An interesting comedy series about a poor black family trying to make ends meet and make a better life in the projects of Chicago. I first saw the reruns once our local WB affiliate took off the weekday morning reruns of Happy Days and began airing this instead. And it made me laugh! The Evans were a real family with real problems, but they also truly loved each other. I think JJ was a precursor to characters such as Horshack, Screech, Urkel, Rerun, etc. The gospelish theme song and title sequences shown over inner-city Chicago only added to the realism. Speaking of theme songs, Ja'net DuBois (neighbor Willona) co-wrote and sang another truly memorable one during this time. What was it? "Movin' On Up" for The Jeffersons, of course.
Add a Review
-
Monika-54 March 2002
-
domino100324 July 2005"Good Times" was one of the first African American family sitcoms to air. Created by Norman Lear as a spin off from "Maude" (Which itself was a spin off from "All In The Family"), the show focused on the Evans Family, consisting of Florida (Esther Rolle)and James (John Amos), the heads of the household, trying to survive in the projects of Chicago. Life for the Evans family is not easy, especially when trying to keep their 3 children on the straight and narrow. There's Michael (Ralph Carter), who is intelligent beyond his years and very outspoken (He is often heard saying that "Boy is a white racist word."); Thelma, their only daughter (BernNadette Stanis)who is a disaster in the kitchen, but who had hopes,dreams and intelligence.
And then there is their first born son, James Evans Jr., aka J.J. (Jimmie Walker). J.J. is a trickster, a constant irritant to the family and a ladies man (Although what would actually attract these ladies is a constant mystery). He is also a painter, whose painting describe the things that surround his life. Plus, his constant use of the word "DY NO MITE!!!" became a catch phrase.
Constantly popping in is their neighbor Willona Woods (Ja'net Dubois), who is constantly called by James "The Rona Barrett of the projects." She gossips, but she also keeps and eye out for the kids. By the end of the series, Willona adopts Penny (Janet Jackson), a child who was raised by an abusive mother. Thelma also gets married to Keith (Ben Powers), a football player who ends up breaking his leg when J.J. trips him at their wedding, pretty much ruining his football career.
However, the show took a dive when James was killed in a auto accident (John Amos was fired from the show). From that point on, the show lost its heart and soul (As well as his fights with J.J., which were hilarious.). It soon became a single parent raising her kids on her own. Soon Esther Rolle left the show (Her character remarried and moved to Arizona), but she returned for the final season of the series.
As you can tell, "Good Times" maybe an oxymoron at best. Many things that happen on this show is downright depressing (Possible eviction, poor living conditions, the death of the father,unemployment, etc.). But the humor carried the show through. It's dated of course, but the humor is timeless. -
When "Good Times" premiered in 1974, it was one the first black family sitcoms. It centered on the poor Chicago-based Evans family and their struggles to make ends meet. Most of the early episodes focused on the parents, James and Florida Evans, and their struggle to provide for the family. John Amos and Esther Rolle were the best part of the show. They were terrific actors and had great chemistry as James and Florida Evans. They had three kids: J.J., Thelma, and Michael. J.J. was the skirt-chasing but well-meaning teenage son who made up for his lack of subtlety with artistic talent. Thelma was an attractive, bright girl who was constantly trading insults with J.J. Michael was a near child prodigy who was well-educated on social issues and was destined to become a lawyer.
In 1976, the producers made a huge mistake by firing John Amos, literally killing off his character. This really changed the focus, and not for the good I might add. The shows began to focus more on J.J. and his buffoon-like behavior which angered black viewers as well as series star Esther Rolle, who left after the next season. Instead of a show that focused on key African-American issues that existed in society at the time, viewers got shows that were overloaded with skirt chasing and fat jokes.
Once Esther Rolle left, the quality of the show suffered even more. Although it was still watchable, it was no longer the great ground-breaking show that it once was.
Although Esther Rolle came back for the 1978 season, it became obvious that the show was on its last legs. All loose ends were tied up during that season and the show quietly faded off the air.
First three season: A. Last three seasons: C+. -
Sylviastel2 September 2002Good Times was a groundbreaking comedy about the first nuclear black family living in the Chicago projects. Whether or not, you live in the inner cities, ghettos, suburbs, or rural countryside, this show is still a treasure to watch and observe a family being just a family rather than a show about a poor black family. But they don't dwell on it. They find humor and have strong family values and morals. Despite the story behind the scenes, this show was worth keeping on the air except I didn't like them killing off the father which I agreed with Esther Rolle who fought hard to keep the family together. But despite all the fights behind the scenes, Good Times was a show about a family. We all loved JJ's dynamite and his antics. We watched Janet Jackson's Penny grow up a little. This show was groundbreaking to show despair in drugs, gangs, and alcoholism. Without being to preachy, The Evans always tried to do the right thing rather than do something wrong to get out of the ghetto.
