Jimmie Walker never watched 'Good Times'

By Ree Hines

It was the groundbreaking show that elevated Jimmie Walker from an up-and-coming comedian to a household name with his very own dyn-o-mite catchphrase. But despite the success "Good Times" brought Walker's way, from its premiere in 1974 to its finale in 1979, the funnyman never tuned in to the hit show.

"Never -- because I was always busy doing other stuff," Walker revealed during a Tuesday morning chat with TODAY's Matt Lauer. "I had my writing staff, as you may or may not know -- Jay Leno, David Letterman, Louie Anderson, all these guys. What we did was we met all the time. So during the time the show was on, we just never had a chance to watch (the episodes)."

And somehow in the 33 years since the show ended, Walker still hasn't had a chance -- or at least an incentive -- to take a peek at his most memorable work.

"Never watched it," he confirmed. "Because, you know, the people in the street -- you guys have those people -- they'll tell you what you're doing. They'll tell you very much."

Among the things the people in the street still stop and tell him about is that aforementioned catchphrase. They want to hear it one more time, and Walker's only too happy to oblige.

"It's not a burden," he said of the frequent requests to hear his his trademark exclamation. "There's so many people that dislike you all the time, so when somebody loves anything that you do, you go 'Yes! Finally!' ? even if it means the dyn-o-mite thing."

Learn more about Walker's "Good Times" days and personal bad times in his aptly titled new memoir "DYN-O-MITE!"

Did you tune in to Walker's hit '70s sitcom? If so, what are your favorite memories from the show? Tell us on our Facebook page.

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