I thought that smashing the chair scene was a bit too much in the episode checkup. I don't think e had to go that far. He could have just slammed the bedroom door but that chair incident was definitely on the wild side.

Originally posted by TVShow Analyzer
I thought that smashing the chair scene was a bit too much in the episode checkup. I don't think e had to go that far. He could have just slammed the bedroom door but that chair incident was definitely on the wild side. Poor James; he worked very hard and still did not make a lot of money; can you imagine working two, full time jobs a day and supporting a family?
I am sure James' life was exceptionally stressful to the point of him becoming somewhat violent, due to that face that he
did live some what of a volatile life...

They did that just to show that famous Evans temper. Just like when he beat Eddie. How real was that? james beating a kid that is not even a family member. Who gave him the authority to do that? He couldn't MAKE Eddie study. It wasn't his child.

To TV Analyzer; is any scene in any tv show or movie where people are abusive or murdered necessary? It's all about what's going on.

To nerrad; In the seventies when I was growing up, yes it was very real amongst the black community where a friend of one of the kids was treated as there own. Now a days if a parent beats his/her own child they can be lawfully punished so it's easy for anyone looking back at that scene in Good Times to be appalled, especially if you're parents never laid a hand on you. Let me tell you how common or normal it was for parents to beat children. You could be in a shopping center and smack your child on the behind hard enough to make them wail and it was not looked at as abusive. You have to also consider that James was a child of the 1940's and in those times it was very natural for other parents to take on the role of parenting their children's friends, even the teachers did so. I can't count how many times my father told me how the teachers wooped his behind for not doing his homework and then went home and was wooped by his mother and if he was out of line with his friends parents they wooped his behind too.

It seems that we like to judge things that go on in the past according to what we see today. That's not only ridiculous but very difficult to do.:rolleyes:

I agree with you. My parents were the same way growing up in North Carolina in the 30's and 40's. Not only did the teacher and principal whooped them, but like you said, even if neighbors saw 'em do something bad, they would even beat him. And when they got home......

As for GT, it was just a given just unleash his temper. An example: Why didn't James and Diana's father beat that kid who was supplying drugs to "popeye's" daughter. I know it's just a show, but little shorty wasn't afraid of James, saying I'm going to report you for child abuse. LOL. I see James put him down:D And he was talking smack with everyone in the room.

There just weren't enough people to get funky with James, unless they owned a gun or something. He threatened to knock out a bank manager, Thelma's Boyfriend, who later became her uncle, Mad Dog, obscene phone callers, the Reverand. He was afraid of sweetdaddy's boys too.:cool: