The Florida Evans on Maude lived in New York and was married to a firefighter named Henry.

The Florida Evans on Good Times lived in Chicago and was married to a factory worker named James and had three children.

I think you just gained a friend in Solomon. :lol:

I never considered Good Times to be a spin-off of Maude. Florida and Henry from Maude (New York) were completely different characters compared to Florida and James Evans from the Chicago projects.

And the great debate lives again! :lol:

i think its a spinoff; after Henry died, Florida went back to her first husband James in Chicago and lived happily ever after.

(until she got tired of J.J. and left again)

I never considered Good Times to be a spin-off of Maude. Florida and Henry from Maude (New York) were completely different characters compared to Florida and James Evans from the Chicago projects.

Florida for sure. The Florida who worked for Maude was sassy and who main purpose, it seems, was to deliver funny, sarcastic lines and put Maude in her place. The Florida on Good Times was a pretty serious character who played straight to everybody else.

i think its a spinoff; after Henry died, Florida went back to her first husband James in Chicago and lived happily ever after.

(until she got tired of J.J. and left again)

That could have been an explanation except that I don't think Florida Evans in Chicago ever mentioned having lived in New York or worked as a maid. And I don't remember any mention on Maude of her maid moving to Chicago. Besides, her husband was a firefighter, and firefighters make fairly decent money. I can't imagine he would have come home one day and announced to the family that he was leaving his job so they could move to Chicago to live in the projects. Also, they were already living there and seemed pretty well established from the very first episode of Good Times.

Allow me to settle this once and for all. It's a spin-off because had there been no Maude, then she would never had a maid named Florida; therefore no Good Times.

The Florida Evans on Maude lived in New York and was married to a firefighter named Henry.

The Florida Evans on Good Times lived in Chicago and was married to a factory worker named James and had three children.



Yes the show was never a spinoff of Maude because like you said there is no connection at all.

1. Different Cities

2. Different Occupations

3. Different names

4. Different Income Level


And it was already mentioned by the Executive Producer, Alan Manings, stated in a 1975 issue of Ebony Magazine that the show is not really a spinoff

Allow me to settle this once and for all. It's a spin-off because had there been no Maude, then she would never had a maid named Florida; therefore no Good Times.

Good Times was created before Maude. It was created in 1971 and Maude was created in 1972

End of Debate

Allow me to settle this once and for all. It's a spin-off because had there been no Maude, then she would never had a maid named Florida; therefore no Good Times.

I don't know how that comment settles anything. I'm not even sure what it means. What if they called her Georgia instead of Florida, would it still be a spin-off?

And it was already mentioned by the Executive Producer, Alan Manings, stated in a 1975 issue of Ebony Magazine that the show is not really a spinoff

It seems like he would know!

Good Times was created before Maude. It was created in 1971


What? You mean it was created 3 years before it premiered?

What? You mean it was created 3 years before it premiered?


Yes it was by Eric Monte. He sat on it for 3 years and then finally pitched it to someone. The show was originally called the "Black Family"

Last Maude episode featuring Florida: "Florida's Goodbye"
Broadcast Date: February 5, 1974
Synopsis: Florida's husband Henry receives a job promotion and Florida has decided to stay at home to be a housewife. Maude takes the news very hard, turning down every possible applicant for the position, and eventually has to come to terms with Florida's departure.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66gvoMvn29k

First episode of Good Times: "Too Old Blues"
Broadcast Date: February 8, 1974
Synopsis: James is all excited because he's sure he's going to get a high paying job. However, at the interview, he learns that he's too old to join the company's union. Meanwhile, Florida and the kids get ahead of themselves and throw a celebration party for James unaware that he was rejected.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rH9FYr7rgRg

Those two episodes don't sound like that had anything to do with one another. The Evans family on Good Times was based on the family of actor Michael Evans, who helped create the show. The character of Florida Evans on Maude had nothing to do with his family.

Last Maude episode featuring Florida: "Florida's Goodbye"
Broadcast Date: February 5, 1974
Synopsis: Florida's husband Henry receives a job promotion and Florida has decided to stay at home to be a housewife. Maude takes the news very hard, turning down every possible applicant for the position, and eventually has to come to terms with Florida's departure.

First episode of Good Times: "Too Old Blues"
Broadcast Date: February 8, 1974
Synopsis: James is all excited because he's sure he's going to get a high paying job. However, at the interview, he learns that he's too old to join the company's union. Meanwhile, Florida and the kids get ahead of themselves and throw a celebration party for James unaware that he was rejected.

Those two episodes don't sound like that had anything to do with one another. The Evans family on Good Times was based on the family of actor Michael Evans, who helped create the show. The character of Florida Evans on Maude had nothing to do with his family.


You mean Good Times was based on the life of Eric Monte but the point you made was still a good one.

You mean Good Times was based on the life of Eric Monte but the point you made was still a good one.

Yes, you are correct!

i never considerd it a maude spinoff just its own show Good Times,

Good Times was created before Maude. It was created in 1971 and Maude was created in 1972

End of Debate

Please, do NOT take this personally....we are only discussing different viewpoints of this issue. Nothing personal is ever implied. With that said, this is NOT the end of this debate. Where was Florida first spotted as that name and character if not on Maude? So how can you say that Good Times was created firs?? And also, if it was, are you saying that the actress who Played Florida on Good Times simultaneously played Maude's maid? (Which put her on 2 shows at the same time.) I was positive that she left Maude to star in Good Times. Again, no offense and nothing personal intended.

Please, do NOT take this personally....we are only discussing different viewpoints of this issue. Nothing personal is ever implied. With that said, this is NOT the end of this debate. Where was Florida first spotted as that name and character if not on Maude? So how can you say that Good Times was created firs?? And also, if it was, are you saying that the actress who Played Florida on Good Times simultaneously played Maude's maid? (Which put her on 2 shows at the same time.) I was positive that she left Maude to star in Good Times. Again, no offense and nothing personal intended.

He already explained that Eric Monte came up with the concept of Good Times (originally to be titled The Black Family) in 1971, but sat on the idea for three years before it was finally put on the air. The idea for Maude didn't happen until after Bea Arthur made a well-received appearance on All in the Family in December 1971. The pilot for Maude was created after that and aired as the All in the Family's final episode of the season in March 1972. But the character of Florida, the maid, still had not been created. She didn't show up until the third episode of Maude, which aired on September 26, 1972. This was a year after Eric Monte already had his idea for Good Times. The reason the family on Good Times was called Evans was because of Michael Evans, one of the show's creators. Why it was decided the mother would be called Florida like Esther Rolle's character on Maude? Who knows? Maybe it was easier for her because she had grown accustomed to the name. But they are not the same character.

He already explained that Eric Monte came up with the concept of Good Times (originally to be titled The Black Family) in 1971, but sat on the idea for three years before it was finally put on the air. The idea for Maude didn't happen until after Bea Arthur made a well-received appearance on All in the Family in December 1971. The pilot for Maude was created after that and aired as the All in the Family's final episode of the season in March 1972. But the character of Florida, the maid, still had not been created. She didn't show up until the third episode of Maude, which aired on September 26, 1972. This was a year after Eric Monte already had his idea for Good Times. The reason the family on Good Times was called Evans was because of Michael Evans, one of the show's creators. Why it was decided the mother would be called Florida like Esther Rolle's character on Maude? Who knows? Maybe it was easier for her because she had grown accustomed to the name. But they are not the same character.


And if that doesn't prove the shows are not connected nothing will LOL

And if that doesn't prove the shows are not connected nothing will LOL

If anything, I think the "Florida Evans" name thing might have been nothing more than a gimmick to get people to tune in. Florida had been a popular character on Maude. Having that association might have been enough to pique people's interest in the new show and sample it. Of course, once they tuned in they would have realized this isn't the same Florida Evans!

I guess I'm bumping this topic.

Anyway, it was argued that this show was conceived and sat on for 2 1/2 years but so was "Knots Landing" which was conceived in 1977 (As I've mentioned before). Then "Dallas" was broadcast in 1978. The producers decided to add a Ewing couple from "Dallas" into the original product of "Knots" and the show was brought to light by way of "Dallas". So that theory about "Good Times/The Black Family" being created before Maude may be true but had no life until "Maude" gave birth to the characters that would bring "Good Times" to life.

I know the nay sayers are trying to argue but as a Reverend once said, "Keep hope alive!" :lol:

I guess I'm bumping this topic.

Anyway, it was argued that this show was conceived and sat on for 2 1/2 years but so was "Knots Landing" which was conceived in 1977 (As I've mentioned before). Then "Dallas" was broadcast in 1978. The producers decided to add a Ewing couple from "Dallas" into the original product of "Knots" and the show was brought to light by way of "Dallas". So that theory about "Good Times/The Black Family" being created before Maude may be true but had no life until "Maude" gave birth to the characters that would bring "Good Times" to life.

I know the nay sayers are trying to argue but as a Reverend once said, "Keep hope alive!" :lol:



It doesn't matter Tom, the realities of both sitcom were never connected and never will be

Maude..... "middle class white family living in suburban new york"

Good Times...."poor Black family living in a chicago ghetto"


LOL, I;m done

It doesn't matter Tom, the realities of both sitcom were never connected and never will be

Maude..... "middle class white family living in suburban new york"

Good Times...."poor Black family living in a chicago ghetto"


LOL, I;m done


That's by your theory. It just doesn't stick. It's like you've created your own guidelines. It's still a spinoff. Story can be changed. It's already been made clear that consistency doesn't have to be accurate when doing a spinoff. There are other tv shows that can give examples of that. On Perfect Strangers, Harriette and Carl Winslow moved into Larry and Balki's apartment building one season before Family Matters debuted. They moved in and made reference to their son only. Now, it can be argued that Judy and Laura could have existed, just no reference to them. On Family Matters, the family talks as though they have lived in that house for years but they moved into the apt building one year earlier? That is a huge inconsistency.

Plus, the Evans family lived in urban uptown Manhattan (or Bronx). Florida took the bus into the suburbs. In TV, things can change for purpose of selling a show and to keep an audience. Now, if you choose to respond, its perfectly fine but you know me, I've always got a rebutle.

That's by your theory. It just doesn't stick. It's like you've created your own guidelines. It's still a spinoff. Story can be changed. It's already been made clear that consistency doesn't have to be accurate when doing a spinoff. There are other tv shows that can give examples of that. On Perfect Strangers, Harriette and Carl Winslow moved into Larry and Balki's apartment building one season before Family Matters debuted. They moved in and made reference to their son only. Now, it can be argued that Judy and Laura could have existed, just no reference to them. On Family Matters, the family talks as though they have lived in that house for years but they moved into the apt building one year earlier? That is a huge inconsistency.

Plus, the Evans family lived in urban uptown Manhattan (or Bronx). Florida took the bus into the suburbs. In TV, things can change for purpose of selling a show and to keep an audience. Now, if you choose to respond, its perfectly fine but you know me, I've always got a rebutle.



That's more of a quiet spinoff because it was never a set up episode like Maude or the Jeffersons had.

That's more of a quiet spinoff because it was never a set up episode like Maude or the Jeffersons had.

I used the example because I presented an example that lacked consistency. It isn't always the case when spinning off.

Knots Landing was created before Dallas but like Good times, when it came time to bring it to light, it was birthed with the aid of a parent show.

I used the example because I presented an example that lacked consistency. It isn't always the case when spinning off.

Knots Landing was created before Dallas but like Good times, when it came time to bring it to light, it was birthed with the aid of a parent show.


Well it's definitely more of a spinoff than Good Times:lol:

Well it's definitely more of a spinoff than Good Times:lol:

It is still a spinoff. Hands down.

BTW, you just admitted that Good Times is a spinoff to a degree. You know that?:lol:

It is still a spinoff. Hands down.

BTW, you just admitted that Good Times is a spinoff to a degree. You know that?:lol:


Years ago I was willing to call it a FRACTURED SPINOFF but no one would agree to the label:lol:

Years ago I was willing to call it a FRACTURED SPINOFF but no one would agree to the label:lol:


You admitted to it, then! I remember that! Ha Ha! Folks, you heard it here!!! Solomon admitted to it then and he just admitted to it now with the Family Matters comparison. ;)

You admitted to it, then! I remember that! Ha Ha! Folks, you heard it here!!! Solomon admitted to it then and he just admitted to it now with the Family Matters comparison. ;)


That's the closest I will come to saying it's a spinoff

That's the closest I will come to saying it's a spinoff
I'm broadcasting this news! I'm going to facebook!!!


LOL. J/K, bruh.

I'm broadcasting this news! I'm going to facebook!!!


LOL. J/K, bruh.



Fractured Spinoff is all you get from me Dude LOL

Fractured Spinoff is all you get from me Dude LOL

He admitted it, everyone! He admitted that is was a fractured spinoff!!!

:dance: :banana: party: