Good Times

J.J.'s Condition - S5-E19

Question: As JJ and his new love interest are discussing needing more money, after the idea of JJ getting a second job fails, JJ comes up with an idea saying to her, "No problem - you can get a part-time job" (which she refused to do). After JJ suggests her getting the part-time job, the audience started whooing and screaming loudly. What was it about the idea of her working that made the audience react that way?

The Gang: Part 1 - S2-E9

Question: According to the credits, the smallest of the three Satan Knights that come over to get JJ is nicknamed "Sweet Pea." However this name is never mentioned by anyone in this episode. The other two are mentioned (Mad Dog and Neck Bone). Why would the credits use a name not used?

Answer: Could have very well been that he did have a speaking part, but ended up on the cutting room floor, and they just didn't fix the credits.

ckbyers

Answer: He did have a speaking part many times throughout the episode, but gang name simply not used (just his real first name by Florida). James even referred to him in the start of the next episode by saying "Neck Bone and that other character."

Answer: Carl did die of lung cancer, that's why she returned to her family.

Answer: Florida's husband, James Evans, Sr., appeared in a total of 61 episodes during Seasons 1-3 of the series. After creative differences with the show's creator, Norman Lear, mainly over the increasingly buffoonish characterization of oldest son, James "J.J." Evans, Jr., actor John Amos did not have his contract renewed. His character was killed off in an automobile accident in his home state of Mississippi while he was securing steady work in the hope of relocating his family there. Florida learned of his death via a phone call at the family's going away party. We don't know if her second husband, Carl, died or just stayed in Arizona, and it's debateable whether someone who remarries is still called a widow.

Michael Albert

Florida did not learn of James' death through a phone call. It was through a telegram sent in the mail that Florida read during the party.

Norman Lear didn't create Good Times. Eric Monte and Michael Evans did. Norman Lear simply developed it.

Florida's Homecoming: The Wedding - S6-E3

Question: At Thelma's wedding, Michael is singing "You And I" from O'Bryan. But this episode is from 1978 and the song came out in 1983 (5 years later). Did Ralph Carter (Michael) originate that song before O'Bryan made it famous?

Answer: "You and I (We Can Conquer the World) " is a song written and performed by Stevie Wonder in 1972. O'Bryan just did a cover of the song.

Bishop73

Grandpa's Visit - S4-E9

Question: Grandpa Evan ran away from his family when James was young and didn't know Florida but when he comes back he recognizes her, how?

Answer: Grandpa Evans was glad to meet family members he never knew existed. He didn't know Florida, but was simply glad to meet his daughter-in-law for the first time. It was simply emotional for him and Florida (more for Florida as this made her cry happily).

Thelma had told Grandpa Evans about the family when she met him before he met the family.

Show generally

Question: What is the actual line spoken by JJ? This is a paraphrase from what I remember from almost 50 years ago: "When poor folks get money from the government they call it welfare, but when corporations get it, it's called subsidies."

Answer: It's from s01e03, "Getting Up the Rent." They're short on rent and Florida finally agrees to go to the welfare office with Willona. But she's turned down because they made too much money. Willona says "You know, if we were rich and needed some emergency funds, we'd get it just like that." Florida says, "But rich folks don't take welfare, do they?" And Willona says, "No, they call it subsidy."

Bishop73

The Mural - S3-E12

Question: When James is arguing with Mr. Hewitt over his decision not to pay JJ, at one point James says "You're gonna pay him Boojie." I never understood who or what is a "Boojie"?

Answer: He says "bourgie", from the word bourgeois. Basically it's a derogatory term or insult for someone who is or acts middle class and acts like they're better than the working class or blue collar people. He's saying just because you can't relate to The Mural doesn't mean it doesn't have value.

Bishop73

The Gang: Part 1 - S2-E9

Question: Neck Bone and Sweet Pea are referred to by Florida as their real names, Tyrone and Sylvester. Do we know which name goes to which guy? (I've always wondered this).

Answer: Neck Bone is Sylvester and Sweet Pea is Tyrone.

Bishop73

For some reason, I always thought it was the other way around but really no way of knowing. I'm assuming your answer is based on how Florida looks their directions near the end of the episode while saying their names.

They are listed as such on IMDb.com. So it is possible to check. Doug Grant played Sweet Pea and Michael D. Roberts played Neck Bone.

Noman

Good Times mistake picture

J.J. Becomes a Man: Part 2 - S2-E3

Visible crew/equipment: At the police station, when Florida is begging James to borrow money from the loan shark, she and James stand up; Florida is on the left, James the right. At the top of Florida's head behind her, you can see the microphone dip into view overhead, and it moves quickly out of the frame. Then it's visible again as Florida and James walk toward the loan shark. (00:18:00 - 00:33:00)

More mistakes in Good Times

James: You know what I'm gonna leave the world when I go, Florida? A tombstone that reads "Here lies James Evans. Back in the hole again."

More quotes from Good Times
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