The BEST episodes of Good Times
Every episode of Good Times ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Good Times!
The Evans family scratches and survives in their tough South Side Chicago ghetto. Esther Rolle and John Amos star as parents Florida and James, with "dyn-o-mite" breakout comedy star Jimmie Walker as J.J., the oldest of the three Evans children.
#1 - Florida and Carl
Season 4 - Episode 20 - Aired 2/23/1977
A reluctant Florida agrees to go out with Carl, but the date doesn't go as planned.
#2 - The Big Move (2)
Season 4 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/29/1976
Florida's stoic reaction to James' death has the kids upset by her lack of emotion.
#3 - Florida Flips
Season 2 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/10/1974
Florida's strange behavior has everyone wondering what the problem might be.
#4 - J.J. Becomes a Man (1)
Season 2 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/17/1974
After his birthday party, J.J. is arrested on suspicion of robbing a liquor store.
#5 - The Family Gun
Season 3 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/16/1975
James brings a gun home to protect his family.
#6 - The Encyclopedia Hustle
Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired 10/29/1974
An encyclopedia salesman is the last person James wants to see when he comes home from work. However, he softens when he learns the man is blind. This leads James to sign a contract and reads the fine print only after the man leaves.
#7 - Thelma's Scholarship
Season 2 - Episode 23 - Aired 3/11/1975
Thelma has a chance at winning a scholarship to an exclusive boarding school in Michigan. However, even before she knows she won, a snobby girl from a fraternity comes around wanting Thelma to join and quickly discovers they just want her because she's black.
#8 - The I.Q. Test
Season 2 - Episode 7 - Aired 10/22/1974
Michael, one of the brightest boys in his class, comes home with the news that he scored the lowest out of his whole class on an I.Q. test.
#9 - Crosstown Buses Run All Day, Doodah, Doodah
Season 2 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/1/1974
To avoid being bused to a white neighborhood, Michael forges his parents' names on a questionnaire.
#10 - Springtime in the Ghetto
Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired 4/19/1974
When Michael brings a local wino home, Florida's chances of being named as having the cleanest apartment in the projects are dimmed.
#11 - The Visitor
Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 4/5/1974
Michael's angry letter about the conditions in the ghetto prompts a visit from the city housing commission.
#12 - Michael Gets Suspended
Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 3/8/1974
Michael is suspended from school after proclaiming that George Washington was a racist.
#13 - Too Old Blues
Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 2/8/1974
When James misses out on a good job because of his age, the family's celebration party turns sour.
#14 - Black Jesus
Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 2/15/1974
J.J.'s painting of a black Jesus coincides with good fortune coming to each family member.
#15 - The Lunch Money Ripoff
Season 2 - Episode 24 - Aired 3/18/1975
A bully has been stealing Michael's lunches which prompts James to give him some tips on how to handle the situation. However, Michael surprises everyone with his own tactic, he invites the bully home for the weekend.
#16 - Willona's Dilemma
Season 3 - Episode 10 - Aired 11/11/1975
Willona fears her new relationship with a deaf man is moving too fast.
#17 - The Family Business
Season 2 - Episode 17 - Aired 1/21/1975
Realizing his mechanical skills, Florida suggests that James open a fix-it shop but when they go to the bank, they're turned down for a loan. This leads James to set up shop right in the apartment, despite a clause in the lease.
#18 - The Mural
Season 3 - Episode 12 - Aired 12/2/1975
J.J. is commissioned by a bank to paint a mural depicting ghetto life.
#19 - Florida's Protest
Season 3 - Episode 11 - Aired 11/25/1975
After serving the family meat that makes them sick, Florida organizes a protest against the market and winds up in jail.
#20 - Operation Florida
Season 3 - Episode 3 - Aired 9/23/1975
James insists on a level of care he can't afford when Florida needs a gallbladder operation.
#21 - The Enlistment
Season 2 - Episode 22 - Aired 3/4/1975
The Evans' family is hit with a double dose of unemployment blues after both James and J.J. lose their jobs. Wanting to support his family, J.J. decides to join the U.S. army.
#22 - My Girl Henrietta
Season 2 - Episode 21 - Aired 2/25/1975
The Evans family's joy at finally getting to meet J.J.'s girl Henrietta is shrouded by J.J.'s declaration that his immediate future could include Henrietta and matrimony.
#23 - The Houseguest
Season 2 - Episode 20 - Aired 2/18/1975
A childhood friend of James' arrives for a visit and quickly his gambling problem becomes an Evans family problem when two hoods show up looking for him to pay off a $5000 debt.
#24 - The Debutante Ball
Season 2 - Episode 18 - Aired 2/4/1975
J.J. is enchanted with his new girlfriend, Clarissa, and is all set to take her to a ritzy debutante ball. However, Clarissa has come to the Evans' apartment with some bad news, her parents won't let her go with J.J., citing that they think she's too good for him.
#25 - Junior Gets a Patron
Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 3/22/1974
J.J.'s new art sponsor is a criminal whose patronage is unwelcome by James.