The ep when J.J and his friends bought a car from Bookman and then Willona and Penny comes in and finds out,

Penny said-"You bought a used car from this man?


Why couldn't the writers have given that line to Willona?


That's why people stopped liking the show

I think the departure of John Amos and then Esther Rolle really affected the mass fan base.

Penny was just another one of those cute precocious kids that sitcom writers think we all hoot and holler for when they give us those sassy one liners.

The ep when J.J and his friends bought a car from Bookman and then Willona and Penny comes in and finds out,

Penny said-"You bought a used car from this man?


Why couldn't the writers have given that line to Willona?


That's why people stopped liking the show


I think the main reason people were not into the show anymore was because James was gone and Florida was gone. Also, the storylines they were coming up with weren’t very interesting. JMO

I think the main reason people were not into the show anymore was because James was gone and Florida was gone. Also, the storylines they were coming up with weren’t very interesting. JMO


But the Writers ddn't make the addition of penny any better by giving her lines like that and DYNOMITE

It didn't make sense when in the beginning Penny was all in love with J.J. and admired him and so forth and then to come out with sarcastic lines towards him. Where's the love Penny? :lol:

I see what you are saying, Solomon, but Penny wasn't the reason why the show plummeted. I know, they shouldn't have given that line to Penny because she couldn't deliver it like a grown up would have. They tried something new with Penny, but John was the heart and soul and without him, the heart was taken right out of Good Times.

I was sad when my John left. :(



If only he had gone to Alaska...

I was sad when my John left. :(



If only he had gone to Alaska...


And then they would have killed him off in some freak snow plowing accident.

And then they would have killed him off in some freak snow plowing accident.
Damn writers. :mad:

The ep when J.J and his friends bought a car from Bookman and then Willona and Penny comes in and finds out,

Penny said-"You bought a used car from this man?


Why couldn't the writers have given that line to Willona?


That's why people stopped liking the show

I guess they were trying to cash in on what worked for Whats Happening with Dee. I thought it was unrealistic that Florida would simply leave her kids alone in the projects and even remarry after James. That in my opinion is what lead to the decline in ratings. You have to wonder how was rent getting paid as Thelma and Michael didn't work and JJ was always bouncing from job to job. In season six, when you had all them damn adults living in the projects was just horrible. The "things are going good up until" got old especially with Keith's accident at the wedding.

I guess they were trying to cash in on what worked for Whats Happening with Dee. I thought it was unrealistic that Florida would simply leave her kids alone in the projects and even remarry after James. That in my opinion is what lead to the decline in ratings. You have to wonder how was rent getting paid as Thelma and Michael didn't work and JJ was always bouncing from job to job. In season six, when you had all them damn adults living in the projects was just horrible. The "things are going good up until" got old especially with Keith's accident at the wedding.

^ You have read my mind.

I know that Esther Rolle hated the fact that they had her marry so soon, esp to Carl Dixon--an athesist. Really, would a devout person marry someone like him? I don't know if Esther did not like Moses Gunn, but I know she insisted that when she came back to the show, that Carl be gone and her marriage to him not to be referred to. There was one mention in the 6th season, second ep when Florida is giving Michael a gift and stated it was from her and Carl! All the writers had to do was say Carl had passed on or something--because it just makes for one glaring continuity error.

I know that Esther Rolle hated the fact that they had her marry so soon, esp to Carl Dixon--an athesist. Really, would a devout person marry someone like him? I don't know if Esther did not like Moses Gunn, but I know she insisted that when she came back to the show, that Carl be gone and her marriage to him not to be referred to. There was one mention in the 6th season, second ep when Florida is giving Michael a gift and stated it was from her and Carl! All the writers had to do was say Carl had passed on or something--because it just makes for one glaring continuity error.



I still feel the decline in the ratings had to do with who they added than who was no longer on the show. The show was just centered around a NEW CHARACTER so fast and I think Viewers just said FORGET IT

I think the decline in GT was the same effect as the ratings began dropping on Happy Days--the loss of the main star. When Ron Howard left, a lot of the heart of Happy Days left with him.

We can agree to disagree :)

I guess they were trying to cash in on what worked for Whats Happening with Dee. I thought it was unrealistic that Florida would simply leave her kids alone in the projects and even remarry after James. That in my opinion is what lead to the decline in ratings. You have to wonder how was rent getting paid as Thelma and Michael didn't work and JJ was always bouncing from job to job. In season six, when you had all them damn adults living in the projects was just horrible. The "things are going good up until" got old especially with Keith's accident at the wedding.
At least Dee was funny on WH. Also, we seen Dee be a brat from day one. Penny did not start out that way. She was a stranger to the family. She later became family. This was also the same time Gary Coleman was being cute on television with his sarcasm. He made an appearance on this show alongside Penny. So, if that is what the writers were going for, it didn't work. I hated that each character somehow had to be sarcastic. Thelma, Keith, Bookman, Willona, Michael and now Penny? :crazy: Willona was funny doing it and at times Thelma and Michael, but not so much as we seen. I can see family members being that way towards each other, like Dee towards Roger and his friends, but it didn't make sense for Penny to talk to her elders that way. She had not been around long enough.

At least Dee was funny on WH. Also, we seen Dee be a brat from day one. Penny did not start out that way. She was a stranger to the family. She later became family. This was also the same time Gary Coleman was being cute on television with his sarcasm. He made an appearance on this show alongside Penny. So, if that is what the writers were going for, it didn't work. I hated that each character somehow had to be sarcastic. Thelma, Keith, Bookman, Willona, Michael and now Penny? :crazy: Willona was funny doing it and at times Thelma and Michael, but not so much as we seen. I can see family members being that way towards each other, like Dee towards Roger and his friends, but it didn't make sense for Penny to talk to her elders that way. She had not been around long enough.



Seeing Gary Coleman on Good Times in 1978 and on Different Strokes in 1980 was like watching two different characters

Seeing Gary Coleman on Good Times in 1978 and on Different Strokes in 1980 was like watching two different characters
He was two different characters. :lol: What is your point?

He was two different characters. :lol: What is your point?



I meant people-lol Hell I can say that about DS by watching in 79 and 81

He would have been a better adition than Janet Jackson on Good Times

I meant people-lol Hell I can say that about DS by watching in 79 and 81

He would have been a better adition than Janet Jackson on Good Times
Ok, let me see if I understand, the character Gary played on Good Times, is the character you preferred over Arnold on DS?

Gary played that very smartaleck character on GT and reprised it a year later when Esther Rolle had returned (and quickly put him in his place). It was the same type of character he guested on The Jeffersons (when he played the nephew Raymond). I much prefer Gary as the more even tempered Arnold of the middle seasons of DS, rather than mr. little smart@$$!

Ok, let me see if I understand, the character Gary played on Good Times, is the character you preferred over Arnold on DS?


No I prefer the GT character over Penny-lol

No I prefer the GT character over Penny-lol

He was still acting like an adult, I thought that was one of the reasons why you didn't like Penny

Yeah, Gary did play it the same way on the Jeffersons. I was trying to remember that, but you said it first Jude. Thanx. ;) I think that was Gary's shtick. But for DS it was downplayed because it would not work well on DS considering the other characters. Now, if Gary was put on GT, he would have done just fine being sarcastic and smart-aleck.

He was still acting like an adult, I thought that was one of the reasons why you didn't like Penny


I didn't like Penny because Janet Jackson couldn't act

What if Gary was discovered on GT, rather than DS? Do you think he could have given GT new ratings life?

If Gary had been put on GT permanently, he would have added some zest to the show, however, I am not too keen with young kids being brought into a show to try and give it some life. I liked Gary when he was young and being sarcastic and smart-aleck but I don't know that I could tolerate seeing that every week. It was good in small doses.

What if Gary was discovered on GT, rather than DS? Do you think he could have given GT new ratings life?


Gary was discovered on GT which is why he was chosen for DS. Now I feel he could have deliver ratings if he was seen as the abused child rather than Janet Jackson

Gary was discovered on GT which is why he was chosen for DS. Now I feel he could have deliver ratings if he was seen as the abused child rather than Janet Jackson
Was it important at this point abt ratings? I mean, the overall feel of the show was gone since the James character was killed and Florida was no longer around. To me, no matter what young child actor they brought in, eventually it all came down to the show no longer having that appeal it once had.

Was it important at this point abt ratings? I mean, the overall feel of the show was gone since the James character was killed and Florida was no longer around. To me, no matter what young child actor they brought in, eventually it all came down to the show no longer having that appeal it once had.



I think if he was on there from the beginning of season 5 it would have been higher than #54

Yeah, it would probably have been #49. :lol:

Solomon, you act like it was all on Penny and Janet Jackson to save Good Times. You need to stop that. Good Times died the day James left and you know it. No one could save it. Penny was not that bad, and I liked a lot of characters where the actors couldn't act, like Bernadette herself. She was a poor actress in earlier seasons but she was likable. You can't fault Penny and Janet Jackson for not reviving Good Times. If you want to dislike someone, hate Carl and Keith, two people who shouldn't have even have been casted on there. Or maybe Judy Cohen would have saved the show instead?

Solomon, you act like it was all on Penny and Janet Jackson to save Good Times. You need to stop that. Good Times died the day James left and you know it. No one could save it. Penny was that bad, and I liked a lot of characters where the actors couldn't act, like Bernadette herself. She was a poor actress in earlier seasons but she was likable. You can't fault Penny and Janet Jackson for not reviving Good Times. If you want to dislike someone, hate Carl and Keith, two people who shouldn't have even have been casted on there. Or maybe Judy Cohen would have saved the show instead?


I saw no problem with the Carl character. A Strong male was BACK in the household

I saw no problem with the Carl character. A Strong male was BACK in the household

Carl may have been strong, but he was arrogant, didn't fit the chemistry in the Evans household, and neither did Keith. Carl didn't even respect Florida.

The Florida Evans I know would not have even given the time of day to a man who was an atheist. At least James believed in God. Carl was rude and left her hanging at a restaurant. What kind of crap was that?

The Florida Evans I know would not have even given the time of day to a man who was an atheist. At least James believed in God. Carl was rude and left her hanging at a restaurant. What kind of crap was that?


He gave her cab fare though-lol

He gave her cab fare though-lol
As he should. I would rather take the cab alone.

As he should. I would rather take the cab alone.


That ep reminds me just how annoying dating is, even though the service was SH**TY, Carl had to act like it wasn't in order to maintain a FAKE SIDE of himself just because he was on a date-lol But the fact that he didn't HIDE how pissed off he was showed he was not into being SOMEONE ELSE. Me on the otherhand would have sat there and smiled so she wouldn't be TURNED OFF

I saw no problem with the Carl character. A Strong male was BACK in the household


Carl sucked, his character did not fit in at all, and he was "trying" to put on an act for Flo and the kids. Moses, IMO did not have any chemistry with any of the other castmates. And his character just wasn't called for.

That ep reminds me just how annoying dating is, even though the service was SH**TY, Carl had to act like it wasn't in order to maintain a FAKE SIDE of himself just because he was on a date-lol But the fact that he didn't HIDE how pissed off he was showed he was not into being SOMEONE ELSE. Me on the otherhand would have sat there and smiled so she wouldn't be TURNED OFF
There is nothing wrong with speaking one's mind. It was HOW he did it. He didn't have to be LOUD AND RUDE. And that has nothing to do with dating. You can get bad service being all by yourself. :lol: That was how Florida was, peaceful and didn't want to be a bother. It was no big deal to her how the steak was prepared. She knows there are bigger issues to be upset abt.

