Very realistic. A lot of us don't become instantly saddened by a death, but then when we finally realize that the person is gone forever....Damn! Damn! Damn!
Felix Brown people don't get this scence...my mom went through it, and one day she just broke down after losing my father. Now they're both gone and I still keep looking for the nearest Bowl...
@@franklingartrell I remember watching this episode and people may wondered why Florida wasn't grieving at first with the rest of the family. She was actually tried to hold her emotions in to be brave for the kids and making sure that things goes right. Florida couldn't hold it in anymore. So she had to let it go.
People parody and make fun of this scene, but there is nothing funny about it. After you share 25-30 years, 3 children and a home with someone and then they're gone, it is heartbreaking!!!
Phophi Khandela True! But there's a difference between shows in this time period than the ones today. People actually connected, cared for, and related to the characters- wether comedy or drama. Nowadays everything has been " Dumb or Numb" down. Like the previous comment- yes- Its just a TV Show but it had relatable substance.
When I saw this I actually thought James did die for real not just on the show but then saw where he was still alive today and that made me admire the actors emotions more because it truly felt real
The one "orange" that I remember was when she came to the courthouse to stop James from going after Mad Dog, who had shot JJ. She walks into the scene as Mrs. Edwards is berating Mad Dog and saying that she never wants to see him again. Mad Dog puts his father down for being a drunk and abandoning them. Mrs. Edwards slaps him and like Florida would later do, breaks down and leaves crying. When James shows compassion and doesn't hit him, Mad Dog leaves. Then James says another powerful statement. "No, Florida. There's something that I could've done. I could have broken him in half. But,...Florida, would kind of a father am I to actually feel sorry for the boy that shot our son?" "The right kind, James, the right kind." God knows that we need for James Evans's in this world and on TV.
This scene has been parodied so many times, yet it is still a powerful fucking scene when you really stop to think about it. She spends the entire episode trying to fill each moment with an activity, just so she doesn't have to accept that James is really gone. Then all of a sudden it hits her like a hammer -- her husband, the father of her children, is gone. He isn't coming back, and now she is left to shoulder all the burdens of guiding her family through life in the ghetto on her own. It's too bad that Good Times became more gimmicky as the seasons wore on. When the show wanted to be powerful, it could be damn -- no pun intended -- powerful.
That's why John Amos left. It was becoming too much of JJ antics & catchphrases. This was a great show when it started but failed to stick the landing. The show was funny & socially relevant. The show settled for just the funny which made it less unique.
Nate Broadus It really did become horrible after this. Although the storyline with Willona and Penny was a step in the right direction, but it still wasn't good after James died. It made the real fans of the show go "Damn! Damn! Damn! ".
The symbolism between Florida and the glass bowl says it all. It isn't until she picks it up and purposely smashes it do we see how broken she feels at that particular moment. She wanders about the kitchen in that state of being present but not really in the moment until she picks up the rose. The end literately becomes an acceptance for Florida to mourn the loss of her husband and allows her children to comfort her.
@@123451248ify This scene has even more meaning when you consider what went on behind the scenes of the show. Norman Lear had fired John Amos because he keeps butting heads with the writers on how the show was written, especially how Blacks were portrayed.
@@HuskyDog88 We don't have to turn this into a race thing. He left because he didn't like the character of J.J. If Amos was fired by Lear, he would not have worked with him again when he did that series where his character's family moved into Archie Bunker's old house.
@@123451248ify Esther Rolle was adamant that the producers include a husband for Florida. She insisted there be a mother and a father, and after this episode it's like all that was out the window.
@@HuskyDog88 I believe she got remarried and she was written off the show. Then she came back, and her second marriage didn't exist!🤣🤣🤣 I remember watching the E! True Hollywood Story on Good Times!😜😜
i know its a sad scene but when me and my buddy were in high school, we had jobs as dishwashers, and when we would drop a plate and it broke we would yell out DAMN DAMN DAMNNNNN and burst out laughing
I still do that if I drop and break something. One time at work in an office I dropped a mug and broke it and yelled this and a guy peed on himself laughing at me. It was hilarious
Ashante Brown They were suppose to move out and meet James in Miss. While reading "Good Wishes" telegrams there was one in the bunch informing the family that James was killed in a car accident.
+lakebay972 ROFLMFAO Lakebay972, now that was fucking hilarious. All the other jokes under this video have been mediocre at best like the guy who says this is how he screams for "Yams" at thanksgiving. Meh! But this was funny as hell. I can just here a crash in the middle of service and you screaming out this after hearing about the engagement and the whole congregation looking at you. LMFAO!
i saw this when it first aired, and it still sends chills up my spine. Florida's husband James had died, and she'd breezed thru the arrangements and funeral serves -- and this moment was after she was finally alone, cleaning up after the reception. the reason we remember it, 36 years later, and the reason jokes are made about it - i suspect - is because it's too real and too painful an emotion to face. this was when television, even sitcoms, were political, unafraid, and POWERFUL.
Yeah, people breaking stuff when someone dies only happens in television shows and movies! 🤣🤣🤣🤣In real life, it would be overkill and you would have a big mess to clean up. Not to mention, you would have to spend the money to replace what you broke. It would have been easier and more cost-effective if Florida had not thrown the punch bowl in the first place. Now that James is gone, the Evans don't have that extra income anymore! 🤣🤣🤣🤣
I remember my family and I were pretty shocked by this moment, because cursing wasn't nearly as common then on TV, and especially to see this character swearing like this was incredibly moving.
When I was 12, I lost my father (sudden massive heart attack). After they finished burying him and put the flowers in place, we walked to the site. My aunt (his sister, who was 2 years older) just completely lost it. Even though they fought growing up some (she once hit him with a broom breaking his nose), she was always protective of him. And this was one time that she couldn't protect him.
@Eyewokeness News though Television doesn't do any tribute to this scene and actress like the others and Florida did that & still don't get the recognition she deserves,so we have to.moment in black television,she said what she said.let us have our moments without y'all trying to credit in.
I remember watching this scene as a kid of 11 years old. To this day , it still makes me choke up. I am 58 . That day, we all felt the loss of a dad. I am Hispanic and the Evan’s family was the closest to me identifying with a tv family . Such a power scene. Superb acting by ester roller. We all felt her pain that day .
Just lost my father. This scene is about the realest there has ever been broadcast on TV with regard to loss because my mother is the same way. She'll be going about her day and it'll hit her like a ton of bricks.
My mom literally just had this moment when her mother passed away this Friday. She had to, as she finally accepted the fact she was gone. It was relieving for her to do this, and I always look at this and go, " I know the feeling."
It was one of the saddest moments in tv history but my sister ruined this for me forever cause we watched this episode years ago and she busted out laughing and my grandma went off on her ass!!! LMAO
I was born in 70, I remember Good Times in the 70's but was kind of young. In the mid 80's they had the re-runs on TBS. I saw this when I was 14 and laughed my ass off!! Remembered it ever since.
This is actually an amazing example of a comedy principle called, "Rules of Three". Can work too with dramatic moments. Watch closely, because it starts from when she picks up the rose. You can even see it in her face. The first plate she picks up, she puts in the sink. Her facade of calm is slowly beginning to crack. The second time, she picks up the pan, puts it in the fridge, that's when you know something's about to happen. The third time is the punch bowl, and that's when she snaps, and, of course, television history is made. An amazing masterclass of acting from Esther Rolle, and one that demonstrates the fine line between comedy and drama. Well done.
People make fun of this scene but don't realize when you spend so many years of your lives with someone and they die without you getting to say a proper goodbye AND realization hits that they're really gone forever, I'd say that definitely constitutes as a damn, damn, damn moment.
This was the most heartfelt scene in sitcom history in my opinion. I just watched it and even half a century later it immediately brought me to tears. 😭
This is one of the greatest acting moments of all time and one the realest moments of all time. You can hear about someone's death. But it doesn't hit home until the house gets cold. I remember when my mother died in a hospital accident where a nurse gave her the wrong medicine and burst a blood vessel in her head. I got the news and played it off. The next day I heard my older sister in the bathroom. I thought my mother was in the bathroom on the toilet. When I found out it was my sister. That when I realized my mother was gone. I tear up every time I see this episode. I wanted to scream but had to hold the pain inside. I didn't want to wake up the house or show the pain I had inside. I am the baby of the family and leader of my family. I didn't want people giving me the same old funeral talk and treating me like a helpless baby. I had to be my family's rock and leader. I had to hold the family together. I had to pray and cry to God, Jesus Christ, and The Holy Spirit a lot unseen. My mother is alive inside of me. I remember the great playbook of life she and my father gave me. They gave me many whippings and a lot of love. I didn't get all the material things I wanted. I was blessed with love, respect of God, and a loving 2 parent home. R.I.P. My great parents. Mrs. Mary Ellen Jones (1950 - 2001) Mr. Ruben Jones. (1944 - 2002) If your parents are still alive. Please call them and let them know that you love them. Don't wait until a person is dead to say I love you or forgive them for a wrong they have committed against you. Give a person their roses and forgiveness while they are alive.
Associate Minister & Reserve Deacon Mr. Terry Jones my condolences to you. I’m sure they are resting in peace. One glorious day you will see them again. That is the hope we have in Jesus, Who gives us strength for the battle!
She was trying not to let her emotions about the death of her husband get to her. And just finally she couldn't hold it in anymore. Classic scene. I think almost everybody has had a "damn damn damn" moment. When at first you don't cry, but later on it just comes out of nowhere.
The first time I saw this I was a kid and it was very upsetting. Flo was always such a rock for the Evans family and to see her break down like this brought tears to my eyes (still does). Great actress. RIP Ms. Rolle.
This scene can never be duplicated by anyone- I grew up watching this show. Her breaking the bowl and breaking down to her children was scary good acting, damn.
I cry EVERY time I see this. I feel it. I've never been married to anyone that long nor lost them. But I can imagine. The closest person I lost is my mom. Even though we weren't close, when they started lowering that casket, that was my damn damn damn moment. She played this part for real.
