Rating: 
Summary: A GREAT series gets its debut on DVD . . .
Review: My second favorite Norman Lear show - am so happy it's finally coming to DVD in the boxed sets it richly deserves!! "Good Times" was a spin-off of sorts of "Maude," using the character of Florida Evans who was Maude's sharp-tongued maid. Set in the Chicago, the sitcom follows the Evans family, headed by proud James Evans, Sr., and their lives in the projects of Chicago. Groundbreaking, Emmy-winning, and sometimes controversial, "Good Times" was often as funny as it was thought-provoking; I watched it every week growing up, and can't wait for the DVD of this first season, which should include these episodes, as they aired in order:#1 Getting Up The Rent -- James Evans has been out of work most of the month. He's late on his rent payment and the landlord is ready to forcibly evict his family. James takes his pool stick down to the billiards hall and stakes his last bit of money. He wins and returns just in time to pay up. Florida remains unaware of James' gambling stunt, and thanks the Lord Jesus. #2 Black Jesus -- J.J. has painted a portrait of a Black Jesus. Suddenly there is a run of good luck in the family. James wins two bets in the same day. But they must choose - does J.J. get to enter the painting in a contest for the art gallery? Or does the painting stay in the living room? #3 Too Old Blues -- The family plans to celebrate James' new job. But then they find out he didn't get it because he is a couple years too old to meet government requirements. #4 God's Business is Good Business -- James' old army buddy visits. He is now a wealthy TV minister, and offers James a job. But James turns it down after dishonest tactics are revealed. #5 Michael Gets Suspended -- Michael gets suspended because he called George Washington a racist for owning slaves. #6 Sex and the Evans Family -- Florida finds a sexually explicit book in the house. She is surprised when it turns out to be Thelma's. But Thelma's college boyfriend is only using it for a school paper. #7 Junior Gets a Patron -- J.J. has sold a painting. But the art customer turns out to be one of James' old enemies. James throws the man out and refuses to let J.J. do the work, so J.J. runs away from home to live and work at the man's home. But he is unable to work in this new, peaceful environment. Florida sneaks off to visit J.J., then James turns up too. James and his friend call a truce, and J.J. returns home. #8 Junior the Senior -- James and Florida are upset when J.J. gets passed to his senior year, even though he got a failing report card. They meet with the principal. #9 The Visitor -- A letter written by Michael complaining about poor conditions in the housing projects prompts a visit from a high ranking city official. James is furious with his son, The Militant Midget. #10 Springtime in the Ghetto -- The building superintendent is holding a contest for best kept apartment. Florida is eager to win and cleans up the whole house. But Michael brings Ned the wino home at the last minute. The family cleans Ned up with a bath and new clothes, and they win! It turns out the lady doing the judging is Ned's estranged wife. #11 The TV Commercial -- Florida is chosen to appear in a tv commercial for a health tonic. But she turns down the high paying role after learning the tonic is 35 percent alcohol. #12 The Checkup -- James is angry, smashing furniture and yelling. Michael and Thelma think he is suffering from hypertension and talk him into taking a physical exam. The Doctor tells James he has a high cholesterol level, and instructs him to cut back on salt and fat. #13 My Son the Lover -- J.J. is dating a wonderful new girl. He is also painting her portrait for free. His heart is broken when the girl breaks up with him the same day he completes her painting.
Can't wait for Season Two, these first half-seasons of 13 episdodes aren't enough, but am glad to have them for now!!
Rating:
Summary: Good Times for all
Review: Next to Sanford and Son,Good Times was the greatest African American sitcom of all time.But unlike S&S,Good Times dealt with issues such as poverty and race,all told from the prespective of a close knit black family living in the Chicago projects.
The family included Florida Evans(Esther Rolle who was carried over from Maude),her husband James(John Amos)their children James Jr a/k/a J.J.(Jimmie Walker),Thelma (played by the still fine Bern'Nadette Stanis) and Michael(Ralph Carter).Ja'net Du'Bois also played neighbor Willona Woods(along with the aforementioned Stanis,one of the sexiest "sistas" on TV in the 70's).
Every episode from the first season is a classic.The ones that stand out are Getting Up The Rent,Black Jesus,Michael Get's Suspended,Sex and The Evans Family,Springtime in the Ghetto(Ned the Wino's classic apperence)and The Check-Up(the infamous "flying chair" episode).And who could forget the very involved studio audience(Whooo).
