Series Description

The Good Times TV show was a 30 minute comedy series that premiered on February 8,1974 on CBS for 131 episodes over 6 seasons. It was about a lower-middle-class family who lived in a high-rise apartment in the ghetto. They struggled financially but their love for each other always managed to carry them through the worst of times.

Good Times Cast

Jimmie Walker .... James "J.J." Evans, Jr
Esther Rolle .... Florida Evans
John Amos .... James Evans
Bern Nadette Stanis .... Thelma Evans
Ralph Carter .... Michael Evans
Janet DuBois .... Willona Woods
Janet Jackson .... Penny Woods
Johnny Brown .... Nathan Bookman
Ben Powers .... Keith
Moses Gunn .... Carl

Trivia:

The Good Times TV show was a "spin-off" of the series, "Maude". Maude had also been a "spin-off" of the series, "All In The Family".

In the fourth season, James (the father) left Good Times. He had become a partner in a garage and, just as things might be looking up for the family, he was killed in an auto accident! After a short time with J.J. supporting the family, his mother found a new love and got married again.

Before the next season of the Good Times TV show began, Esther Rolle pretended to be ill so she could leave the Good Times cast. In truth, she was upset over the way that Jimmy Walker's "jive-talking", womanizing and dishonest character (on screen) had become such a bad role model for black youth. The Good Times' writers explained her absence by saying that her new husband had developed cancer and they had moved to the South where the weather would better suit his condition.

Jimmy Walker, in his role as "J.J." was responsible for the catch phrase, "Dy-No-Mite", which became commonly used by the public when something really good happened.

Then, at the beginning of Good Time's sixth season, Esther Rolle reappeared on Good Times, back with her children and without her husband. No reason was ever given for his absence!

Good Times was canceled due to low ratings in December of 1978 and the "final" episode aired on January 3rd of 1979. Then in May, the network decided to air the final nine episodes which had already been taped and the Good Times TV show truly ended.

Theme Song

Title: "Good Times"

By: "Dave Grusin and Andrew Bergman"

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 hastled, 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.