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John Amos, Patriarch On ‘Good Times’ And An Emmy Nominee For The Blockbuster ‘Roots,’ Dies At 84

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Los Angeles — John Amos, who played the family patriarch on the popular 1970s sitcom “Good Times” and received an Emmy nod for his performance in the seminal 1977 miniseries “Roots,” has died. He was 84.

He died on August 21 from natural causes in Los Angeles. Belinda Foster, Amos’ spokeswoman, confirmed the news of his death Tuesday.

He played James Evans Sr. in “Good Times,” which starred one of television’s first Black two-parent households. Norman Lear produced it, and actor Mike Evans, who co-starred in “All in the Family” and “The Jeffersons,” co-created it. It played on CBS from 1974 to 1979.

John Amos, Patriarch On ‘Good Times’ And An Emmy Nominee For The Blockbuster ‘Roots,’ Dies At 84

“That show was the closest depiction in reality to life as an African American family living in those circumstances as it could be,” Amos told the magazine Time in 2021.

Amos’ film credits included “Let’s Do It Again” with Bill Cosby and Sidney Poitier, “Coming to America” with Eddie Murphy and its 2021 sequel, “Die Hard 2,” “Madea’s Witness Protection,” and “Uncut Gems” with Adam Sandler. He appeared in Ice Cube and Dr. Dre’s 1994 video, “Natural Born Killaz.”

Amos’ “Good Times” character, along with his wife Florida, played by Esther Rolle, debuted on another Lear comedy, “Maude.” James Evans frequently worked two physical labor jobs to support his family of three children, with Jimmie Walker breaking out as oldest son J.J.

The program had such an influence that Alicia Keys, Rick Ross, and the Wu-Tang Clan all mentioned Amos or his character in their lyrics.

“Many fans consider him their TV father,” his son, Kelly Christopher Amos, stated. “He led a good life. His legacy will be remembered through his amazing performances in television and film. My father had a lifelong passion for acting. “He was my father, greatest friend, and hero.

The elder Amos and Rolle were keen to convey a favorable image of a Black family working against the difficulties in Chicago’s public housing project. They became frustrated, however, when Walker’s character was made dumb and his role was increased.

“The fact is that Esther’s criticism, as well as that of John and others — some of which was quite direct and personal — substantially hurt my appeal in the Black community,” Walker said in his 2012 memoir “Dyn-O-Mite! Good Times, Bad Times, and Our Times.

Following three seasons of critical praise and excellent ratings, Amos was fired. He had become critical of the show’s white writers for inventing plots that he felt were inauthentic to the Black characters.

“There were multiple occasions when I told, ‘No, you don’t do these things. It is anathema to Black society. “I’ll be the expert on that if you don’t mind,” he told Time. “And it got confrontational and heated enough that ultimately my being killed off the show was the best solution for everybody concerned, myself included.”

Amos’ character was killed in an automobile accident. Walker bemoaned the circumstances. “If the decision had been up to me, I would have preferred that John stay and the show remain more of an ensemble,” according to his memoir. “Nobody wanted me up front all the time, including me.”

Amos and Lear eventually reunited, and they hugged at a “Good Times” live TV reunion special in 2019.

Amos swiftly recovered, gaining the role of an adult Kunta Kinte, the focal point of “Roots,” based on Alex Haley’s novel set during and after the slavery era in the United States. The miniseries was a critical and ratings success, and Amos received one of 37 Emmy nominations.

“I knew that it was a life-changing role for me, as an actor and just from a humanistic standpoint,” according to Time. “It was the culmination of all of the myths and stereotypes that I had seen and witnessed being offered to me. It felt like a gift for enduring those indignities.”

John Allen Amos Jr. was born on December 27, 1939, in Newark, New Jersey, the son of an auto technician. He earned a sociology degree from Colorado State University while still playing football for the institution.

John Amos, Patriarch On ‘Good Times’ And An Emmy Nominee For The Blockbuster ‘Roots,’ Dies At 84

Before becoming an actor, he relocated to New York and worked as a social worker at the Vera Institute of Justice, working with defendants at the Brooklyn House of Detention.

He had a brief professional football career, competing in several lower leagues. He signed a free-agent contract with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1967, but coach Hank Stram pushed him to pursue his passion for writing instead. Before turning to acting, he worked as an advertisement and comedy writer.

Amos’ first notable television role was as Gordy Howard, the weatherman on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” from 1970 until 1973. He was the show’s only Black character, playing straight man to bombastic host Ted Baxter.

He was a regular guest star on “The West Wing,” and his other TV performances included “Hunter,” “The District,” “Men in Trees,” “All About the Andersons,” “Two and a Half Men,” and “The Ranch.”

In 2020, Amos was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame. He served in the New Jersey National Guard.

He is survived by his daughter Shannon, a former entertainment executive, and Kelly Christopher, a Grammy-nominated video music director and editor. They sprang from his first marriage to Noel Mickelson, whom he met in college. His second marriage, to actor Lillian Lehman, also ended in divorce.

SOURCE | AP

Kiara Grace is a staff writer at VORNews, a reputable online publication. Her writing focuses on technology trends, particularly in the realm of consumer electronics and software. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for breaking down complex topics. Kiara delivers insightful analyses that resonate with tech enthusiasts and casual readers alike. Her articles strike a balance between in-depth coverage and accessibility, making them a go-to resource for anyone seeking to stay informed about the latest innovations shaping our digital world.

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Streaming of iBOMMA Telugu Movies Surges in Canada

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Check out the upcoming release dates for all Telugu films.

In recent years, iBOMMA Telugu Movies have emerged not only as a leader, but as one of the most important platforms for streaming Telugu movies in Canada. In the midst of the increase in the international establishment of streaming services in the western sphere.

This rapid expansion of  Telugu Movies can also be seen in the demand for regional content due to the increasing South Asian population within Canada.

The growth of the iBOMMA platform makes sense as there is a large population of Telugu speakers in Canada. The growing South Asian population in cities like Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary and others has aided in the diversification of the market and similar platforms.

“Between 2013 and 2023, Indians immigrating to Canada rose from 32,828 to 139,715, an increase of 326%,” according to Forbes.

Indian enrollment at Canadian universities rose more than 5,800% in the last two decades, from 2,181 in 2000 to 128,928 in 2021, an increase of 126,747 students.

Between 2016 and 2019, Indian international students enrolled in U.S. universities dropped by 13% but increased by 182% at Canadian universities. Diplomatic issues between India and Canada have reduced Indian student visa approvals in the short term.

International student enrollment at Canadian universities rose from 62,223 in 2000 to 400,521 in 2021, increasing by 544%, according to the NFAP analysis. International student enrollment in America increased by 45% between 2000 and 2021.

Due to the increase in Telugu speaking people in Canada, streaming services for Telugu Canadians have shifted focus from entertainment to a tool to maintain their culture. With iBOMMA and its peers, they are able to stay in touch with a piece of their motherland while adapting to the realities of life in the Great White North.

Telugu cinema has started to grow in popularity outside of India, with several recent classics gradually starting to become of interest to the general populace. RRR and Kantara are among a slew of movies that are now finding success on a global stage, thus generating interest in films originating from the region.

This has in turn brought new customers onto iBOMMA Telugu Movies and introduced the platform to a whole new demographic of non Telugu – speakers.

In Canada these blockbusters have sparked some discussions and fans expressing their excitement on social media. The buzz around such films has often caused an increase in searches for options to stream the film, with iBOMMA Telugu Movies being a top.

Up Coming iBOMMA Telugu Movies for 2025

Movie Release Date
Game Changer Jan 10, 2025
Vidaamuyarchi Jan 10, 2025
Daaku Maharaaj Jan 12, 2025
Sankranthiki Vasthunnam Jan 14, 2025
Thandel Feb 07, 2025
Laila Feb 14, 2025
#K10 Feb 2025
Robinhood Feb 2025
L2E (Dub) March 27, 2025
Hari Hara Veera Mallu Part 1 March 28, 2025
VD12 March 28, 2025
JACK April 10, 2025
Ghaati April 18, 2025
Kannappa April 25, 2025
HIT 3 May 01, 2025
The Raja Saab Summer 2025
Thug Life (Dub) June 5, 2025
Kantara Chapter 1 Oct 02, 2025
#NTRNeel Jan 09, 2026
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj (dub) Jan 21, 2027
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Superman 2025 Trailer Drops With Great Fanfare

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James Gunn's next film, Superman 2025, has its first teaser trailer, which dropped on Thursday

James Gunn’s next film, Superman 2025, has its first teaser trailer, which dropped on Thursday. It gives DC fans their first look at David Corenswet’s Superman, AKA Clark Kent and Lois Lane.