GT had a great three year streak,but it Jumped The Shark with the death of James Sr(who was the show's soul).Season four tried in vein to carry on without him,even tried to replace him with Carl Dixon(Moses Gunn).It got worse when Florida married Carl(so soon after James Sr died!!!!),and moved away with him(Rolle actually quit the show due to salary disputes and J.J.'s buffoonary on the show).The fifth season saw the Evans children trying to make it on their own(very unrealistic)and Willona adopting new character Penny(Janet Jackson),an abused child who showed no psychological scars afterwards.The sixth season saw Thelma marry a football player who was accidentally injured by J.J.(in the worst choreographed fall in TV history)and couldn't play anymore,as well as Esther Rolle's return.By that time,the show was a mockery of it's once great beginnings,and was cancelled not before everyone finally made it out the projects for good(a tad too convienient,yet it made you happy for them).
Even with it's erratic history,Good Times was in the end about a loving family that faces many problems together and left the audience feeling good.
Rating: 
Summary: Classic television on demand
Review: The first season of Good Times is classic. All of the episodes are funny, they have meaning, and they don't have the catch phrase "Dynomite" in each episode. It is also nice to have all of the episodes on demand with no commercials, which almost allow you to watch the whole season in one sitting.
The down side of this DVD is the lack of background information, and the fact that you will have to flip the DVD over after the first few episodes.
Bottom Line: Get the disk, because it is rare to catch reruns of the show.
Rating:
Summary: Good Stuff, too!
Review: The subject matter of these earliest episodes of Good times have already been discussed. But fans of the show may also want to know that each episode contains scenes that have not been seen since their first run in 1974. Usually the codas of these stories that have been cut for syndication in recent years and a few bits of introductory business that help with the telling. But in either case, these episodes recall Bobby Kennedy's 1967 statement that he would like for all networks to show a no-punch -pulled documentary of ghetto life to wake White America up out of it's apathy. "Good Times" was probably the closest thing to what he may have had in mind, although it's actual effect was limited. These early episodes, prior to the emergence of JJ's clowing, did more to tell the truth about ghetto life than any other of it's time, and even now for that matter. It is a credit to the writing and actors that they showed the Evans family retaining their dignity and humanity in spite of some really dehumanizing conditions.
Rating:
Summary: John Amos MAKES This Show Good!
Review: This is a nicely-packaged 2-disc set of the complete first season of the 1974-1979 TV series. Video quality isn't perfect, but still good enough to make you appreciate this funny sitcom again on the DVD format. There are many funny episodes during the truncated, 13-show debut season of this "Maude" spinoff. With most of the laughs provided (in my view) by the head man of the Evans' household, James (John Amos). Mr. Amos can be very, very funny (doing a lot with just a stare from those big eyes of his). The frequent family altercations between James Sr. and James Jr. (Jimmie Walker) make for some delightful comic moments. So, if you want to dive back into some classic 1970s television, grab this "Good Times Season One" boxed set on DVD.
Rating:
Summary: Good Times anytime you need a friend
Review: This remarkable show was able to take a poignant look at ghetto life. With great humor, each show had a life lesson. The Evans family mirrored many families of the same economic circumstance. Many times it gave hope to people who had none.
Rating:
Summary: Good Times, well...they truly are!
Review: This TV show is phenomenal! I laugh with them, feel their struggle and question the system while watching every episode. On TV "Good Times" was great and now on DVD, it's even better! :) Hopefully, season 2 will be released soon.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic Show
Review: truly was Moved by the Evans Family.the Story Lines were Real&the Family Coming together was truly strong.the Key to this Show was John Amos who played the Role of the Father James SR.He truly lead the Household.A Strong Black Male Figure in the HouseHold was the Key to this Show's Success to me overall.Jimmy Walker had His Moments as did Michael.Thelma, I still have a Crush on Her.Florida Evans Esther Rolle was a Strong Mother Figure as well.I was So Moved at finally getting the full Season on DVD.this Show dealt with so much.
Rating:
Summary: This groundbreaking comedy series is Dyn-O-Mite!