I don't get that emotional over this scene because it's having a character die in television show doesn't compare to actually losing a loved one. It's only devastating when the actor dies along with the character.
@@123451248ify What the hell is wrong with you this Show was funny But it also dealt with Real life Situation and Personal Struggles. I mean are you saying you be out there At the Club Dancing if your Wife or Husband Died
@@robertrodriguez787 The better question is why do you feel the need to capitalize words that don't need to be capitalized. 🤣🤣 Yes, if my wife was a fictional character from a TV series that's been off the air for over forty years! 🤣🤣😂😂😁😁
+Ryan Mobley She didn't realize what she was doing. She wasn't paying attention which meant she had to do it all over again, walk back and forth from the table to the fridge and even though it was a mundane task she was using it to distract her til she couldn't take it anymore. Something had to go and it was the bowl. This is a powerful scene and her actions are just as profound.
Yup, I felt the same way when my dad died too and I remember us watching this episode once before. You just have this breakdown that you just can't control, and you be like, WHY?
Yea being in my 40s I grew up with this show and many others that just dont exist anymore and wont ever again but it was a sad scene no doubt. I loved Amos' character as a young child watching the show and it felt real when they killed him off. There was alot of good that came from the 70s and I kind of miss them....things were simpler with less technology.
Everybody laughs and does their own version of this scene, sure. Don't feel bad about doing that. It is SO affecting, and SO emotional, and so well acted and well directed, that people just have to make themselves laugh a little bit about it. Surely one of the top five most affecting scenes in television history.
You’re basically right.. The only reason it’s so universally mocked is because it hits like a hammer the first time you see it.. I saw this the first time when I was very young... Maybe 12 years old.. And even though I was young and Florida repeated one word three times, I knew everything those words meant, probably for the first time in my life.. The loss of your partner, the anxiety of an unknown future... The fear of losing your family, or not knowing what’s next.. It was a powerful moment, no question..
@@jacobjones5269 your response, two years ago to this iconic scene, is the most mature, logical, observant and well thought out that I have ever read. Well done! 👍🏾
It was called good times to reflect that even in the harshest of circumstances, a family was able to rise and make the best (good times) out of deplorable situations. Kinda like give me lemons, I'll make lemonade.
rb rb- back then, shows were taped in front of a live studio audience, so there were no additional takes! The late Ester Rolle was just THAT good of an actress< as were the others on the show but nobody had nothing on Theatrically trained Ester Rolle!
@@lazaroclarkeii8994 Minor correction. As I remember it, some shows would do two tapings (like THE CAROL BURNETT SHOW famously did*). The first was presumed a dress rehearsal and the second was usually what aired, though occasionally with segments of the first taping edited in. Retakes were actually possible but very rarely, and usually only for technical reasons. Performers were expected to be as flawless, as you noted, as expected in a live stage show. ___ Tim Conway 'exposed' the two-tapings format because he'd often improv or ad lib during the second taping (but not the first) in order to get the rest of the cast to 'break' character with laughter. While normally that would be discouraged, Conway's brilliance was adored by the audience and has produced some of the most iconic sketch comedy scenes in television history.
even though this wasnt real, it hits me really hard. it reminds of the hard times my mom went through after my dads passing. luckily my brothers and i were always there for her. death is real, its no joke. nothing can explain how much it hurts to lose someone you love, it changes you forever.
@Sailordude2012, John Amos wasn't fired, he quit the show because he didn't agree with the way the writers were portraying J.J. and the low comedy that was being written and the direction it was heading
While his and Rolle's dissatisfaction with J.J.'s character was well known, he didn't quit the show, they told him they weren't renewing his contract (to which he replied 'that's the same as being fired'). Amos stated this in an interview with Jet magazine. The producers had initially tried to pass it off as Amos wanting to focus on his film career, but Amos corrects that in the interview. Rolle was the one who quit the show because of conflicts over J.J's character. She leaves at the end of season 4. She returned at the beginning of season 6, but not until her demands that the writing and characters are improved. It was too late to save the show though.
signalsx No he was fired. He said in an interview that he got a call from Norman and stated that Good Times was coming back but that John wouldn't be there.
This scene is probably one of the most poignant I have ever witnessed in a sitcom. Even seeing it three decades after it televised, it brings back strong emotions imagining yourself in Florida's predicament in suddenly losing James. It is heartbreaking and should make anybody recognize the value of a loved one, and not to take them for granted, as their sudden or prolonged exit is assured.
+Diggy22 He didn't really die on that airplane tho. He escaped death and got a low profile job as a security guard at Gateway Prison under the name Meissner, and NOBODY...f**s with Meissner.
ThisNamesNowTaken and he look cool in it. But the sad part is, he never wrote back to his family. I guess he must've hit his head and got amnesia while teleporting. LoL 😁
I hate how this is a meme today cause when my mom used to watch Good Times reruns when I was little, this scene always made me tear up. Excellent acting from Ms. Ester.
