"Good Times" (1974) TV series 1974-1979

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Creators:

Mike Evans
Eric Monte

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Release Date:

8 February 1974 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

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

Plot Keywords:

Inner City | Housing Project | Urban | Spin Off | Chicago Illinois

Awards:

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

US TV Schedule:

Thur. July 9	11:00 AM	TVLAND	The Big Move	#4.1
Thur. July 9	11:30 AM	TVLAND	The Big Move	#4.2

Cast

BernNadette Stanis	...	Thelma Evans / ... (132 episodes, 1974-1979)
Ralph Carter	...	Michael Evans (131 episodes, 1974-1979)
Jimmie Walker	...	James 'J.J.' Evans, Jr. (126 episodes, 1974-1979)
Ja'net DuBois	...	Willona Woods (120 episodes, 1974-1979)
Esther Rolle	...	Florida Evans (102 episodes, 1974-1979)
John Amos	...	James Evans, Sr. / ... (57 episodes, 1974-1976)
Johnny Brown	...	Nathan Bookman (53 episodes, 1975-1979)

Runtime:

USA:30 min (including commercials) (133 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Singapore:PG | Australia:PG | USA:TV-PG

Filming Locations:

CBS Television City - 7800 Beverly Blvd., Fairfax, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Bud Yorkin Productions

Trivia:

During the series, Bookman was often referred to as "Buffalo Butt", although Willona called him "Booger".

Quotes:

Mrs. Gordon: [after plotting to steal Penny away from Wilona by setting her up as an unfit mother] Come on now, Mrs. Woods, can't we talk this thing out woman-to-woman?
Willona: That depends... what woman is going to talk to YOU?
Mrs. Gordon: Did you see the look in that kid's eyes? She WANTS to come home with me! It was all those gifts I gave her, that tape recorder and that $2500 brass bed! Now what could you POSSIBLY give her to top that?
Willona: [triumphantly] Love. Can you do that?
Mrs. Gordon: I'm here, ain't I?
Willona: So is the garbage.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Drawn Together" (2004)

Soundtrack:

Good Times

Great show early ...but suffered a decline in quality in later seasons

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. 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 subtletly 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+.