I'm watching the Good Times DVD, and i'm currently watching the episode-Sex and the Evans Family-and Florida makes a statement,

Thelma: Momma are you pressing my dress yet?

Florida: You know someday when I want a vacation i'm going to take a job as a maid.



She didn't say i'm going to become a maid again. So what does that tell YOU????

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer
I'm watching the Good Times DVD, and i'm currently watching the episode-Sex and the Evans Family-and Florida makes a statement,

Thelma: Momma are you pressing my dress yet?

Florida: You know someday when I want a vacation i'm going to take a job as a maid.



She didn't say i'm going to become a maid again. So what does that tell YOU????


So what? Wasn't there also an episode where she referred to a past profession as a maid, and a darn good one? Which episode is right?

In any case, if you're trying to prove that Good Times was not a spin-off because of inconsistencies, you're barking up the wrong tree. As I've pointed out to you before, numerous times, inconsistencies even exist among episodes in a series. Now do you understand?

Originally posted by GeeBee
So what? Wasn't there also an episode where she referred to a past profession as a maid, and a darn good one? Which episode is right?

In any case, if you're trying to prove that Good Times was not a spin-off because of inconsistencies, you're barking up the wrong tree. As I've pointed out to you before, numerous times, inconsistencies even exist among episodes in a series. Now do you understand?


Do you want a copy of the article and i can highlight the statements that support my argument?

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer
Do you want a copy of the article and i can highlight the statements that support my argument?

No, I think you've spoken about it enough. From previous debates, it seems like different people involved with the show have said different things and I doubt if one line of an interview can be the deciding vote. I also remember your quoting it as saying, "Good Times is not really a spin-off". If that's the quote, the key word is REALLY. People often use that word when they are not completely sure of a statement and think that there could be another point of view. I think that guy was just shooting from the hip and not saying anything that was meant to be taken as gospel. It's like when Carol O'Connor once said that All In The Family is not a sitcom. Everyone knows it is, but it's interesting to put a new spin on things for publicity once in a while.

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer
Do you want a copy of the article and i can highlight the statements that support my argument?

Get over it. What are you trying to prove? Good Times will forever be a spinoff of Maude. It seems to me that Florida is making fun of the fact that she was once a maid in another life or in this case, another sitcom.

Originally posted by boechsner
Get over it. What are you trying to prove? Good Times will forever be a spinoff of Maude. It seems to me that Florida is making fun of the fact that she was once a maid in another life or in this case, another sitcom.


Do you hae episodes of Maude in your collection? If so i will send you email.

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer
She didn't say i'm going to become a maid again. So what does that tell YOU????

It tells me that you are desperately looking for anything to prove that you're right and countless other people are wrong. I've seen plenty of interviews from Good Times writers and creators that state that GT was a spinoff. You're basing your arguement on one little blurb in an interview that REALLY doesn't sound like he's sure of himself.

"Good Times wasn't really a spinoff" meaning that it kinda is even though they try for it not to be.

Oh, I Got "Good Times" on DVD.

Originally posted by freakazoidfan
Oh, I Got "Good Times" on DVD.


What does that mean?

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer
What does that mean?

It's John Wiley under a new name. Nothing he says makes sense.

Originally posted by Brian Damage
It tells me that you are desperately looking for anything to prove that you're right and countless other people are wrong. I've seen plenty of interviews from Good Times writers and creators that state that GT was a spinoff. You're basing your arguement on one little blurb in an interview that REALLY doesn't sound like he's sure of himself.

"Good Times wasn't really a spinoff" meaning that it kinda is even though they try for it not to be.



I just don't understand why they didn't give Florida a new name if they game the husband a new name. Everything was different on Good Times except Florida's name. The state was different, husband was different, and the wife keeps the name she had on Maude.

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer
I just don't understand why they didn't give Florida a new name if they game the husband a new name. Everything was different on Good Times except Florida's name. The state was different, husband was different, and the wife keeps the name she had on Maude.


It was the same husband with a different name. I wouldn't be surprised if they changed his name to James so they could have the name James Junior (J.J.). His character was the real star anyhow.

Originally posted by GeeBee
It was the same husband with a different name. I wouldn't be surprised if they changed his name to James so they could have the name James Junior (J.J.). His character was the real star anyhow.

He wasn't a star, he was a BUFOON

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer
He wasn't a star, he was a BUFOON

As much as you hate that character, J.J. put Good Times on the map. Jimmy Walker became a TV icon in the 70's.

Originally posted by Brian Damage
As much as you hate that character, J.J. put Good Times on the map. Jimmy Walker became a TV icon in the 70's.


Yeah he became famous for being CRAZY

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer
Yeah he became famous for being CRAZY


Yes, like many great comedic actors have done and are supposed to do.

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer
He wasn't a star, he was a BUFOON

That's not a contradiction in comedy. Wake up.

Originally posted by GeeBee
It was the same husband with a different name. I wouldn't be surprised if they changed his name to James so they could have the name James Junior (J.J.). His character was the real star anyhow.

Just finished looking at the episode "The Vistor" and Florida tells Michael that he shouldn't put compliants in the newspaper about the building because they were on the waiting list to get into those projects for TWO YEARS!!!. How could the Evans Family be on the waiting list for a Chicago Housing Project for Two years if they lived in NEW YORK??????? Explain that one That's two things that supports my Argument.

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer
Just finished looking at the episode "The Vistor" and Florida tells Michael that he shouldn't put compliants in the newspaper about the building because they were on the waiting list to get into those projects for TWO YEARS!!!. How could the Evans Family be on the waiting list for a Chicago Housing Project for Two years if they lived in NEW YORK??????? Explain that one That's two things that supports my Argument.


(Sigh) I have explained this again and again. Inconsistencies do not necessarily invalidate a spin-off. Inconsistencies even exist among episodes of the same TV series. I hope I don't have to say it again, but knowing you, I probably will.

Originally posted by GeeBee
(Sigh) I have explained this again and again. Inconsistencies do not necessarily invalidate a spin-off. Inconsistencies even exist among episodes of the same TV series. I hope I don't have to say it again, but knowing you, I probably will.


I don't know GeeBee, from that statement by Florida, it sounds like Good Times reality was not apart of Maude reality. That actually was the best one I have come up with that supports that Good Times was it's on show. Ok Geebee, can you tell me another show that is a spinoff that is in a different city from the parent show WITHOUT EXPLANATION? I will come up with another one.

Solomon, what GeeBee is trying to say is that not all sitcoms are consistent in their storylines. That happens alot when new writers come to a show and don't bother to look at its history.

Suppose a new show came out starring Sherman Helmsley playing a character named George Jefferson and instead of living in NY, he lived in Florida. He also mentions briefly that he was a former business owner, but doesn't mention what kind of business. Would you think that was the same George or a completely different show?


What you obviously fail to realize, is that a spinoff doesn't have to mention the parent show to be considered a spinoff.

Originally posted by Brian Damage
Solomon, what GeeBee is trying to say is that not all sitcoms are consistent in their storylines. That happens alot when new writers come to a show and don't bother to look at its history.

Suppose a new show came out starring Sherman Helmsley playing a character named George Jefferson and instead of living in NY, he lived in Florida. He also mentions briefly that he was a former business owner, but doesn't mention what kind of business. Would you think that was the same George or a completely different show?


What you obviously fail to realize, is that a spinoff doesn't have to mention the parent show to be considered a spinoff.



But it was too many inconsistencies on Good Times which means the producers didn't intend for Good Times to be a spinoff

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer
I don't know GeeBee, from that statement by Florida, it sounds like Good Times reality was not apart of Maude reality. That actually was the best one I have come up with that supports that Good Times was it's on show. Ok Geebee, can you tell me another show that is a spinoff that is in a different city from the parent show WITHOUT EXPLANATION? I will come up with another one.


Forget spin-offs and locations; I can tell you a TV series with a huge incontinency from the first season to the last, Happy Days. The older brother Chuck was completely forgotten and it was like he never existed. It seems to me that the disappearance of a whole family member is much more inconsistent than a change in location. (Although, I'm sure you would have loved for J.J. to vanish from Good Times). Yet, Happy Days always had flashbacks to the early seasons. It was clearly in the same reality, but with a very warped storyline. It happens, Sitcom. Writers forget, don't bother to look at details, or decide that the details are not important enough. It has nothing to do with spin-offs, same series, or what have you. It's just how it works. All the dots are not connected even though the TV shows are. That's showbiz.

Originally posted by GeeBee
Forget spin-offs and locations; I can tell you a TV series with a huge incontinency from the first season to the last, Happy Days. The older brother Chuck was completely forgotten and it was like he never existed. It seems to me that the disappearance of a whole family member is much more inconsistent than a change in location. (Although, I'm sure you would have loved for J.J. to vanish from Good Times). Yet, Happy Days always had flashbacks to the early seasons. It was clearly in the same reality, but with a very warped storyline. It happens, Sitcom. Writers forget, don't bother to look at details, or decide that the details are not important enough. It has nothing to do with spin-offs, same series, or what have you. It's just how it works. All the dots are not connected even though the TV shows are. That's showbiz.





Just tell me about spinoff that was not in the same city as it's parent show and there was no explanation. Just name One

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer
Just tell me about spinoff that was not in the same city as it's parent show and there was no explanation. Just name One



Good Times

Originally posted by GeeBee
Good Times



LOL

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer
LOL


Ask a silly question...

Originally posted by GeeBee
Ask a silly question...


Another show besides GOOD TIMES

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer
Another show besides GOOD TIMES


Another SPIN-OFF besides Good Times?

Originally posted by GeeBee
Another SPIN-OFF besides Good Times?

Yes another Spinoff besides Good Times. Name ONE- Just ONE

Originally posted by GeeBee
Another SPIN-OFF besides Good Times?