-
Catherine_Grace_Zeh23 January 2006"GOOD TIMES," in my opinion, is a must-see CBS hit! Despite the fact that I've never seen every episode, I still enjoy it. It's hard to say which one is my favorite. Also, I really love the theme song. If you ask me, even though I like everyone, it would have been nice if everyone had stayed on the show throughout its entire run. Everyone always gave a good performance, the production design was spectacular, the costumes were well-designed, and the writing was always very strong. In conclusion, even though it can be seen on TV Land now, I strongly recommend you catch it just in case it goes off the air for good.
-
cltbruh26 September 2002I realize everyone has their own opinion, but, I don't know . . . I think the critics of this show miss the point of the show. I don't find it stereotypical or shuckin'/jivin' at all. This was a family that just happened to be black and live in the projects. They didn't dwell on it. They were actually trying to do everything they could to get out of the projects. JJ wanted to be an artists. Thelma, a dancer. Michael, involved in legal/justice. Seems to me nowadays, the projects or ghetto life is romanticized (see BET videos or MTV videos), whereas the Evans family in "Good Times" was trying to get out and onto something better. Headed by two parents who realized there own shortcomings (lack of education, money), but didn't they try to lead by example by teaching their kids values, strong work ethic and didn't they try to IMPROVE the lives of THEIR children? They tried to show their kids to strive for more in life, DESPITE obstacles. James tried to work several jobs, just so Florida could stay home and tend to the needs of the house/family. Some may find that chauvinistic by today's standards, but, I'm not so sure about that. Seems to me when at least one parent was in the home, children were a bit more manageable. What better representation of a family values can you ask for? A great show! Better than most of the family comedies today!
-
Flamio28 November 2001I liked Good Times. Being a white guy from a white city, it was one of my first glimpses into black culture. I liked many things about this show. Most importantly it had a black family that stuck together through thick and thin. The parents loved their children more than anything, were always there for them , and wanted the best for them. J.J. (the eldest brother) was the tall comic relief in this show, and always fought with his sister Thelma (the curvacious beauty). The little brother "Michael" was Mr. Militant black pride. That theme got a little over done at times, but it was the 70's and blacks were still seeking equality. It was actually quite funny> All references in the show had to be "black". For instance: Every book report had to be about black history, every movie had to involve black people, every politition had to be black, the list went on and on. All posters in there rooms were black people, furniture pieces were African. All guests were black people. Man, I can't remember ever seeing a white guy in that show! Common, Chicago wasn't all black! Actually I loved the intro and ending to each show; the painting at the end, the camera sky-views of Chicago, the theme music, the bike rider and citizens. Very cool. What I liked about this show over Sanford and Son was that whites weren't portrayed as idiots, like some stupid attack against shows in the past that put blacks in an Aunt Jemima mode, please! It also dated politics, recession, wages, history. It was great. The best episodes were the first few years with James Evans, the father. He was tough, but loving and kind. He took no bull from any of the kids. He worked hard. He loved his wife. The way he was written out of the show was very abrupt. He was out of town, got hit by a car, and died. This funeral episode was excellent. Ester Rolle was handling the death all well untill the end. As she was putting away dishes from the wake at their house, she saw a flower James had left her and kept working, she finally stopped and smashed a bowl on the kitchen floor as she swore and then broke down in tremendous grief over the loss of her husband. Her children(who were shocked she hadn't grieved in front of others but was laughing) then ran from their rooms and comforted her with a family hug. The show ended. No canned laughter, no music. Great acting. Why did James(John Amos) leave the show? Roots? A movie career? Contract disputes? I don't know. What I do know is that when Janet Jackson, Bookman, and that annoying neighbor Willona; Miss Big Mouth, I'm beautiful, took over, this show was lost forever(but I did like sweet daddy). Aids wiped him out not long ago. The original lineup could've easily gone on a few more years. Thank God for reruns! FLAMIO
-
Tresix18 June 2000Before leaving my own comments about the TV series GOOD TIMES, I feel that I simply MUST comment on the remarks of one Mr. Larry Wall. If you didn't like the show, fine, but some of your reasons for disliking it are totally erroneous. To wit:
1. "Thelma dressed like a slut": These must be the HBO episodes! I was always surprised that, considering the way Bernadette Stanis was built, they kept her covered up most of the time. She hardly showed any cleavage, the hemlines of her skirts and dresses were quite low. Her pants and jeans may have been tight but then again, in the Seventies, WHOSE weren't?
