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TV series

Good Times

19746 seasons8.0 / 10

Dy-No-Mite!

Good Times is an American sitcom that originally aired from February 8, 1974, until August 1, 1979, on the CBS television network. It was created by Eric Monte and Mike Evans, and developed by Norman Lear, the series' primary executive producer. Good Times is a spin-off of Maude, which is itself a spin-off of All in the Family along with The Jeffersons. The series is set in Chicago. The first two seasons were taped at CBS Television City in Hollywood. In the fall of 1975, the show moved to Metromedia Square, where Norman Lear's own production company was housed.

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Checked Jul 22, 2026

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Synopsis

Good Times is an American sitcom that originally aired from February 8, 1974, until August 1, 1979, on the CBS television network. It was created by Eric Monte and Mike Evans, and developed by Norman Lear, the series' primary executive producer. Good Times is a spin-off of Maude, which is itself a spin-off of All in the Family along with The Jeffersons. The series is set in Chicago. The first two seasons were taped at CBS Television City in Hollywood. In the fall of 1975, the show moved to Metromedia Square, where Norman Lear's own production company was housed.

Season 3 episodes

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Episode 1

A Real Cool Job

30m

After taking some courses at a trade school, James has a chance of getting a good paying job. However, when he is finally offered one, there is one catch, it's in Alaska.

Episode credits

Directed by Herbert KenwithWritten by John Baskin

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Episode 2

The Family Gun

30m

James brings a gun home to protect his family.

Episode credits

Directed by Herbert Kenwith

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Episode 3

Operation Florida

30m0.5 / 10

Florida has had a pain in her side for the last two weeks but doesn't want to see a doctor out of fear of the cost. However, when James learns of her dilemma he decides to pay any cost for Florida's treatment, even after he learns she has to have a gallbladder operation.

Episode credits

Directed by Herbert KenwithGuest stars Helen Stenborg, Rai Sanders

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Episode 4

Love in the Ghetto

30m

Thelma has great news, she's engaged. However, her opinion of great news differs greatly with her parents who hit the roof after learning this.

Episode credits

Directed by Herbert KenwithGuest stars Carl Franklin

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Episode 5

Florida's Rich Cousin

30m

Florida plans on borrowing money from her cousin to help pay some unexpected bills. James's pride stands in the way causing him to storm out to a bar, leaving Florida to learn about the shocking news about her seemingly wealthy cousin by herself.

Episode credits

Directed by Herbert KenwithWritten by John BaskinGuest stars Percy Rodriguez

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Episode 6

The Weekend

30m

A friend of James' gives him permission to use his cabin to celebrate his and Florida's 20th wedding anniversary. However, the trick is trying to get Florida to stop worrying about the kids.

Episode credits

Directed by Herbert KenwithGuest stars Judy Pace

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Episode 7

The Baby

30m

Florida and the kids throw a baby shower for a friend, Loretta. However, the joyous occasion is dampened when Loretta announces her plans of giving the baby up for adoption.

Episode credits

Directed by Herbert KenwithGuest stars Estelle Evans, Mary Alice

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Episode 8

Michael's Big Fall

30m

When James is out of town, Florida and her brother Wilbert are left to deal with a troubled Michael. His cutting classes, getting into fights at school and low grades are all warning signs that lead Florida to make an appointment to see Michael's teacher.

Episode credits

Directed by Herbert KenwithGuest stars Louis Gossett Jr., Norma Donaldson

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Episode 9

The Politicians

30m

A feud erupts in the Evans' household when James and J.J. take the side of Alderman Fred Davis during his attempt at a re-election while Florida, Thelma and Willona take the side of his young opponent.

Episode credits

Directed by Herbert Kenwith

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Episode 10

Willona's Dilemma

30m

When J.J. brings home Walter, a man from his art class, he hits it off with Willona. Despite the fact that he's deaf, him and Willona begin a relationship one that Willona thinks is headed for the alter.

Episode credits

Directed by Herbert KenwithWritten by John BaskinGuest stars J.A. Preston

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Episode 11

Florida's Protest

30m

Florida and James become outraged when the kids get a touch of food poisoning after eating meat from the local supermarket. She organizes a group of concerned citizens and they boycott the market. The protest gets effective results, but not before Florida experiences her first trip to jail.

Episode credits

Directed by Herbert KenwithWritten by Allan ManingsGuest stars Lester Wilson, Nedra Volz

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Episode 12

The Mural

30m

J.J. is commissioned by a bank to paint a mural and in return will receive $250 needed for Thelma's college education whom recently won a scholarship and found herself $200 short. However, the bank is reluctant to pay after seeing the finished product.

Episode credits

Directed by Herbert KenwithGuest stars James Wheaton

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Episode 13

A Loss of Confidence

30m

Thelma brings home a friend of hers and instantly J.J. is smitten. However, when she rejects him he quickly loses all of his confidence and slips into a depression.

