Hello all,

I just got done watching the Season 4 DVD set. I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would, what with the death of James and all. I really like how the show would mention him from time to time. It wouldn't have been natural or right not to.

In any case, all of this Good Times watching has made me very eager for Season 5. I know it's super early since we just got Season 4 a week ago, but are there any projected release dates set for Season 5? I hope it's soon. We're almost through the whole series and I can't wait to own all of the episodes...

Ed

Hello all,

I just got done watching the Season 4 DVD set. I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would, what with the death of James and all. I really like how the show would mention him from time to time. It wouldn't have been natural or right not to.

In any case, all of this Good Times watching has made me very eager for Season 5. I know it's super early since we just got Season 4 a week ago, but are there any projected release dates set for Season 5? I hope it's soon. We're almost through the whole series and I can't wait to own all of the episodes...

Ed



You shuld save that question until June or July

Hello all,

I just got done watching the Season 4 DVD set. I enjoyed it a lot more than I thought I would, what with the death of James and all. I really like how the show would mention him from time to time. It wouldn't have been natural or right not to.

In any case, all of this Good Times watching has made me very eager for Season 5. I know it's super early since we just got Season 4 a week ago, but are there any projected release dates set for Season 5? I hope it's soon. We're almost through the whole series and I can't wait to own all of the episodes...

Ed
I would think by August. It seems like they are released every six months.

You shuld save that question until June or July

Why is that? Lots of other shows have prior advance release dates for them. Take Greatest American Hero for instance. Season 2, which is out in April, was announced before Season 1 came out, which was on the same day that Season 4 of Good Times.

I even said in my post that I may be jumping the gun here, but in the case that someone already knew about Season 5, I thought I'd ask. No harm in doing so I think...

Ed

I would think by August. It seems like they are released every six months.

Sometimes, but then they get all flaky on us, like with All in the Family and especially The Jeffersons. Then they'll go ahead with other shows like Sanford & Son. I'm thrilled we're getting all of these series, but it sure as heck hard to detect a pattern as to when they'll see release. I hope Season 5 is out by August, if not sooner...

Ed

Sometimes, but then they get all flaky on us, like with All in the Family and especially The Jeffersons. Then they'll go ahead with other shows like Sanford & Son. I'm thrilled we're getting all of these series, but it sure as heck hard to detect a pattern as to when they'll see release. I hope Season 5 is out by August, if not sooner...

Ed


Take it from a person who seen the UNCUT eps of season 5, you will only watch that DVD one time-LOL

Take it from a person who seen the UNCUT eps of season 5, you will only watch that DVD one time-LOL

lol... I see what you mean. I'm not expecting it to be my favorite season, not by a long shot, but I am eager to have it, along with Season 6. I guess the greedy Good Times fan in me wants to have the series in its entirety, even the bad episodes.

I haven't seen this show in over 15 years (except for the seasons that have been released on DVD of course... I own all 4 seasons thus far) but I do remember the introduction of Penny, whom Willona adopted, and Keith, who became Thelma's husband. I don't remember hating those episodes per se, but tastes change the more one matures. Heck, I remember being actually glad to see James die when I first saw the Season 4 episodes. But, and here's the reason, I was only 7 or 8 years old at the time. My immature perspective thought of James only as a mean, grumpy, abusive parent. Now, as a 32 year old, I think the departure of James was one of the worst blows ever perpetrated on the series. It definitely took something out of it. And oddly enough, James is one of my favorite characters on the show. Go figure...

Either way, I just want the show completed.

Any word yet on which character will be featured on the spine? By all rights, it should be Ralph Carter (Michael), if you're going in order by way of the Evans family, but then again, Season 5 is when Willona took center stage, so her mug shot may be the one that graces the spine. Anyone know or care to speculate?

Ed

lol... I see what you mean. I'm not expecting it to be my favorite season, not by a long shot, but I am eager to have it, along with Season 6. I guess the greedy Good Times fan in me wants to have the series in its entirety, even the bad episodes.

I haven't seen this show in over 15 years (except for the seasons that have been released on DVD of course... I own all 4 seasons thus far) but I do remember the introduction of Penny, whom Willona adopted, and Keith, who became Thelma's husband. I don't remember hating those episodes per se, but tastes change the more one matures. Heck, I remember being actually glad to see James die when I first saw the Season 4 episodes. But, and here's the reason, I was only 7 or 8 years old at the time, and so my immature perspective thought of him only as a mean, grumpy, abusive parent. Now, as a 32 year old, I think the departure of James was one of the worst blows ever perpetrated on the series. It definitely took something out of it. And oddly enough, James is one of my favorite characters on the show. Go figure...

Either way, I just want the show completed.

Any word yet on which character will be featured on the spine? By all rights, it should be Ralph Carter (Michael), if you're going in order by way of the Evans family, but then again, Season 5 is when Willona took center stage, so her mug shot may be the one that graces the spine. Anyone know or care to speculate?

Ed




It probably would be Willona since it was her show in season 5. I think that was proably why I hated this season because the took a MINOR character from seasons 1-4 and gave that a character a leading role in season 5 and I just was unable to get into the show. That's Like the producers of the Jeffersons giving a huge role to Helen Willis

I guess the greedy Good Times fan in me wants to have the series in its entirety, even the bad episodes.

I haven't seen this show in over 15 years (except for the seasons that have been released on DVD of course... I own all 4 seasons thus far) but I do remember the introduction of Penny, whom Willona adopted, and Keith, who became Thelma's husband. I don't remember hating those episodes per se, but tastes change the more one matures. Either way, I just want the show completed.



I echo every word. I grew up with Good Times and enjoyed it all as I watched it. I wasn't conscious, at least back then, of later seasons being not as enjoyable as earlier ones. The Willona/Penny storyline was just as memorable to me as J.J. getting shot or James' death. When the final two seasons worth of dvds are released, I'll buy them both and watch them often.


Any word yet on which character will be featured on the spine? By all rights, it should be Ralph Carter (Michael), if you're going in order by way of the Evans family, but then again, Season 5 is when Willona took center stage, so her mug shot may be the one that graces the spine. Anyone know or care to speculate?

Ed

We were speculating about that awhile ago in an older thread. I'm thinking they stick with the family first and put Michael on the season 5 spine. I can see them going with Willona since she was prominent that season, but my early guess right now is Michael, just to complete the family over the first five releases.

It probably would be Willona since it was her show in season 5. I think that was proably why I hated this season because the took a MINOR character from seasons 1-4 and gave that a character a leading role in season 5 and I just was unable to get into the show.


That's the reason why I liked it. They took a character who was known for nothing more than being a gossip and showed that she could be deep. The character matured in terms of her desire to adopt Penny and battle Penny's mother. I thought it was good to see Willona in a more serious light.

It probably would be Willona since it was her show in season 5. I think that was proably why I hated this season because the took a MINOR character from seasons 1-4 and gave that a character a leading role in season 5 and I just was unable to get into the show. That's Like the producers of the Jeffersons giving a huge role to Helen Willis

Yeah, I see your point, but I look at this as the show trying to make the best of a bad situation. They had lost Esther Rolle for whatever reason. Some claim she wanted more money and thought she was more invaluable since the show lost John Amos the season prior. Others say it was because she was upset over how the JJ was portrayed. Who knows? Do you happen to know the real story behind this TVShowAnalyzer?

In any case, they took Willona and made her center stage. Unnatural, of course, but minor character or not, she was likeable. I'm not saying I prefer her to be the star (again, I haven't seen these episodes in over 15 years so I can't give a fair assessment about the show's diminished quality) but I can understand why they chose that route.

One thing I don't understand, if Esther Rolle left in Season 5 because she was unhappy with the JJ character, then why did she come back in Season 6? I don't remember anything different being done with JJ by then. Or is my memory playing tricks on me?

Ed

Yeah, I see your point, but I look at this as the show trying to make the best of a bad situation. They had lost Esther Rolle for whatever reason. Some claim she wanted more money and thought she was more invaluable since the show lost John Amos the season prior. Others say it was because she was upset over how the JJ was portrayed. Who knows? Do you happen to know the real story behind this TVShowAnalyzer?

In any case, they took Willona and made her center stage. Unnatural, of course, but minor character or not, she was likeable. I'm not saying I prefer her to be the star (again, I haven't seen these episodes in over 15 years so I can't give a fair assessment about the show's diminished quality) but I can understand why they chose that route.

One thing I don't understand, if Esther Rolle left in Season 5 because she was unhappy with the JJ character, then why did she come back in Season 6? I don't remember anything different being done with JJ by then. Or is my memory playing tricks on me?

Ed





Yes I read in a 1978 Jet Magazine that Esther Rolle left after season 4 because the J.J character was still too silly. So when she returned in season 6, you will notice that the J.J character no longer says DYNOMITE, and doesnt wear that Blue Hat. He also has a Job that doesn't involve him walking around with a Chicken bouncing up and down on top of his head. So yes the J.J character was changed a lot in season 6.

Yes I read in a 1978 Jet Magazine that Esther Rolle left after season 4 because the J.J character was still too silly. So when she returned in season 6, you will notice that the J.J character no longer says DYNOMITE, and doesnt wear that Blue Hat.

It seemed like he started to say DYNOMITE a lot less in season 4. Up until that point it was almost like he said it every episode. Watching the season 4 dvd, it didn't seem like he said it so much.

It seemed like he started to say DYNOMITE a lot less in season 4. Up until that point it was almost like he said it every episode. Watching the season 4 dvd, it didn't seem like he said it so much.

Even if he did, I must confess that I think this would be a silly reason for Esther Rolle to want to leave the show. I've heard some of her arguments, as well as some from the other cast members, and I agree that JJ was too cartoony and helped to stereotype the show as far as black family sitcoms go, but come on, it was still an 1/2 hour sitcom, not War and Peace. I think some of them, particularly Esther Rolle & John Amos, were jealous of Jimmie Walker's fame and tried to create another gripe that masked that.

I think there was a lot of EGO involved as well. Esther Rolle is said to have gone to Norman Lear and asked for more money. She banked on him caving in to her since she felt that, after losing John Amos the season before, Lear wouldn't want to lose her as well. Doesn't this smack of greed and ego? It's almost as if JJ could've said a 1000 'dyn-o-mites' for Season 5 and Esther Rolle would've gone along with it IF she had gotten her way and had received her raise. Instead she got turned down and then tried to make it seem like she quit the show out of principle.

I think the show could've benefited from her input, as well as John Amos'. They were black and the writers weren't, so their input would've been valuable. But clearly, the writers weren't the only ones to have acted like jerks. This battle had more to do with who was top dog rather than about depicting black life accurately. Funny, someone should have informed them that white folks fight over the same thing. :rolleyes:

If anyone has anything that refutes this, I'd love to hear it...

Ed

Even if he did, I must confess that I think this would be a silly reason for Esther Rolle to want to leave the show. I've heard some of her arguments, as well as some from the other cast members, and I agree that JJ was too cartoony and helped to stereotype the show as far as black family sitcoms go, but come on, it was still an 1/2 hour sitcom, not War and Peace. I think some of them, particularly Esther Rolle & John Amos, were jealous of Jimmie Walker's fame and tried to create another gripe that masked that.