2. "(The Evanses were) living like animals": Not hardly. I can honestly say that our family was a little bit like the Evanses and we DIDN'T live in the projects neither. If, as you say, the head of the household is always losing his job, it's going to be kind of hard to keep a roof over your head and food on the table. It's kind of hard to eat fillet mignon on a hot dog budget.
3. "(James) threatened with violence for everything. I don't remember him sitting down and explaining (anything)": You must have missed those episodes, I can remember numerous times when James sat down and talked things out without yelling or threatening to take off his belt. In fact, there was even one episode when he apologized to Michael, which in turn led to Michael feeling as if he could apologize for acting up in school.
4. "James got in front of white people and did that stupid laugh": Wrong! If you look at the show again, you will see that James would do the laugh (A-heh-heh-heh!) only when he got caught in a lie by Florida. Usually about an old girlfriend.
5. "Michael . . . would get put down (for his militantism) and made to seem foolish . . .": Those scenes were done to show to Michael that everything wasn't as simple as black-and-white, so to speak. Example: Florida's rich cousin announces that he had just been laid off from his high-paying job.
Michael: "I'll bet the only reason you were fired was because you're black." Cousin: "Well, if they did, then they also fired six other men because they were white." Get the picture?
6. "It says we're content to live like . . . animals": You could say a lot of things about the Evanses and Willona, but you can't say that they were content with their lot in life. James was always looking for better paying jobs. J.J. (yes, I will admit that he was a BIT much) kept working at his painting as well as looking for artistic jobs. Thelma wanted to be a dancer (and, no, not a stripper). Michael let a street gang know that he wanted more with his life than to settle for being a ghetto resident. To paraphrase Florida in one episode: there is no such thing as a waste of hope.
For the most part, I liked the show during the "James Years". The humor was believable and came from the heart. After John Amos left, the quality of the show really went down. When Ester Rolle left, it took an even bigger dive. Adding Janet Jackson did NOT help things any. When Rolle returned, the damage had been done too far to repair. Mr. Wall, I hope you will look at the show again and think over your past comments. You will see that they DEFINITELY do not apply to the show that was on then. -
Sargebri26 March 2003This was a good show for the first three seasons. If you got past all the stereotypes, you would notice that many of the episodes discussed issues that are just as relevant today as they were back then. Issues such as gun control, teen pregnancy, v.d., gangs and teen suicide. However, once John Amos left, the show was not the same and suffered as a result. It really suffered the year that Esther Rolle was off. You know a show is going downhill when they have to resort to bringing on a cute kid character.
Also, if Esther Rolle was so displeased with the show, then how come she took the part in the first place? -
bkoganbing22 July 2016On the Maude series, the Findlays up there in Tuckahoe had a maid played by Esther Rolle named Florida Evans. I'm sure a lot of even the most liberal thinking people have no conception of the fact that the help which was what Florida was go home to a whole different world. When Norman Lear who just dominated television in the 70s decided to give Rolle her own series, he took her character and moved them to the south side of Chicago where they lived in the projects.
This was the first black centered comedy series which had its characters in a poor environment. Still the Evans family faced life on the edge with grit. John Amos was the father who was a working stiff raising with Rolle three kids.
Going in ascending order was Ralph Carter who was developing a social conscience and wanted to be lawyer to devote himself to betterment of his people and environment. Bernadette Stanis the middle child was a pretty, but also very intelligent young woman who was going to have a career and marry the man of her dreams. If he was rich or had prospects so much the better.
The heart of the show was the oldest Jimmie Walker. He's a comedian and to him the laughs devolved. He was having a bit of trouble growing up and drove his parents a bit nuts. And he brought that one word catchphrase of his to the English language. When something was good it was Dy-No-Mite.
The show lost something when Amos was killed off. It got even worse when Rolle took a hiatus. The kids were fending on their own with a look in from their neighbor Janet Dubois.
Top show when it started. But as a family show they usually lose something when the family unit is disrupted. Good Times was no exception. -
preppy-331 August 2005The lives and times of the Evans family living the projects of Chicago.
I saw this on TV originally when I was a kid. Being a white kid from a suburban neighborhood I found the show quite disturbing. It WAS funny but they didn't soft peddle (too much) what it was like growing up in poverty. The language was tame, there was no violence and no sexual talk at all but it still addressed serious issues like racism, sexism, gang violence, death, living in poverty etc etc. It was all treated within the bounds of TV--but "All in the Family" and "Maude" were pushing the envelope of what could be said (and shown) on TV at that time so "Good Times" got away with some pretty hot issues.
Seeing it again it still holds up...but I don't find the laughing at some REAL serious issues that funny anymore. Still they could probably only get it on TV that way back in the 1970s.
