Jimmie Walker, who is best known for his role on “Good Times” spoke to NPR on various topics including black folks in the entertainment industry.
Former “Good Time’s” star, Jimmie Walker, chatted with NPR’s Michele Martin recently to discuss his position on why major studios would rather avoid black films. According to him, the community protests too frequently about the stereotypes projected on film. But he argues that some of the stereotypes that some argue appear bad, aren’t necessarily negative.
“What happens is, it also is reflective in black TV shows and movies, that you’re not gonna get anymore of those because of the constant complaining, moaning and groaning… The point is to make money,” he said. “And therefore, the networks themselves have actually stopped doing any ethnic shows, because they don’t want the aggravation… What has happened is that any minority character you see on a show now is always the police commissioner, the head of the hospital, the school superintendent. Those kinds of people don’t invoke followers. The people who are going to get attention are the wacky guys… who eventually become stars… You’ll never see a black Will Ferrell, You’ll never see a black Adam Sandler, because black people aren’t allowed to play those kind of roles.”
CHeck out the entire interview at NPR.org: