I mean, you can easily argue that the constant economical and familial struggles were too much. In other words, its as like producers made the Evans family take 15 steps back before ever taking one step forward. And with that, just about every opportunity was overshadowed by doom and gloom. In effect, that type of plot is really psychological warfare when you get right down to it.

I mean, you can easily argue that the constant economical and familial struggles were too much. In other words, its as like producers made the Evans family take 15 steps back before ever taking one step forward. And with that, just about every opportunity was overshadowed by doom and gloom. In effect, that type of plot is really psychological warfare when you get right down to it.

I agree with you completely, TMC. "Good Times" was depressing at times, especially in the early seasons...seems like the Evans clan couldn't catch a break, no matter how hard they tried (in James' words, they couldn't "win for losing").

I mean, you can easily argue that the constant economical and familial struggles were too much. In other words, its as like producers made the Evans family take 15 steps back before ever taking one step forward. And with that, just about every opportunity was overshadowed by doom and gloom. In effect, that type of plot is really psychological warfare when you get right down to it.

But how true to life was it in the real projects of Chicago? We know Lear and CBS watered down the true level violence,drugs,homicides so how true were the economical struggles - over compensated to make up for what they couldn't show?

I'm sure the folks living in Chicago's projects tuning in to CBS affiliate WBBM (If they had TVs) were laughing at the show not because it was funny, but because it was far from the truth.

But how true to life was it in the real projects of Chicago? We know Lear and CBS watered down the true level violence,drugs,homicides so how true were the economical struggles - over compensated to make up for what they couldn't show?

I'm sure the folks living in Chicago's projects tuning in to CBS affiliate WBBM (If they had TVs) were laughing at the show not because it was funny, but because it was far from the truth.

Interesting observation, RetroTVNitekatt. I seriously doubt CBS would've even allowed Lear to push the envelope that far (despite his incredible track record), considering how bleak and depressing Chicago really was--and still is, especially today--during the '60s and '70s...along with New York City, "The Windy City" was literally hell on Earth.

Someone as smart and responsible as James would have had a decent job.

Someone as smart and responsible as James would have had a decent job.
The writers wanted to keep him laid-off than getting a menial job.

This show seems to get a lot of flack on these boards for whatever reason.

I thought the show was a breath of fresh air; it showed real economic hardship but showed the family pulling together to make the best of things. You can armchair quarterback it all you like, but it sure struck a chord with people back then, and I don't feel that they (we, I should say) were all benighted suckers.

The show had some very good acting and relevant scripts. Did it suffer a LOT when the parents left? Absolutely. But it never really JTS for me. And I will always have fond memories of this show.

This show seems to get a lot of flack on these boards for whatever reason.

I thought the show was a breath of fresh air; it showed real economic hardship but showed the family pulling together to make the best of things. You can armchair quarterback it all you like, but it sure struck a chord with people back then, and I don't feel that they (we, I should say) were all benighted suckers.

The show had some very good acting and relevant scripts. Did it suffer a LOT when the parents left? Absolutely. But it never really JTS for me. And I will always have fond memories of this show.
Despite the flaws, it's one of my favorite show's ever. Especially the years with John Amos. It's just there are some obvious stereotypes. The J.J. Character particually during the third season, loving to deliver Chicken and Ribs wearing a ridiculous 'Chicken Hat'! Still when the writing was good(Black Jesus, Sex and The Evans Family, Family Gun, Gang Episodes), or laugh out loud funny(The Dinner Party, Cleatus episode), it was a top notch show!

This show seems to get a lot of flack on these boards for whatever reason.

I thought the show was a breath of fresh air; it showed real economic hardship but showed the family pulling together to make the best of things. You can armchair quarterback it all you like, but it sure struck a chord with people back then, and I don't feel that they (we, I should say) were all benighted suckers.

The show had some very good acting and relevant scripts. Did it suffer a LOT when the parents left? Absolutely. But it never really JTS for me. And I will always have fond memories of this show.

I agree with this. I liked it.