The acting is mostly excellent. Esther Rolle is WAY too goody-goody as the mother--but she pulls it off. John Amos is loud, belligerent and obnoxious--just like a real father. Ralph Carter wasn't that good as the youngest Evans kid Michael--I was always aware he was acting. Jimmie Walker was profoundly annoying as JJ. Stanis was GREAT as the only girl--the insults she let loose as JJ were hysterical.
The show started out well but when Amos left after the second season (purportedly over a salary dispute) the show fell apart. Obnoxious JJ (who acted like a TOTAL idiot) took center stage and it became "The JJ Show". Rolle quit in disgust but, after her complaining LOUDLY about JJ, she came back after a year. JJ was toned down considerably and acted more adult. Then next door neighbor Wilonna got Penny (Janet Jackson--yes THAT Janet Jackson) who wasn't needed and the show steadily fell apart. However Ben Powers was a welcome (and drop dead handsome) addition during the last season and it did all end happily with EVERYBODY getting out of the projects. Unbelievable but happy.
Still the first two seasons are great and even the last few with Rolle are pretty good. But when it was JJ, Wilonna and the kids it was NOT good--just loud and stupid. So it's well worthing catching the first two seasons and last few. -
Bunni_Boo23 September 2003This is one of my all time favorite shows. This show, to me reflected on the good side of poverty. Although the Evans family was poor and lived in the projects, they had each other. No matter how much the family suffered financially, they never turned to crime or other illegal actions to make ends meet. Throughout those times, many African American families consisted of a single mom with numerous kids. The Evans family had both parents providing stabilty and shelter for them. This show was excellent. However, there was one little pesky problem that always seemed to bother me. It seemed as if every other season, fiesty neighbor and friend Willona, always received the same promotion on her job. Everytime Willona came in with"great news", she would informed them that she was just made the "head buyer" for the boutique. Interesting...
-
The first time I saw this show was on my UPN (UPN Atlanta) and it currently airs weekdays at 11 PM. That's when I got hooked!!!
I bought the second season DVD (gotta buy the first one, I know!)
I love this show! It's hilarious and had good story lines!
The show lost some of it's touch after James died but I still like it.
Thelma's husband in the last season was annoying but, ehh...what are you gonna do?
It was the first show to ever portray a low class African American family. (most other like The Jeffersons and more recently The Cosby Show show the familes in a middle-high class status.)
I love this show (and I'm white) though whether you're white, black, Mexican, asian, or whatever I'm sure you'll love Good Times! -
jbrill2325 July 2005This is a classic show. It is a crime that John Amos never received an Emmy nomination for his role on this show. Like most shows, it went on a little too long but for fans, each season has it's moments. It was a ground breaking, memorable and well acted for a sitcom. Having recently watched a few episodes, I was happy to see that it still holds up after all these years. JJ has to be the unlikeliest playa in the history of television but he always had a lot of girls, which is funny to me. There were a lot of behind the scenes issues, which led to cast members leaving the show. This affected the quality in later years. Classic episodes include the unfortunate death of James Evans and the one where Penny falls down the elevator shaft. Damn! Damn! Damn!
-
happipuppi132 April 2006***SPOILERS***
First, I'll give my rating for the series overall - ********* 9 out of ten stars. I've taken away 1 , for the dip in quality this series suffered after season 3. You'll read why in a bit.
In February of 1974, a really great sitcom (with dramatic overtones) premiered on CBS. It was a TV first, a show about an African-American family living in the Chicago Projects in the 1970's.
Created by Norman Lear & Mike Evans as a spin-off of "Maude", once again Lear (with Evans) was able to strike the right chord with viewers and especially with the African American community.
Not since this show, have I seen a situation comedy directly talk about the struggles of inner-city families. (Well,there was Fox's "South Central" in 1994 but was not renewed after it's first season.)
John Amos as James (Henry?) Evans Sr. Was the ultimate father figure for this family and acted as any father should in this setting, to keep his family together and his kids from going down the wrong paths in life, which in the surrounding elements, can be all too easy.
Esther Rolle was a wonderful no nonsense mother figure who was on the same page as her husband when it came to their kids upbringing. Esther Rolle and John Amos were strong believers that this show have 2 sensible, mature and fair but firm parents .
Ralph Carter as Michael Evans. A young but very bright young man for his age but stuck in a school system that doesn't meet his academic needs. He is also very much a militant type , which his parents aren't fond of but understand where it comes from, but try to keep Michael in check on it.
His character's name is the same as the show's founder Mike Evans (best known as Lionel Jefferson on "All In The Family" & "The Jeffersons". (Mike Evans passed away December 14th, 2006).
Thelma is a young girl of 16 or 17 and has to deal with the dangers of being a young woman in the streets of the ghetto. She is strong but at the same time, a sweet girl looking for her prince to take her out of the ghetto.
