when they kill off john amos character they kill the show . he be the vital part of the info structure . you have a story of an inner city family struggle to make it the best way they know how . they be poor and they be black and and they be live proof that if you have jesus and your family that nothing be too hard . sure james would lose job and jj would fail in school but the family always manage to find a way . james be the strong male role model that earn the income and discipline the child . florida be the strong lady that would everyone include james when he need a shoulder to cry on or hug to make it . the kid have personality and input which make them important a a family unit . their neighbor willona be also a key element because she represent not only a friend but some dear enough to be family . thing be bright and gritty and funny and and honest until they change the course of the program . james dy and jj take over the show . flo be still mom and thelma be blossom into a lady and michael be still the militant midget but jj be the show . we be expect to believe that the family with no father or prominent bread winner be go to be able to stay in the apartment . i guess james paycheck do not do much for the family . they be only threaten with eviction because they say they be move and not because no one in the house be work . i know that jj and flo and thelma and even michael eventually got job but come on here be for real . james work so much that you could feel for him but the others weren not realistic at all and that a shame . jj be the comic relief but i felt the show need substance . it ok to be funny but they have a chance to show a real family and what it take to survive in the real world and they throw it all away on a few laugh . michael character almost disappear while the rest of the cast slip into the shadow of the jj evan show . i mean really and here be a guy that be fail in school and he keep get lay off and and he paint for money in about two episode . james have always be there to encourage his talent but flo and the rest of the family do not seem to care . why do it take him so long to understand that painting be what he be mean to do . he could have sell paint on the street or work for people that print billboard and card . ( he do but something go wrong with that . ) why do he not make it and why do the others give up on their dream . i will tell you why and it be because they do not have a father in their life to care and to cheer them on and their mother stop be their to support their dream . the show stop teach u about grow and building and learning and start teach u about gimmick and catch phrase . they should have keep james . if any show need a father it be that one .