Every new character that appear on Good Times had A reason why they were around the Evans Family, for example

Keith was Themla's boyfriend
Bookman was the Janitor
Mrs.Bookman was married to Bookman
Carl was Florida's romantic interest

But Penny just appeared out of nowhere without any reason for being around the Evans. She was too young to be a friend of Michael's so what was the purpose of Penny's existence?-LOL. She had none and didn't have no reason for existing until she was adopted by Willona. So i think the writers did a horrible job of introducing the Penny character. I was too young at the time but i know when viewers saw the Penny character for the first time at the beginning of the 1977-78 season, i know they were like who the hell is that?-LOL

Originally posted by SOLOMON
Every new character that appear on Good Times had A reason why they were around the Evans Family, for example

Keith was Themla's boyfriend
Bookman was the Janitor
Mrs.Bookman was married to Bookman
Carl was Florida's romantic interest

But Penny just appeared out of nowhere without any reason for being around the Evans. She was too young to be a friend of Michael's so what was the purpose of Penny's existence?-LOL. She had none and didn't have no reason for existing until she was adopted by Willona. So i think the writers did a horrible job of introducing the Penny character. I was too young at the time but i know when viewers saw the Penny character for the first time at the beginning of the 1977-78 season, i know they were like who the hell is that?-LOL



I think the only reason Penny was introduced on Good Times was because her last name was Jackson (first name Janet)...

It could also be that the writers decided to introduce the subject of child abuse, and used Janet to do it...as I recall, Penny was abused, but I think it took a couple of episodes to confirm that... but back in those days, if you were a Jackson, and wanted to be an actor, you could pretty much pick which show you wanted to be on...

It could also have been a manifestation of the "gee, the kids in the cast are getting older, we need some new young blood" syndrome that's plagued so many shows over the years

Originally posted by Tweety




I think the only reason Penny was introduced on Good Times was because her last name was Jackson (first name Janet)...

It could also be that the writers decided to introduce the subject of child abuse, and used Janet to do it...as I recall, Penny was abused, but I think it took a couple of episodes to confirm that... but back in those days, if you were a Jackson, and wanted to be an actor, you could pretty much pick which show you wanted to be on...

It could also have been a manifestation of the "gee, the kids in the cast are getting older, we need some new young blood" syndrome that's plagued so many shows over the years



I was just confused at the fact they were centering all the episodes of the 5th season around Penny. Made no sense at all. I refused to record any episodes that was about Penny.

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer
Every new character that appear on Good Times had A reason why they were around the Evans Family, for example

Keith was Themla's boyfriend
Bookman was the Janitor
Mrs.Bookman was married to Bookman
Carl was Florida's romantic interest

But Penny just appeared out of nowhere without any reason for being around the Evans. She was too young to be a friend of Michael's so what was the purpose of Penny's existence?-LOL. She had none and didn't have no reason for existing until she was adopted by Willona. So i think the writers did a horrible job of introducing the Penny character. I was too young at the time but i know when viewers saw the Penny character for the first time at the beginning of the 1977-78 season, i know they were like who the hell is that?-LOL


There WAS an explanation. Watch the show again.

Originally posted by GeeBee
There WAS an explanation. Watch the show again.

I agree with GeeBee.

Originally posted by GeeBee
There WAS an explanation. Watch the show again.

I think you need to read the Good Times Episode again. The first episode produced with Penny was not the 4 part child abuse episode, it was Breaker Breaker-when Michael was using a CB radio.

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer
I think you need to read the Good Times Episode again. The first episode produced with Penny was not the 4 part child abuse episode, it was Breaker Breaker-when Michael was using a CB radio.


5- 86 The Evans Get Involved (Part 1)
An abused and neglected child named Penny follows J.J. home. This is Janet Jackson's Good Times premiere episode.

5- 87 The Evans Get Involved (Part 2)
Penny spends time at the Evans' apartment, then suddenly disappears along with her mother. The Evans' call on the help of a social worker.

5- 88 The Evans Get Involved (Part 3)
Penny's mother turns out to be unfit for parenting. She abandons Penny at the Evans' home.

5- 89 The Evans Get Involved (Part 4)
Willona takes steps to become Penny's foster mother.

5- 90 Thelma Moves Out
Thelma is attending college and decides to move in to an apartment with three other students. But it turns out to be worse than living at home. Bear, the big football player, eats all her food. The nerd runs up astronomical phone bills - then demands she pay half. The female room-mate attempts to steal Thelma's boyfriend. In the end J.J helps Thelma move her stuff back home.

5- 91 Willona the Fuzz
After Willona catches a shoplifter at the boutique - she gets promoted to store detective. But she must spy on women in the dressing rooms all day, and she is ethically against this. J.J puts on a dress and goes into the womens dressing room in order to give Willona an important message, but Willona is on break and her boss sees it instead.

5- 92 Wheels
J.J and two friends buy Bookman's old car, hoping to share it between them for different days of the week. But selfishness and arguments ensue. J.J decides to get rid of the vehicle. Bookman offers to buy it back for half of what he just sold it for. Right after J.J gets the money in his hand, they look out the window to see the car get smashed up by a trash truck.

5- 93 Breaker Breaker
Michael discovers that the girl he has been chatting with on the CB radio is in a wheelchair.

Originally posted by GeeBee
5- 86 The Evans Get Involved (Part 1)
An abused and neglected child named Penny follows J.J. home. This is Janet Jackson's Good Times premiere episode.

5- 87 The Evans Get Involved (Part 2)
Penny spends time at the Evans' apartment, then suddenly disappears along with her mother. The Evans' call on the help of a social worker.

5- 88 The Evans Get Involved (Part 3)
Penny's mother turns out to be unfit for parenting. She abandons Penny at the Evans' home.

5- 89 The Evans Get Involved (Part 4)
Willona takes steps to become Penny's foster mother.

5- 90 Thelma Moves Out
Thelma is attending college and decides to move in to an apartment with three other students. But it turns out to be worse than living at home. Bear, the big football player, eats all her food. The nerd runs up astronomical phone bills - then demands she pay half. The female room-mate attempts to steal Thelma's boyfriend. In the end J.J helps Thelma move her stuff back home.

5- 91 Willona the Fuzz
After Willona catches a shoplifter at the boutique - she gets promoted to store detective. But she must spy on women in the dressing rooms all day, and she is ethically against this. J.J puts on a dress and goes into the womens dressing room in order to give Willona an important message, but Willona is on break and her boss sees it instead.

5- 92 Wheels
J.J and two friends buy Bookman's old car, hoping to share it between them for different days of the week. But selfishness and arguments ensue. J.J decides to get rid of the vehicle. Bookman offers to buy it back for half of what he just sold it for. Right after J.J gets the money in his hand, they look out the window to see the car get smashed up by a trash truck.

5- 93 Breaker Breaker
Michael discovers that the girl he has been chatting with on the CB radio is in a wheelchair.



The production code number for Breaker, Breaker was (501), and the production code number for Part One of Evans Get Involved was (502). Evans Get Involved was the first episode aired and Breaker, Breaker was the first episode produced. Hope that makes sense.

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer
The production code number for Breaker, Breaker was (501), and the production code number for Part One of Evans Get Involved was (502). Evans Get Involved was the first episode aired and Breaker, Breaker was the first episode produced. Hope that makes sense.


Yes, it makes sense. The audience was in fact given an explanation of why Penny was there. It makes no difference which episodes were produced first; it's what order they were shown in.


What is it about Good Times that makes you get on your soap box to argue points that make absolutely no difference? Just curious.

Originally posted by GeeBee
Yes, it makes sense. The audience was in fact given an explanation of why Penny was there. It makes no difference which episodes were produced first; it's what order they were shown in.


What is it about Good Times that makes you get on your soap box to argue points that make absolutely no difference? Just curious.


Well Good Times is one of my favorite shows but the writing could have been better. The writers would start a storyline and never finish it. Examle-Florida and James going to night school. Nothing else was ever said about whether she received her GED. And i feel season 5 was the worst and did not record any episodes from that season. Penny was just a unnecessary addition.

I owe you an apology, Sitcom. Good Times has nothing to do with it. You argue points that make absolutely no difference for ALL sitcoms.

Ten reasons why Penny's character was useful on Good Times:

1) Good Times made a definitive statement against physical child abuse with Penny. Earlier episodes with James almost seemed to promote child abuse. The character of Penny made it clear that there is at least some limit to how parents may chastise their children.

2) Good Times was a family show and family shows are supposed to have children in them.

3) Penny's character added more dimension to Willona's character. Before Penny, Willona seemed like just a silly, nosy neighbor who went from man to man. Her love of Penny showed that she really had genuine unselfish love to give.

4) Penny's character added more dimension to J.J.'s character. Many of the complaints about J.J.'s silliness in earlier episodes were shown to be unfounded when Penny came along. Yes, he was a clown, but when push came to shove, he did the right thing. His advocacy for Penny on the bus was instrumental in rescuing her from a life of abuse and possible death. J.J. also had his priorities straight. He told his date to get lost when he saw how insensitive she was about Penny.

5) Penny added more dimension to Bookman's character. Although he was often a jerk, he actually had a heart and it gave us a glimpse into his own past as an adopted child.

6) Penny's character was funny. A lot of her lines produced big laughs in the audience and at home.

7) Penny's character was a good link to Florida's new job as a school bus driver.

8) The episode in which Penny chooses Willona over her abusive mother was touching.

9) Penny's character was useful to make other important statements through humor like the dangers of smoking and starting fires.

10) Penny would be a useful tool to annoy Sitcom Analyzer in later years as all of these points seemed to be totally lost on him. His oafish attitude and responses to Penny add one last laugh to the show. :lol:

Originally posted by GeeBee
Ten reasons why Penny's character was useful on Good Times:

1) Good Times made a definitive statement against physical child abuse with Penny. Earlier episodes with James almost seemed to promote child abuse. The character of Penny made it clear that there is at least some limit to how parents may chastise their children.

2) Good Times was a family show and family shows are supposed to have children in them.

3) Penny's character added more dimension to Willona's character. Before Penny, Willona seemed like just a silly, nosy neighbor who went from man to man. Her love of Penny showed that she really had genuine unselfish love to give.

4) Penny's character added more dimension to J.J.'s character. Many of the complaints about J.J.'s silliness in earlier episodes were shown to be unfounded when Penny came along. Yes, he was a clown, but when push came to shove, he did the right thing. His advocacy for Penny on the bus was instrumental in rescuing her from a life of abuse and possible death. J.J. also had his priorities straight. He told his date to get lost when he saw how insensitive she was about Penny.

5) Penny added more dimension to Bookman's character. Although he was often a jerk, he actually had a heart and it gave us a glimpse into his own past as an adopted child.

6) Penny's character was funny. A lot of her lines produced big laughs in the audience and at home.

7) Penny's character was a good link to Florida's new job as a school bus driver.

8) The episode in which Penny chooses Willona over her abusive mother was touching.

9) Penny's character was useful to make other important statements through humor like the dangers of smoking and starting fires.

10) Penny would be a useful tool to annoy Sitcom Analyzer in later years as all of these points seemed to be totally lost on him. His oafish attitude and responses to Penny add one last laugh to the show. :lol:



Well those reasons still caused the show to FALL IN THE RATINGS

Penny was not the reason the ratings fell...the writing stunk.

Originally posted by Brian Damage
Penny was not the reason the ratings fell...the writing stunk.


Yes the writing was horrible

Originally posted by Tweety
I think the only reason Penny was introduced on Good Times was because her last name was Jackson (first name Janet)...

It could also be that the writers decided to introduce the subject of child abuse, and used Janet to do it...as I recall, Penny was abused, but I think it took a couple of episodes to confirm that... but back in those days, if you were a Jackson, and wanted to be an actor, you could pretty much pick which show you wanted to be on...

It could also have been a manifestation of the "gee, the kids in the cast are getting older, we need some new young blood" syndrome that's plagued so many shows over the years



THANK YOU!! That, ladies and gentlemen, is the cold-blooded reason Janet Jackson was cast in "Good Times"...TO STAVE OFF CANCELLATION!!

Originally posted by W.J. Griffin
THANK YOU!! That, ladies and gentlemen, is the cold-blooded reason Janet Jackson was cast in "Good Times"...TO STAVE OFF CANCELLATION!! Exactly, but it didn't help the ratings much which is why Esther Rolle returned in the final season.