She is always having words with J. J. , her brother , who makles fun of her looks , but she's just as vocal in her responses back at him.
The Evans's neighbor Wilona Woods works in a neighborhood boutique (clothing ctore) and is a divorcee' , with an active dating life. She never beats around the bush about anything, always saying exactly what she means. Which helps her be a great friend to the Evans family, in every sense of that word.
She later ended up adopting an abused little girl Penny Gordon (played by a then 10 year old Janet Jackson). The actual acts of viloence were not shown on camera but , Penny's abusive mother would not only hit ad beat Penny but (and this was a very unnerving sight) we see her pick up an electric clothes iron and walk twords her , Penny begging her not to do it.
Wilona and the Evans family get wind of what's happening and contact all the proper authorites but Penny's mother runs off.
Her mother is played by Totie Fields , the real life Mom of "Facts of Life" / "Living Single" actress Kim Fields. Kim actually would guest in the final season as well.
Jimmie Walker as James Evans Jr. , is the typical (in early years almost streotypical) young wise-cracking, jive-talking kind of young man who does not take life seriously enough. Yet at the same time, is a gifted artist who can paint wonderful things on canvas or even a wall mural.
One of his best shows, J. J. (against his will) is being forced to join up with a gang, by it's leader "Mad Dog" ,that is trying to 'recruit' members , so they'll have greater numbers in a street fight, against a rival gang.
Dad , James confronts Mad Dog on the street. Mad Dog attempts to shoot James but J. J. saves his Dad by getting in front of him. (I'll save the rest for you to see.) There's also the show where J. J. almost unknowingly, falls in with a group of criminals who sell illegal drugs.
Finally is Nathan Bookman, their building super-intendant. Bookman is a constant target by Wilona and the Evans kids for his being grossly overwieght. (Unfortunately we see him in a "fat person" sterotype always heavily eating).
For many episodes , he and his wife are more like an enemy to the Evans's (and other tenants). Later on , it seems that Bookman and the Evans's have found a way to co-exist together and Bookman ceases his threats to evict them.
The battles between CBS and the shows two lead adults are well known. It was always an uphill battle for Rolle & Amos. It resulted in John's being written out of the show and fired.
After the demise of the James Evans character, in that ill fated trip to Mississippi and the car accident....the show lost a good deal of it's stability. John had the last laugh, having scored a prime role as adult Kunta Kintae in the ABC Mini-Series "Roots". Later, after a drought in his career, would get many roles in movies.
Many viewers departed the show, though. Esther Rolle actually left for an entire season, not wanting to play second fiddle any longer to J. J.'s smart-aleck "Dyno-mites" and likely angry with CBS over letting John go. (Her character quite unbelievably, gets married to a man named Carl and they head of to Arizona for a year).
Citing the writers' overall lack of quality storylines. She would only return after securing a guarantee that the writers would even things out and get back to making scripts that were of good quality and plausible. Also getting J. J. to act his age.
The final season brought the character Keith. A young, soon to be , Pro - Football player. He and Thelma meet, fall in love and eventually marry. When Keith accidentally trips over J. J.'s foot at the end of the ceremony, breaking his knee, he ends up living with the Evans's.
With this addition and Rolle back in the series, the episodes were the best they'd been in sometime and while that's great, it wasn't enough to keep the series alive.
On August 1st, 1979 the show came to an end, with the family & Wilona and Penny, able to leave the projects for a better life. Florida already had employement as a school bus driver, J. J. the artist had sold an idea to a comic book company , Michael was to move into his own place and live on campus at college.
Wilona's financial outlook changed as well , so she found her & Penny a new place to live uptown. Keith's knee fully recovers and he's also signed a contract with the Chicago Bears.
Allowing Thelma and he to afford a new place. Thelma also made it known she was going to have a baby and that she wanted Florida to come live with them and leave the old place behind.
As it turned out, Wilona and Penny's place was the 'very' same building Keith & Thelma were going to live in! Meaning, Florida and Wilona wouldn't have to be miles away from each other after all.
Some might feel it wasn't the most plausible of endings, but for those of us who came to know the Evans family, to leave this without a conclusion would have been unfair to all of us who stayed to the end...as well as the Evans deserved a happy ending.
