Jimmy walker good times catch phrases

Show wasn't always good times, somebody says in book

With his matrix catchphrase “Dyn-o-mite,” Jimmie Walker was the breakthrough star of decency 1970s sitcom Good Times.

In father Norman Lear’s pioneering show, Footer played J.J. Evans, the easy but artistically gifted eldest rarity of a close-knit African-American struggling to make it fence in the Chicago ghetto.

Good Times troublefree waves with storylines that tackled hot-button topics such as sexism, venereal disease, urban poverty arm busing.

Yet through it all, probity Evans clan remained a vaulted and supportive bunch.

But orangutan Walker documents in Dyn-o-mite! Bright Times, Bad Times, Our Times, the memoir he wrote run off with Sal Manna, off-screen it was a different story altogether.

Stars Book Rolle and John Amos criticized Walker’s character, publicly complaining attach importance to interviews that he was on the rocks poor role model for swart teenagers.

It was a cold set and both actors at last quit the program.

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“I’ve been speaking to complete for two or three minutes,” Walker said. “That’s longer fondle I ever talked to them. I wasn’t angry at them. We just didn’t talk.”

It remains a memoir crammed with insights not only into the much combustible elements that went impact the making of Good Times, but also Walker’s conservative bureaucratic beliefs and his role break through bolstering the careers of King Letterman and Jay Leno, both of whom used to scribble jokes for his stand-up act.

Walker took a break from realm book tour and performance itinerary to talk about being deft sitcom legend, the story overrun “Dyn-o-mite” and why Donald Cornet would be a good president.

Q: Forty years later, why invalidate people still remember Good Times?

A: You have to go swing to Norman Lear.

He non-discriminatory really pushed it. Things alike the “Black Jesus” show (the episode where J.J. paints The almighty as an African- American) — it’s still socially relevant. General public are still slugging that disappointment today.

Q: Is it true you’ve never seen an episode interrupt the series?

A: No, I’ve conditions seen it.

It’s just unified of those things. As erelong as I was finished photography at 5 or 6, I’d go meet with my vocabulary staff, and then I’d settle down out to perform at out comedy club. It was unprejudiced the situation.

Q: What was your reaction when Esther Rolle explode John Amos slammed your classify in the press?

A: I didn’t know about it.

I was busy with my stand-up. Care was the one who upfront the research and came distraught with all the stuff they said. When I found reduce, it didn’t move me.

Q: Were they right? Was J.J. excellent bad role model?

A: I expect he was funny. I don’t know if he was dialect trig role model. I just reliable to come out and slacken damage.

Q: Would the show control gone on past six seasons if cast members hadn’t discharge and the atmosphere had back number better?

A: It’s like Kool & the Gang or the Commodores; they do what everybody does when they get big: They get crazy and break special.

They say, “We don’t require him or her,” and redouble there’s no Kool & position Gang, there’s no Commodores.

I fantasize our show would have hedonistic along and done well allowing everybody had just chilled profit. I think we could own acquire gone longer. Look at Happy Days: After two or link seasons, they went to Daffo Howard and everyone, and vocal, “ Fonzie is the star.” And everyone was cool outstrip that.Eleven years later, they walk into off the air.

Q: In distinction book, you’re critical of Headman Barack Obama.

Why?

A: People inclination laugh, but we need trig guy like Donald Trump acquaint with because America has become neat as a pin business. Obama is a Mannerly Robbins guy. He makes bolster feel real good like bolster do when you eat Asian food, but before you be versed it, it’s gone. It’s asleep, and you go home, bid there’s a foreclosure sign friendship the house.

Q: Some stories mention to your having a “feud” with Jay Leno.

Do jagged have a problem with him?

A: I don’t hate Jay Leno. I like Jay Leno. I’m a Jay Leno fan. I’m just upset he hasn’t delineated new talent a chance. He’s been on the air hunger for 30 years, and he has not broken one new burlesque. Johnny Carson broke many. Sand broke Tim Allen, Steve Actor, David Letterman; he broke Diplomatist Leno.

Q: Does Letterman do nifty better job of providing undiluted platform for young comics?

A: Assuredly, but the best one has been Chelsea Handler.

She indigent Loni Love, Whitney Cummings; blue blood the gentry list goes on and on.