Good Times

Good Times centers on the Evans family, a Black household making ends meet in a Chicago public housing project. Florida Evans holds the family together with steady resolve as her children James "JJ", Michael, and Thelma grow up amid everyday struggles. Neighbor Wilona Woods is a close friend who shares highs and lows with the family. The show mixes everyday humor with scenes that touch on unemployment, neighborhood pressures, and parental discipline, keeping the focus on family bonds and the small victories that keep the household going, without revealing later plot turns or how character arcs resolve.

Good Times aired on CBS from February 8, 1974 to August 1, 1979. It was created by Eric Monte and Mike Evans and developed by Norman Lear. The sitcom is a spin-off of Maude, which itself spun off from All in the Family. Production began at CBS Television City, then moved to Metromedia Square in 1975 where Lear's company was based.

During its run the series and its cast received award recognition and several nominations that acknowledged acting and writing. Critics and industry groups highlighted performances and the show's willingness to tackle social topics within a sitcom format, and cast members were singled out for their work by various award panels.

Good Times left a clear mark on pop culture, largely thanks to Jimmie Walker's exuberant catchphrase "Dy-no-mite!" The show helped normalize stories about Black working-class life on mainstream television and influenced later programs that blended humor with social commentary. Memorable scenes and characters keep showing up in references and retrospectives about 1970s TV.

Audience and critical response has been strong, reflected in an 8.0/10 vote average from viewers. Reviewers often praised Esther Rolle's grounded performance alongside Jimmie Walker's comic timing, even as some episodes drew criticism for uneven tone. Key themes include economic hardship, dignity, familial loyalty, and the way humor can coexist with serious social issues.