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Season 1 – Good Times

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – Good Times 1974 Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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78% Tomatometer 23 Reviews 67% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Florida and James Evans struggle to raise their kids - irrepressible artist JJ, voice-of-reason Thelma, and politically active Michael - in a Chicago housing project. They have help from wisecracking neighbors, buffoonish building superintendents and friends.
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Good Times — Season 1

Good Times — Season 1

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Critics Consensus

Good Times' glamorization of poverty undercuts its achievement of centering a Black ensemble on network television, but Esther Rolle and John Amos' joyful chemistry brings irresistible warmth to this sitcom family.

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Critics Reviews

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Harry Harris Philadelphia Inquirer Good Times, bolstered by charismatic characters and spiced by sexy and "soul"-slanted quips, looks like another Norman Lear winner. Feb 19, 2021 Full Review Noel Holston Orlando Sentinel Not much is allowed to get in the way of a "socially relevant" satirical swipe. Sometimes not even honesty. Feb 19, 2021 Full Review Percy Shain Boston Globe It has two great assets in Esther Rolle and John Amos as the sensible, likable parents and such an abundance of good cheer in adversity that they have to be winners in your heart, even though they are losers everywhere else. Rated: 3/4 Feb 19, 2021 Full Review Matt Roush TV Insider Lear provided a window to another world rarely seen on TV... Dec 20, 2023 Full Review Dwight Newton San Francisco Examiner Quite entertaining and certainly different. Save for Barefoot in the Park, which quickly blew high, wide and then some, this' is our first situation comedy look inside a complete black family. Feb 19, 2021 Full Review Win Fanning Pittsburgh Post-Gazette In remarkably short order all of these characters were introduced and sprang engagingly to life. I felt as if I'd known them for years. Feb 19, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Mike P Trailblazing Norman Lear sitcom from the 70s about an African American family surviving life in the projects.... Recommended Rated 4 out of 5 stars 04/14/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Good Times — Season 1

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Cast & Crew

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Esther Rolle

Florida Evans

John Amos

James Evans

Ja'net DuBois

Willona Woods

Ralph Carter

Michael Evans

Jimmie Walker

James Evans, Jr.

Bern Nadette Stanis

Thelma Evans

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Feb 8, 1974 Too Old Blues Tests indicate that James is a candidate for a union apprenticeship program, but his birth certificate says differently. Details Episode 2 Aired Feb 15, 1974 Black Jesus A sudden run of good luck and one of J.J.'s paintings create a religious conflict in the Evans household. Details Episode 3 Aired Feb 22, 1974 Getting Up the Rent The Evans family faces eviction from their Chicago apartment. Details Episode 4 Aired Mar 1, 1974 God's Business Is Good Business A self-proclaimed "shepherd of the Lord" asks James to become one of his herdsmen. Details Episode 5 Aired Mar 8, 1974 Michael Gets Suspended A remark about George Washington causes Michael to be suspended from school. Details Episode 6 Aired Mar 15, 1974 Sex and the Evans Family Florida and James fear that there is more between Thelma and her new beau than a five-year difference. Details Episode 7 Aired Mar 22, 1974 Junior Gets a Patron J.J., an aspiring artist, is discovered by a man who wants to become his patron. Details Episode 8 Aired Mar 29, 1974 Junior the Senior The probability of J.J. not being promoted to a high-school senior worries the whole family. Details Episode 9 Aired Apr 5, 1974 The Visitor An angry Housing Authority official visits the Evans family after one of Michael's letters to the editor is published. Details Episode 10 Aired Apr 19, 1974 Springtime in the Ghetto Florida jeopardizes her standing in a contest by helping to dry out the neighborhood wino. Details Episode 11 Aired Apr 26, 1974 The TV Commercial Florida is asked to be the television spokeswoman for a new health tonic. Details Episode 12 Aired May 3, 1974 The Check Up The family tries to convince James that he should see a doctor for his headaches and emotional outbursts. Details Episode 13 Aired May 10, 1974 My Son the Lover The most popular girl in high school turns J.J. into a one-woman man. Details

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Good Times — Season 1

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Season Info

Director
Herbert Kenwith, Donald McKayle, Bob LaHendro, John Rich, Perry Rosemond
Screenwriter
Jack Elinson, Lou Derman, John Donley, Eric Monte, Roland Wolpert, Bob Peete, Larry Siegel, Norman Paul, Bill Davenport, Kurt Taylor, Lloyd Garver, Ken Hecht
Network
CBS
Rating
TV-PG
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date
Feb 8, 1974
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