Good Times (1974–1979)

A poor Afro-American family make the best of things in the Chicago housing projects.

Creators:

Mike Evans, Eric Monte

Stars:

Ja'net DuBois, Ralph Carter, BernNadette Stanis

Nominated for 3 Golden Globes. Another 1 win & 4 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Ja'net DuBois	...	Willona Woods (133 episodes, 1974-1979)
Ralph Carter	...	Michael Evans (133 episodes, 1974-1979)
BernNadette Stanis	...	Thelma Evans (133 episodes, 1974-1979)
Jimmie Walker	...	James 'J.J.' Evans, Jr. (133 episodes, 1974-1979)
Esther Rolle	...	Florida Evans (109 episodes, 1974-1979)
John Amos	...	James Evans, Sr. (61 episodes, 1974-1976)
Johnny Brown	...	Nathan Bookman (57 episodes, 1975-1979)

Storyline

Life in the Chicago projects is never easy, However, the Evans family never gives up trying to make the best of things. While Florida and James struggle to provide for their family, their sons J.J., an aspiring painter, Micheal, the undying political crusader, causing trouble while their sister, Thelma, stands between them as the voice of reason. Living in the same building were Willona Woods, Florida's best friend from High School who provided support, love and gossip and Nathan Bookman, the overweight janitor who gave them grief and was the butt of alot of fat jokes, especially Willona who often referred to him as Buffalo Butt or Booger. Life, at least, is never boring while they fight to keep their heads above water and one day leave the projects, which they did in the series finale. Sadly, it was without James who was killed off in the 4th season.

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Plot Keywords:

housing project | poor family | inner city | black militant | african american | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 February 1974 (USA)

Filming Locations:

5746 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bud Yorkin Productions, Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS), Norman Lear/Tandem Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min 30 min (133 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

4:3

Did You Know?

Trivia

Esther Rolle is 25 years older than Ja'net DuBois, although they supposed to be the same age on the show.

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Quotes

Michael: Hey, Thelma. You about ready for that kissing booth?
Thelma: Yep, I've got my lips, and my lip gloss, and... Oh, Michael, you didn't tell me how much to sell my kisses for.
J.J.: Thelma, be ready to make change of a dime.
Thelma: You know something, if you were in there, it wouldn't be a kissing booth... it would be a house of horrors, you ugly monster.

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Connections

Referenced in Saturday Night Live: Cameron Diaz/Jimmy Eat World (2002)

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Soundtracks

"Good Times"
Music by Dave Grusin
Lyrics by Alan Bergman & Marilyn Bergman
Performed by James Gilstrap and Blinky Williams

User Reviews

Interesting '70s time capsule

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.