Would be great if any real life familes in a poverty situation could have such a wonderful outcome in their lives as well. (END) -
raysond5 June 2000As a child,this show was mandatory when me and my brother saw the show each week. Good Times was just that: It was a show that was very depicted in the everyday situations of the African American family growing up in the dangerous streets of Chicago. The reason I like the show is that of John Amos'character of James Evans. James was the father figure everyone like,and he was always providing something for his family even though they was struggling through tough times,but they came through. I was very sadden when James Evans was killed in an auto accident,and that was the show's very best episode and an emotional one as well in what the family was going through without a father figure for the children,but they continued on with J.J. stepping from a kid into manhood and the fatherly role after John Amos' character left the show. Micheal (the youngest of the Evans children) was always the militant of the family and always keeping the family together even after the mom(Florida played by Esther Rolle)had a emotional breakdown after James' funeral. Sad part though: the guy who played Micheal(Ralph Carter) recently passed away....but his character was a symbol of black pride and black progress towards black success,and against racial intolerence in with he quoted that the word "boy" is a white racist word. The show was a huge success since it was a spinoff of Maude in which Florida was the Maude's housekeeper,and it ran on CBS from 1974-1979. Some of the people who star in the series like cast regulars Jimmie Walker(J.J. "Dynomite"!),Bernadette Stanis(the teenage daughter Thelma),and Janet Jackson(who made her TV debut as Penny and also as Willona's daughter after she adopted her from a abusive stepmom...very touching episode),and Janet Dubois. It was one of the most realistic shows ever about the black experience in America,and a product of 1970's TV culture of what the black family was going through.
-
gcanfield-2972726 February 2020Good Times was originally great, thanks to John Amos. He depicted a strong father figure-something likely missing in many people's lives. He reportedly left the show, after 3 seasons, because he disapproved of Jimmie Walker's character. Amos thought that JJ was stereotyped as a stupid guy. If Amos believed this, he was wrong. JJ was never stupid-he only acted that way most of the time. The show lost something when Amos left, but the others were good enough to keep it going. Another great aspect of the show was JJ and Thelma. They argued all the time, but they loved the hell out of each other. My favorite moment in the series is Thelma's wedding day. She and JJ have one last hassle. JJ is about to insult her, but he breaks down and tells her he'll miss her. She starts to cry. So does JJ. I'm getting emotional, too!
-
Movie-ManDan2 January 2015Good Times is a spin-off of a spin-off: this spun-off of Maude and Maude spun-off of All in the Family. This is one of the few shows that became just as big as its presider's. What makes Good Times so awesome is that it defined the decade. Everybody had afros, went rollerskating, danced around a disco, and had platform shoes. We all know that happened throughout the decade, but Good Times revolved around the 70's style.
Good Times was about a poor black family living the ghettos of Chicago. This was one of the first shows to dive into the subject of racism and black America. Luckily, it is not one of those shows that only black people like and understand. I guess that is what made it so special, an all black show that everybody can relate to. Sometimes the laugh track and audio board seems broken and out of control, which may be the worst thing viewers need to worry about.
The show starred Esther Rolle and John Amos as Florida and James Evans. Both dropped out of school at very young ages to help their families make ends meet, so both are qualified only for low-paying jobs. Florida is the loving, caring, generous and understanding mother that everybody wants. James is the tough, rugged, frustrated and persistent father who may use corporal punishment but everybody knows it is for a good cause. Ja'net Du'Bois plays their gossipping and neighbouring bachelorette, Willona Woods. Florida and James have three children: law-interested brainiac, Michael (Ralph Carter); beautiful performing artist, Thelma (Bernnadette Stantis); and the funny, big-lipped artist, JJ (Jimmie Walker). Although JJ was a minor character, he quickly rose and became a defining character of a generation. Ron Howard stated in an interview that JJ was a huge rival toward Fonzie in Happy Days in terms of popularity. Difference is, Fonzie was a smart superhuman that everybody wanted to be like and JJ was the dumb one that everybody acted like. With his enormous lips, funny hat, weird clothes, odd struts, and catchphrases (dy-no-mite!), JJ became the most popular African-American TV star and one of the best TV characters of all time.
Because JJ was becoming so popular, more episodes became about him. Rolle and Amos hated how big the character was becoming because they thought he was a terrible influence to young viewers. Although he was just playing a character, Walker had heat with his on-screen parents. Amos was fired during an argument with the producers soon after the end of season 3. Amos didn't care because his career in film and other TV works were just taking off. Rather than getting somebody else to replace him, they decided to kill him off in the first episode of season 4. That was just the start of the mistakes that were being made. Part of living in the slums is having an authoritative figure that busts his ass to make ends meet. Without that element, the show lost a key component and its main serious character. The absence of James caused the other characters to become extra hard workers, but it was not the same. But it still had its heart and warmth and humour, so I still loved it. But not even by the end of the season, Florida falls in love with and marries Michael's boss, Carl. Rolle had had enough and quit for the same reason Amos did, but writing her out that way was bad. He super-religious woman marries another man not even a year after her long-time husband's death? I don't buy it. Carl was supposed to be a character like James. Difference is, James was awesome and Carl sucked. Season 5 was the worst season. There was no parental or authority figures, causing major anarchy among the Evans household. It introduced Janet Jackson in her first big TV role Penny Gordon, an abused girl who is adopted by Willona. I liked Willona adopting her because it made her become more mature than in the earlier seasons. Penny was a good addition and Jackson did a nice job playing her. But playing a girl that had been abused her whole life, I expected her to at least have outbursts like any other lifelong abused child. Either way, season 5 wasn't that good. With ratings slipping, producers begged Rolle to come back for the 6th and final season, which she did. She returns and Thelma marries soon-to-be NFL footballer, Keith Anderson (Ben Powers) Keith was a likable character, but it is Florida's return that made season 6 great. It may have gone through changes and wasn't as good as when James was on it, but it was Florida that made it great and JJ that made it awesome.
