Good Times (1974 – 1979): Amos and Rolle vs. Walker
Spin-offs occasionally reach – or even exceed – the popularity of its original show. Such was the case with Good Times, a spinoff from Maude (1972 – 1978), about a family of five living in one of Chicago’s inner-city public housing projects. John Amos, who played father James Evans, and Esther Rolle, cast as mother Florida, lived in a small flat with artist son J.J., scholar daughter Thelma, and activist son Michael. As the show grew more popular, Amos and Rolle felt Jimmie Walker’s increasingly popular ‘J.J.’ character had become too slapstick, a caricature. Amos left the show in the third season over the depiction of African American characters. To explain Amos’s absence, his character was killed in a car accident. Rolle left after the fourth season, her character having remarried and moved to Arizona. When the producers asked Rolle to return, she agreed – if J.J. showed some maturity and responsibility.