I think there was a lot of EGO involved as well. Esther Rolle is said to have gone to Norman Lear and asked for more money. She banked on him caving in to her since she felt that, after losing John Amos the season before, Lear wouldn't want to lose her as well. Doesn't this smack of greed and ego? It's almost as if JJ could've said a 1000 'dyn-o-mites' for Season 5 and Esther Rolle would've gone along with it IF she had gotten her way and had received her raise. Instead she got turned down and then tried to make it seem like she quit the show out of principle.

I think the show could've benefited from her input, as well as John Amos'. They were black and the writers weren't, so their input would've been valuable. But clearly, the writers weren't the only ones to have acted like jerks. This battle had more to do with who was top dog rather than about depicting black life accurately. Funny, someone should have informed them that white folks fight over the same thing. :rolleyes:

If anyone has anything that refutes this, I'd love to hear it...

Ed




I was laughing when I heard Norman Lear asked the writers-"can you do a show wihout a mother and father"?-LOL What the hell did he think the writrs were going to say? No? Hell, they wanted to keep working so they just had to lie because it was obvious that they couldn't-lol

I am pretty sure that the 5th season will be out 6 months for now, since it seems Sony releases a Good Times DVD during that particular time frame; personally, I am looking forward to seeing more of Willona, since she is one of my favorite characters. :)

I am pretty sure that the 5th season will be out 6 months for now, since it seems Sony releases a Good Times DVD during that particular time frame; personally, I am looking forward to seeing more of Willona, since she is one of my favorite characters. :)

She's one of mine as well. In fact, every character on the show appeals to me, but for very different reasons. I'm sure once Season 5 comes out and we're all done watching it, we'll be ready for Esther Rolle to come back and return the show to normal (heck, I'm ready for John Amos to come back as well, even though that never happened... :( ) but I'm intrigued to see how the show got along when they tampered with the formula a bit. I don't expect to prefer the show with Willona as the star, but I do expect to find it interesting. I'm looking forward to it and I hope sales on Season 4 warrant a Season 5 release (more releases are not guaranteed if previous seasons don't sell well).

Ed

She's one of mine as well. In fact, every character on the show appeals to me, but for very different reasons. I'm sure once Season 5 comes out and we're all done watching it, we'll be ready for Esther Rolle to come back and return the show to normal (heck, I'm ready for John Amos to come back as well, even though that never happened... :( ) but I'm intrigued to see how the show got along when they tampered with the formula a bit. I don't expect to prefer the show with Willona as the star, but I do expect to find it interesting. I'm looking forward to it and I hope sales on Season 4 warrant a Season 5 release (more releases are not guaranteed if previous seasons don't sell well).

Ed


I'm a big time TVDVD collector, and I have never seen a series release more than two seasons and suddenly stop. A lot of series stop at two seasons, and plenty more stop at one. But if a third season is bothered to be released, you can bet that the entire series will show up on DVD.

Anyways, I'm looking forward to see what the show will be like when Wilona takes center stage. I liked Season 4 a lot, even without James. And I've always thought of Wilona as the funniest woman on the show, so I think it will be interesting.

I'm intrigued to see how the show got along when they tampered with the formula a bit. I don't expect to prefer the show with Willona as the star, but I do expect to find it interesting.

Ed


Ed, have you not seen any of the season 5 episodes yet? It's been a while for me, but from what I remember, there are interesting moments that season. Most memorable for me is the initial child abuse/adoption storyline involving Willona and Penny. It may not have been the typical James/Florida Good Times we're familiar with from the first three seasons, but I was still just as into the show when Willona took the spotlight.

Anyways, I'm looking forward to see what the show will be like when Wilona takes center stage. I liked Season 4 a lot, even without James. And I've always thought of Wilona as the funniest woman on the show, so I think it will be interesting.

She's still funny, but in season 5 she got to show more of a serious, dramatic side, which I thought was good to see after having been used to her as the gossipy neighbor. Once she became the mother figure to Penny in season 5, we get to see Willona in a new light. I liked that she was able to have some dramatic moments.

I'm a big time TVDVD collector, and I have never seen a series release more than two seasons and suddenly stop. A lot of series stop at two seasons, and plenty more stop at one. But if a third season is bothered to be released, you can bet that the entire series will show up on DVD.

That depends on a lot of factors. If a show is a relatively young show and it doesn't require a lot of remastering or touching up, then sales don't have to be astronomical for the DVD people to make a profit on it. They can afford to only sell a moderate amount since the cost of putting the newer series out on DVD didn't cost them that much to begin with.

With an older show like Good Times, there is the added expense of touching up the shows. The episodes weren't even digitalized so that adds to the expense plus the amount of time it takes to get it done. This is why releases occur only twice a year instead of more often.

Good Times Season 1 may have sold well enough to merit releasing Seasons 2 - 4, but surely not enough for them to go all out. In all honesty, the overall packaging for the show, while decent, borders on being generic and bareboned. Ever wonder why there are no extra features included? No commentaries? bloopers? etc? Because that would add to the expense of putting the show out. The more money it costs them on their end, the more they'd have to make back. They're not confident enough that they would make the money back (and for good reason!) so they play it safe.

Obviously there is a fan base for Good Times, but not enough for them to give the show the star treatment. Part of that is because the show's main fanbase is of an older generation who don't buy DVDs at the drop of a hat like the younger generations do. Heck, some of the fans probably don't even own a DVD player. It has nothing to do with doing the show justice or treating a classic show with respect. The bottom line is money. It doesn't matter that most of the other shows have had Season 3 or more released. A case in point is The Mary Tyler Moore Show. That show bombed in sales, according to Fox Entertainment, so they stopped after Season 1. What's to say the same thing couldn't happen to Good Times after Season 4?

I honestly think we'll get all 6 seasons of the show eventually, but it still isn't a sure thing. If they look over the figures and feel that Season 4 bombed in sales (translation: they lost money on it), no way will we see Seasons 5 - 6.

Ed

I honestly think we'll get all 6 seasons of the show eventually, but it still isn't a sure thing. If they look over the figures and feel that Season 4 bombed in sales (translation: they lost money on it), no way will we see Seasons 5 - 6.

Ed


I think we'll still get season 5 even if season four's sales are poor, just because they have the "young Janet Jackson" angle to promote. They may just chalk up season four's poor sales (if they eventually end up being poor) to the possibility of fans' affection for the James Sr. character, and knowing that he wasn't in season 4 maybe caused potential buyers to have less interest. That's assuming people base their buying choices on who's a regular part of the cast. By that same token, I do think the Janet Jackson factor will be a plus for the prospect of a season 5 release. I honestly believe her presence will bring in fans that may not be interested in Good Times otherwise. Sony would be wise not to abandon it before that. I know what you mean though, a company wouldn't want to continue to put out something they'd lose money on, but you figure these sets seem so inexpensively produced, they couldn't lose so much that they wouldn't want to continue.

Ed, have you not seen any of the season 5 episodes yet? It's been a while for me, but from what I remember, there are interesting moments that season. Most memorable for me is the initial child abuse/adoption storyline involving Willona and Penny. It may not have been the typical James/Florida Good Times we're familiar with from the first three seasons, but I was still just as into the show when Willona took the spotlight.

I have seen the entire series actually, but it's been over 15 years since the last time I saw an episode and probably over 20+ years since I saw the show on a daily basis, so I don't have a strong recollection of how the show's quality was during those years. I do remember Penny joining the cast and being an abused child, and I remember the addition of Keith, Thelma's husband, but that's about it.

Also to note, I'm now 32 years old but when I first saw these episodes in succession, I was about 6 or 7. My perspective was a lot different then since I was so young. I remember actually being glad when James died when I first saw that episode. I remember thinking he was an abusive, grumpy, overly strict parent and was glad when he was off the show (that's bratty, immature 6 or 7 year olds for ya!).

Now, having re-discovered the show as an adult, my perspective is somewhat different. James is actually one of my favorites on the show, and watching Season 4 knowing that he was deceased (actually Season 3 too, since I knew it was coming!) was quite uncomfortable and painful to watch. There's just something inherently wrong with his being killed off of the show. It didn't do the show any favors, that's for sure. However, my awareness of how difficult John Amos & Esther Rolle were to work with makes me see that the show was trying to make the best out of a no-win situation. I can see both sides of the same coin.

I expect the show to be somewhat disappointing without Florida in Season 5, but the part of me that thinks Esther Rolle was an ego-maniac will also try to see the good in that season. And I expect to be somewhere in the middle, not quite loving the new format but not quite hating it either. In fact, I think the reason why the show plunged in the ratings at this point may have had to do with the switching of its timeslot rather than Esther Rolle's absence. After all, she did come back in Season 6, and the show still sank (which should put to rest those fans who think she was the entire show).

For some of you, Season 5 sucked, as did the season prior (without John Amos) as well as the final Season. I think there has to be blame placed on the actors John Amos & Esther Rolle themselves, instead of just their absences.

Clearly, all of the actors involved were upset about JJ and how the show didn't represent black life in the truest sense, but did Amos & Rolle have to be so combative about it? Ja'Net DuBois was also urked by the stereotypes, but she handled it much differently. She suggested changing the lines in a way that wasn't so stereotypical or derogatory and it's clear there was enough of a compromise that was reached that pleased both her and the writers.

With Amos & Rolle, however, they had to wage war and threaten to quit over this sort of thing. You ask me, there was an ego trip involved here, plus there was definite jealousy over Jimmie Walker's sudden rise to fame. It had more to do with that than the quality of the scripts. Heck, Rolle is said to have been upset with Norman Lear when he hired Ja'Net DuBois; not because of any animosity between Rolle & DuBois, but because Rolle wanted to be the top banana who hired and fired. She needed to get over her bad self I think! And when she quit during the 5th season, who was she thinking of, herself or the show? For all she knew, the show could've sunk with her absence, resulting in her castmates losing their jobs, but no, it was more important for her to prove her point and have her ego coddled.

If you ask me, her and Amos' behavior is a heckuva lot more offensive than any of the racial stereotypes or the many 'dyn-o-mite's that JJ uttered. They were part of what made Good Times great and they're as much a part of what destroyed the show...

Ed

P.S. Bring on Season 5!!! ;)

She's still funny, but in season 5 she got to show more of a serious, dramatic side, which I thought was good to see after having been used to her as the gossipy neighbor. Once she became the mother figure to Penny in season 5, we get to see Willona in a new light. I liked that she was able to have some dramatic moments.

Yes, I agree, and the fact that she was so likeable helped the show transition its focus on her. There were other episodes where we saw the serious side of her but not clearly as much. She's obviously a fun person in real life (ever see her in interviews?) and that was brought to the Willona character in spades. Willona may have been only a supporting character, but Ja'Net DuBois made that character live and breathe, even if she was only on the show for 5 minutes an episode (which shows how good she is!). What a breath of fresh air!

Ed

I think we'll still get season 5 even if season four's sales are poor, just because they have the "young Janet Jackson" angle to promote. They may just chalk up season four's poor sales (if they eventually end up being poor) to the possibility of fans' affection for the James Sr. character, and knowing that he wasn't in season 4 maybe caused potential buyers to have less interest. That's assuming people base their buying choices on who's a regular part of the cast. By that same token, I do think the Janet Jackson factor will be a plus for the prospect of a season 5 release. I honestly believe her presence will bring in fans that may not be interested in Good Times otherwise. Sony would be wise not to abandon it before that. I know what you mean though, a company wouldn't want to continue to put out something they'd lose money on, but you figure these sets seem so inexpensively produced, they couldn't lose so much that they wouldn't want to continue.

I forgot about the potential appeal of Janet Jackson's debut in Season 5. They'd be smart to promote that.

In all honesty, I think we will get the series in its entirety, but I just don't want to get too cocky and think it's a sure thing, because it isn't for reasons that we've just discussed. But clearly, it's not that huge an investment for Sony to produce so hopefully we'll get all 6 seasons plus many other series as well (like Maude and Archie Bunker's Place).

Ed

I have seen the entire series actually, but it's been over 15 years since the last time I saw an episode and probably over 20+ years since I saw the show on a daily basis, so I don't have a strong recollection of how the show's quality was during those years. I do remember Penny joining the cast and being an abused child, and I remember the addition of Keith, Thelma's husband, but that's about it.

If you ask me, her and Amos' behavior is a heckuva lot more offensive than any of the racial stereotypes or the many 'dyn-o-mite's that JJ uttered. They were part of what made Good Times great and they're as much a part of what destroyed the show...

Ed

P.S. Bring on Season 5!!! ;)


Like you, I was a child during the show's original airing. Part of why it's a favorite of mine is because I remember alot of those images: J.J. getting shot, the shock of James' death, Debbie Allen as J.J. date with the rubber hose and needle. I didn't see anything close to those kinds of images on other series, let alone sitcoms, so Good Times always stood out to me as having a realism that other shows didn't have, especially watching the show as a child. Save for the E True Hollywood Story, I've kept myself from knowing too much about the behind the scenes stuff, so watching the series now as an adult, thankfully I'm still able to enjoy like I did when I was younger. To this day I haven't been bothered so much by the racial stereotypes either. My childhood rememberances of how much I loved the show back than have sustained all the time since.

P.S. I agree: Bring on Season 5!!!

To this day I haven't been bothered so much by the racial stereotypes either. My childhood rememberances of how much I loved the show back than have sustained all the time since.

P.S. I agree: Bring on Season 5!!!

The same here. I'm not sure if my being white has anything to do with that though. But I think any group of people, no matter who they are, is represented with some stereotype, whether they be African-American, Polish, Mexican, Southern, Hispanic, gay, blonde, elderly, male, female, religious, etc.

Especially in a comedy, the perpetuation of these stereotypes is sometimes what gets the laugh, like it or not. But I still choose to see the good in all of it instead. If I didn't, then there'd be nothing on TV worth watching...

Ed

That depends on a lot of factors. If a show is a relatively young show and it doesn't require a lot of remastering or touching up, then sales don't have to be astronomical for the DVD people to make a profit on it. They can afford to only sell a moderate amount since the cost of putting the newer series out on DVD didn't cost them that much to begin with.

With an older show like Good Times, there is the added expense of touching up the shows. The episodes weren't even digitalized so that adds to the expense plus the amount of time it takes to get it done. This is why releases occur only twice a year instead of more often.

Good Times Season 1 may have sold well enough to merit releasing Seasons 2 - 4, but surely not enough for them to go all out. In all honesty, the overall packaging for the show, while decent, borders on being generic and bareboned. Ever wonder why there are no extra features included? No commentaries? bloopers? etc? Because that would add to the expense of putting the show out. The more money it costs them on their end, the more they'd have to make back. They're not confident enough that they would make the money back (and for good reason!) so they play it safe.

Obviously there is a fan base for Good Times, but not enough for them to give the show the star treatment. Part of that is because the show's main fanbase is of an older generation who don't buy DVDs at the drop of a hat like the younger generations do. Heck, some of the fans probably don't even own a DVD player. It has nothing to do with doing the show justice or treating a classic show with respect. The bottom line is money. It doesn't matter that most of the other shows have had Season 3 or more released. A case in point is The Mary Tyler Moore Show. That show bombed in sales, according to Fox Entertainment, so they stopped after Season 1. What's to say the same thing couldn't happen to Good Times after Season 4?

I honestly think we'll get all 6 seasons of the show eventually, but it still isn't a sure thing. If they look over the figures and feel that Season 4 bombed in sales (translation: they lost money on it), no way will we see Seasons 5 - 6.

Ed

But that's the point. The first season is released for the most part to test the waters. A second season is released to see if the fanbase is still there. If a third season is bothered to be released, there's a 99% chance that the entire series will make its way to DVD. (unless a seperate company owns it).

There has never been an instance where a show suddenly stopped releasing DVDs at the third season.

But that's the point. The first season is released for the most part to test the waters. A second season is released to see if the fanbase is still there. If a third season is bothered to be released, there's a 99% chance that the entire series will make its way to DVD. (unless a seperate company owns it).

There has never been an instance where a show suddenly stopped releasing DVDs at the third season.

So you mean to say that if an old show, for example Dallas, releases 5 seasons on DVD, because they sell well enough, that they're going to continue releasing the remaining 8 seasons of the show, even if say the 6th season totally bombs in sales? Sorry, but that makes no sense. The companies who release the old shows still play it by ear simply because the costs of restoring the episodes is still quite expensive, even though the prices for such restoration is coming down. It's simply too much of an investment, and they don't want to be eating their chances of making a profit.

You think we're guaranteed Seasons 5-9 of All in the Family simply because Season 4 is due for release in a month or so? Why do you think they take their time with these releases? They want to make sure that there is still a demand for them before going ahead and remastering episodes for seasons that they may not end up releasing.

Three's Company is a good example. That show is very popular, especially since John Ritter's death, and yet Anchor Bay has made it known that they're doing the releases based on the previous set's sales. Right now we have Season 4 due for release in May. Advance orders for the set are high enough that they're *starting* Season 5 now, but that doesn't guarantee that Seasons 6-8 will be released.

Plus, demand for these old shows are not as high as, say, Seinfeld, which requires no restoration at all. That show is simply transferred from the original masters, with no added expense. But there is a demand for that show since it's current; thereby they can afford to charge double for the show even though there are bonus features included.

You think Good Times would still sell if it was priced as much as Seinfeld is? You or I may buy it, as would a few fans on these boards, but the public majority would not. They know this so they have to be more careful with how they go about selling it.

Don't get me wrong. I think, just like you do, that we will be getting all 6 seasons. Vashti1999 had a good point about their possibly promoting the Janet Jackson angle. Hey, whatever works, right? But I just want to point out that nothing is guaranteed. There are things that could go wrong, like royalties and such, or simply bad sales. If Janet Jackson, at the last minute, demands a bigger piece of the pie in regards to DVD sales, they could at the last minute decide that it's not worth the trouble or the expense to release Season 6. I know this isn't likely but I'm playing devil's advocate here. Nothing is a sure thing.

Ed

P.S. Just thought of a case in point that refutes your last statement. Mad About You had the first 2 seasons released and then a 'Best of' set released. Obviously sales on the show didn't warrant a complete Season 3 release, and there's no restoration costs on that show since it was shot digitally. Just goes to show there are always exceptions to the rule.

So you mean to say that if an old show, for example Dallas, releases 5 seasons on DVD, because they sell well enough, that they're going to continue releasing the remaining 8 seasons of the show, even if say the 6th season totally bombs in sales? Sorry, but that makes no sense. The companies who release the old shows still play it by ear simply because the costs of restoring the episodes is still quite expensive, even though the prices for such restoration is coming down. It's simply too much of an investment, and they don't want to be eating their chances of making a profit.

You think we're guaranteed Seasons 5-9 of All in the Family simply because Season 4 is due for release in a month or so? Why do you think they take their time with these releases? They want to make sure that there is still a demand for them before going ahead and remastering episodes for seasons that they may not end up releasing.

Three's Company is a good example. That show is very popular, especially since John Ritter's death, and yet Anchor Bay has made it known that they're doing the releases based on the previous set's sales. Right now we have Season 4 due for release in May. Advance orders for the set are high enough that they're *starting* Season 5 now, but that doesn't guarantee that Seasons 6-8 will be released.

Plus, demand for these old shows are not as high as, say, Seinfeld, which requires no restoration at all. That show is simply transferred from the original masters, with no added expense. But there is a demand for that show since it's current; thereby they can afford to charge double for the show even though there are bonus features included.

You think Good Times would still sell if it was priced as much as Seinfeld is? You or I may buy it, as would a few fans on these boards, but the public majority would not. They know this so they have to be more careful with the older shows.

Don't get me wrong. I think, just like you do, that we will be getting all 6 seasons. Vashti1999 had a good point about their possibly promoting the Janet Jackson angle. Hey, whatever works, right? But I just want to point out that nothing is guaranteed. There are things that could go wrong, like royalties and such, or simply bad sales. Nothing is a sure thing.

Ed

P.S. Just thought of a case in point that refutes your statement. Mad About You had the first 2 seasons released and then a 'Best of' set released. Obviously sales on the show didn't warrant a complete Season 3 release, and there's no restoration costs on that show since it was shot digitally. Just goes to show there are always exceptions to the rule.

Actually, Mad About You isn't an exception to the rule. The company had already decided that the sales weren't good enough at the second season. Two releases proved whether or not the market is there. Companies often decide this at the first season, but some release a second to see if the fans are still interested. Like you said, it's all about money, they wouldn't bother releasing a third season had the first two not done well. They don't need a third release to prove anything.

I'd be willing to bet that we will see every season of AITF released on DVD. How long it will take, I'm not sure. The only thing I can see stopping it is the death of DVD altogether.

Three's Company is an exception because Anchor Bay is a relatively small company, and Suzanne Somers is a big name (which I cant spell at the moment) star who will sell copies, the reason Anchor Bay is unsteady about releasing all eight seasons is that the Chrissy years are the most famous. If they go on to release one season without Chrissy, they will release them all. Whereas Sony (which releases GT) is one of the biggest in the world.


Ohh, and.... Seinfeld actually did go through restoration.

Actually, Mad About You isn't an exception to the rule. The company had already decided that the sales weren't good enough at the second season. Two releases should show whether or not the audience is still there.

I'd be willing to bet that we will see every season of AITF released on DVD. How long it will take, I'm not sure. The only thing I can see stopping it is the death of DVD altogether.

Three's Company is an exception because Anchor Bay is a relatively small company, and Suzanne Somers is a big name (which I cant spell at the moment) star who will sell copies, the reason Anchor Bay is unsteady about releasing all eight seasons is that the Chrissy years are the most famous. If they go on to release one season without Chrissy, they will release them all. Whereas Sony (which releases GT) is one of the biggest in the world.


Ohh, and.... Seinfeld actually did go through restoration.

Dude, you're missing the point. The bottom line with these shows is money. If there's ever a situation where a show ends up bringing a company more expense than profit, it doesn't matter what it is or how many seasons there are left to release, they simply will cease production. Fortunately with Good Times, this appears to not be the case, and that's the main thing. But old shows like Dallas or The Love Boat could have 5 seasons already released, but the moment one of them bombs, it's over, unless some other strategy is devised for losses to be recouped. That's why some go the 'Best of' route.

