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 - 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.
#2 - 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.
#3 - 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.
#4 - The Family Gun
Season 3 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/16/1975
James brings a gun home to protect his family.
#5 - 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.
#6 - 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.
#7 - Michael Gets Suspended
Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 3/8/1974
Michael is suspended from school after proclaiming that George Washington was a racist.
#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 - 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.
#10 - 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.
#11 - 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.
#12 - Florida Flips
Season 2 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/10/1974
Florida's strange behavior has everyone wondering what the problem might be.
#13 - Florida's Night Out
Season 4 - Episode 11 - Aired 12/15/1976
Florida meets a charming widower when Willona takes her out for the evening.
#14 - Evans Versus Davis
Season 4 - Episode 6 - Aired 10/27/1976
When J.J. refuses to speak on Alderman Davis' behalf at a fundraiser, the family is threatened with eviction.
#15 - The Evans Get Involved (1)
Season 5 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/21/1977
When young Penny Gordon follows J.J. home, she tells the Evanses tall tales about her life without mentioning her abusive mother (Chip Fields). But when Penny changes into a dress, a stunned Willona and Thelma discover the girl's badly bruised back.
#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 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.
#18 - J.J. in Trouble
Season 3 - Episode 21 - Aired 2/3/1976
After his ex-girlfriend tells him he has V.D., and embarrassed J.J. visits the local clinic.
#19 - Sweet Daddy Williams
Season 3 - Episode 19 - Aired 1/20/1976
J.J. new patron is Sweet Daddy Williams, the most notorious criminal in the projects.
#20 - 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.
#21 - The Evans Get Involved (2)
Season 5 - Episode 2 - Aired 9/21/1977
Willona and the Evans children are convinced that Penny is being abused and discover that she has an injured arm, caused by her abusive mother, but the doctor who treats Penny refuses to believe that she is a victim of child abuse.
#22 - Rich Is Better Than Poor...Maybe
Season 4 - Episode 10 - Aired 12/8/1976
After winning the lottery, the Evans are robbed at gunpoint by Thelma's tutoring student.
#23 - The Check Up
Season 1 - Episode 12 - Aired 5/3/1974
The Evanses become concerned about James's possible hypertension.
#25 - The Big Move (1)
Season 4 - Episode 1 - Aired 9/22/1976
While celebrating a move to Mississippi and out of the ghetto, the family receives the shocking news that James has been killed in a car accident.