (Bern Nadette Stanis) in organizing her wedding to Keith Anderson (Ben Powers). Eventually, Florida decides to remain in Chicago. In the finale of the series, James’ aspirations for his family’s prosperity are realized as J.J. ultimately finds a successful platform for his art, Michael (Ralph Carter) pursues higher education, and Keith, pregnant Thelma, and Florida all settle into an upscale apartment building once Keith signs a contract with a football team. Eventually, they reside next to Penny (Janet Jackson) and Willona (Ja’Net DuBois) in the same building again.
What John Amos did after Good Times?
John Amos’ acting career didn’t halt with “Good Times.” Shortly after his dismissal, he secured the role of the grown-up Kunta Kinte in the miniseries “Roots,” which was followed by roles in movies like “The Beastmaster,” “Doctor Doolittle 3,” “Maedea’s Witness Protection,” and “Coming to America.” On television, he became a frequent face in shows such as “Hunter,” “All About the Andersons,” “The West Wing,” and “Men in Trees.” In 2021, Amos notably reappeared as Cleo McDowell (a character who does not own that other well-known hamburger chain) in the sequel film “Coming 2 America.
He even had a role in the pilot for the upcoming “Suits” sequel series, “Suits L.A.” With his passing, the part will be recast, but he’s left a long and lasting legacy in the entertainment industry, and will forever be missed.
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2024-10-02 03:00