"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.
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.