I wish more people stood up and had more dignity like Ms. Rolle.

Esther Rolle gone but never forgotten she still rocks!!!!

I am floored. They tried to make it a single mother show. Thank you, Ms. Rolle. Mr. Amos. Everyone. They fought a revolution behind those scenes. Wow.

Her chemistry with John Amos was so good. It's too bad the show went the direction that it did but those early episodes were so good.

Yes I’m proud of her she stood her ground and believes.

When they killed off James Evans they killed off black America's dad. The show was never the same. I still Tear up when I hear damn damn damn!!😢

While working on Good Times, I submitted a show about an abused young girl. The Producers told me they would never do a show like that, but later introduced Janet Jackson with the same premise. I was told that the show often received letters and suggestions from viewers from which staff writers would take ideas and present them as their own work. As a paige, I was excited about submitting stories to Norman Lear and Bud Yorkin shows but finally stopped upon realizing that several of my ideas had been taken and manipulated to benefit the writing staff and producers. I kept the letters I received from the shows to which I submitted scripts and I continue to write knowing that one day I will produce my work.

I still watch Good Times. I was in grade school when I got hooked on this show. Now 57 and still love this show. God bless them all... 🦋

The fact that John Amos is still alive today is a true blessing he also played a great father role in “my baby’s daddy”

Esther Rolle didnt take BS. She did the talking, walking.. and put Hollywood in their place #Queen

I had the pleasure of seeing Ms. Rolle as the Mother in a touring production of "A Raisin In The Sun" years ago. Her performance was so riveting and emotional that I still remember it to this day.

WOW!! she stood up for her people just Like “Esther” in The Bible! 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽

They made the show about JJ the same way Family Matters made it about Urkle. They appeared to be about family at first but before ya know it dumbed them down an made it about their antics to get laughs

Esther Rolle was and is SO important to the culture ❤️. Her tenacity as a actress rooted in her blackness and her unwillingness to go along with buffoonery is what's missing from today's black Hollywood actors.

Without James and Florida Evans there would be no Cosby's or Winslow's. Thank you for your positive contribution to the culture John Amos and Esther Rolle.

She was such an amazing actress. She's the only reason I watched good times. Rest in peace Esther Rolle

I love the fact that Ms. Ester stood and ground and fought for positive black images on tv. She didn’t sell her soul for money.

Esther had such a beautiful face. High cheek bones, soulful eyes, brown rich skin and the warmest smile.

This lady had one of the most infectious smiles. I have recently watched her in Maude and whenever I see her, she makes me smile so much. She was such a beautiful lady.

Thank you for this. I didn't know about all of this. It's inspiring to know the power of an actress choosing to stand her ground on her beliefs! ✊🏾

"Remember, I've been black the longest." Classic 🤣🤣

That was the 1st show that presented the black family to America and The Cosby Show was the 1st show to present a middle class black family to America. James Amos and Esther Rolle will always be Black America's 1st tv mom and pop.

Totally agree with Esther Rolle, I was in shock when they killed off James. Since I had both parents growing up, that was hard. But then when my parents got divorced, I saw the kids suffering from no parents! I was happy about the happy ending everyone got through.

Esther Rolle, in my opinion, is a true trailblazer. The word has been used so much until it has lost its true meaning but its original meaning is accurate of Esther Rolle.

The father was the reason I liked the show. He had a moral compass and great smile. I loved when he tried not to laugh.

Esther had integrity and values something that barely exists in todays world

This has to be the best synopsis of what happened during that time with the cast and era. If there is an internet award for accuracy and brilliant selection of clips to make this eye opening, stimulating report it should be entered right away!

Esther Rolle was a strong amazing lady. Her acting was brilliant and so strong.

I'm glad Esther stood up for her people we need more like her today peace

My mom took care of her before she died. rip

Thank you Mrs. Ester for taking a stand for the black family.

We need more actresses like Esther Rolle on screen, in the writing room, and behind the camera.

Super underrated show. Even to this day. I wasn't born when it was on but I watched the reruns as a kid in the 80s when they played on TV.

