One of our favorite black television fathers of all time speaks out about why he left “Good Times”, a wonderful sitcom about a black family getting by in the ghetto during the 1970s.

John Amos, known as James Evans on the show, sat down for an interview to answer the question of why he left the wildly popular show. However, it isn’t what you think that he stood up one day and stormed off the set, but was actually forced out because of his strong will, opposition to constantly clowning and wanting the focus of the show to be geared more towards Michael and Penny, the younger kids.

Amos starts the interview talking about Michael and Penny desiring to be a Supreme Court Judge and a medical surgeon.

He wanted the focus of the show to be more geared towards these two characters as they would provide positive motivation and encouragement for other black children watching the show to reach for more.

However, the producers and creators of the show had a different opinion and wanted the show to continue to revolve around JJ, the loud, boisterous big brother who constantly clowned and jived for the camera.

Clearly, this is where the ratings were won and the producers of the show went that route, then ask Amos to leave because his opposition became intolerable.

Watch the clip as he explains: