Starring notable actors Esther Rolle, John Amos, Janet DuBois, Jimmie Walker, BernNadette Stanis, Ralph Carter, Johnny Brown and later adding Ben Powers and singer Janet Jackson, Good Times was a sitcom that aired on the CBS network from February 8, 1974 through August 1, 1979. It told the stories the Evans' [Florida, James, JJ/Jr., Thelma and Michael], a poor black family making the best of things and life's ups and downs in the Cabrini-Green housing projects in Chicago, IL.
Good Times [opening theme song]
Lyrics by Dave Grusin and Andrew Bergman.
"Good Times. Any time you meet a payment. Good Times. Any time you need a friend. Good Times. Any time you're out from under. Not getting hassled, not getting hustled. Keepin' your head above water, Making a wave when you can. Temporary lay offs. Good Times. Easy credit rip offs. Good Times. Scratchin' and survivin'. Good Times. Hangin' in and jivin' Good Times. Ain't we lucky we got 'em Good Times."
Some folks were fortunate enough to see first run episodes of this comedy that initially was supposed to be about serious issues in the black community told in a comedic way. As for the rest of us, we got to see it when it went into syndication via reruns. My real life brother and I were glued to the TV as though these episodes we were watching were brand new. Like Thelma and JJ, he and I had our rivalries, but we also had each other's backs against all odds.
Although Thelma and JJ fought like cats and dogs, they were very protective of each other and their family. JJ would look out for and protect his sister regardless of what it could possibly cost him. Examples of this were when Thelma has the opportunity to go to a prestigious dance school and when she got married.
Putting this together took some work on our part including building this SL rendition of the original Good Times studio stage. It was definitely a labor of love and an honor. I am extremely proud of the results.
What would a Good Times set be without a picture of Ned the Wino!! LOL!!!
How much do you know about Good Times?
HERE ARE A FEW GOOD TIMES TRIVIA:
Which character was named after the show's co-creator?
Good Times was created by Eric Monte and actor Mike Evans. The series also features a character named "Michael Evans" after Evans who portrayed Lionel Jefferson on the Norman Lear produced series All in the Family and The Jeffersons.
What actor initially filled in the role of the youngest Evans child?
When Ralph Carter was cast as the youngest Evans child, Michael, he was a cast member in the Broadway musical Raisin and the producers of Raisin were initially reluctant to accept Tandem Productions' buyout offer. While Carter's contract was being negotiated, another young actor, Larry Fishburne (later Laurence) filled the role of Michael during initial rehearsals for Good Times. Early episodes of Good Times contain a notice in the credits: "Ralph Carter appears courtesy of the Broadway musical Raisin.
The youngest Evans son was given a nickname. What was it and why?
Michael was nicknamed "The Militant Midget" because of his very vocal stance regarding the injustices towards black people. It sometimes got him into a lot of hot water, however he remained undeterred.
What was JJ's nickname and actual name?
JJ was short for James Jr. He was James Evans, Jr. named after his dad. I can only assume that this was another part of the negotiation that went into ensuring that the Evans parents would be portrayed in a way that didn't fit a negative connotation of the black family. In the original storyline, Florida was supposed to be a single mother and Esther Rolle fought hard to make sure that a complete black family was shown that included a father that was her husband and not just a baby daddy. JJ's other nickname was "Kid Dynomite!" This was made popular by his catch phrase, "Dy-no-mite!"
What was Penny's actual name?
Her name was Millicent "Penny" Gordon. She was later adopted by Wilona Woods and changed her last name to Woods. Her nickname Penny came from the "cent" on her first name. Her original mother in the show was abusive and many of us remember the episode where Rochelle Gordon burned Penny with a hot iron as a punishment. Mrs. Gordon was played by actress Chip Fields, mother to actress Kim Fields.
Who did JJ use as his muse for Black Jesus?
