Customer Reviews

Good Times - The Complete Fourth Season

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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".The most astounding change on the show was Florida (Esther Rolle),as she became a stronger household head in the wake of her husband.
By the end of the season,Florida 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),there were a majority of stinkers (especially the bizaare "The Judy Cohen Story".Although a dip in quality in season four was obvious, the show would finally "Jump The Shark" in the next season.

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.

Losing James Evans, the patriach of the family, robbed the show of its momentum and its core ideal of showing a complete African-American family struggling to make ends meet together. And as badly as the writers chose to deal with the departure of John Amos' character, the performance of Esther Rolle in those two first episodes of this season salvage what is left of a bad situation and it hits home. The end of the 2nd episode is probably one of the most emotional moments ever in television history and you just can't help feeling her pain and agony over the death of her husband. It's a credit to Esther Rolle's acting talent and it does the show justice and puts a fitting, albeit bittersweet closure to this unfortunate circumstance. There are some good shows this season to enjoy however it's clear that the show begins its steady decline from its heyday that it enjoyed the first 3 seasons. But no matter what you think, Good Times is one of those shows that I believe will forever be considered the best of what television had to offer during the late 70s and is a classic for all time. Enjoy it.

I really enjoyed this TV Series when I was younger and have seen every episode, so finally getting them on DVD is a special treat for me. Seasons 1-3 were great! I looked up to John Amos' character "James". To me, James was what I needed growing up without a Dad in the home. So as a kid, when I first saw the episode where he dies and since I really looked up to James, I felt for Florida and the Evans Family and I even went into the bathroom and cried after that episode because I didn't want any of my family members to see me crying. To my understanding, John Amos was constantly frustrated and voicing his opinion about the writing and wanted to see more positive situations written into the show. I guess people at CBS thought they knew enough about African-Americans who watched the show and assumed we could never relate to anyone of us getting our lives together and actually moving up in the world. So they gave "Good Times" the ultimate change: What could be the worse thing that could happen to a poor Black Family with both parents struggling to make ends meet and keep the family together? One of the Parents dies or gets killed!!!! This is exactly what CBS did when they fired John Amos, they killed off his "James" character insuring that he never returned. Now Florida is a single mother taking on the whole load by herself without the strong pillar of James to hold her up. But like my mother, she remained strong and somehow has even more strength than she knew she had. When I'm watching these episodes, it's as if I'm receiving motherly advice as I watch and listen to Florida advise J.J., Thelma and Michael. Overall, I enjoy watching these old episodes as many times as I like. Thank you Esther, may you rest in peace.

I was pleased with my purchase of Good Times Season 4. This show is on a fast pace DVD release wise. Season 4 began a new phase for the show--the post James Evans episodes. What I found interesting about the shows writing is that James Evans was the love of Florida Evans life and by seasons end she had found romance with a new man Carl. On top of that, he was an atheist and Florida was highly religious. Remember in the early episodes she would speak to the Jesus picture on the wall. It was hard for viewers to accept that this religious woman who loved her late husband so much would find love with a man so different so soon. Despite the fact that James was gone from the show there were some suprisngly good episodes.

Season 4 was before Penny and Thelma's man Keith. Rosalind Cash and JJ explore a relationship. She is older and Florida doesn't approve. Shirley Hempill (What's Happening) appears in a season 4 episode as the older sister of a woman that Thelma is tutoring. After the Evans come into some money the two women plan to rob the Evans. This was a good episode. Season 4 also includes the two part episode in which Thelma falls in love with African student Ibe (pronounced Ebay). The title screens are slightly different than the previous releases. There are still no extras like cast interviews or special featurettes. Hopefully, by the release of the next two seasons there will be a few bonus features. Since both Esther Rolle (Florida Evans) and Moses Gunn (Carl Dixon) have both passed away it would have been nice to have a little feature about those two. I would really love to see commentary from the directors and cast.