And if you can't come up with another spinoff, i don't think I have to tell you what that means

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer
And if you can't come up with another spinoff, i don't think I have to tell you what that means

"Another spin-off"? So, you're admitting that Good Times is a spin-off?

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer
Another show besides GOOD TIMES

Maybe Good Times is a one-of-a-kind spin-off. From what I've read, there were a lot of errors between the first pilot for "Empty Nest" which aired on The Golden Girls and the actual spin-off.

You don't go from one show to another show without changing the character's name unless it's a spin-off or a crossover. Did Florida's name change? No.

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer
Yes another Spinoff besides Good Times. Name ONE- Just ONE


"Besides Good Times"? Meaning that Good Times is ONE spin-off? Why do we have to worry about "another" then?

Originally posted by GeeBee
"Another spin-off"? So, you're admitting that Good Times is a spin-off?


I'm just going along with you. So can you list another show that is a spinoff that has the location inconsistency?????????- I'm waiting

Originally posted by Sean Snow
Maybe Good Times is a one-of-a-kind spin-off. From what I've read, there were a lot of errors between the first pilot for "Empty Nest" which aired on The Golden Girls and the actual spin-off.

You don't go from one show to another show without changing the character's name unless it's a spin-off or a crossover. Did Florida's name change? No.

Did Empty Nest have a LOCATION error?

Originally posted by GeeBee
"Besides Good Times"? Meaning that Good Times is ONE spin-off? Why do we have to worry about "another" then?

List a spinoff that changed location WITHOUT EXPLANATION? If you can't then i win this debate about Good Times not being a spinoff

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer
List a spinoff that changed location WITHOUT EXPLANATION? If you can't then i win this debate about Good Times not being a spinoff

List a source other than your opinion and that one article that says, in any which way, that Good Times is not a spin-off. As weird as the inconsistencies are, all the publications/websites/TV programs I've seen list it as a spin-off. They can't all be wrong just because you say they are, can they?

Also, since you asked GeeBee to say one spin-off that moved to a new location without any explanation, here's one for you: mention a TV actor who went from one show to another with in a season or two, keeping the character's name in the process [in this case, Florida Evans], without it being a spin-off or a crossover.

Originally posted by Sean Snow
List a source other than your opinion and that one article that says, in any which way, that Good Times is not a spin-off. As weird as the inconsistencies are, all the publications/websites/TV programs I've seen list it as a spin-off. They can't all be wrong just because you say they are, can they?

Also, since you asked GeeBee to say one spin-off that moved to a new location without any explanation, here's one for you: mention a TV actor who went from one show to another with in a season or two, keeping the character's name in the process [in this case, Florida Evans], without it being a spin-off or a crossover.


Yes i can name three. Three's Crowd, Sanford and Archie Bunker's Place. Now you name a spinoff that changed cities WITHOUT EXPLANATION

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer
List a spinoff that changed location WITHOUT EXPLANATION? If you can't then i win this debate about Good Times not being a spinoff



According to whose scoreboard? I already named such a spin-off: Good Times.

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer
Now you name a spinoff that changed cities WITHOUT EXPLANATION


Good Times.

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer
I'm just going along with you. So can you list another show that is a spinoff that has the location inconsistency?????????- I'm waiting


If you're going along with me, you're admitting that Good Times is a spin-off.

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer
Yes i can name three. Three's Crowd, Sanford and Archie Bunker's Place. Now you name a spinoff that changed cities WITHOUT EXPLANATION

You mis-read the question. I said a show that ISN'T a spinoff. Those ARE spinoffs. I'm saying are there any shows that share the name of one character who is played by the same actress and that aren't spinoffs?

*sigh* If you still don't get it, then nevermind. It's hard for me to explain. Just tell me what show that was NOT a spinoff shared a character's name, a character that was played by the same actress on both shows, yet was still not a spin-off.

For example, I want something like this:
Vicki Jackson played Willihemia Williams on Terrible Toes. After she left Terrible Toes, she moved on to Angry Aardvarks but still played Willihemia Williams. However, Angry Aardvarks was not a spin-off of Terrible Toes.

This is what you're saying about Good Times and Maude. Can you name any show that has also done this without being a spinoff/crossover (I don't even think Good Times did it in the first place, but apparently you'll never change your mind even though there is a lot more evidence of it being a spin-off).

Originally posted by Sean Snow
You mis-read the question. I said a show that ISN'T a spinoff. Those ARE spinoffs. I'm saying are there any shows that share the name of one character who is played by the same actress and that aren't spinoffs?

*sigh* If you still don't get it, then nevermind. It's hard for me to explain. Just tell me what show that was NOT a spinoff shared a character's name, a character that was played by the same actress on both shows, yet was still not a spin-off.

For example, I want something like this:
Vicki Jackson played Willihemia Williams on Terrible Toes. After she left Terrible Toes, she moved on to Angry Aardvarks but still played Willihemia Williams. However, Angry Aardvarks was not a spin-off of Terrible Toes.

This is what you're saying about Good Times and Maude. Can you name any show that has also done this without being a spinoff/crossover (I don't even think Good Times did it in the first place, but apparently you'll never change your mind even though there is a lot more evidence of it being a spin-off).



Carroll O Connor played Archie on All in the Family and Archie Bunkers PLace

Redd Foxx played Fred Sanford on SANFORD and SANFORD AND SON.


ABP and SAnford were REVAMPED SHOWS not Spinoffs. Now you name a spinoff where a character is living in one city and moves to another and it's never explained once the spinoff starts.

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer


Now you name a spinoff where a character is living in one city and moves to another and it's never explained once the spinoff starts.




Good Times

Originally posted by GeeBee
Good Times


Well if all u can say is Good Times then this debate FAVORS ME!!!!!! THank you very much for supporting my argument

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer

ABP and SAnford were REVAMPED SHOWS not Spinoffs. Now you name a spinoff where a character is living in one city and moves to another and it's never explained once the spinoff starts.

Ugh. NEVERMIND. Gawd, I said they can't be THE SAME CHARACTER just named the same and played by the same actor and/or actress, which is what you're saying with Florida Evans. You're saying that, although they are named the same and are played by the same actress, they are different characters. (Although I don't agree with it.)

As for your question, I can't think of one. That doesn't point to anything, though. Good Times could be the only spinoff to do the entire more-inconsistencies-than-you-can-shake-an-alligator at thing. -.-

I doubt you'll ever change anyone's mind. Even if you you think you have 'won this round,' no one else seems to think that.

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer
Well if all u can say is Good Times then this debate FAVORS ME!!!!!! THank you very much for supporting my argument


Anytime.

Originally posted by Sean Snow
Ugh. NEVERMIND. Gawd, I said they can't be THE SAME CHARACTER just named the same and played by the same actor and/or actress, which is what you're saying with Florida Evans. You're saying that, although they are named the same and are played by the same actress, they are different characters. (Although I don't agree with it.)

As for your question, I can't think of one. That doesn't point to anything, though. Good Times could be the only spinoff to do the entire more-inconsistencies-than-you-can-shake-an-alligator at thing. -.-

I doubt you'll ever change anyone's mind. Even if you you think you have 'won this round,' no one else seems to think that.


Well Sean if you can't think of one then you have no argument. Let me know if you ever find one.

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer
Well Sean if you can't think of one then you have no argument. Let me know if you ever find one.


Good Times is one. How many times do I have to tell you?

Originally posted by GeeBee
Good Times is one. How many times do I have to tell you?


My point exactly-THERE IS NO OTHER SHOW THAT HAS LOCATION ERRORS.

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer
My point exactly-THERE IS NO OTHER SHOW THAT HAS LOCATION ERRORS.


Why do we need another show?

Originally posted by GeeBee
Why do we need another show?

To seeif a show that was spinned off has location errors. Lots of spinoffs moved to different cities and they all had reasons for the move. Spinoffs like

Rhoda
Phyllis
Jeffersons
Mork and Mindy


None of those shows had location errors

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer
To seeif a show that was spinned off has location errors. Lots of spinoffs moved to different cities and they all had reasons for the move. Spinoffs like

Rhoda
Phyllis
Jeffersons
Mork and Mindy


None of those shows had location errors


So what?

Originally posted by GeeBee
So what?

My point looks STRONG once again

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer
My point looks STRONG once again


Why?

Originally posted by GeeBee
Why?



Because you don't back what you say

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer
Because you don't back what you say


How so?

Originally posted by GeeBee
How so?


You say Good Times is a spinoff and have not given YOUR reason why. So what's the pint in debating with you if you keep saying the same thing over and over.

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer
You say Good Times is a spinoff and have not given YOUR reason why. So what's the pint in debating with you if you keep saying the same thing over and over.


But, I have given my reasons why and so have many others. Go back and read all the messages and let me know what you find.

Good Times is a spinoff of Maude because of Florida Evans....THE END!

Originally posted by Brian Damage
Good Times is a spinoff of Maude because of Florida Evans....THE END!

I guess because of Henry Evans too-LOL

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer
I guess because of Henry Evans too-LOL


Sure. Haven't you ever known anyone with more than one name? What's in a name anyway?

No, you see what haapend was that Florida's husband was a fireman in New York, but as he was atteding to a fire, he witnessed a Mafia Execution. so they put him and his family into the witness protection program(or in this case the Witless protection program).

Originally posted by fonzie666
No, you see what haapend was that Florida's husband was a fireman in New York, but as he was atteding to a fire, he witnessed a Mafia Execution. so they put him and his family into the witness protection program(or in this case the Witless protection program).


And that is the biggest crock of nonsense I have ever seen when discussing TV shows.