Either way, I anticipate having all 6 seasons of Good Times and that's what matters. Now, if we could only manage to have Maude released...


Ed

Dude, you're missing the point. The bottom line with these shows is money. If there's ever a situation where a show ends up bringing a company more expense than profit, it doesn't matter what it is or how many seasons there are left to release, they simply will cease production. Fortunately with Good Times, this appears to not be the case, and that's the main thing. But old shows like Dallas or The Love Boat could have 5 seasons already released, but the moment one of them bombs, it's over, unless some other strategy is devised for losses to be recouped. That's why some go the 'Best of' route.

TVDVDs are cheap and easy to make, they've been said to be some of the easiest profits for some companies. A lot of Sony's DVDs have no more restoration than their TVLand counterparts.

How often is it that a show will do well for five releases, and then just suddenly bomb??

The thing is, if people spend the money on the first handful of releases, they'll most likely go for the whole load.

Unless of course we're talking about The Andy Griffith Show, which I predict will plummet when the 6th season is released.

The thing is, if people spend the money on the first handful of releases, they'll most likely go for the whole load.

Unless of course we're talking about The Andy Griffith Show, which I predict will plummet when the 6th season is released.

Why is that? I'm not a fan of the show, so excuse my ignorance if the answer is something obvious.

Ed

Why is that? I'm not a fan of the show, so excuse my ignorance if the answer is something obvious.

It was the year the show went to color and Don Knotts left. IMO the show was nothing without Don Knotts.... and the majority of TAGS fans agree.

It was the year the show went to color and Don Knotts left. IMO the show was nothing without Don Knotts.... and the majority of TAGS fans agree.

Ahhh, Don Knotts... speaking of him, I just cannot wait for the next release of Three's Company. He's a riot in that show... :lol:

Season 4 people, beginning in May 2005. Mark your calendars.

Now, when do you think we can expect Good Times Season 5 to arrive?

Ed

Ahhh, Don Knotts... speaking of him, I just cannot wait for the next release of Three's Company. He's a riot in that show... :lol:

Season 4 people, beginning in May 2005. Mark your calendars.

Now, when do you think we can expect Good Times Season 5 to arrive?

Ed
As I mentioned earlier in another post, probably this summer, say around August of 2005, since it has been a trend for a Good Times DVD to be released every six months :)

I was laughing when I heard Norman Lear asked the writers-"can you do a show wihout a mother and father"?-LOL What the hell did he think the writrs were going to say? No? Hell, they wanted to keep working so they just had to lie because it was obvious that they couldn't-lol


Right On, brother. It was foolish for him to ask that stupid question. The man should have given into her demands. The demands weren't exactly unreasonable. he gave into Carroll's. I can understand why she did what she did. I am glad that he was able to woo her back to the series. I know that there are not a lot of season six fans, but IMO it was a lot better than season five and better since Ms. Rolle returned to the role.

Right On, brother. It was foolish for him to ask that stupid question. The man should have given into her demands. The demands weren't exactly unreasonable. he gave into Carroll's. I can understand why she did what she did. I am glad that he was able to woo her back to the series. I know that there are not a lot of season six fans, but IMO it was a lot better than season five and better since Ms. Rolle returned to the role.



It was easy for Norman Lear not to give in to John Amos because before the show started he had already said that a strong Black man is not funny in a Family Sitcom. So it was Esther Rolle who demanded they give her a husband. So Lear had no problem in getting rid of John because he didn't want him on the show in the first place

I will be TOTALLY broken hearted if they dont give us the rest. this is a very special show!
Brings back a lot of WONDERFUL times in my childhood!

I will be a real happy camper if They Released the fifth season of Good Times. Also, "Sanford & Son" is about to release its final season on DVD this summer. And with that, you can expect to see a succession of "Good Times" as well. I will die a happy man if all seasons of "Good Times" were to be released. That way I can clear up some tape space. I currently have seasons 1-4 on DVD, and Seasons 5-6 scattered on VHS tapes. That's being a Good Times fan, if I do say so myself.

One day, i want to set up a Good Times web site or something, and do it the same way that they did The Facts of Life Website if you don;t know what I'm talking about in regards of display, this link will show you what I mean: http://www.televisionhits.com/factsoflife/index.html)

I already made a screensaver of the best scenes from the first season on my computer. I will work on doing second season scenes. but for now, I'm glad to be a Good Times fan.

but for now, I'm glad to be a Good Times fan.

If you're glad, then I'm glad... :)

Ed

Expect the fifth season to arrive in mid-September. That's all for now ;)

Expect the fifth season to arrive in mid-September. That's all for now ;)Good

Expect the fifth season to arrive in mid-September. That's all for now ;)


YES!! Great news, I'm glad to know for sure it's coming out.

OK, final update: Good Times S5 will be out now on August 23, along with What's Happening!! S3 and That's My Mama Season 1 and Season 2.

Look for further details on June 13, when the titles are announced.

OK, final update: Good Times S5 will be out now on August 23, along with What's Happening!! S3 and That's My Mama Season 1 and Season 2.

Look for further details on June 13, when the titles are announced.

Thanks for the update. It's good that they're all coming out sooner than we thought.

It's great that they are all coming out at the same time.

OK, final update: Good Times S5 will be out now on August 23, along with What's Happening!! S3 and That's My Mama Season 1 and Season 2.

Look for further details on June 13, when the titles are announced.I

LOVE YOU MAN
THANKS SO MUCH I CAN'T WAIT
NOW I DON'T MEAN TO BE GREEDY BUT CAN WE GET A SNEAK PEAK AT THE COVER ART LOL

It's great that they are all coming out at the same time.