Florida Evans was not pleased about her family wanting to keep JJ's depiction of a black Jesus up in their home. She was even more miffed when she realized that the face used was that of the neighborhood drunk, Ned the Wino.
What ever happened to James Evans, Sr.?
After taking a job in Mississippi that promised to take his family out of the projects and to a better life, the family received a telegram during a farewell party as they packed to move that informed them that James had been tragically killed in an accident. "Damn! Damn! Damn!"
Comment some of your favorite Good Times memories below.
What am I wearing?
::FOUNDATION::
Head: CATWA HEAD HDPRO MajerSoft BentoEar v1.3
Body: Belleza - Freya V6 BOM/BENTO
::OUTFIT::
Top/Skirt: [hh] Joceline Dress FATPACK [Main Store]
Shoes: Phedora ~ Aurora Platforms PASTELS PACK [Main Store]
::MAKEUP::
Eyes: VELOUR: Merllin Eyeshadow [Main Store]
Lips: IVES. Saharan Lipcream. (CATWA) HUD 'PACK001' [Main Store]
::ACCESSORIES::
Hair: Stealthic - Ivy (Unrigged) [Main Store]
Nails: Lueur - // L // - LEO Nails [Main Store]
Earrings: Vexiin Mia Hoops (14k) {unrigged} [Main Store]
Necklace: Kibitz - Beautiful disaster necklace - Gold Pack {unrigged} [Main Store]
Bracelets: Orsini Jewelry DEELANE Bracelet{rigged} [Main Store]
Hair Ribbon: Courtesy of ::FAUXBERRY:: [unreleased]
What is Jeter wearing?
::FOUNDATION::
Head: CATWA HEAD Stanley v4.5
Body: Athletic Meshbody (Legacy)(m) (1.0)
::OUTFIT::
Jacket: [ h ] Trucker Jacket - For Shirts - Signature Gianni [Main Store]
Sweater: [ h ] Turtleneck - Chest - Legacy [Main Store]
Jeans: [ h ] Slim Fit Jeans - Regular Slim - Legacy [Main Store]
Shoes: [ h ] Heritage Boots - Short - Legacy [Main Store]
Hat: FLITE.- DXPEST BUCKET HAT - OLIVE [Main Store]
Afro: Unorthodox- Mamba Fro Noir Lelutka Fit [Main Store]
::NOTABLE MENTIONS - NOT WORN::
This set was built by me for reEMagined SpaceS.
Animations:
Twisted Pixel Poses: TPP~Do I Look Amused Pose [SL Marketplace]
EPIA: .GlamRus. Be My Valentine [Main Store]
Special Thanks to:
Jeter Seriman who has been my big brother in SL for almost 12 years. Over the years he has always inspired me with his cosplays. He is one of the two biggest reasons that I have been inspired to do this series of cosplay posts. Thanks for doing this with me big bro ♥. #GrowingUpQuan
[Consignment]; [ FOURTH WALL ]; .: Vive Atelier :.; Apple Fall; Ariskea; Atelier Burgundy; ..::IDC::.. Ishtari Design Concepts inSL; 3D Republic; Fancy Decor; GCD - Grimes Central Design; Kraftwork; Lagom; Muniick; Nutmeg; Zimberlab; {what next} and ~BAZAR~ for the pieces that were essential for reEMagined SpaceS to assemble this set.
EXTRA SPECIAL THANKS:
To the cast and crew of Good Times. Thanks for giving us something that had US as the stars and opening more doors for those of us that have come to filmmaking after you. Thank you for starting the necessary conversation regarding how black culture and people were stereotypically portrayed in television and film. Thanks to Mr. Ernie Barnes for some of the best artwork that depict the beauty of being black.
COSPLAY #4 - Thelma & JJ
Looking at SL through the "Eye of the Storm"
On to the next project...
Love & Light,
乇мzz:::ƒιуαнѕтσям™:::qυαи [Emerald Ishtari]
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