Facts You May Not Know about the TV Show, “Good Times”
Facts You May Not Know about the TV Show, “Good Times”
Good Times was that show that all of us knew better than we know our own relatives. Most of us can sing the theme song even without knowing all the words.
The Evans' family lives on the 17th floor. When the building's elevator was out-of-order everybody had to use the stairway.
But here is a list of interesting fact about the show that you may not know.….
1) Florida Evans (Esther Rolle) was older than James Evans (John Amos): Florida was born in 1920 and James was born in 1939. When show began in 1974, Florida was already 54 years old, married to a 35-year old husband.
2) JJ was an older too: Played by Jimmie Walker, JJ was born in 1947, only 8 years later than James. He was certainly no teenager on the show, being 27-years old when the show released its debut.
3) Willona (played by Ja’net Dubois) was only 2 years older than JJ. They could have dated each other.
4) Esther Rolle was consistently annoyed that even though the show was created around her, a comedian (Jimmie Walker) was getting all of the attention.
5) The show was created by Michael Evans, who also played Lionel Jefferson on "The Jefferson". He based the show on his own childhood.
6) The show was a spinoff of another show, called “Maude,” where Florida was a maid. They changed the name of her husband in the spinoff.
7) Jay Leno appeared on the show in an episode about STDs, one of the first in the history of television.
8) In her indignation over JJ’s role, Esther said: ”He’s eighteen and he doesn’t work. He can’t read or write. He doesn’t think. The show didn’t start out to be that…Little by little—with the help of the artist, I suppose, because they couldn’t do that to me—they have made J.J. more stupid and enlarged the role. Negative images have been slipped in on us through the character of the oldest child.”
9) When John Amos left the show after failed contract negotiations, he said this about JJ’s character: “The writers would prefer to put a chicken hat on J.J. and have him prance around saying “DY-NO-MITE”, and that way they could waste a few minutes and not have to write meaningful dialogue.” John Amos later said that he didn't feel he was being used enough on the show. He may also have had good reasons to move on because of having been offered a role in Alex Haley's Roots.
10) Esther Rolle was convinced to come back during the last season under three conditions: They would write out the character that she married after James’ death (since she didn't think Florida would move on so quickly), they would give her a raise in salary, and JJ would have more respectable, intelligent roll. Oddly enough, that’s when the show started to decline in ratings.
11) On the set John Amos sipped real Schlitz beer. The can was wrapped in a phony paper label. In one scene Amos try's to lift the can of beer and the paper sleeve slips up, revealing the real Brand label underneath ...Schlitz!
The Paintings - Ernie Barnes
Ernie Barnes is, perhaps, the most powerful African-American artist of the twentieth century. He is the real creator of J.J's paintings.
The painting J.J displays on the left was a gift he created for Michael's birthday. Michael had dreams of becoming an Attorney, and a Supreme Court Judge.You may learn more at the Ernie Barnes Website.
In case you don’t know about the lyrics... Marilyn and Alan Bergman wrote the lyrics for the Good Times opening and closing theme songs. David Grusin composed the music, and also composed the music for Maude, Baretta, and St. Elsewhere. Checkout the Good Times theme songs below.:
Any time you need a payment!
GOOD TIMES!
Any time you need a friend!
GOOD TIMES!
Any time you’re out from under!
Not gettin’ hassled, not getting hustled!
Keeping your head above water!
Making a way when you can!
Temporary lay-offs!
GOOD TIMES!
Easy Credit rip-offs!
GOOD TIMES!
Scratchin’ and Survivin’
GOOD TIMES!
Hangin’ in a chow line!
GOOD TIMES!
Ain’t we lucky we got ‘em?
GOOD TIMES!!!
The Closing Theme
Just lookin' out of the window
Watchin' the asphalt grow
Thinkin' how it all looks hand-me-down
Good Times
Keepin' your head above water
Makin' a wave when you can
Temporary lay-offs
Good Times
Easy Credit rip-offs
Good Times
Aint we lucky we got 'em
Good Times
Just lookin' out of the window
Watchin' the asphalt grow
Thinkin' how it all looks hand-me-down
Good Times
Keepin' your head above water
Makin' a wave when you can
Temporary lay-offs
Good Times
Easy Credit rip-offs
Good Times
Aint we lucky we got 'em
Good Times
Add your own Good Times-related memories to the comment section below...
"Hangin in a jury"
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