Brian will you be buying That's My Mama?-LOL

I'll get Good Times and What's Happening. I will wait on That's My Mama until I hear some reviews.

I'll get Good Times and What's Happening. I will wait on That's My Mama until I hear some reviews.


Brian you may not believe this but That's My Mama is much better than season 5 of Good Times and season 3 of What's Happening.

Well, 5 seasons down, and 1 to go on Good Times. Same deal with I Love Lucy since that show also only has one more season to go before it wraps up. Because S5 of both of these shows are coming out on DVD in August.

Willona's on the spine

Three things about the cover art:

1.It makes sense for Willona to be on the spine since season 5 was the year she got a chance to branch out on the show. I just hope they're fair and put Michael on the season 6 spine and not Bookman or Keith.

2.Doesn't it look like J.J. has some long ass fingers in that picture?

3.Penny's outfit looked like she borrowed it from Dee from What's Happening.

Three things about the cover art:

1.It makes sense for Willona to be on the spine since season 5 was the year she got a chance to branch out on the show. I just hope they're fair and put Michael on the season 6 spine and not Bookman or Keith.

2.Doesn't it look like J.J. has some long ass fingers in that picture?

3.Penny's outfit looked like she borrowed it from Dee from What's Happening.


Yeah it looks like he has ET fingers-lol

Willona's on the spine
Janet looks like she is wearing a 1970s maternity dress!

...due to Lady T and SOLOMON's comments. You both threw me off guard. LOL. I think someone else went as far to say that J.J. jad long a-- fingers. You folk sho is funny1

And notice that JJ no longer wears his blue trademark hat like he did in the first 4 seasons? But that's because he stopped wearing it in Season 5, so I'm not too surprised.

And notice that JJ no longer wears his blue trademark hat like he did in the first 4 seasons? But that's because he stopped wearing it in Season 5, so I'm not too surprised.


I just remembered that J.J only wears the Blue Hat once in Season 5, it's the Episode when He dreamed he was a White Man

I just remembered that J.J only wears the Blue Hat once in Season 5, it's the Episode when He dreamed he was a White Man
Yeah, that was the very last time we got to see JJ in his blue hat.

I know where this cast picture on Season 5 is from. This is from the Season 5 episode "Wheels". Just thought you all might like to know.

I know where this cast picture on Season 5 is from. This is from the Season 5 episode "Wheels". Just thought you all might like to know.


Wheels is also the only really entertaining episode in the entire season

Read our review of Season 5 here:
http://www.sitcomsonline.com/goodtimesseason5dvdreview.html

It was easy for Norman Lear not to give in to John Amos because before the show started he had already said that a strong Black man is not funny in a Family Sitcom. So it was Esther Rolle who demanded they give her a husband. So Lear had no problem in getting rid of John because he didn't want him on the show in the first place

Rewatching the episodes on DVD I have to say that John Amos was the best actor in the cast. The show lost something really special when they cut him loose. It is interesting to me that the show carried on for 3 more seasons without him though. What is it about this series that makes even the lesser episodes so watchable? I would consider year 5 to be the worst season by far, yet I would still plunk down my $30 to see these shows. I am not running out to buy season 4 yet though, because it seems such a letdown from the John Amos seasons, but I might get it eventually. Still there is something about this show that really stands up to repeat viewings. I guess that despite poor writing at times, there aren't too many other shows that did such a good job of showing a hopeful family dealing with a lower income situation. The attention to details like having James always wear the same pair of pants and Florida having the same wardrobe for the whole run of the series and other stuff just resonates with the realities of being poor which a lot of us tv watchers can relate to. Speaking of clothes in the episode where JJ is arrested he gets a loud shirt as a gift. He is seen wearing that same shirt in several other episodes. In another show Florida is ironing one of Michael's shirts that he would be seen wearing in several episodes in both years 2 and 3. James' wardrobe was so limited that when I was struck when I saw him wear a new yellow plaid shirt in a year 3 show- it looked like a thrift store type of thing- but it fit and was clean. Very realistic. Compare this to shows where the characters are clothes horses.

I agree with you. I loved the fact that they had limited wardrobe. That's reality. Sure they had oatmeal alot, but maybe that's why Florida was able to have a great meal for her family. And another thing, other than Roseanne, Little House, I can't think of any other shows where I know the beginning to the end in my mind so easily. Good Times didn't have alot of "showiness" (?) it was simple, it was funny, it had serious moments, it sure as heck has us here asking questions, wondering what we would do in this situation. It's a real conversation piece.

I got the year 4 dvd and it was better than I thought. A lot of drama in this season's episodes. it is interesting that many of them end on a bittersweet note rather than with a joke and there are an unprecented 4 two parters this year. The show still managed to hold its own in season 4.

I agree with you. I loved the fact that they had limited wardrobe. That's reality. Sure they had oatmeal alot, but maybe that's why Florida was able to have a great meal for her family. And another thing, other than Roseanne, Little House, I can't think of any other shows where I know the beginning to the end in my mind so easily. Good Times didn't have alot of "showiness" (?) it was simple, it was funny, it had serious moments, it sure as heck has us here asking questions, wondering what we would do in this situation. It's a real conversation piece.

The clothes sure were limited. Florida wore the same dress that she wore to James' funeral in about 2 or 3 other episodes (I can't remember for certain but I think she even wore it to the nightclub where the vomiting comic was supposed to perform).

I agree the show wasn't showy- it was like watching a stage production and the people could really act. Even Jimmie Walker who isn't a great actor as such could hold his own on stage. It is too bad that sitcoms aren't produced like this anymore- this show is so much more entertaining than the stuff being taped now. Also this show exemplifies hope in the face of adversity- basically poverty and to a lesser extent racism, two issues that the networks want to whitewash away in 2005.