Product Description

The story of an African American family living in housing projects in Chicago.
Genre: Television
Rating: NR
Release Date: 4-FEB-2003
Media Type: DVD

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #20497 in DVD
• Brand: ROLLE,ESTHER
• Released on: 2003-02-04
• Rating: Unrated
• Aspect ratio: 1.33:1
• Formats: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Full Screen, Subtitled, NTSC
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English, Spanish, French
• Number of discs: 2
• Dimensions: .44 pounds
• Running time: 334 minutes

Amazon.com
What first comes to mind is super-skinny Jimmie Walker proclaiming "Dyn-o-mite!" and waving his arms like a funky scarecrow in a whirlwind of 1970s jive. But while Walker's James "J.J." Evans Junior became the most famous face of Good Times, the bedrock of the sitcom were the actors playing his parents, Esther Rolle and John Amos as Florida and James Evans, two good-hearted but fallible people struggling to raise their family amid the poverty of the Chicago projects. Add to the mix boy-crazy daughter Thelma (Bernnadette Stanis), preadolescent black activist Michael (Ralph Carter), and Florida's world-wise best friend Willona (sassy Ja'net DuBois), and you've got one of the best comic ensembles of the time. Modern politically correct sensibilities may wince a bit at J.J.'s sometimes cartoonish antics, but what's far more striking about the first season of Good Times is how frank the show was willing to be about race, politics, class, religion, sexual double standards, and family conflicts--considerably more direct and daring, in fact, than just about anything you'll find on television today. The topics of shows range from the corruption of television evangelism and white-centered history classes in school (Michael gets suspended for stating that George Washington owned slaves) to more typical sitcom themes like a housekeeping contest or J.J.'s girlfriend troubles--but even the most lightweight episodes tosses out a few acerbic (and genuinely funny) comments on the difficulty of being black in America. --Bret Fetzer

From the Back Cover
Good Times was that rare hit show which was a spin-off of a spin-off (TV's All in the Family begat Maude, which in turn spawned Good Times on CBS). Airing for five highly rated seasons, Good Times altered America's cultural landscape by tackling topical, often controversial issues from a uniquely African American perspective, while delivering heart-warming laughs. Focusing on a poor but proud family in the Chicago projects, the Evans clan--headed by James (John Amos) and sharp-tongued mother Florida (Esther Rolle)--struggled against adversity while keeping their heads high, striking a chord with audiences of all colors. The trailblazing show also made a star of jive-talkin' comedian Jimmmie Walker, whose catchphrase "Dyn-O-Mite!" became part of '70s pop culture.

Customer Reviews

A GREAT series gets its debut on DVD . . .
My second favorite Norman Lear show - am so happy it's finally coming to DVD in the boxed sets it richly deserves!! "Good Times" was a spin-off of sorts of "Maude," using the character of Florida Evans who was Maude's sharp-tongued maid. Set in the Chicago, the sitcom follows the Evans family, headed by proud James Evans, Sr., and their lives in the projects of Chicago. Groundbreaking, Emmy-winning, and sometimes controversial, "Good Times" was often as funny as it was thought-provoking; I watched it every week growing up, and can't wait for the DVD of this first season, which should include these episodes, as they aired in order:

#1 Getting Up The Rent -- James Evans has been out of work most of the month. He's late on his rent payment and the landlord is ready to forcibly evict his family. James takes his pool stick down to the billiards hall and stakes his last bit of money. He wins and returns just in time to pay up. Florida remains unaware of James' gambling stunt, and thanks the Lord Jesus.

#2 Black Jesus -- J.J. has painted a portrait of a Black Jesus. Suddenly there is a run of good luck in the family. James wins two bets in the same day. But they must choose - does J.J. get to enter the painting in a contest for the art gallery? Or does the painting stay in the living room?

#3 Too Old Blues -- The family plans to celebrate James' new job. But then they find out he didn't get it because he is a couple years too old to meet government requirements.

#4 God's Business is Good Business -- James' old army buddy visits. He is now a wealthy TV minister, and offers James a job. But James turns it down after dishonest tactics are revealed.

