| If You Go Jimmie Walker 8 and 10 p.m. today and Saturday Bonkerz Comedy Club, in the LaPlaya Resort & Suites, 2500 N. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach TICKETS: $25, available at the resort INFORMATION: 386-672-0990 |
ENTERTAINMENT WRITER
Dyn-o-mite!
OK, got that out of the way. After all, an article on comedian/actor Jimmie Walker that doesn't mention his catch-phrase, from the 1970s TV show "Good Times," would be like an essay on the pope's religion that doesn't mention he's Roman Catholic.
Of course Walker, who performs today and Saturday at Bonkerz in Daytona Beach, has done far more than portray J.J., the pencil-thin, teenaged painter and jokester in the Norman Lear-produced series.
Walker's many movie and television credits include "Airplane!," "Home Alone 2: Lost in New York," "The Love Boat," "Hollywood Squares" and, more recently, "Everybody Hates Chris" and "The George Lopez Show."
The 62-year-old Walker got his start in and around his home turf, the projects of New York's South Bronx. He worked as an engineer at small radio stations before landing a gig in the late 1960s as the opening act for the Last Poets -- that group of poets and musicians who were igniting the civil rights and black nationalist movements with their fiery rhetoric.
Given that background, it's not surprising that these days Walker confesses on his Web site (dynomitejj.com) that he would like to "write a full-time political column." What may be surprising is that Walker cites such heroes as conservative pundits George Will and Thomas Sowell. (A beaming Walker also has been photographed bear-hugging uber-conservative pit bull Ann Coulter).
When Walker isn't penning political essays for his Web site, he still tours the country 25 to 30 weeks a year performing stand-up comedy. When he's not touring, he divides his time between homes in Los Angeles and Las Vegas,
In an e-mail interview with The News-Journal via his Blackberry, Walker talked comedy and politics.
rick.deyampert
When you were growing up in the South Bronx, were you exposed to a lot of comedy, whether on TV, radio, sneaking into clubs or on records (maybe some of those Laff Records comedians)? Also, who were some of the first comedians who made you laugh?
Record players in the ghetto??? I grew up and to this day still have tremendous respect for Dick Gregory and Godfrey Cambridge. Two incredibly talented men regardless of race.
You opened for the Last Poets in the late 1960s. I gather not too many comedians have that on their resume. Given that the Last Poets were creating politically charged poetry/raps/lyrics, and civil rights battles were raging, did any politically charged comedy make its way into your routine in those days? What about today? Any Obama jokes?
I was very fortunate to hook up with the Poets and the Panthers and all the other elements of the '60s scene. They were some turbulent times and in retrospect it seems incongruous that "J.J." would be opening for militant groups, but at the time it was natural and very organic.
My act then as now has always been about, to quote Marvin Gaye, "what's going on." If it is in the news, it's in the act! It was true 40 years ago and it is true today. Nixon didn't get a pass from me nor did Carter or Clinton or the Bushes. I take my fair share of shots at our new commander in chief. When it comes to comedy and politics, I am 100% colorblind, Brother!!!
One "Good Times" question: Your co-star Esther Rolle expressed reservations about the nature of your character J.J., saying that J.J. was too irresponsible and wasn't a good role model. What's your take on that? Do you feel she was over-reacting?
Esther was a tremendously gifted dramatic actress. We were fortunate to have her in our cast and it is a testament to Norman Lear's ability to cast his shows correctly. That being said, TV Guide listed us as a "comedy" with an ensemble cast. Not everyone deals with other cast members' popularity with as much grace as, say, Conrad Bain did with Gary Coleman or Reginald VelJohnson did with Jaleel White.
On your Web site, your essay "The State of Comedy" mentions just about every comedian in the history of the universe. If you could invite three comedians, living or deceased, to have dinner with you, who would they be?
Well, I am old enough, and arrived in Los Angeles so long ago, that I have had lunch with many of my heroes! Actually, I have done it on both coasts.
I was lucky enough to have lunch with Groucho and Rowan and Martin. But to answer your question, I would have to say W.C. Fields would be an interesting cat to hang around with. I don't drink but his thoughts on kids and animals parallel mine for sure! Jack Benny would be next -- he was the master of timing and wasn't afraid to share the spotlight with his co-stars.
And the third one? I will tell you at the show.
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