Before its release, DC Studios unveiled a Superman 2025 enamel pin on Monday featuring a revamped Corenswet in her superhero costume and an updated depiction of Pierce Brosnahan’s daring reporter on Wednesday.

In 2025, Superman fans will be able to enjoy Gunn’s new storytelling, a new main actor, and more character development. Many are also curious about whether Superman will face Ultraman.

The preview opens with Superman, battered and bloodied, crash-landing in a desolate, icy scene. His canine sidekick, Krypto, also known as Super Dog, rushes to his aid after he has visions of himself as Clark in the Daily Planet office and at his parents’ house.

The trailer offers few storyline details, aside from the involvement of a fire-breathing dragon and the shaved-head Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. It seems that Superman 2025 also attracts the ire of the general public; one irate citizen even beaned him on the back of the head with a throwaway cup.

After revealing his grand vision for the newly formed DCU in 2023, Gunn’s film—originally named Superman: Legacy—would serve as the prequel to a trilogy dubbed Chapter One: Gods and Monsters. The sequels will feature films centred around Supergirl, Clayface, and Swamp Thing.

Krypto Appears in Superman 2025

Despite living among other super-beings, Gunn noted that Corenswet’s Superman can stand on Earth due to his devotion and honesty.

In addition to his enormous stronghold that emerges from the ground, Superman possesses a flying dog and battles enormous creatures. The director praised Superman in his film for bringing elements from the comics and mythology that fans have been missing from the superhero franchise.

He may have done it again with Krypto, this time with a take that challenges the canine stereotype of a muscular, well-groomed hero.

More than anything else, this one appears to be a rescue operation. According to Gunn, the dog that steals the show in the trailer isn’t the greatest. You’re missing out on much of Krypto’s depth in this trailer.

According to Gunn, “it’s a movie about kindness” when asked about the film’s themes.

In the 2025 teaser for Superman, Superman only says, “Take me home,” and whispers Krypto’s name. John Williams’s iconic score from the Christopher Reeve films gets a modern update to underscore the video.

Superman 2025, the first solo film starring Superman since 2013’s Man of Steel, opens on July 11, and a lot is riding on it.

The property is the foundation for the ambitious plans of DC Studios co-chiefs Gunn and Peter Safran, who were appointed to re-invent DC by Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav. Their plans include an entire universe of television shows and films.

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iBomma Telugu Movies Are Gaining Popularity in Canada

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Subtitles have made Telugu movies available to non-Telugu-speaking Canadians

iBomma, an online portal offering Telugu movies, has found unexpected development in Canada. Many Indio-Canadians are streaming foreign films, enticed by the genre-blending nature of Telugu films.

Telugu-speaking immigrants make up a sizable proportion of Canada’s South Asian population. Telugu films provide these people with a link to their birthplace.

Platforms such as iBomma allow users to quickly access the most recent releases without waiting for DVDs or other means of distribution.

Platforms such as Reddit, Instagram, and WhatsApp have helped iBomma gain popularity. Fans frequently post free movie links or discuss future Telugu releases, generating buzz. This word-of-mouth marketing attracts additional users to sites like iBomma, increasing Canadian viewership.

Telugu Movies Display India Culture

Social influencers have also had an impact. This increased enthusiasm is seen in YouTube channels evaluating Telugu movies and Instagram clips showing Tollywood dance numbers. Many consumers watch Telugu films on their mobile devices, reducing the need for traditional cable subscriptions.

Furthermore, subtitles have made Telugu movies available to non-Telugu-speaking Canadians. With English as the primary language in Canada, this function allows for a more seamless watching experience. The global enthusiasm for Indian regional cinema is growing, and Canada has emerged as a surprising hotbed for cultural interchange.

Apps and platforms that cater to certain hobbies, such as Telugu films, are here to stay, assuming they strike the correct balance.

iBomma’s success in Canada demonstrates Telugu cinema’s global appeal. These films have won the hearts of Canadians with their fascinating storylines, relatable emotions, and jaw-dropping action.

While debates about legality and piracy continue, iBomma’s contribution to propagating Telugu Movie culture worldwide is obvious. Whether it’s a blockbuster like Pushpa 2 or a lesser indie treasure, platforms like iBomma take localized stories worldwide.

As Canadians continue to discover the enchantment of Tollywood, one thing is clear: language and distance cannot limit great storytelling.

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