Episode credits

Directed by Herbert Kenwith

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Episode 14

Cleatus

30m

A bank robbery in Atlanta has the FBI showing up at the Evans' apartment to question Florida since her nephew, Cleatus is the prime suspect. Things get tense, when Cleatus arrives at the apartment with a briefcase full of money and wanting a place to stay.

Episode credits

Directed by Herbert KenwithGuest stars Jack Baker, Beeson Carroll

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Episode 15

The Family Tree

30m

Thelma researches her family tree for a school project and discovers James's father is very much alive and living in the Chicago area. However, when James learns that Thelma has invited him as a surprise for his birthday, he refuses to see him.

Episode credits

Directed by Herbert KenwithGuest stars Richard Ward

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Episode 16

A Place to Die

30m

An elderly man that Michael befriended stops by the Evans' apartment just prior to the New Years celebration and knowing that he only has a little time left, decides that this would be the best place to pass on, surrounded by a loving family and friends.

Episode credits

Directed by Herbert KenwithWritten by John BaskinGuest stars Arnold Johnson

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Episode 17

J.J.'s Fiancee (1)

30m

J.J. and his girlfriend, Diana, are getting serious and the topic of marriage comes up, something which both J.J. and Diana both want. However, both of their parents are totally against the notion. Meanwhile, Diana is secretly hiding a drug problem.

Episode credits

Directed by Herbert KenwithWritten by John BaskinGuest stars Debbie Allen

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Episode 18

J.J.'s Fiancee (2)

30m2.0 / 10

On the night of her senior prom, Diana decides to run off to Indiana and elope with J.J. Meanwhile, back in Chicago, switched purses leads the Evans family to discover Diana's drug problem and her supplier.

Episode credits

Directed by Herbert KenwithWritten by John BaskinGuest stars Debbie Allen, Philip Baker Hall

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Episode 19

Sweet Daddy Williams

30m

J.J. has been commissioned by a number's runner, Sweet Daddy Williams, to paint the portrait of his girlfriend, Savannah. In return, J.J. will get his own art display.

Episode credits

Directed by Herbert KenwithGuest stars Teddy Wilson, Helen Martin, Bebe Drake, Ernie Barnes

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Episode 20

The Investigation

30m

The family is being investigated by the FBI because they are suspected to be security risks due to Michael doing research about and communicating with a Communist country for a term paper.

Episode credits

Directed by Herbert KenwithGuest stars Don Marshall, Helen Martin

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Episode 21

J.J. in Trouble

30m

When the children are left at home for the weekend, J.J. receives bad news that he has given VD to an ex-girlfriend. This leads an embarrassed J.J. to debate on whether or not to visit a free clinic for treatment.

Episode credits

Directed by Herbert KenwithWritten by John BaskinGuest stars Ta-Tanisha, Jay Leno

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Episode 22

Florida the Woman

30m

After a morning of being take granted for by her children and her husband, Florida decides to take her boss up on a lunch invitation. This eventually leads to a confrontation with a jealous James.

Episode credits

Directed by Herbert KenwithWritten by Jay SommersGuest stars Thalmus Rasulala

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Episode 23

The Break Up

30m

Thelma's fiancee's idea of romance is taking her to a basketball game but that is the least of her worries after he gets a big break in California leaving her with two options, stay with her family in Chicago or move to California with her fiancee.

Episode credits

Directed by Herbert KenwithGuest stars Carl Franklin, Debbi Morgan

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Episode 24

The Rent Party

30mfinale

The Evans family decides to hold a rent party to help out a neighbor in the building whose electricity has just been turned off. However, the party may come to a quick halt when the heartless building superintendent catches wind of it.

Episode credits

Directed by Herbert KenwithWritten by John BaskinGuest stars Johnny Brown, Helen Martin

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Episode information updated Jul 23, 2026

More about Good Times

Cast

Esther RolleFlorida Evans
Ja'net DuBoisWilona Woods
Jimmie WalkerJames "JJ" Evans
John AmosJames Evans Sr.
Ralph CarterMichael Evans
Bern Nadette StanisThelma Evans
Johnny BrownNathan Bookman
Janet JacksonMilicent 'Penny' Woods

Credits

Created by
Eric Monte, Mike Evans
Written by
Mike Evans, John Baskin, Sid Dorfman, Allan Manings, Kim Weiskopf, Eric Monte, Mark Fink, Wayne Kline, Bruce Kalish, Judi Ann Mason, Dan Wilcox, Lloyd Garver, Eric Cohen, Larry Markes, Coslough Johnson, Michael G. Moye, Al Schwartz, Dusty Kay, Jay Sommers, Gene Farmer, Larry Siegel, Gene Farmer, Norman Paul

Production details

Status
Ended
Series type
Scripted
Episodes
133
Original language
English

Networks & production

  • CBSUnited States
  • Norman Lear/Tandem Productions
  • Bud Yorkin ProductionsUnited States
  • CBSUnited States

Themes

chicago, illinoissitcom