#5 Michael Gets Suspended -- Michael gets suspended because he called George Washington a racist for owning slaves.

#6 Sex and the Evans Family -- Florida finds a sexually explicit book in the house. She is surprised when it turns out to be Thelma's. But Thelma's college boyfriend is only using it for a school paper.

#7 Junior Gets a Patron -- J.J. has sold a painting. But the art customer turns out to be one of James' old enemies. James throws the man out and refuses to let J.J. do the work, so J.J. runs away from home to live and work at the man's home. But he is unable to work in this new, peaceful environment. Florida sneaks off to visit J.J., then James turns up too. James and his friend call a truce, and J.J. returns home.

#8 Junior the Senior -- James and Florida are upset when J.J. gets passed to his senior year, even though he got a failing report card. They meet with the principal.

#9 The Visitor -- A letter written by Michael complaining about poor conditions in the housing projects prompts a visit from a high ranking city official. James is furious with his son, The Militant Midget.

#10 Springtime in the Ghetto -- The building superintendent is holding a contest for best kept apartment. Florida is eager to win and cleans up the whole house. But Michael brings Ned the wino home at the last minute. The family cleans Ned up with a bath and new clothes, and they win! It turns out the lady doing the judging is Ned's estranged wife.

#11 The TV Commercial -- Florida is chosen to appear in a tv commercial for a health tonic. But she turns down the high paying role after learning the tonic is 35 percent alcohol.

#12 The Checkup -- James is angry, smashing furniture and yelling. Michael and Thelma think he is suffering from hypertension and talk him into taking a physical exam. The Doctor tells James he has a high cholesterol level, and instructs him to cut back on salt and fat.

#13 My Son the Lover -- J.J. is dating a wonderful new girl. He is also painting her portrait for free. His heart is broken when the girl breaks up with him the same day he completes her painting.

Can't wait for Season Two, these first half-seasons of 13 episdodes aren't enough, but am glad to have them for now!!

This groundbreaking comedy series is Dyn-O-Mite!
When I was a kid, Good Times was one of those TV shows I simply would not miss each week. Even after its hilarious run ended, it was a constant companion of my youth in the form of syndicated reruns. Eventually, it faded away from the airwaves, and that is why I am so happy to see the release of this complete Season One DVD collection. The trials and joys of the Evans family have always been an indelible part of my memory, but watching these early episodes again is in many ways like seeing the show for the very first time. I used to just laugh at the crazy antics of J.J. and enjoy the show only for its comedy, but now I can more clearly understand the deeper meaning behind it all. While the Evans family life is far from typical, it does nobly reflect the struggles, pride, and humanity of families trying to survive and make a good life for their children in ghetto conditions. This truly was a groundbreaking television show, the first to feature a realistic African-American family trying to overcome life's great adversities together. However much they bickered and argued, the Evans family members supported and loved one another a great deal, and I believe it is this facet of the show as much as its unsurpassed comedy that explains its appeal to viewers of all races then and now.

Almost thirty years later, Good Times is still funnier than almost every other television show ever produced. What impressed me is the way the show began; the look and feel of the series was already firmly established in the very first episode, as James struggles to pay the rent and keep his family off the streets. When I was little, I didn't particularly like James because he seemed mean to me with his constant yelling. As an adult, I am a tremendous fan of John Amos' portrayal of the proud, hardworking family patriarch. This man worked like a dog in order to provide for his family, and the constant problems he faced getting and then keeping jobs is more than enough reason to explain his sometimes heated words and deeds. I no longer look at Good Times as the J.J. show; this first season seems to me to built around James Evans, Sr., although Esther Rolle, Jimmie Walker, Ralph Carter, Bernnadette Stanis, John Amos, and Ja'net Du Bois all delivered truly wonderful performances. Toward the end of these first 13 episodes, J.J. does begin to emerge as the prominent comedic talent, having served earlier as dependable but not yet featured comic relief. Jimmie Walker really comes into his own on the final episode included here, "My Son the Lover," setting the stage for great and equally hilarious things to come in later seasons.