BLESS HER!🙏🏾 She spoke up when most would not and she was right. The show took a downturn after James left and he reminded me of my own Dad who's shares the same birthday as Amos.😆

As a 6th grader back in 1976 my class met Esther Rolle as she was invited to our school by my teacher. I was a big fan of Jimmy JJ Walker and asked her to say dynamite.She looked at me and said in her raspy voice," I'll leave that for fools like you and JJ. All my classmates laughed heck I laughed. It never phased me but many years later I would understand the beef her, and John Amos had with Jimmy Walker.

She was definitely one of our pioneers and a great role model! Treasure of our culture! 🖤

I'm Puerto Rican and grew up watching when John Amos and Esther Rolle were cast together it reminded me of how I grew up with a father down to do whatever he could to keep the family together. John Amos is from Newark NJ and is very well known for his theater work and a good man. He's still alive and thanks for your work always portraying your roles with dignity. I saw Haileys Comet it was a 1 man show staring Mr Amos 👏🏾🙌🏾

I always wanted Florida to finish school and James to start his own business I felt they had so many chances to really make it out but was always written to fail I wish we could’ve gotten to see Thelma exploring becoming a Doctor or therapist instead of just marrying a football player as her come up and I wish they would’ve explored JJ opening up his art studio and living on his own there were so many directions they could’ve went

I was a kid in the 1970s and watched every episode back then but this 7 minute video just taught me so much about the show that I didn't know.

I miss her so much she was the best mother I loved her character❤

She's a Hero and I never knew it !

she stood her ground back in the day when that was unheard of. love her! (rip)

She so beautiful! Missed her so much! A great mom on good times

Home town hero (East Orange, NJ). We're STILL proud of him.

I loved this show..if they made shows with positive messages like this again the world would be a better place

The family felt weaker when James passed. People were trying to take advantage of them more. Like the maintenance guy and others.

2023 and that "Damn." moment still almost tears me up.

I have always loved Good Times, but the episodes with the ENTIRE family were my favorites. The storyline where Florida "fell in love" with someone else was not realistic. Florida and James loved each other dearly, there is no way she would have looked at someone romantically let alone married them so quickly. The show was never the same when John Amos left.

It goes a lil deeper too. The showrunner had the idea of how he thought a black family should be portrayed - broken. He used JJ to split that family apart figuratively which then became literally. The same showrunner made the Jeffersons, they recasted Lionel but they didn't recast James Evans??? - which tells you how much he just didn't like the idea of a strong Black role model and he got the single black mother raising them kids in the PJs like he wanted smh. Could have recasted James if it was truly just beefing with John Amos but they didn't, so draw your own conclusions. RIP Esther Rolle, RIP Ja'Net DuBois

The only thing that really bugged me about this show was on the wedding episode... Not one single mention of James.... Thats just wrong....they could have Thelma say one line about her Daddy walking her down the aisle... That was his "baby girl" after all

Still miss this show. The parents were my favorite part of every episode. Thank you for sharing this beautiful walk through memory lane.

I grew up watching Good Times and Esther with my first girlfriend and her family.... Ester still reminds me so much of her mom, Annette, a sweet kind lady I always remember. RIP Esther and Annette.

I was born in the right time. Esther really put her foot down. Having a Father in her spin off was integral. I'm glad that she did that. I really liked what they rejected. John Amos was the Bomb. The real African American Dad that most probably wished to have. Loved the show. Rest in Power Queen Esther.

John amos may have lost the battle but he def won the war. His role on good times was a catalyst for shows like the cosby show which gave us a different world. Chain reaction for the culture. Salute to esther for standing her ground👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

I truly respect everything she said!👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 she told not one lie and didn’t hold back👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🥲🥲 This one for the books because she basically made history with that show and just stuck to her morals just really enlightened me.🙏🏾🙏🏾Ms. Esther Roll🙏🏾🙏🏾 #thankyou

I didn't realize what a wonderful matriarch she was. She's the kind of person we need to guide our youth. There's a reason we are taught to respect our elders. They understand the importance of a good strong family.

