Black family sitcom landmark — and a case study in creative control battles.
Why it matters
Episode guide
133 episodes across 6 seasons — titles, air dates, and synopses.
At a glance
The Evans family scrapes and jokes through life in a Chicago housing project with heart, catchphrases, and hard turns. J.J.’s fame inside the show mirrored real industry arguments about representation. Sitcom warmth with stakes that bite.
Network & studio
- CBS — broadcast network
Why watch now
Landmark Black family sitcom — funny, painful, and a case study in creative control battles worth knowing.
Cultural impact
Good Times put projects life on network primetime and sparked lasting debates about clownish vs. dignified representation. Norman Lear-era politics never left the set.
Creators
Eric Monte · Mike Evans
Key cast
- Esther Rolle as Florida Evans
- John Amos as James Evans
- Jimmie Walker as J.J. Evans
- Ja'Net DuBois as Willona Woods
- BernNadette Stanis as Thelma Evans
Flash facts
- CBS sitcom created by Eric Monte and Mike Evans, developed by Norman Lear; aired February 8, 1974–August 1, 1979 (6 seasons, 133 episodes).
- Spin-off of Maude (itself from All in the Family); first African American two-parent family sitcom on U.S. network TV.
- Set in a Chicago public-housing project; produced by Tandem Productions.
FAQ
Who played Florida and James Evans?
Esther Rolle and John Amos starred as the Evans parents (Amos departed mid-run).
How is Good Times connected to All in the Family?
It spun off from Maude, which itself spun off from All in the Family under Norman Lear.
When did Good Times air?
On CBS from 1974 to 1979.
Cultural eras
Official & further reading
External sites for further reading — TV Flash is not affiliated with these networks or studios.
Back to the decade
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