I'll have to agree with GeeBee and B.D. on this one. Florida, when she was on Maude, moved to Chicago. That's how she ended up in a different place Mr. Sitcom Analyzer. Did you watch Maude at all? :confused:

Originally posted by laneyday
I'll have to agree with GeeBee and B.D. on this one. Florida, when she was on Maude, moved to Chicago. That's how she ended up in a different place Mr. Sitcom Analyzer. Did you watch Maude at all? :confused:


I recently watched the last appearance of Florida on Maude and nothing was said about her moving to Chicago. And even if she did, why would they be living in the projects if James was PROMOTED?????????????

If you've watched Good Times...I mean REALLY watched Good Times you would have noticed the amount of troubles James had at keeping good jobs.

But to answer your question on sitcom inconsistencies and to aid GeeBee, The Facts Of Life was a spin-off of Diff'rent Strokes which took place in New York. Mrs. Garrett moved to Peekskill (which is not in New York) to be head-mistress of the school.
*The Jefferson's - Weezy had a husband on 'All In The Family' named George but it was a different man who played the character. When Sherman Hemsley came on the show as George Jefferson (before the spin-off, 'The Jefferson's') that same man that played the first George was now introduced as Weezy's brother 'Henry'. Talk about inconsistencies. Does that mean that The Jefferson's and The Facts of Life are not spin-offs? Oh my God, what shall we do?:lol:

It's a spinoff everybody but Solomon knows that.

Originally posted by laneyday
If you've watched Good Times...I mean REALLY watched Good Times you would have noticed the amount of troubles James had at keeping good jobs.

But to answer your question on sitcom inconsistencies and to aid GeeBee, The Facts Of Life was a spin-off of Diff'rent Strokes which took place in New York. Mrs. Garrett moved to Peekskill (which is not in New York) to be head-mistress of the school.
*The Jefferson's - Weezy had a husband on 'All In The Family' named George but it was a different man who played the character. When Sherman Hemsley came on the show as George Jefferson (before the spin-off, 'The Jefferson's') that same man that played the first George was now introduced as Weezy's brother 'Henry'. Talk about inconsistencies. Does that mean that The Jefferson's and The Facts of Life are not spin-offs? Oh my God, what shall we do?:lol:



There was a explanation for Mrd. Garett's move, there was no explanation on why Florida was living in Chicago


Louise Jefferson husband was always Georgem, he just was not seen until 1973. From 1971-1973, the guy who played HENRY JEFFERSON was her brother in-law NOT HER HUSBAND. He pretended to be her husband in one episode. NICE TRY-LOL

Good Times was a Spinoff!

Sit. An. Who is Georgem? And who is Mrd. Garet? Never heard of them. You still haven't responded to GeeBee's explanation of Richard Cunnigham's older brother Chuck not being mentioned ever again on Happy Days. I WANT TO HEAR YOUR VIEWS EINSTEIN!:eek:

Originally posted by laneyday
Sit. An. Who is Georgem? And who is Mrd. Garet? Never heard of them. You still haven't responded to GeeBee's explanation of Richard Cunnigham's older brother Chuck not being mentioned ever again on Happy Days. I WANT TO HEAR YOUR VIEWS EINSTEIN!:eek:


GeorgeM is (George), i hit the M by a mistake


Mrd. Garet is (Mrs. Garrett), i was typing too fast

You still haven't answered the question!!!

Originally posted by laneyday
You still haven't responded to GeeBee's explanation of Richard Cunnigham's older brother Chuck not being mentioned ever again on Happy Days. I WANT TO HEAR YOUR VIEWS EINSTEIN!:eek:

I guess you just want to ignore the question. :rolleyes:

Originally posted by Brian Damage
I guess you just want to ignore the question. :rolleyes:


It's nothing for me to comment on because I never watch Happy Days when Chuck was on there which was 74-75. I only watched from 75 and after.

The point is there are inconsistencies with almost every sitcom...Good Times included.

Originally posted by Brian Damage
The point is there are inconsistencies with almost every sitcom...Good Times included.


THe Chuck situation on Happy Days has nothing to do with Good Times because a character never disappeared off the Good Times set without explanation. They just moved to another state, and had no money WITHOUT EXPLANATION

That still doesn't mean Good Times wasn't a spinoff. Don't you think people tuned in to see Florida Evans the former maid on Maude and see her personal, private life? That's what people were thinking about.

Originally posted by Brian Damage
That still doesn't mean Good Times wasn't a spinoff. Don't you think people tuned in to see Florida Evans the former maid on Maude and see her personal, private life? That's what people were thinking about.


Her private life was in new york not chicago.

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer
THe Chuck situation on Happy Days has nothing to do with Good Times because a character never disappeared off the Good Times set without explanation. They just moved to another state, and had no money WITHOUT EXPLANATION


That's not exactly correct, Sitty. There was no explanation for Carl Dixon's absence when Florida returned. Think before you speak.

Originally posted by Brian Damage
It's a spinoff everybody but Solomon knows that.


Solomon knows it too. He's trying to be argumentative with these absurd viewpoints of every sitcom. He tipped his hand a bit when he said that he does these things just to aggravate.

Originally posted by GeeBee
That's not exactly correct, Sitty. There was no explanation for Carl Dixon's absence when Florida returned. Think before you speak.

OK, you are right-I forgot about Carl.

HALLELUJAH! You also need to remember, sitt (I like that), that your first concern was about the inconsistencies of sitcoms. All of a sudden you're totally obsessed with the fact that Good Times was not in New York without any good reason. People/writers don't have to give anyone any reason for doing what they feel like doing and that should never stray from the point that any show is a spin-off or not. The IDEA for the show stemmed from Maude and that qualifies as a spin-off. End of story.

I mean sitty.:D

Originally posted by laneyday
HALLELUJAH! You also need to remember, sitt (I like that), that your first concern was about the inconsistencies of sitcoms. All of a sudden you're totally obsessed with the fact that Good Times was not in New York without any good reason. People/writers don't have to give anyone any reason for doing what they feel like doing and that should never stray from the point that any show is a spin-off or not. The IDEA for the show stemmed from Maude and that qualifies as a spin-off. End of story.


There Are two different situations on Good Times and Maude. The producers forgot to give Esther Rolle's character a different name. Once again, on Maude the situation is that Florida was a housewife who lived in NYC. On Good Times, Florida was a housewife in Chicago who was poor. Two different situations.

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer
There Are two different situations on Good Times and Maude. The producers forgot to give Esther Rolle's character a different name. Once again, on Maude the situation is that Florida was a housewife who lived in NYC. On Good Times, Florida was a housewife in Chicago who was poor. Two different situations.


No, you've got it backwards. Florida Evans was the same character, a wife with three children. The producers forgot to attend to the details from one show to the next, but it was clearly a spin-off.

Originally posted by GeeBee
No, you've got it backwards. Florida Evans was the same character, a wife with three children. The producers forgot to attend to the details from one show to the next, but it was clearly a spin-off.


Why is it so hard for you to understand that the show Good Times was already created long before Maude, Norman lear just asked Florida did she want to star on ths NEW TYPE of Show. And Of Course she said yeah. So the writers and producers wrote the Florida Evans and henry Evans character off MAUDE because Esther Rolle wasn't going to still be on two sitcoms. So it wasn't a transition, it was a write off so that she could focus on Good Times. ALSO, a person who was 23 years old in 1974 when Good Times started, told me that no one back during that time considered Good Times a spinoff.

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer
ALSO, a person who was 23 years old in 1974 when Good Times started, told me that no one back during that time considered Good Times a spinoff.

Now you're lying. :nonono:

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer
Why is it so hard for you to understand that the show Good Times was already created long before Maude, Norman lear just asked Florida did she want to star on ths NEW TYPE of Show. And Of Course she said yeah. So the writers and producers wrote the Florida Evans and henry Evans character off MAUDE because Esther Rolle wasn't going to still be on two sitcoms. So it wasn't a transition, it was a write off so that she could focus on Good Times. ALSO, a person who was 23 years old in 1974 when Good Times started, told me that no one back during that time considered Good Times a spinoff.

No, I heard on a TVLand special that Good Times was in fact a spin-off from Maude. There should be no more confusion about it now.

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer
Why is it so hard for you to understand that the show Good Times was already created long before Maude, Norman lear just asked Florida did she want to star on ths NEW TYPE of Show. And Of Course she said yeah. So the writers and producers wrote the Florida Evans and henry Evans character off MAUDE because Esther Rolle wasn't going to still be on two sitcoms. So it wasn't a transition, it was a write off so that she could focus on Good Times. ALSO, a person who was 23 years old in 1974 when Good Times started, told me that no one back during that time considered Good Times a spinoff.

The idea for Good Times might have been created years before, but they decided to introduce the Florida Evans character on Maude first. Besides, the first idea was to have Good Times be set in NEW YORK! In case you didn't know that.

Originally posted by Brian Damage
Now you're lying. :nonono:


Why do you say that. I just asked the person and they started laughing because they knew Good Times was not apart of Maude's reality.

Originally posted by Brian Damage
The idea for Good Times might have been created years before, but they decided to introduce the Florida Evans character on Maude first. Besides, the first idea was to have Good Times be set in NEW YORK! In case you didn't know that.


And where did you hear that?

An article....which I forgot which one. Look around it's definitely out there.

Originally posted by Brian Damage
An article....which I forgot which one. Look around it's definitely out there.


You have an aticle from an invisble newspaper but i have article from a REAL MAGAZINE that no one seems to want. It's still available if you would like to read it.

The problem with you Solomon is that you like to argue with people. E!, TVLAND, various websites and articles have claimed that Good Times was a spinoff, yet you and your limited wisdom want to argue that EVERYBODY, but you is wrong. YOU"RE a LYER that claims you've spoken with people that watched Good Times back in the 70's that claim that they never considered Good Times a spinoff. One little blurb that said Good Times REALLY isn't a spinoff. Meaning it still is. I"VE ASKED YOU FOR THAT ARTICLE MANY TIMES AS WELL. You :mooner:

Originally posted by Brian Damage
The problem with you Solomon is that you like to argue with people. E!, TVLAND, various websites and articles have claimed that Good Times was a spinoff, yet you and your limited wisdom want to argue that EVERYBODY, but you is wrong. YOU"RE a LYER that claims you've spoken with people that watched Good Times back in the 70's that claim that they never considered Good Times a spinoff. One little blurb that said Good Times REALLY isn't a spinoff. Meaning it still is. I"VE ASKED YOU FOR THAT ARTICLE MANY TIMES AS WELL. You :mooner:



WEll if you really want it, PM me your mailing address

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer
WEll if you really want it, PM me your mailing address


Solomon's not a liar. He's a damn liar.

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer
Well if all u can say is Good Times then this debate FAVORS ME!!!!!! THank you very much for supporting my argument

Not so fast, Bronco. I know a spinoff that was set in a different location......"Billy" It was a "Head of the Class" spinoff. It starred Billy MacGregor. On HOTC he played the teacher in the last season and during midseason of 1992, "Billy" premiered. He played Billy MacGregor who needed a green card to stay in the U.S. and took part of a marriage of convenience with a woman who helped him stay in the country. No HOTC references about him being a teacher were mentioned. On HOTC his ladyfriend was the asst prinicipal Ms. Meara whom he was to propose to but did not. None of the preceding HOTC information was mentioned on the sitcom that aired on ABC and the show was set in a different state from New York where Head of the Class' setting was based.

Originally posted by ThomasE
Not so fast, Bronco. I know a spinoff that was set in a different location......"Billy" It was a "Head of the Class" spinoff. It starred Billy MacGregor. On HOTC he played the teacher in the last season and during midseason of 1992, "Billy" premiered. He played Billy MacGregor who needed a green card to stay in the U.S. and took part of a marriage of convenience with a woman who helped him stay in the country. No HOTC references about him being a teacher were mentioned. On HOTC his ladyfriend was the asst prinicipal Ms. Meara whom he was to propose to but did not. None of the preceding HOTC information was mentioned on the sitcom that aired on ABC and the show was set in a different state from New York where Head of the Class' setting was based.


But there was explanation on why He was in a different location. On Good Times, there was no explanation as to why Florida was in a different city.

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer
But there was explanation on why He was in a different location. On Good Times, there was no explanation as to why Florida was in a different city.

That still doesn't mean it's not a spinoff. Do you think network execs have to get YOUR approval before creating a spinoff? "Hey let's make sure we explain to Solomon why this character is moving from one location to another."

Sitty here thinks that since he analyzes sitcoms (like nobody else does) that he's absolutely right. No matter what you information you give him, he still has to argue that he's right. Solly, you were just given a great example and you still think that Good Times is the O-N-L-Y "spin-off" that left the city without a reason. Take it to Oprah. Maybe she can help you.:crazy:

Originally posted by laneyday
Sitty here thinks that since he analyzes sitcoms (like nobody else does) that he's absolutely right. No matter what you information you give him, he still has to argue that he's right. Solly, you were just given a great example and you still think that Good Times is the O-N-L-Y "spin-off" that left the city without a reason. Take it to Oprah. Maybe she can help you.:crazy:


Just let me know if you want a copy of the 1975 article in Ebony Magazine stating that Good Times is not a spinoff so we can end this.

I don't care if Norman Lear himself said that it wasn't a spinoff! Florida Evans was introduced on Maude...then spun off onto Good Times. Simple as that. If they didn't want it to be a spinoff, they should've used somebody other than Florida Evans.

What month in 1975? I'm ordering a back issue right now.;)

Originally posted by laneyday
What month in 1975? I'm ordering a back issue right now.;)


September

Sitty, I'm still looking for the September back issue of the 1975 Ebony magazine article you're talking about of Good Times being it's own original show. Contrary to your opinion, though, the websites don't agree.

To all you Spin-Off believers, here's the place to go.
http://www.memorabletv.com/showsaz/goodtimes.htm
and
The Family Tree of All In The Family Spin-Offs at:
http://www.geocites.com/televisioncity/set/8663/famtree.html

I don't know. Maybe it's just me but everytime I look around at Good Times, I see...SPIN-OFF!!!

Solomon, if you can find me ONE WEBSITE that sites your opinion and belief and present it to everyone here, I will give YOU the crown... Amen!:baby:

He'll never find it because it doesn't exist. Everybody knows it's a spinoff always has, always will.

for some reason the second address isn't registering right so I will spell out the words.

http://www.geocites.com/televisioncity/set/eight six six three/famtree.html but write the numbers numerical style.

Originally posted by laneyday
Sitty, I'm still looking for the September back issue of the 1975 Ebony magazine article you're talking about of Good Times being it's own original show. Contrary to your opinion, though, the websites don't agree.