Ester Rolle was showing how a family was supposed to be. Notable exception of the Huxtables, I see though. The Cosby Show was a direct recipient of the "Good Times" recipe and nevertheless showed a whole generation how a good family, not just black, operates.

What an amazing woman

I loved this series growing up!! Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

Thank you Esther! Much respect to you!

You can tell, when James got killed off it was never the same!! I can only watch the 1st 3 seasons and that's it

Esther Rolle you are greatly missed. Watched you in films and tv, such a great actress. The Angela Bassett, and Meryl Streep of her time. Such a jewel! ♥️❤️🥰

She was a good actress Rest In Peace

I learned a lot from this video. Didn't know why there was so much drama.

I saw the series finale last year and I cried. I was so happy that it all worked out for all of them, and they finally came up!!! I grew up with this show!

I hated when James and Florida characters left the show, it lost something. I do however like when Janet Dubois got more parts and Janet Jackson’s character Penny come along. I like that Thelma had married Keith ( Ben Powers) but it’s like they didn’t know what to do with him. It’s just make you angry how Producers can ruin good shows. Our shows that are Black oriented always get changed or cancelled because some head people screw with it. Like the show “Underground” a good series about Black slaves fighting back and with good ratings. They couldn’t wait to destroy it.

Seriously, the show was perfect in the beginning. But I think it was too difficult to leave a loving black family portrayed together on tv, complete with both parents. And that’s what we need to see-complete family units with a strong father figure guided by morals, principles and dignity. The show in the beginning embodied the fact that if you don’t stand for something you’ll fall for anything. I agree with most others that after John Amos left, the show was never the same, and I am also glad that he’s still alive and going strong 💪Esther Rolle portrayed everything a woman should be to a man- opinionated and strong, but yet loving, obedient and a help/support to her husband. May her beautiful soul rest in peace

Amazing to hear about how Esther Rolle stood her ground. I have heard of other actors doing the same, such as Kate Mulgrew refusing a scantily clad love scene n Voyager as she didn't want to send a bad message to girls who were watching. It's great to hear such stories.

Thank you Ester and John for your advocacy and efforts made toward the enhancement and representation of Black Culture. ❤❤❤

Thank you for showing so much respect 🙏 for a strong inspiring woman like Esther Rolle. She was a blessing.

I still watch Good Times!!

I love 💕 every bit of the show. Thank you Queen 👑 Esther. Standing your grounds paved the way for so many of us. Blessings

I love Esther Rolle, she was incredible on the screen !

I was sad to see Esther Role and John Amos leave the show. Now that I know why, I perfectly understand.

I loved her as the mother. She was so funny and caring. I still watch the show today.

I'm about to share this as my trail blazer of the day. Well done video. Thanks. Subscribed

🤔 Im Picking Up a Pattern; The Producers of *Good Times* and *Esther Rolle* seems to have the same sentiment of the Producers of *Family Matters* and *Jo Marie Payton* . In both shows J.J. and Steve Urkel Roles expanded after they received such a positive comedic reaction from the audience though they took moral value away from the show. Esther and Jo both had spin off shows after being such strong black female characters in previous white dominated cast shows. It seems like there was an agenda to show the black family with a Strong Black Woman but Not a Strong Black Father that could Lead in the home. Just seem like Someone in Hollywood does not want the black man to be portrayed as a Strong Father Figure that takes care of his family. The shows name were *Good Times* and nothing was good about those times. The other show was named *Family Matters* and Judy never came back downstairs 🤷🏾‍♂️ See where I'm headed with this...

Good times was not the same when John amos left the show it really went down after John left ..still a classic with John in it

I heard an interview recently with Jimmy Walker and he said there was lots of tension on the set. The actors would show up and say there lines and then just go home. Walker said there was no social niceties off set. He said he didn’t have any phone numbers of any of the actors from the show and when it came to Esther Rolle, he said in the entire length of the show he and Rolle spoke twice and that was it. She did not go for him at all. This is sad to hear because it was a good show!!

