The BEST Episodes of Good Times
Every episode ever - ranked by fan votes!
Last Updated: Mar 28, 2021
Network: CBS
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 Oct 1, 1974
To avoid being bused to a white neighborhood, Michael forges his parents' names on a questionnaire.
8.43 
#2 - Thelma's Scholarship
Season 2 - Episode 23 - Aired Mar 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.
8.43 
#3 - The Encyclopedia Hustle
Season 2 - Episode 8 - Aired Oct 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.
8.42 
#4 - Evans Versus Davis
Season 4 - Episode 6 - Aired Oct 27, 1976
When J.J. refuses to speak on Alderman Davis' behalf at a fundraiser, the family is threatened with eviction.
8.36 
#5 - Florida and Carl
Season 4 - Episode 20 - Aired Feb 23, 1977
A reluctant Florida agrees to go out with Carl, but the date doesn't go as planned.
8.33 
#6 - The Big Move (2)
Season 4 - Episode 2 - Aired Sep 29, 1976
Florida's stoic reaction to James' death has the kids upset by her lack of emotion.
8.33 
#7 - The Family Gun
Season 3 - Episode 2 - Aired Sep 16, 1975
James brings a gun home to protect his family.
8.32 
#8 - Too Old Blues
Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired Feb 8, 1974
When James misses out on a good job because of his age, the family's celebration party turns sour.
8.22 
#9 - Michael Gets Suspended
Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired Mar 8, 1974
Michael is suspended from school after proclaiming that George Washington was a racist.
8.22 
#10 - The I.Q. Test
Season 2 - Episode 7 - Aired Oct 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.
8.20 
#11 - J.J. Becomes a Man (1)
Season 2 - Episode 2 - Aired Sep 17, 1974
After his birthday party, J.J. is arrested on suspicion of robbing a liquor store.
8.19 
#12 - Florida Flips
Season 2 - Episode 1 - Aired Sep 10, 1974
Florida's strange behavior has everyone wondering what the problem might be.
8.18 
#13 - Black Jesus
Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired Feb 15, 1974
J.J.'s painting of a black Jesus coincides with good fortune coming to each family member.
8.14 
#14 - Springtime in the Ghetto
Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired Apr 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.
8.11 
#15 - The Visitor
Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired Apr 5, 1974
Michael's angry letter about the conditions in the ghetto prompts a visit from the city housing commission.
8.07 
#16 - J.J. in Trouble
Season 3 - Episode 21 - Aired Feb 3, 1976
After his ex-girlfriend tells him he has V.D., and embarrassed J.J. visits the local clinic.
8.00 
#17 - Willona's Dilemma
Season 3 - Episode 10 - Aired Nov 11, 1975
Willona fears her new relationship with a deaf man is moving too fast.
7.96 
#18 - The Houseguest
Season 2 - Episode 20 - Aired Feb 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.
7.93 
#19 - Michael's Great Romance
Season 4 - Episode 5 - Aired Oct 20, 1976
With Michael's latest crush herself crushing on J.J., the brothers are at each others' throats.
7.91 
#20 - The Lunch Money Ripoff
Season 2 - Episode 24 - Aired Mar 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.
7.90 
#21 - Florida's Night Out
Season 4 - Episode 11 - Aired Dec 15, 1976
Florida meets a charming widower when Willona takes her out for the evening.
7.90 
#22 - The Debutante Ball
Season 2 - Episode 18 - Aired Feb 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.
7.88 
#23 - The Family Tree
Season 3 - Episode 15 - Aired Dec 23, 1975
Thelma discovers that James' father is alive and living in Chicago, but James is reluctant to see him.
7.88 
#24 - The Check Up
Season 1 - Episode 12 - Aired May 3, 1974
The Evanses become concerned about James's possible hypertension.
7.87 
#25 - Willona's Mr. Right
Season 5 - Episode 14 - Aired Jan 11, 1978
When Willona rejects an old boyfriend's proposal, Penny thinks she's holding Willona back and tries to run away.
7.83