Good Times - The Complete Fourth Season

Rating:
Summary: Damn,Damn, Damn!!!! Post John Amos GT
Review: Due to disputes with John Amos on the direction of the show,He was asked to leave before the fourth season began.The premiere episode The Big Move dealt with the death of James Evans Sr (Amos)from a car accident, and the Evans family carrying on throughout the season.
Good Times broke ground as an African American show which was headed by both parents.The loss of the patriarch was a major blow to the show as it was robbed of it unique premise of a tight knit family surviving in the ghetto.Amos's character was the soul of the show as he portrayed a man with limited education,yet fiercely devoted to his family.
Another change in the show was the character of JJ(Jimmie Walker) who has to fill in for his father.The once bufoonish character having to grow up didn't sit well with TV viewer who wanted their fill of "DY-NO-MITE".
By the end of the season,Florida (Esther Rolle) meets Carl Dixon (Moses Gunn) who was suppose to fill in for Amos.By the next season,Rolle departed the show due to the eroding direction of the show(Florida's abscence was due to marrying Carl and moving away with him).Despite some great episodes (J.J.'s New Career ,The Big Move, Thelma's African Romance,J.J. and the Older Woman, Willona's Surprise), the show has already "Jump The Shark".

Rating:
Summary: Maybe the best out of the 6 seasons
Review: It's kind of a double edge sword. With John Amos, who played the role of James Evans better than any actor could have, the first 3 seasons are really good. At the same time, season 4 is also pretty good after Amos left because of the new direction the show took with more serious storylines. Esther Rolle really steps up to the challenge of playing the single mother, and even J.J. becomes a little more serious character in his role of becoming man of the house. The majority of these episodes are compelling entertainment and highlight the issues of a mother raising a family alone, having to to be the reasonable one and the tough one that Amos was in the relationship. I know Rolle felt some of these scripts stereotyped inner city black youth, but I think some of the shows in season 4 brought some things home to viewers who really lived the life that the Evans lived. Bad part was that in the long run, the absence of John Amos and later Rolle in season 5 would be the downfall of the series.

After re-watching a few of the episodes so far, I feel my money was very well spent. Buy it especially if you're a fan of the show but can't afford to buy every season. Though at this point I'm considering buying the others upon rediscovering this wonderful sitcom.

Rating:
Summary: DAMN!DAMN!DAMN! what a Year this one was
Review: the first two Episodes reflecting on the Loss of James Evans Senior. John Amos leaving the Show really was painful for myself. Hearing the Brass Constructions "Moving" in the Background playing when the News hits about James still is haunting&Hard to digest. nevertheless this Season deals with some strong storylines that details many subjects. this was One of those Seasons that you will never forget especially if you are a Big fan of the Evans Family.Willona was always on Point. Props,Daps&Double Claps for Florida Evans Esther Rolle(RIP)Holding things down.