Good Times Stars Respond To Animation: “They'll have a hard time reaching that level..” - John Amos

IMAGE: CBS

It looks like the reactions from Netflix's Good Times animated series continue to roll in. After voices involved in the new series, Slink Johnson and Yvette Nicole Brown defended the series, stars of the original 1970s live-action version have now decided to chime in. The Hollywood Reporter recently caught up with John Amos, who portrayed, James Evans for the first three seasons, said that the new show will have a hard time living up to the original. 

If you remember, Amos was famously fired from the show after protesting stereotypical content with Norman Lear and other staff writers. Both Amos and Esther Rolle, who played the matriarch, Florida Evans would constantly go back-and-forth with writers and producers over what they considered, buffoonish behavior. When The Hollywood Reporter asked Amos for his thoughts on the new series, he said: 

"I really can't form an opinion, as I've not seen any of the episodes yet...Norman - and the entire cast and company - set the bar pretty high. They'll have a hard time reaching that level of entertainment [and] education. I wish them the best. I see people aspiring to that, but I don't see anybody reaching that goal, especially in an animated version"

Now, The Hollywood Reporter, not only interviewed Amos for his thoughts on the Good Times reboot; they also got the opportunity to speak with BernNadette Stanis, who played Amos' daughter, Thelma Evans. During the interview, Stanis mentioned that she hasn't seen the trailer for the animated version yet, but was aware of the mixed reviews involving it. In the end, Stanis stated she understood the confusion from some fans, as they may think the original cast was associated with this new update. 

"Probably a lot of people don't know how Hollywood works...a lot of times, you use a certain name to open up the door for a new show. That could be what it is. But I'm sure a lot of people will be a little confused at first because they have to think that it's us. They think, 'Oh, my God! That's got to be Thelma, J.J. and Michael' And then you come in there, and you don't see anything like that"

In addition, Stanis would also reveal that Netflix had reached out to her in order to provide a voice in the show; she stated that both her and Jimmy Walker, known for playing J.J. in the original live-action series will make appearances as minor characters.

"I did a little voice for them, but I did not know it was going to be the way it is. I thought it was going to be different...It's just a little here and there. But I think they did that because they knew what their show was going to be like. So I guess they figured, if you put us in there, it wouldn't look so bad or whatever"

It appears as though both stars are reserving their full judgement on the series until its released, however, from their comments, they clearly still hold the original series in a higher regard.

So, what do you think of John Amos and BernNadette Stanis' comments on the Good Times animated series? Let us know in the comments below 

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