Review: When I was a kid, Good Times was one of those TV shows I simply would not miss each week. Even after its hilarious run ended, it was a constant companion of my youth in the form of syndicated reruns. Eventually, it faded away from the airwaves, and that is why I am so happy to see the release of this complete Season One DVD collection. The trials and joys of the Evans family have always been an indelible part of my memory, but watching these early episodes again is in many ways like seeing the show for the very first time. I used to just laugh at the crazy antics of J.J. and enjoy the show only for its comedy, but now I can more clearly understand the deeper meaning behind it all. While the Evans family life is far from typical, it does nobly reflect the struggles, pride, and humanity of families trying to survive and make a good life for their children in ghetto conditions. This truly was a groundbreaking television show, the first to feature a realistic African-American family trying to overcome life's great adversities together. However much they bickered and argued, the Evans family members supported and loved one another a great deal, and I believe it is this facet of the show as much as its unsurpassed comedy that explains its appeal to viewers of all races then and now. Almost thirty years later, Good Times is still funnier than almost every other television show ever produced. What impressed me is the way the show began; the look and feel of the series was already firmly established in the very first episode, as James struggles to pay the rent and keep his family off the streets. When I was little, I didn't particularly like James because he seemed mean to me with his constant yelling. As an adult, I am a tremendous fan of John Amos' portrayal of the proud, hardworking family patriarch. This man worked like a dog in order to provide for his family, and the constant problems he faced getting and then keeping jobs is more than enough reason to explain his sometimes heated words and deeds. I no longer look at Good Times as the J.J. show; this first season seems to me to built around James Evans, Sr., although Esther Rolle, Jimmie Walker, Ralph Carter, Bernnadette Stanis, John Amos, and Ja'net Du Bois all delivered truly wonderful performances. Toward the end of these first 13 episodes, J.J. does begin to emerge as the prominent comedic talent, having served earlier as dependable but not yet featured comic relief. Jimmie Walker really comes into his own on the final episode included here, "My Son the Lover," setting the stage for great and equally hilarious things to come in later seasons. I won't go into an episode by episode discussion, but I will mention a few of the really significant storylines that appeared. The struggle James has bringing home the bacon is a constant, but the burdens caused by his lack of education deliver a strong message to both J.J. and the viewing audience in "Junior the Senior." Teenage sexuality is addressed in "Sex and the Evans Family," a story featuring a classic display of the double standard that exists between males and females. Racism is constantly at the fore, personified in young Michael (or as James often calls him, "the militant midget"). The importance Florida places on religion and always doing what is right, no matter the costs incurred by your decision, is another strong element of the show, one given a brilliant exposition in the very second episode, "Black Jesus." Every episode imparts a meaning to the audience, one never lost amidst all of the comedy - and I do mean comedy. Good Times is still laugh-out-loud funny; it actually seems funnier now than it did years ago. While young viewers may not "get" some of the jokes based on 1970s pop culture, there is more than enough comedy spread around to guarantee a fun time will be had by all. There are no frills to this DVD package, though. I would have liked to see at least some sort of special feature, be it interviews with cast members or some kind of feature relating the story of how Good Times made it on to CBS as a somewhat controversial spin-off of a spin-off (All in the Family begat Maude, and Maude begat Good Times). You do get a little promo advertising the other vintage television shows already released by Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment, but this can hardly be called a special feature. In the end, though, what matters most is the newfound opportunity to enjoy the episodes themselves once again. I hope more seasons of Good Times are forthcoming because the thirteen shows from Season One, as great as each and every one of them are, are simply not enough to satisfy my demands for more.
Rating:
Summary: Great Times!
Review: Wow,it was three decades ago that Good Times premiered on CBS. This is a grand spin-off of ALL IN THE FAMILY. What I mean by that is it's a spinoff of MAUDE starring Beatrice Arthur. She is Edith Bunker's cousin Maude Finlay. The late Esther Rolle as Florida Evans was first seen on MAUDE. As Florida's husband James Evans Sr.,is John Amos. The most popular character is their son James Jr. or J.J.,played by Jimmie Walker. His trademark catchphrase is "Dynomite!!" Janet DuBois is J.J. sister. DuBois's vocal is heard in the Jeffersons' theme song. The Jeffersons' Mike Evans co-created the series and produced it after leaving the Jeffersons in 1976.
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