There is nothing wrong with speaking one's mind. It was HOW he did it. He didn't have to be LOUD AND RUDE. And that has nothing to do with dating. You can get bad service being all by yourself. :lol: That was how Florida was, peaceful and didn't want to be a bother. It was no big deal to her how the steak was prepared. She knows there are bigger issues to be upset abt.


Exactly, the way he got angry in the restaurant would have scared me off not turned me off :lol: . I would have thought that if, he and I would have gotten into a fight, he would have hauled off and stabbed and chocked me or something LOL. Carl had angry management problems. At least with James, he and Flo had been together for 20 something odd years and she knew how to handle him. But Carl was just a jerk at times. Also you don’t leave a woman sitting in restaurant alone that's just rude.

Exactly, the way he got angry in the restaurant would have scared me off not turned me off :lol: . I would have thought that if, he and I would have gotten into a fight, he would have hauled off and stabbed and chocked me or something LOL. Carl had angry management problems. At least with James, he and Flo had been together for 20 something odd years and she knew how to handle him. But Carl was just a jerk at times. Also you don’t leave a woman sitting in restaurant only that's just rude.
Tell me abt it.:lol: Damn! my eyes would be looking like this :eek: to be on a date with a man and have him react that way in public. Carl did not even give the waiter a chance to fix the problem. He was immediately loud and rude. For some reason the writers felt the need to have Carl react in a loud and argumentative way just like James used to do. We did not need that. That man that Flo met in the club, Ben, was perfect! He was handsome, nice, soft-spoken and had class and charm. WHY OH WHY DID THEY NOT HOOK HER UP WITH HIM????

There is nothing wrong with speaking one's mind. It was HOW he did it. He didn't have to be LOUD AND RUDE. And that has nothing to do with dating. You can get bad service being all by yourself. :lol: That was how Florida was, peaceful and didn't want to be a bother. It was no big deal to her how the steak was prepared. She knows there are bigger issues to be upset abt.


But that's the thing, if Carl was alone he would have gotten faster service-lol Just seems like when you are on a date you are being TESTED to see how uch patience you have-lol

Tell me abt it.:lol: Damn! my eyes would be looking like this :eek: to be on a date with a man and have him react that way in public. Carl did not even give the waiter a chance to fix the problem. He was immediately loud and rude. For some reason the writers felt the need to have Carl react in a loud and argumentative way just like James used to do. We did not need that. That man that Flo met in the club, Ben, was perfect! He was handsome, nice, soft-spoken and had class and charm. WHY OH WHY DID THEY NOT HOOK HER UP WITH HIM????


But why was Florida going to accept a steak she didn't ask for? That' why Carl was snapping-lol

But why was Florida going to accept a steak she didn't ask for? That' why Carl was snapping-lol
Because she was hungry and did not want to wait any longer probably. I got french fries instead of a baked potato one time in a restaurant and I didn't care. I just wanted to eat. No biggie. Carl should have respected that.

Because she was hungry and did not want to wait any longer probably. I got french fries instead of a baked potato one time in a restaurant and I didn't care. I just wanted to eat. No biggie. Carl should have respected that.


That has happened to me, Not to long ago I was at a restaurant and I order chicken fried chicken, but instead they gave me chicken fried steak. I told the waiter that they gave me the wrong order, he was going to take it back, But instead I just asked if he could just credit my meal to my tab because I didn't want to sit and wait for them to cook another meal while my husband and girls were already eating. So in the end I got my meal for free, plus they threw in free dessert.

But that's the thing, if Carl was alone he would have gotten faster service-lol Just seems like when you are on a date you are being TESTED to see how uch patience you have-lol
Excuse me TJ...



B***s**t. :crazy: That is a load of crock. :lol:

Carl should have eaten alone for sure. He did not know how to treat a woman. He wanted to take her to eat hamburgers. Stupid.