Season 1-3: 10/10 4: 9/10 5: 6.5/10 6: 8/10 I have a strong personal connection with this and I pay most attention to the first four seasons. -
Vivekmaru4528 December 2010This is the most memorable TV series that I saw in my youth and it left a strong impression on me. This series is not only entertaining but instructive at the same time. You get to learn a lot about the hardships of life.
The series shows the day-to-day life of the Evans family. The family is headed by James Evans, Sr (John Amos), who lacks a good eduction and so struggles to find jobs to support his family. His excellent wife Florida Evans (Esther Rolle) looks after James three children: James 'J.J.' Evans, Jr. (Jimmie Walker), Thelma Evans (BernNadette Stanis) and Michael Evans (Ralph Carter).
Florida is a pillar of support to her husband and raises him up when he is down. His children also boost his morale whenever they can. This series shows how a lack of a decent higher education can affect your earning in U.S.A.
The only dream if James is to ensure that "J.J" who has a talented artistic ability, joins Art School, Thelma his daughter becomes a teacher, nurse or doctor and Michael definitely becomes a distinguished lawyer.
Make no doubt about it despite the grim situation Good Times is actually jam-packed with comedy that will bring the tears to your eyes. This is the only series that balances comedy and seriousness.
You also learn a lot from this series: never to give up on life, always be truthful and honest and never steal from someone, always help someone in need, not to let anger get the better of you, keep an eye on your children's education and their activities, giving good advice to your children and always show affection for one another.
In the end every cloud has a silver lining and things turn out well for the Evans Family.
I suggest you buy the entire series on DVD and it will provide you with years of joy and your whole family will really appreciate it.
Email Me Vivekmaru45@yahoo.com for more movie recommendations. -
wchngliu6 September 2009Like The Jeffersons, Good Times was one of the those classic American sitcoms which was never aired in the UK, not to mention it came out in the 1970s- a decade where of which I wasn't born yet.
But like most fans of the show, I watched a few episodes on You Tube- and afterwards, I loved it.
The Evans family are headed by James and Florida- two parents trying to make ends meet, and who despite their lack of qualifications, encourage their children, who have their own aspirations in life to fulfil them and to take their chances. James was the strict but loving dad, who didn't dare hesitate in disciplining J.J, Michael and Thelma- should they over-step the line. Whilst Florida, in contrast was a fair, kind- hearted and considerate mother and loving wife, although she was in many ways similar to James, with regards to their attitudes to parenthood and family values from an Afro- American perspective.
The kids were just as lively and entertaining as the parents themselves: J.J was an aspiring artist with a goofy personality and crazy sense of humour, who would often wear multi-coloured outfits, and whose 'DY-NO-MITE' catchphrase is as infectious and familiar as Arnold Jackson's 'Whatchoo talking' 'bout Willis?' from Diff'rent Strokes. Michael was the smart-alec, who dreams of becoming a lawyer, whilst sister Thelma had her own dreams and hopes. Her verbal taunts with J.J were mostly hilarious, as was the love/hate relationship between brother and sister, which was played out extremely well by both Jimmie Walker and Bernadette Stanis.
Over the seasons, there were a few cameo appearances made, most notably from Janet Jackson, Debbie Allen and a young Gary Coleman as himself! I actually prefer Good Times over say, The Cosby Show, which was an 80s show because a) I preferred the Evans family over the Huxtables, both in terms of a) characterisation and b)as I felt it tackled serious and difficult social issues, in a way that resonated with many viewers. It was a comedy but it was also a social commentary which aimed to highlight the lives of working class, Afro- Americans in 1970s America. The Cosby Show attempted to cater to the mainstream audience in a 'candy coated' way, as the Huxtables were portrayed as Blacks who easily assimilated themselves into an upper-class U.S culture we would associate Whites with, whereas Good Times in contrast was much more 'edgier' and it was not afraid to address themes such as drug and child abuse in a realistic way. I actually found that whilst The Cosby Show can be fun to watch at times, it lacked that bit of 'sassiness' which Good Times has and of which made it trendier and cooler.
