Good Times - The Complete Third Season

Season Three of GOOD TIMES is, well...God, I don't want to say it but I must...good times. If it's a hair less funny than seasons one and two, it's still damn good. It's also the last season with the original cast lineup, and probably the last season I'll ever buy, because GOOD TIMES without James Amos is kind of like peanut butter and jelly without bread. But I'm getting ahead of myself.GOOD TIMES was a long-running half-hour sit-com about the Evans family, a poor black clan living in the Chicago housing projects in the 1970s. The fam consists of tough, short-tempered patriarch James (John Amos), his loving wife Florida (Esther Rolle), their wisecracking son J.J. (Jimmie Walker), their gorgeous daughter Thelma (Bern Nadette Stanis), and their militant youngest boy Michael (Ralph Carter). In addition, gossipy neighbor Wilona (Ja'Net DuBois) is an unofficial member of the family, being Dutch aunt to the kids and Flo's best girlfriend. The family's struggles with poverty, the economy, racism, crime, and all other manner of poor-people's troubles form the background for the series, which was consistently hilarious despite the grim circumstances.Season Three, despite relying more heavily on the cartoonish antics of J.J. for cheap (albeit genuine) laughs, stands pretty confidently with its predecessors as outstanding comedy entertainment, with more than a little acidic social commentary. It also features another appearance by a character who would later become integral to the show, the sleazy, scheming, overweight building janitor, Mr. Bookman (Johnny Brown), whose attempts to torment and blackmail the Evans family caused them many headaches (but only at a great cost to Booman's dignity). Some of my favorite stories include:"The Family Gun" -- fed up with street crime that threatens his family, James obtains an illegal firearm, much to the consternation of Florida."Operation Florida" -- Flo needs surgery, and James wants nothing but the best for his beloved, but the price tag is more than he can bear."Florida's Rich Cousin" -- in an episode I can directly relate to, the Evans' are forced to invite Flo's wealthy cousin over so they can hit her husband up for money."Michael's Big Fall" - The normally over-achieving Michael has a catastrophic drop-off in his grades: the family wants to know why."The Politicians" -- The family is divided over who to vote for in the local election race: a familiar-faced crook or a young new idealist."A Loss of Confidence" -- J.J. is crushed when Thelma's cute friend rejects him, necessitating some fast reconstructive work on his ego."Cousin Cleatus" -- Florida's cousin, wanted by the FBI, shows up at the Evans' family doorstep asking for help."J.J.'s Fiance, Parts 1 & 2" -- J.J. wants to elope with his latest flame, who turns out to have a healthy heroin habit."Sweet Daddy Williams" -- local crime boss Sweet Daddy Williams wants J.J. to paint a portrait of his hoodrat girlfriend, but James ain't having it."The Investigation" -- when James and J.J. loser their jobs on the same day, it turns out a letter sent by Michael to the Cuban embassy may be the culprit."The Rent Party" -- an old friend of the family needs help making her rent, so James organizes a classic "rent party" to raise the dough, but has to get around Bookman to do it.I am sorry to say that at the end of this season, John Amos' increasing frustration with the direction of the show -- he disliked all the emphasis on Jimmie Walker's character, which he felt put too much attention on a negative stereotype of black men -- caused Norman Lear to fire him, and while GOOD TIMES lasted another five years, in my opinion it was never the same. While all the actors on the show were good, Amos had a special charismatic gravity to him that could not be replaced or imitated, and while I watched it religiously until it went off the air, it just wasn't the same. Still, three seasons of top quality comedy is nothing to sneeze at. In fact, one could claim (you knew this was coming) that it's DY - NO - MITE!

Disk One1. The Family Gun *****2. A Real Cool Job3. Operation Florida4. Florida's Rich Cousin5. The Politicians6. Love In The Ghetto7. The Weekend ****8. The BabyDisk Two9. Michael's Big Fall10. Willona's Dilemma11. Florida's Protest12. The Mural13. A Loss of Confidence14. Cousin Cleatus15. The Family Tree *****16. A Place To Die *****Disk Three17. J.J.'s Fiancee - Part 1 *****18. J.J.'s Fiancee - Part 2 *****19. Sweet Daddy Williams20. The Investigation21. J.J. In Trouble22. Florida The Woman ****23. The Break-up24. The Rent Party *****

The Evans' family never had much money or many real "things" of value, but they had each other and that was more than enough. They taught many of us how to make the best of what you have and be thankful for the little things. This show will remain timeless in my heart for the good times of laughter it has brought to my family.

I have zero complaints about this dvd and would gladly purchase from the seller with confidence.

Bought this for a cousin. She loves going back down Memory Lane.

One of my favorite sitcoms of the 70's. I really related to this show.

As always, Good Times is great. I love every episode. In this season we see just how talented everyone is becuz they had time to settle into their characters. And little Michael sings his butt off!!

I have the first three seasons of the series and enjoy them thoroughly. To the person who thinks the program is racist, I have one question ... How? I am white and I find absolutely nothing offensive or racist about the program. It deals with poor people carving out an honorable life for themselves. OK the Evans family is black, but the themes could apply to everyone in their economic situation. Race is not the driving point of the program.

One of the best African-American comedies of the 70s tackling racism, poverty, family values and struggle in the ghettos of 1970s Chicago. A stellar cast consisting of the wonderful late Esther Rolle, the no-nonsense John amos and Mr Dyn-o-mite himself, JJ aka Jimmy Walker. Add to your comedy collection. DEFINITELY a MUST-HAVE.