Excuse me TJ...



B***s**t. :crazy: That is a load of crock. :lol:

Carl should have eaten alone for sure. He did not know how to treat a woman. He wanted to take her to eat hamburgers. Stupid.


I have to agree you with there, Carl was too damm old to be taking a woman to the BURGER PIT on a date-lol

Excuse me TJ...



B***s**t. :crazy: That is a load of crock. :lol:

Carl should have eaten alone for sure. He did not know how to treat a woman. He wanted to take her to eat hamburgers. Stupid.

That is exactly why Carl was single, he didn't know how to treat a woman.....who would want that?!

That is exactly why Carl was single, he didn't know how to treat a woman.....who would want that?!
Bingo! :lol: He was also single because he was loud and abrasive.

He was too old to be taking women to the burger joint and he was obviously cheap. :lol:

There is nothing wrong with speaking one's mind. It was HOW he did it. He didn't have to be LOUD AND RUDE. And that has nothing to do with dating. You can get bad service being all by yourself. :lol: That was how Florida was, peaceful and didn't want to be a bother. It was no big deal to her how the steak was prepared. She knows there are bigger issues to be upset abt.


Carl was in the wrong in this situation. I don't care about his real feelings, Florida was still grieving over the loss of her husband, new to the dating game, and just trying to tell Carl to chill out, and HIS temper gets the best of him. He shouldn't have left her alone to take a cab. Even the waiters noticed that he was an ass hole. Florida didn't deserve that, and didn't deserve Carl. She was best at being alone and with her kids.

Carl was in the wrong in this situation. I don't care about his real feelings, Florida was still grieving over the loss of her husband, new to the dating game, and just trying to tell Carl to chill out, and HIS temper gets the best of him. He shouldn't have left her alone to take a cab. Even the waiters noticed that he was an ass hole. Florida didn't deserve that, and didn't deserve Carl. She was best at being alone and with her kids.
Well said my man, well said.

I don't know abt Solomon, but I know that on first dates, you tend to be a bit more refined than you normally would. You let little things like the steak not cooked to order or some other minor thing not become an issue. You want to just have a great time and not be annoying or disrespecting. Carl should have just left Florida alone and not make an issue out of something since she wasn't making it an issue. What if Carl had taken Florida to the Burger Pit? I am sure he would have been mad if Florida made that an issue.

Well said my man, well said.

I don't know abt Solomon, but I know that on first dates, you tend to be a bit more refined than you normally would. You let little things like the steak not cooked to order or some other minor thing not become an issue. You want to just have a great time and not be annoying or disrespecting. Carl should have just left Florida alone and not make an issue out of something since she wasn't making it an issue. What if Carl had taken Florida to the Burger Pit? I am sure he would have been mad if Florida made that an issue.


But in defense of Carl, he saw how disappointed florida was when she received the steak. Not that it was right to get LOUD but he was not wrong in reacting to the messed up order

But in defense of Carl, he saw how disappointed florida was when she received the steak. Not that it was right to get LOUD but he was not wrong in reacting to the messed up order


It is not about a damn steak, it is about dating a woman and treating hre right, I understand about the steak, I have had bad service myself, but he used her feelings about a stupid steak against her. That says a lot about him! He showed me he cared about a raw steak over a date. If this was the woman he was trying to get with, he didn't seem to give a damn! He could have handled it a different way, like taking Florida and himself out the restaurant and going somewhere else! If he cared about the steak that much, I guess he is as greedy as you are!

I can understand how you saw the situation Solomon, but again, he went against Florida's wishes. She said it was no big deal and he used that opportunity to show how tough and mean he can be. It was all said when he said words to the effect of "I still believe when you order something you should get what you paid for." I mean, c'mon, that was not necessary at all. Florida did not care and Carl made it out like Florida was upset. Remember, they had been waiting not even ten minutes for their food and Carl was already being bitchy abt it. His anger level was already at 9.5