The show did jump the shark during the latter seasons, as it continued after John Amos's character, James died in a freak accident (in reality, it was known at the time that John had quit Good Times for good. And so, his character's death was written as it is on the show). Without John, the show suffered and alas, it lost a lot of its charm.
Still, for a sitcom, Good Times ticked all the right boxes. If only they had shown this in the UK during the 80s. As it certainly is, as JJ would put it, 'DY-NO-MITE!!'
My rating: 8 and a half -
edwagreen23 September 2007Another Norman Lear hit detailing the problems that African Americans had to go through in the turbulent 1960s and 1970s.
With Esther Rolle and husband along with 3 children living in a Chicago high-rise project in a predominantly black neighborhood, the show depicted what black people were going through with a landlord (black agent Mr. Bookman) as well as prices and the day-to-day problems of just existing.
The 3 children depicted how people seem to face their problems differently- from the comical JJ to the militant Ralph Carter, to their daughter who also aspired to attain success, this show was a perfect description of African-American life. -
In it's time, Good Times, would of been a hell of a show. I remember when it came back on t.v. in 1985, where before then, it played in the late 70's. In 85, my second best year, I begin to take notice of it, where recently it has come back on the new channel 76 Flix, like Benson has. It's not an overly funny show, but does has some good hearty chuckle moments. The show revolves around a blue collar family, making the best of it, in the dangerous projects, where you should always pray the elevator doesn't break down. This is a good show steered by characters I like, of course, loose, fat lipped Jimmy Walker as J.J., as the strikingly brilliant artist, and too, fat maintenance man, Bookman, where Est her Rolle and John Amos, lend strong support as Mother and father team, Amos in particular, who sadly was kicked off the storm, while acting up a bit of the storm, off the set, where the quality of the show, kind of dropped, in the absence of his killed off character, as they went into the second season, where really it was up to J.J to carry it on. But the remaining Esther Role was very good, Ralph Carter too, as the younger son, Michael, who sadly, and very disappointingly, didn't pursue the acting after his stint here. And last, but not least, Thelma, the older Sister to Michael, another seasoned performer. Good Times embraces the reality of what hard living in the ghetto is like, and what one must do, to overcome many hindrances, and the Evan's really have it tough. They make The Jefferson's look really sickly rich. GT is very family themed, illustrating how family is so important, amidst difficulties and hardships, especially when they lose one of their own, and such a great actor too. There's no denying the shows impact, it still holds, after forty years. A real true cut of reality, and it' cuts deep, which carries more weight, than many other black themed comedies, making this one especial, where the lives of the Evans, demand your attentiveness, as does the shows title song's lyrics.
-
shelbythuylinh14 December 2021Famous words by Jimmie Walker as JJ the breakout character and due to providing over in very bad role model for African-American teens there led both the parents on the TV show, the late Esther Rolle and John Amos to leave the show with the latter's character dying in a car wreck.
But that the siblings must try to provide for each other with humor, love, and getting by in the projects there. Rolle agreed to return to the last season on one condition, that JJ is mature and sets a good example for young African-American men there.
A very young unknown Janet Jackson gets her start there. -
drystyx22 August 2012I certainly hope that the phrase "Kid Dynamite" will come back into common usage some day.
This show about a "lower middle class" or "higher lower class" black family was really about J.J., or "Kid Dynamite", as he would call himself.
"Kid Dynamite" was the Laurel to the family of "Hardys". He was as skinny as you could get, and wore a hat that made him the kind of guy all kids would admire, and hope to be some day.
Flo, the mother, was a stereotypical straight force to the comedy of J.J., but she never lost her dignity, and her character was more three dimensional than one would think. It was just very very subtle.
The father and other two siblings were other straight roles to J.J., no doubt about it. It's easy to see why the father left the show. It was a pleasant role that Amos played, but really sort of a block of wood. Playing that role, one would think "why do I even need to be here"? The writers tried to invoke some "thoughtful" ideas into this, but the show was "Kid Dynamite" all the way. And that meant basic comedy. Still, they did a pretty good job of bringing up meaningful topics -
strawberryy2220 October 2004I would like to know why John Amos left the show, and how did he die off the show again? I couldn't relate to everything, but sometimes they hit home with the problems they were facing. By the way, did they ever make it out of the ghetto? I think the episode with the black Jesus was my favorite. We got to see them experience a few good times. something they didn't have very often. I wish they would bring the show back. During the daytime so people can actually stay up to watch. I don't think a movie or a new show would work. Especially without the original cast. They are really what made Good Times GoodTimes. These are my questions and comments. Thank You!!