I won't go into an episode by episode discussion, but I will mention a few of the really significant storylines that appeared. The struggle James has bringing home the bacon is a constant, but the burdens caused by his lack of education deliver a strong message to both J.J. and the viewing audience in "Junior the Senior." Teenage sexuality is addressed in "Sex and the Evans Family," a story featuring a classic display of the double standard that exists between males and females. Racism is constantly at the fore, personified in young Michael (or as James often calls him, "the militant midget"). The importance Florida places on religion and always doing what is right, no matter the costs incurred by your decision, is another strong element of the show, one given a brilliant exposition in the very second episode, "Black Jesus." Every episode imparts a meaning to the audience, one never lost amidst all of the comedy - and I do mean comedy. Good Times is still laugh-out-loud funny; it actually seems funnier now than it did years ago. While young viewers may not "get" some of the jokes based on 1970s pop culture, there is more than enough comedy spread around to guarantee a fun time will be had by all. There are no frills to this DVD package, though. I would have liked to see at least some sort of special feature, be it interviews with cast members or some kind of feature relating the story of how Good Times made it on to CBS as a somewhat controversial spin-off of a spin-off (All in the Family begat Maude, and Maude begat Good Times). You do get a little promo advertising the other vintage television shows already released by Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment, but this can hardly be called a special feature. In the end, though, what matters most is the newfound opportunity to enjoy the episodes themselves once again. I hope more seasons of Good Times are forthcoming because the thirteen shows from Season One, as great as each and every one of them are, are simply not enough to satisfy my demands for more.

Aint we lucky we got em'....Good Times!
After the release of All in the Family, The Jeffersons, and Sanford & Son in DVD season sets, it was only logical to release Good Times at some point. Good Times started in 1974 as a spin off of Maude. Florida Evans (Esther Rolle) was Maude's (Bea Arthur) housekeeper and Good Times concerns the Evans family and their ups and downs living in a Chicago project development. The other members of the Evans family are the father, James (John Amos), daughter Thelma (BernNadette Stanis), and sons Michael (Ralph Carter) and J.J. (Jimmie Walker). And don't forget Wilonna (Ja'net DuBois) from next door! Sorry, but Penny (Janet Jackson) and Superintendant Bookman (Johnny Brown) don't appear until Season 5 so you'll have to wait for that. The Norman Lear/Bud Yorkin sitcoms were one of a kind and each ground breaking in its own way. They dared to show real life, situations, attitudes, and characters who actually exist. Good Times was unique. It was like the Jeffersons in that it centered around a black family, but the Evans' were different from the Jeffersons both in family size and economic status (The Evans' poor, the Jeffersons rich). Good Times, like the other Lear/Yorkin classics, don't shy away from realistic views and language, but thats why these shows are so important. This type of sitcom won't come along again so get it while you can. Its a great thing that these shows have been preserved and brought to digital in an uncut & unedited form. This 2 DVD set contains the first season of 13 episodes which ran from February to May 1974. There are no extra features other than subtitles, episode selection, and previews, but having such a classic, funny, and important piece of television history in this format at the push of a button is priceless. Actually this release does have the "play all episodes" feature, which hasn't been on the other Lear/Yorkin show DVDs, so that's cool. The next logical release will be Maude, then maybe One Day at a Time! Looking forward to it and all upcoming seasons of All in the Family, The Jeffersons, & Sanford and Son! Here's the episodes for Season One of Good Times:

01. Getting up the rent
02. Black Jesus
03. Too Old Blues
04. God's business is good business
05. Michael gets suspended
06. Sex and the Evans family
07. Junior gets a patron
08. Junior the senior
09. The Visitor
10. Springtime in the Ghetto
11. The TV Commercial
12. The Check Up
13. My Son the Lover

*Trivia: Good Times was co-created by Mike Evans, who played the original Lionel Jefferson on both the Jeffersons and All in the Family. Wonder where he got the idea to call them the Evans'? Also Ja'net DuBois (Willona from Good Times) both co wrote and sings the famous theme song to the Jeffersons!

Also highly recommended on DVD:
All in the Family (Seasons 1 & 2)
Sanford & Son (Seasons 1 & 2)
The Jeffersons (Season 1)