Good Times

S01E01 Too Old Blues 1974-02-08

Tests indicate that James is a candidate for a union apprenticeship program, but his birth certificate says differently

Pilot note — From the desk: Good Times opens its catalog run with “Too Old Blues” (1974-02-08). Black family sitcom landmark — and a case study in creative control battles. J.J. fever, cast exits, and Norman Lear-era politics on and off set.

A sudden run of good luck and one of J.J.'s paintings create a religious conflict in the Evans household.

The Evans family faces eviction from their Chicago apartment.

A self-proclaimed "shepherd of the Lord" asks James to become one of his herdsmen.

A remark in class gets Michael suspended from school.

Florida and James fear that there is more between Thelma and her new beau than a five-year difference.

J.J., an aspiring artist, is discovered by a man who wants to become his patron.

Odds are good that J.J. will be held back a grade

An angry Housing Authority official visits the Evans family after one of Michael's letters to the editor is published.

Florida's charitable instincts could lose her an award.

Florida is asked to be a health tonic's spokeswoman.

The family tries to convince James that he should see a doctor for his headaches and emotional outbursts.

A popular girl (Ta-Tanisha) steals J.J.'s heart.

Florida promises to burst into a full-fledged hurricane unless someone can figure out what triggered the storm

A credit error may ruin J.J.'s 18th birthday.

Florida and James have to come up with $500 in bail when J.J. is arrested on an alleged armed robbery charge.

Michael is offered a chance to bus to a better school.

Michael's school assignment sets off a chain reaction of events in the Evans household.

The Evans family is shocked when they meet Thelma's new fiance.

Michael jeopardizes his chances for a higher education when he walks out on an IQ test that he feels is unfair to minorities

The fine print at the bottom of an ``easy payment'' contract for an encyclopedia set buys the Evanses a lot of trouble

J.J. reluctantly becomes a member of the Satan's Knights street gang.

James wants to press charges after J.J. is wounded.

Florida decides to find a husband for Willona.

James is not convinced that honesty is the best policy when all he gets for a good deed is obscene phone calls.

Thelma catches her cousin nipping at the family liquor supply.

James is sure that the new job he has been promised is the answer to the family's troubles.

Florida's dream of finally getting her high-school diploma is clouded by James' opposition to the idea.

Florida and James are torn between letting J.J. do a portrait and their misgivings about the prospective model.

The family runs a secret fix-it service at home.

J.J. finds out that his date has snobbish parents that disapprove of him.

The Evanses are afraid they may be eating dog food when an elderly neighbor brings the main course for dinner

James fears an old pal has secret motives for visiting.

J.J. announces plans to marry and settle down.

Both James and J.J. suddenly lose their jobs.

Thelma receives a scholarship from an exclusive school.

A schoolyard extortionist bullies Michael.

James' high-paying job offer has one drawback.

Florida objects when James buys a gun for protection.

Florida's hospitalization strains the family finances.

James and Florida disapprove of Thelma's engagement.

Frustrated James considers borrowing from cousin Edgar.

Florida and James go off to a mountain cabin for a romantic celebration of their 20th wedding anniversary.

A baby-shower guest of honor makes an announcement.

Changing schools has an effect on Michael.

The family is divided when James and Florida support rival candidates in a local election.

Willona dates a man with a physical disability.

Florida pickets the neighborhood supermarket after a roast from the store makes everyone sick.

The Evans family's good news is not what it seems.

A gorgeous girl's rejection shatters J.J.

The FBI comes asking questions about Florida's nephew.

Thelma locates her grandfather and invites him home for her dad's birthday.

Michael's elderly friend wants to stay with the family.

J.J. astounds the family with the news that he plans to marry the ``weirdo'' of the neighborhood.

J.J. decides to elope without learning some important facts about his bride.

The numbers king of the neighborhood commissions J.J. to paint a portrait.

Michael's research for a report has repercussions.

When an old girlfriend visits J.J., she brings along some upsetting news.

Fed up with being treated like a servant by her family, Florida accepts a luncheon invitation from a man.

Thelma's beau accepts a job in California.

The Evans family gives a rent party to help a neighbor.

As the Evanses prepare to join James in Mississippi, a damper is thrown on everything.

Florida's attitude toward James' death causes dissension in an already saddened household.

Thelma's teacher falls for J.J.'s art, and J.J.

Michael is pressured into becoming a member of a street gang that is terrorizing the neighborhood.

J.J. tries to lend a helping hand when Michael experiences his first great romance.

A shady politician asks J.J. for campaign help.

J.J. resorts to crime in an effort to get his family out of the ghetto.