Still one of my favorites

This show is so important for the culture. I just turned 35 and I grew up watching this show. Once a classic always a classic 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

Comedy Hype does it again ❤️ thank you for this!

She played the perfect tv Mom. I really enjoyed seeing her on that show. She was the real star!

Idk why watching this made me tear up several times..

They were the show we looked forward to watching each night.

The show got bad after James died.

Thanks for the laughs and AWESOME MEMORIES 😊❤️

Rest in Heaven! A true visionary and freedom fighter. She accomplished things few could. Thank you for championing us, thank you for never backing down. God bless you and the incredible legacy you’ve left us.❤️💐

Thank you Esther Rolle for standing strong...

A huge contributing factor to the show's decline was when the co- creators Eric Monte and Micheal Evan's who portrayed Lionel on the Jeffersons...basically got pushed out by the White producers and writers after the show became successful...Eric Monte was the heart and soul of Good Times because he grew up on Chicago's West side in the Cabrini Projects...which was the setting of Good Times...according to what Eric Monte said...Norman Lear wanted the show to have more of a comedic tone but Eric just like John Amos and Esther Rolle hated to see Jimmy Walker strutting around with that Rooster on the top of his head...notice when the Florida character was reintroduced , JJ stopped delivering Chicken and Ribs...he got a job at a advertising agency and started to dress more conservatively...this video also did not mention the addition of Keith Anderson eventhough Thelma getting married was kind anti-climatic...it is sad ... the characters we grew to love for 6 years ...move out of the projects and get to live their dreams only after the network pulled the plug...like the bigwigs did not think a show about successful People of Color would not be a ratings powerhouse...the Jeffersons was on the air before and after Good Times !

One of my favorite shows! I never missed a episode! But I did have many sitcoms I watched. Thanks for those shows.

As with most commenters here, I too agree that "Good Times" officially ended when they wrote off James the husband & father. We loved this show as kids in the hood because it was a mirror reflection of our lives on TV. Almost all of my relatives, friends, as well as myself grew up in dilapidated public housing that was infested with poverty & crime. We lived in small cramped apartments, having to share rooms, some slept in living rooms, etc. Each day was a struggle just to make home to school and home. The elevator ride itself was the most dangerous form of public transportation we knew at the time. What was different though is that in the case of the Evans family, they had James at home. They had a father, a husband, a provider, a protector, mentor, disciplinarian, etc. Where as we, for the most part, just had our mothers. If that. They were poor, struggling, etc, but they were complete in that little apartment as a full family. And the boy's shot at making it to adulthood away from crime, violence, drugs, gangs, etc was drastically higher than the rest because of him. Because of James. Amos slayed the role of James, it was one of the best TV casting calls ever made. But if Norman Lear only knew that in killing off Florida's husband and father of the Evans kids, he also killed off the make-believe TV dad that most fatherless homes in the hood admired, respected, and wished they had. Thanks for the ear.

Imagine Janet Jackson at 9 or 10 pretty much saving the show for a time and giving it some integrity … 😩😩😩 she’s been a legend her whole life

I loved the parents on good times. Great Characters!

Thank you for standing up for the culture Ms. Rolle. You brought that strong image out in Maude and you continued in Good Times as the matriarch of the family. You are one of our forever ICONS. ❤

Thank you for doing this for our TV matriarch..Much appreciate this. ..and a live person narration..

So basically the show would’ve ran a lot longer if the writers would’ve known what or who they were writing about.

I know Norman Lear had the last say so, on what happened on his shows. I want to know, whose bright idea, was it to call the show Good Times Calling the show Good times, when majority of the time they where bad times and they where miserable, what a paradox or is it a oxymoron 🤔 Thanks for sharing, I always thought she left because she got sick, became ill. She got sick and tired of how they portrayed Black men. I knew why John was fired, because he didn't like how JJ was portrayed, in a negative way, a 70's shuck and jive character I Know Mike Evans the first Lionel from The Jefferson was the creator and one of the writers on Good Times.

The cast had a great chemistry. I loved this show.

That show sure was loaded with talent. Good on this KZfaqr for highlighting that.