Good Times (1974–1979)

Esther Rolle: Florida Evans

Photos 

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Quotes 

• Florida : Did you hear yourself James? You said "ain't" 3 times in a row.

  James : So?

  Florida : "Ain't" is not a word.

  James : OH yeah... it's in the dictionary.

  Florida : No "ain't" ain't, but isn't is... look it up.

  James : I can't.

  Florida : Why?

  James : AIN'T got no dictionary.

• Florida : I don't have to ask who hung this picture up here, Michael Evans, but before I hang you in its place, why?

• Michael : Daddy friend Monte told him that everything's going to be okay.

  Florida : That's the same Monte who said that Nixon was going to be poor folks best friend.

• Larry : Someday, I plan to own my own gas station.

  Florida : When is "someday", Larry?

  Larry : In about 10 years, ma'am.

  J.J. : There won't be no gas left by then.

• Florida Evans : And I must give thanks to the good Lord above for giving us such a beautiful Christmas gift: a loving family and warm friends.

• Florida : Junior the alarm's set for 6AM.

  JJ : Only ones up at that hour is the garbage men. And the way the streets look, they droppin' it off insteada' pickin' it up!

• Florida : Where's Thelma?

  JJ : In the bathroom, as usual. She spends more time in there than the tidy bowl man!

• Florida Evans : [Florida is shocked when she sees the young boy who delivers drugs to people, like J.J's girlfriend]  But James, he's still a baby!

  James : Well, this ain't his talcum powder!

• Florida : [after discovering J.J's illegal gambling]  J.J, there are two roads out of the ghetto. So far, we've managed to stay on the right road.

  J.J. : That's what's taking us so long to get out of here! Look, Ma, tell me one dude in the projects who's got a future that ain't in the rackets.

  Florida : You, because you just resigned.

  J.J. : Oh, no, Ma. It's MY way out and I'm going to take it.

  Florida : Then you can start by getting out of here.

  J.J. : Oh, come one, Ma...

  [moves forward to hug Florida] 

  Florida : [pulls away and begins gathering his belongings] 

  J.J. : Now, Ma! Let's be reasonable...

  Florida : [shoving his belongings into his hands]  And take these things with you!

  J.J. : Ma, you haven't even...

  Florida : [angrily]  J.J, get the HELL out of my house!

• J.J. : [J.J. phones home after a police raid on his "friend's" apartment]  Ma? I'm ready to come home.

  Florida : It's your home.