Netflix Orders Animated Version of "Good Times" from Norman Lear, Steph Curry & Seth MacFarlane
by Denise Petski, Nellie Andreeva
September 14, 2020


Netflix has given a series order to an animated version of Norman Lear’s groundbreaking TV sitcom "Good Times". The project hails from Lear and his Act III Productions, NBA star Steph Curry and his Unanimous Media, Seth MacFarlane and his Fuzzy Door, and Sony Pictures TV.

Based on his iconic ’70s series, "Good Times" is Lear’s first animated series, following the Evans family as they navigate today’s world and contemporary social issues. Just as the original did years ago, "Good Times" strives to remind us that with the love of our family, we can keep our heads above water.

Carl Jones will serve as creator, showrunner, and executive producer. Lear and Brent Miller will executive produce for Act III Productions, Stephen Curry, Erick Peyton and Jeron Smith for Unanimous, Seth MacFarlane and Erica Huggins for Fuzzy Door.




“We can’t think of anything better, at this time in our culture, than a reimagining of Good Times animated,” said Lear and Miller.

“In a year filled with darkness, this is one bright light we won’t soon forget. Thank you, Sony. Thank you, Netflix. Bless us all.”

https://deadline.com/2020/09/netflix-orders-animated-version-norman-lears-good-times-stephen-curry-seth-macfarlane-1234576482/

Damn, damn, damn!

Seriously Seth. Can't you do anything original anymore and leave black people alone? Look at he depicts black people on Family Guy. Not very well.

Norman Lear to Make Cameo Appearance in Animated "Good Times" Series for Netflix
by Rosy Cordero
December 6, 2023


Hollywood may have lost a TV legend in Norman Lear, following his death on Tuesday at the age of 101, but fans will be able to spend a little more time with him as he is set to make a cameo appearance in the upcoming animated series "Good Times", Deadline has learned exclusively.

The Netflix and Sony Picture Television comedy, which follows a new generation of the Evans family residing in one of the last remaining housing projects in Chicago, has yet to announce a release date but sources reveal they’re targeting a Summer 2024 premiere.

Netflix and SPT declined comment.

https://deadline.com/2023/12/norman-lear-cameo-netflix-good-times-animated-series-1235655123/

Netflix's "Good Times" Animated Reboot Announces Cast
by Rosy Cordero
Dec. 12, 2023


Netflix‘s animated series reboot of "Good Times" has set Ranada Shepard (Young Love, Diary of a Future President) as co-creator of the series alongside Carl Jones.

Shepard will also executive produce the comedy and serve as showrunner, Deadline has learned.

The voice cast will include JB Smoove, Yvette Nicole Brown, Jay Pharoah, Marsai Martin, Slink Johnson and Rashida “Sheedz” Olayiwola, sources close to production reveal exclusively.

https://deadline.com/2023/12/netflix-animated-reboot-good-times-ranada-shepard-jb-smoove-yvette-nicole-brown-jay-pharoah-1235662932/

Dumb.

"Good Times" Animated Sitcom Sets April 2024 Netflix Premiere Date
by Kasey Moore
March 20, 2024


Netflix has confirmed April 12th as the release date for its "Good Times" animated series.

The official synopsis, "In this edgy, irreverent reimagining of the TV classic, a new generation of the Evans family keeps their head above water in a Chicago housing project."

https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/good-times-animated-sitcom-sets-netflix-premiere-date/

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this is bizarre.

Netflix's animated Good Times reboot trailer roasted on Black Twitter (https://www.theroot.com/black-twitter-has-nothing-good-to-say-about-new-good-t-1851370168)

Black Twitter had nothing good to say about the Seth MacFarlane-produced animated reboot of the classic 1970s sitcom (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMA2Kc7TiO0), starring Yvette Nicole Brown, J.B. Smoove, Jay Pharoah, Marsai Martin and Gerald “Slink” Johnson. "If this were just another adult animated comedy that subverted expectations and took a satirical tone, it wouldn’t be so egregious," says The Root's Stephanie Holland. "However, it fails at its most basic requirement, which is to be funny. Since the trailer elicits literally no laughs, its exploitative nature feels more pronounced. Producers and writers could’ve made this show without using the familiar name of a TV classic to pop a number. Connecting this to Good Times was unnecessary and unwanted, according to many on social media. And as you’d expect, using a groundbreaking piece of Black culture in this manner got Black Twitter riled up, and no punches were pulled."

ALSO:


Yvette Nicole Brown defends Good Times reboot (https://tvline.com/news/yvette-nicole-brown-good-times-reboot-trailer-controversy-1235193528/): "This version of #GoodTimes is edgier and more irreverent than the Good Times of our childhood, but it’s still a show about family, fighting the system and working to make things better despite where you start out in the world," she tweeted (https://twitter.com/YNB/status/1773091851664281915). "That 100% lines up with my values."

Bomani Jones questions why Good Times reboot was even greenlighted (https://twitter.com/bomani_jones/status/1773393520214061341): "it's very rare that I find online outrage to be in line with what's deserved," he tweeted. "holy s***, this is one of those blue moon moments. not a single person with power thought this was a bad idea?"

Here's an idea that I think would make the show funny. Every time that JJ says "Dynomite!", get some real dynamite to blow up in his face! You can do that in a cartoon!

Everyone's up in arms over this even though the original creator had a hand in it before his death. Okay then.

Original "Good Times" Cast Reacts to Animated Reboot Trailer: “I Thought It Was Going to Be Different”
by Ryan Gajewski
April 3, 2024


Stars of the original "Good Times" are weighing in after the trailer for Netflix‘s forthcoming animated reboot led some fans to question whether the new project will indeed be “dynomite.”

The Hollywood Reporter spoke to John Amos (James Evans) and BernNadette Stanis (Thelma) about their reactions to the Netflix trailer. Both made it clear that they were reserving full judgment until they are able to watch the show.




“I really can’t form an opinion, as I’ve not seen any of the episodes yet,” Amos says.

He goes on to explain that the high quality of the 1970s series makes it challenging for newer projects that aspire to be compared to it. “Norman — and the entire cast and company — set the bar pretty high. They’ll have a hard time reaching that level of entertainment [and] education. I wish them the best. I see people aspiring to that, but I don’t see anybody reaching that goal, especially in an animated version.”




Stanis notes that she had yet to watch the animated trailer and heard a mixture of responses to it. The actress looks forward to watching the revival’s episodes but acknowledges that some fans of the ’70s series would probably have assumed that the original show’s cast is front and center for the animated version, given that it uses the same name.

“Probably a lot of people don’t know how Hollywood works,” Stanis says. “A lot of times, you use a certain name to open up the door for a new show. That could be what it is. But I’m sure a lot of people will be a little confused at first because they have to think that it’s us. They think, ‘Oh, my God! That’s got to be Thelma, J.J. [Jimmie Walker] and Michael [Ralph Carter].’ And then you come in there, and you don’t see anything like that.”




Stanis explains that the Netflix series’ team previously reached out to her reps to have her voice a small part on the show, which she did. She said that Walker also voices a minor character.

“I did a little voice for them, but I did not know it was going to be the way it is. I thought it was going to be different,” Stanis says.

As for the roles voiced by herself and Walker, she continues, “It’s just a little here and there. But I think that they did that because they knew what their show was going to be like. So I guess they figured, if you put us in there, it wouldn’t look so bad or whatever.”

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/good-times-original-cast-reacts-animated-netflix-reboot-1235864236/

This looks so unnecessarily stupid. How could they possibly mess up an animated version of Good Times? I did not laugh once watching that trailer. I hope the actual show is much better than what we’re given so far, but chances of that are slim to none. And they should have just remade the characters from the original Good Times instead of having these new characters be related to them.

The dad should have been the way James was
The mom should have been the way Florida was
The son should have been goofy and immature like J.J.
The daughter should have been a mouthy teenager who gets into trouble often
The baby should have had a radical sense of black political awareness like Michael

They should have also included a neighbor like the original version had. I don’t know why they left out Wilona.

Original "Good Times" Cast Reacts to Animated Reboot Trailer: “I Thought It Was Going to Be Different”
by Ryan Gajewski
April 3, 2024


Stars of the original "Good Times" are weighing in after the trailer for Netflix‘s forthcoming animated reboot led some fans to question whether the new project will indeed be “dynomite.”

The Hollywood Reporter spoke to John Amos (James Evans) and BernNadette Stanis (Thelma) about their reactions to the Netflix trailer. Both made it clear that they were reserving full judgment until they are able to watch the show.




“I really can’t form an opinion, as I’ve not seen any of the episodes yet,” Amos says.

He goes on to explain that the high quality of the 1970s series makes it challenging for newer projects that aspire to be compared to it. “Norman — and the entire cast and company — set the bar pretty high. They’ll have a hard time reaching that level of entertainment [and] education. I wish them the best. I see people aspiring to that, but I don’t see anybody reaching that goal, especially in an animated version.”




Stanis notes that she had yet to watch the animated trailer and heard a mixture of responses to it. The actress looks forward to watching the revival’s episodes but acknowledges that some fans of the ’70s series would probably have assumed that the original show’s cast is front and center for the animated version, given that it uses the same name.

“Probably a lot of people don’t know how Hollywood works,” Stanis says. “A lot of times, you use a certain name to open up the door for a new show. That could be what it is. But I’m sure a lot of people will be a little confused at first because they have to think that it’s us. They think, ‘Oh, my God! That’s got to be Thelma, J.J. [Jimmie Walker] and Michael [Ralph Carter].’ And then you come in there, and you don’t see anything like that.”




Stanis explains that the Netflix series’ team previously reached out to her reps to have her voice a small part on the show, which she did. She said that Walker also voices a minor character.

“I did a little voice for them, but I did not know it was going to be the way it is. I thought it was going to be different,” Stanis says.

As for the roles voiced by herself and Walker, she continues, “It’s just a little here and there. But I think that they did that because they knew what their show was going to be like. So I guess they figured, if you put us in there, it wouldn’t look so bad or whatever.”

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/good-times-original-cast-reacts-animated-netflix-reboot-1235864236/

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Actress Bern Nadette Stanis known for her role as 'Thelma' on Good Times has now spoken out (https://www.lipstickalley.com/threads/bernnadette-stanis-slams-netflixs-new-good-times-cartoon-was-supposed-to-be-%E2%80%9Cprogressive%E2%80%9D.5580712/) about the animated series. According to Stanis, she was told the animated version would be different and more in tune with the iconic TV series. Instagram: @ComedyHype & Twitter: @ComedyHype_

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The stars of the original Good Times are now sharing their reaction (https://www.lipstickalley.com/threads/%E2%80%98good-times%E2%80%99-original-cast-reacts-to-animated-reboot-trailer-%E2%80%9Ci-thought-it-was-going-to-be-different%E2%80%9D.5574266/) to their beloved series making a return at Netflix (https://www.lipstickalley.com/threads/good-times-official-trailer-netflix.5567400/). Instagram: @ComedyHype & Twitter: @ComedyHype_

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Families of Eric Monte and Mike Evans have now open up about the Good Times remake (https://www.lipstickalley.com/threads/yvette-nicole-brown-defends-%E2%80%98good-times%E2%80%99-role-insists-%E2%80%98edgy%E2%80%99-netflix-reboot-%E2%80%98lines-up-with-my-values%E2%80%99.5569700/) set to premiere on Netflix in April. Instagram: @ComedyHype & Twitter: @ComedyHype_

"Good Times" Animated Sitcom Sets April 2024 Netflix Premiere Date
by Kasey Moore
March 20, 2024


Netflix has confirmed April 12th as the release date for its "Good Times" animated series.

The official synopsis, "In this edgy, irreverent reimagining of the TV classic, a new generation of the Evans family keeps their head above water in a Chicago housing project."

https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/good-times-animated-sitcom-sets-netflix-premiere-date/

Reviews of Good Times (https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=421bbcb432c7b64f&sca_upv=1&sxsrf=ACQVn0-FPNnGK6xXX8jmQIVTyKzR4Y2n7Q:1713085893123&q=Reviews+of+Good+Times&tbm=nws&source=univ&tbo=u&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj2i4ShrsGFAxWPrIQIHRv0Bl4Qt8YBKAF6BAg-EAQ&biw=1600&bih=773&dpr=1)


Netflix’s ‘Good Times’ Reboot Is Dated, Humorless and Baffling: TV Review (https://variety.com/2024/tv/reviews/good-times-animated-reboot-review-1235964209/)

'Good Times' review: Netflix's animated revival seems calculated to offend (https://www.npr.org/2024/04/13/1244330945/good-times-review-netflix)

‘Good Times’ Review: Netflix’s Animated Sequel Improves When It Steps Out From Norman Lear’s Shadow (https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-reviews/good-times-review-netflix-1235872582/)

The 'Good Times' Reboot Is Absolutely Terrible (https://www.huffpost.com/entry/good-times-reboot-netflix_n_66184cffe4b00c2fbcbdad81)

Netflix's animated 'Good Times' flunks the TV reboot test (https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/12/entertainment/good-times-review-netflix/index.html)

'Good Times' Animated Reboot Review (https://variety.com/2024/tv/reviews/good-times-animated-reboot-review-1235964209/)

This really was a terrible idea.

Good Times animated reboot boss reacts to backlash (https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/good-times-boss-defends-netflix-reboot-norman-lear-1235881157/)

Showrunner Ranada Shepard explained her creative choices, including the drug-dealing baby, in an extensive interview with The Hollywood Reporter. Shepard admits the trailer, which sparked the initial backlash, was surprising. "There was no framing that the audience had, it was just: Watch this and form an opinion," she says. "And they watched and they formed an opinion. I was always rooted in (the fact that) I understand if this is jolting. Because what you needed was someone to tell everyone, 'I know you’re used to the sweet sitcom, but this is not only a reimagination, it’s in a different genre that requires it to be loud and offensive and have hard jokes and inappropriate. So your mind is doing a lot of different things.'" Shepard adds: "I don’t want to be defensive, but I want to be clear in that it’s great to hear the feedback. And you can look on my posts today and all throughout the week of people saying, 'I was reluctant because of what everyone was saying, but I watched this and it’s really good if you can get into it and really accept what this is,' and 'It’s different from the original, but actually it’s a really good show.' Look, there’s some people who it’s not going to be for. But I ask those people, 'Do you watch adult animation?' Because I know a lot of people don’t watch adult animation, so if that’s not your genre, this genre is going to be difficult for you. But are they well-written stories that stand in social commentary and each one has a message? Absolutely." Shepard also makes it clear that executive producer Seth MacFarlane "never wrote one word of any of these scripts," while late executive producer Norman Lear did offer his feedback.

I will never see this show.

Why Netflix Canceled the Controversial "Good Times Black Again" Despite a US Top 10 Run and 5.4 Million Streams
by Rana Sarkar, Global Desk
30 November 2025


Netflix has reportedly canceled the controversial animated series "Good Times Black Again" after just one season, following months of polarized responses and concerns over cultural representation. The decision, first reported by What’s on Netflix, comes a year and a half after the show debuted to mixed reception and limited engagement.

The series, billed as a modern reimagining of the iconic 1970s sitcom "Good Times", struggled to connect with longtime fans and critics, as some of the outlets called it “dated and humorless”. While it briefly entered Netflix’s US Top 10 during its premiere window, it failed to sustain momentum.

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/us/why-netflix-canceled-controversial-series-good-times-black-again-despite-a-us-top-10-run-and-5-4-million-streams/articleshow/125677183.cms?from=mdr