Nominated for three Golden Globes, Good Times premiered in mid-season 1974 to widespread critical acclaim and audience popularity. A spin-off of the Bea Arthur (of Golden Girls fame) sitcom Maude (1972), Good Times became the fourth of five highly successful sitcoms brought into being during the 1970's decade by Norman Lear. In addition to Maude, those sitcoms were All In The Family (1971), Sanford & Son (1972), and The Jeffersons (1975). The second of three to focus exclusively on African-American family life, Good Times became a source for groundbreaking social commentary in compliment to its penchant for hilarious family comedy...

Good Times centers around the lives of James (John Amos) and Florida Evans (Esther Rolle), an African-American couple raising their three children in a Chicago housing development. Eldest son J.J. (Jimmie Walker) is a skinny, wisecracking ladies man with an affinity for painting. Middle child Thelma (BernNadette Stanis) plays the role of moderating influence on the passions of her two brothers, while youngest son Michael (Ralph Carter) is always involved in a cause to help others or end an injustice. The family is often visited by Florida's best friend from high school, Willona (Ja'net DuBois), who also lives in the project. In later seasons, she's accompanied by adopted daughter Penny (Janet Jackson). With additional comic relief provided by overweight super Nathan Bookman (Johnny Brown), Good Times is a family-oriented TV series laden with great one-liners and plenty of laugh-tracks...

The Good Times (Season 4) DVD features a number of hilarious episodes including the two-part season premiere "The Big Move" in which the entire Evans family is prepared to move to Mississippi where James has landed a high-paying job. Together with Willona, they plan an elaborate going away party. But the party is interrupted by the news of James' death in a tragic car accident. As the funeral proceeds, the grief stricken children wonder why Florida has yet cry... Other notable episodes from Season 4 include "Michael's Great Romance" in which Michael falls in love with a girl who has the hots for J.J., and "Florida's Night Out" in which the family is worried about Florida spending so much time alone, that is until Willona takes her out on the town for a night at an exciting night club...

Below is a list of episodes included on the Good Times (Season 4) DVD:

Episode 62 (The Big Move: Part 1)
Episode 63 (The Big Move: Part 2)
Episode 64 (J.J. and the Older Woman)
Episode 65 (Michael and the Warlord)
Episode 66 (Michael's Great Romance)
Episode 67 (Evans Versus Davis)
Episode 68 (J.J.'s New Career: Part 1)
Episode 69 (J.J.'s New Career: Part 2)
Episode 70 (Grandpa's Visit)
Episode 71 (Rich is Better Than Poor... Maybe)
Episode 72 (Florida's Night Out)
Episode 73 (The Judy Cohen Story)
Episode 74 (The Comedian and the Loan Sharks)
Episode 75 (The Hustle)
Episode 76 (Thelma's African Romance: Part 1)
Episode 77 (Thelma's African Romance: Part 2)
Episode 78 (Willona's Surprise)
Episode 79 (A Friend in Need)
Episode 80 (A Stormy Relationship)
Episode 81 (Florida and Carl)
Episode 82 (My Son, the Father)
Episode 83 (J.J. in Business)
Episode 84 (Love Has a Spot on His Lung: Part 1)
Episode 85 (Love Has a Spot on His Lung: Part 2)

The DVD Report

During this season,the inevitable happened. James Evans Sr.,portrayed by John Amos,was killed in an automobile accident. Amos was fired from GOOD TIMES in the spring of 1976 after a few offensive comments he made regarding the GT set. Joining the GT cast is Johnny Brown who plays the building superintendent. Brown's character is named Bookman. Bookman might have been mentioned several times in previous seasons.

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.

Even though i am young, i love the shows that took place in the '70s and '80s. I really love this show and i am happy to receive this today. Now i only need season 6 and my collection will be complete.

The fourth season struggles to find it's focus and vision following the loss of John Amos who left the show due to creative differences with the writers and producers. I remember us kids being really upset when they killed him off. If you watch closely you can see the cast being either a step too late or rushing through the scenes. It's also very presumptuous. I recommend the 4th season for die hards and those who want the whole collection.

One good thing happened with the 4th season, Thelma blossomed into a shonuff hot sexy mama!

Key Episodes:
James Death: Damn Damn Damn!!!!
Robert The Ex Football Hero tries to kill himself: JJ puts in one of his best performances trying to save his life.
Thelma gets engaged to Ebai - Classic!