Florida has only one choice of action when she discovers what J.J. is doing for money.

Grandpa Evans brings a special guest of his own for Thanksgiving.

J.J.'s joy over winning the lottery is cut short.

The children and Willona try to convince Florida to have some fun.

J.J. comes up with a vocal discovery that he calls the "great white hope."

The backers for J.J.'s new client turn out to be loan sharks.

The Evans children go into the long-underwear business.

Thelma enjoys a romantic relationship with an African student.

Thelma plans to move in with her African boyfriend despite Florida's objections.

Willona's ex-husband arrives for her birthday party.

J.J., Thelma and Michael throw a wild party while Florida is gone for the weekend.

Michael announces he has become an atheist.

Florida's reluctance to go out on a date proves to be justified when her special evening seems headed for disaster.

Michael and Carl's secret changes J.J.'s attitude.

J.J. and his friends decide to start a greeting-card business together.

Carl announces he will propose to Florida.

The Evans family finally discovers Carl's serious medical secret.

The family investigates when Penny is injured.

Willona accuses her neighbor of child abuse.

Willona must make an agonizing decision that could change the rest of her life.

Bookman's secret scheme could derail the adoption.

In rebellion against J.J., Thelma moves into her own apartment.

Willona spies on others to earn extra money.

One car plus four owners equals trouble when J.J.'s "Awesome Foursome" become business partners.

Michael discovers the world of CB radios.

A petition for repairs costs Bookman his job.

A mysterious, handsome stranger romances Thelma.

J.J. holds an unusual wake for a homeless man at the apartment building.

Willona's Christmas joy is threatened when she learns that her most precious gift may be taken from her.

J.J. wants to teach Michael responsibility.

Willona must choose between the chance of a lifetime with the man of her dreams or something far more important.

J.J. doesn't know if his talent or the boss's daughter was responsible for his new assignment.

Penny painfully discovers that smoking is dangerous to more than one's health.

J.J.'s potential promotion at work may be threatened by prejudice.

J.J., Thelma and Michael discover that their new boarder is the only surviving witness in a trial against a dangerous criminal.

J.J. succumbs to the stress of dating a married woman when he develops an ulcer.

Willona is suspected of being the ``other woman'' when Bookman is thought to be stepping out on his wife.

Grandpa discovers obstacles to his intended nuptials.

Willona receives a long-awaited marriage proposal only to discover that her suitor has a ``catch.''.

Production of Thelma's first play comes with a hitch.

The Evans clan and friends put on a show to raise cash.

Thelma gives a dinner party for her new boyfriend with such sensational results that Florida rushes home from Arizona to see what's happening.

Wedding bells are ringing for Thelma and Keith, but they may not be heard over their arguing.

The day arrives for Thelma to marry handsome football star Keith Anderson.

Thelma's new husband stands to lose his contract and J.J. faces the jaws of a greedy loan shark.

J.J. could have the answer to Florida's need to find work for herself.

Willona makes an effort to protect Penny from learning the facts of life.

J.J. tries his hand at giving art lessons, with unexpected results.

Michael announces his intention to move out, and more.

An unemployed J.J. is torn between his emotions and the facts when a girlfriend returns to town.

J.J. could pay terribly for being the sole witness to a serious car accident.

A blizzard traps Florida and a busload of children.

When Keith's boss refuses to let him off on Christmas Eve, the Evans family celebrates "on the road."

The Evans family decides to buy its first house and discovers major obstacles

Florida's concern for one of her passengers puts her at odds with the child's mother.

Florida's interest in one of her passengers solves one problem, but creates another.

J.J. has something that Sweet Daddy wants and whether or not he gets it will be a matter of life or death.

Florida's anxious search for a doctor turns to anger when the only one she finds is too busy to be interested in her problem.

J.J.'s far-reaching search for a date overlooks an eager candidate who takes some dangerous steps to ensure that she'll never be forgotten again.

Florida's efforts to pass an important medical exam at work may be thwarted by a well-meaning gift from the children she cares most about.

Willona is forced into the stand of a lifetime when Penny's natural mother arrives.

The Evans family tries to discover the source of Keith's anger and depression.

J.J. has some fast decisions to make when he mistakenly enters an important art contest with someone else's painting.

A visit from Florida's wealthy cousin brings expensive gifts for everyone until Florida discovers just where all the money is coming from.

S06E24 The End of the Rainbow 1979-08-01

Good fortune shines on the Evans family and creates the happiest day of Florida's life.

Finale note — From the desk: The guide closes on “The End of the Rainbow” (1979-08-01) — a series bookend worth the package context. J.J. fever, cast exits, and Norman Lear-era politics on and off set.