Good Times
Season 1
13 listed hours · 1974–1979 · CBS
From the desk
How this season is filed
A Chicago projects sitcom that became a catchphrase factory, a creative-control war, and a family America watched while the set was already on fire.
TV Flash files Season 1 of Good Times (1974–1979) on CBS as the first listed season of 6 — 13 listed hours, 1974-02-08–1974-05-10 from “Too Old Blues” (S01E01) to “My Son, the Lover” (S01E13). Titles, dates, and synopses on file — no invented recaps.
Desk essentials in this season
- S01E01 Too Old Blues
The promised family. Before the merchandising, a living room that still has to negotiate work, pride, and a laugh track.
- S01E03 Getting Up the Rent
The premise the clips later drown: rent as plot, not as flavor. The hour that still photographs as the show they said they were making.
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S01E01 Too Old Blues
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.
- S01E02
Black Jesus
A sudden run of good luck and one of J.J.'s paintings create a religious conflict in the Evans household.
- S01E03
Getting Up the Rent
The Evans family faces eviction from their Chicago apartment.
- S01E04
God's Business is Good Business
A self-proclaimed "shepherd of the Lord" asks James to become one of his herdsmen.
- S01E05
Michael Gets Suspended
A remark in class gets Michael suspended from school.
- S01E06
Sex and the Evans Family
Florida and James fear that there is more between Thelma and her new beau than a five-year difference.
- S01E07
Junior Gets a Patron
J.J., an aspiring artist, is discovered by a man who wants to become his patron.
- S01E08
Junior the Senior
Odds are good that J.J. will be held back a grade
- S01E09
The Visitor
An angry Housing Authority official visits the Evans family after one of Michael's letters to the editor is published.
- S01E10
Springtime in the Ghetto
Florida's charitable instincts could lose her an award.
- S01E11
The TV Commercial
Florida is asked to be a health tonic's spokeswoman.
- S01E12
The Check Up
The family tries to convince James that he should see a doctor for his headaches and emotional outbursts.
- S01E13
My Son, the Lover
A popular girl (Ta-Tanisha) steals J.J.'s heart.
More from the 1970s.