ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: It was a total surprise to see you return toGood Timesfor this TV special.
That meant working with Norman Lear again, which was like a quadruple blessing.
Norman and I have a history that goes back a number of decades.
Eric McCandless/ABC
He literally changed the face of television for all time.
Is that all water under the bridge?Oh yeah!
We dealt with our differences a number of years ago.
Eric McCandless/ABC
In fact, I went on to do at least three other pilots for him.
They all couldve been very successful if they had been handled the right way by the media.
Norman was one of the most dominant and creative forces on television at the time.
Eric McCandless/ABC
They showed their jealousy by not showing support for his shows that they shouldve received.
One way or the other, we resolved our differences.
There were other relationships that we had that culminated last night.
I was very fortunate to be alive to do another episode ofGood Times.
Oddly enough, I was playing opposite the character that I had played on the original show.
It was such a wonderful reunion with Norman and his creative staff.
How did you feel?It was so surreal!
It was the first time I ever played opposite a character that Id played for a number of years.
And to haveAndre Braugherplaying James couldnt have been more of a compliment.
Hes an accomplished actor who I worked with on Shakespeare in the Park.
It was a wonderful experience working with Andre back then, and again last night.
Everyone really did such a great job.
I really felt a tremendous outpouring of love.
I was in tears for most of the night, but they were tears of joy.
It was also a reunion between you and your former co-stars.
Shes become a wonderful author.
Working with him as an actor has been a supreme joy.
Hes a consummate artist, transitioning from one character to another with such flawless ease.
Hes a study in how to act and how to be a successful comic.
Being reunited withEddie, Arsenio [Hall], and James Earl Joneswas such a privilege.
I wish that all the love and happiness we felt doing that episode was shared with those at home.
I wish everyone a peaceful and happy New Year.
When I started in this industry, I was a writer.
I feel that Ive finally come full circle now that Ive written my childrens book calledA World Without Color.
Im living in Colorado in a very low profile fashion.
So I will continue to work until I cant work anymore.
Norman is still working well into his nineties.
He makes me feel like Im just getting started.
