Stars from the original show ‘Good Times’ are sharing their thoughts on Netflix’s forthcoming animated reboot of the show. Once the trailer was dropped last week, a lot of folks on social media had mixed feelings about the trailer.
In an exclusive interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the news outlet spoke with original Good Times castmembers John Amos, who played the role of patriarch James Evans in the first three seasons, and Bernadette Stanis — known for playing Thelma, middle child to James and Florida Evans (Esther Rolle), throughout the series. “I really can’t form an opinion, as I’ve not seen any of the episodes yet,” Amos shared. “Norman — and the entire cast and company — set the bar pretty high. They’ll have a hard time reaching that level of entertainment [and] education. I wish them the best. I see people aspiring to that, but I don’t see anybody reaching that goal, especially in an animated version.”
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while speaking with Stanis, she explained that Netflix reached out to her to take on a small part in the show which she agreed to, but that was before she knew what the series would be like. “I did a little voice for them, but I did not know it was going to be the way it is. I thought it was going to be different,” Stanis says. As for the roles voiced by herself and Walker, she continues, “It’s just a little here and there. But I think that they did that because they knew what their show was going to be like. So I guess they figured, if you put us in there, it wouldn’t look so bad or whatever.”
Good Times is a classic American sitcom that originally aired on CBS from 1974 to 1979. Created by Eric Monte and Mike Evans, the show was a spin-off of another popular sitcom, Maude. Set in a public housing project in Chicago, Good Times follows the lives of the Evans family as they navigate the challenges of living in poverty while trying to maintain their sense of humor and dignity.
The show starred Esther Rolle as Florida Evans, the matriarch of the family who works as a housekeeper to support her three children. John Amos played her husband James Evans, a hardworking but often frustrated father who struggles to make ends meet. Their children are J.J. (Jimmie Walker), a talented artist with a knack for getting into trouble, Thelma (BernNadette Stanis), a smart and responsible young woman, and Michael (Ralph Carter), a politically conscious teenager.
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Good Times was groundbreaking in its portrayal of a working-class African American family on television. The show tackled important social issues such as poverty, racism, and unemployment while also providing plenty of laughs and heartwarming moments. It was one of the first sitcoms to feature a predominantly black cast and was praised for its realistic and relatable portrayal of African American life.
One of the most memorable aspects of Good Times was its catchy theme song, “Good Times” by Jim Gilstrap and Blinky Williams. The upbeat tune perfectly captured the spirit of the show and became a hit in its own right.
Overall, Good Times remains a beloved and important piece of television history. It paved the way for future sitcoms featuring diverse casts and tackled important social issues with humor and heart. The show’s legacy continues to resonate with audiences today, making it a timeless classic that will be remembered for generations to come.