Good Times

Good Times

February 8, 1974 – August 1, 1979
(133) one half hour episodes (6 seasons)
in color CBS
Created by: Eric Monte and Michael Evans
Developed by: Norman Lear

Opening theme

“Good Times” performed by Jim Gilstrap and Blinky Williams

Good Times.
Any time you meet a payment. – Good Times.
Any time you need a friend. – Good Times.
Any time you’re out from under.
Not getting hassled, not getting hustled.
Keepin’ your head above water,
Making a wave when you can.

Temporary lay offs. – Good Times.
Easy credit rip offs. – Good Times.
Scratchin’ and surviving. – Good Times.
Hangin in a chow line – Good Times.
Ain’t we lucky we got ’em – Good Times.

CAST

STORYLINE

The series was a comedy about the struggles of a black family living in the projects, just trying to get by and get out of their living conditions. Mom was Florida Evans (Esther Rolle) and Dad James Evans Sr.(John Amos) both worked to provide for their three kids while trying to give them the tools that they would need to succeed. The oldest son J.J. (Jimmie Walker) became the breakout star of the show and much of the humor was about or because of his slacker antics. His little brother Michael (Ralph Carter) was a serious young activist, while his sister Thelma (BernNadette Stanis) became the moderator of the many quarrels between the brothers.

The series was unique in that it was a spin-off of a spin-off. Florida was the housekeeper for Maude in her series and Maude was the neighbor of Archie Bunker from All in the Family. This was one of only a couple of such double spin-offs to be successful.

Both Esther Rolle and John Amos felt that after the J.J. character became so popular that the episodes were becoming more and more harmful to young viewers looking for black role models. The uneducated slacker type behavior of J.J. was demeaning to them as well as the audience. John Amos vented his feelings to Norman Lear and was let go at the end of third season. Esther Rolle lasted another year but quit the series at the end of the fourth season.

J.J.’s famous catch phrase was Dy-No-Mite! and since it became a popular modern slang term the writers were instructed to include it a minimum of three times per show.

Video Clip of Good Times

Passings

Esther Rolle died in 1998 of complications from diabetes she was only 78