To all you Spin-Off believers, here's the place to go.
http://www.memorabletv.com/showsaz/goodtimes.htm
and
The Family Tree of All In The Family Spin-Offs at:
http://www.geocites.com/televisioncity/set/8663/famtree.html

I don't know. Maybe it's just me but everytime I look around at Good Times, I see...SPIN-OFF!!!

Solomon, if you can find me ONE WEBSITE that sites your opinion and belief and present it to everyone here, I will give YOU the crown... Amen!:baby:


I don't need to find a website, i have the sept 1975 article with the executive producer Alan Manings saying that Good Times is not a spinoff. If you want me to mail u a copy, PM your mailing address.

GOOD TIMES

U.S. Domestic Comedy

Evictions, gang warfare, financial problems, muggings, rent parties and discrimination were frequent themes of the television program Good Times, that aired on CBS Television from February 1974 to August 1979. The program was created by Norman Lear and Bud Yorkin. This highly successful team of independent producers team enjoyed unmitigated success during the 1970s and 1980s with a number of hit television shows including Maude, Sanford and Son, The Jeffersons and one of television's most controversial sitcoms, All in the Family.

Good Times was a spin-off show of the hit series Maude. In Maude, the Black maid/housekeeper Florida, was portrayed by actor Ester Rolle. Rolle was chosen to star with John Amos as Mr. and Mrs. Evans in Good Times. The cast of Good Times included Florida; her unemployed but always looking-for-work husband, James; their teen-aged son, J.J.; a daughter, Thelma; and a younger son, Michael. The Evan's neighbor, a fortyish woman named Willona made frequent appearances. A very young Janet Jackson of the Jackson family fame, joined the cast later as Willona's adopted daughter.

Good Times earned its place in television history for a number of reasons. The program is significant for its decidedly different view, not only of Black family life, but American family life in general. Unlike the innocuous images served up in early televisions shows such as Father Knows Best and Julia, Good Times interjected relevancy and realism into prime-time television by dealing with the pressing issues of the day.

Good Times was also noteworthy in its portrayal of an African-American family attempting to negotiate the vicissitudes of life in a high-rise tenement apartment in an urban slum--the first show to tackle such a scenario with any measure of realism. The program exploited, with comic relief, such volatile subject matter as inflation, unemployment and racial bigotry. Along with The Jeffersons, Good Times was one of first television sitcoms featuring a mostly Black cast to appear since the controversial Amos 'n' Andy show had been canceled some twenty years prior.

Good Times was initially successful in that it offered solace for both blacks and whites, who could identify with the difficulties the Evans family faced. During the program's appearance on prime-time television, the concurrent period of history had included the Watergate scandal, the atrocities of the Vietnam War, staggeringly high interest rates, and growing unemployment. The James Evans character made clear his dissatisfaction with current government policies, hence, the show became a champion for the plight of the underclass.

The show also highlighted the good parenting skills of James and Florida. In spite of their difficult situation, they never shirked on their responsibility to teach values and morality to their children. The younger son Michael was thoughtful, intelligent, and fascinated with African-American history. He frequently participated in protest marches for good causes. J.J. was an aspiring artist who dreamed of lifting his family from the clutches of poverty. In one episode the family's last valuable possession, the television set, is stolen from J.J. on his way to the pawn shop to obtain a loan that would pay the month's rent. But somehow the Evans family prevailed, and they did so with a smile. Their ability to remain stalwart in the face of difficult odds was an underlying theme of the show.

Good Times is also significant for many layers of controversy and criticism that haunted its production. Both stars, Rolle and Amos walked away and returned as they became embroiled in various disputes surrounding the program's direction. A major point of disagreement was the J.J. character, who metamorphosed into a coon-stereotype reminiscent of early American film. His undignified antics raised the ire of the Black community. With his toothy grin, ridiculous strut and bug-eyed buffoonery, J.J. became a featured character with his trademark exclamation, "DY-NO-MITE!" J.J. lied, stole, and was barely literate. More and more episodes were centered around his exploits. Forgotten were Michael's scholastic success, James' search for a job and anything resembling family values.

Both Ester Rolle and John Amos objected to the highlighting of the J.J. character. When both stars eventually left the program in protest, abortive attempts were made to soften the J.J. character and continue the program without James and Florida. "We felt we had to do something drastic," Rolle said later in the Los Angeles Times, "we had lost the essence of the show."

Even with a newly fashioned (employed and mature-acting) J.J. character, ratings for Good Times plummeted. With some concessions, Rolle re-joined the cast in 1978 but the program failed and the series was canceled. The program went on to enjoy a decade of success in syndication.

Good Times, with its success and its criticism remains an important program in television history. As the product of the highly successful Lear/Yorkin team it stretched the boundaries of television comedy, while breaking the unspoken ban on a mostly black cast television show.

Originally posted by Brian Damage
GOOD TIMES

U.S. Domestic Comedy

Evictions, gang warfare, financial problems, muggings, rent parties and discrimination were frequent themes of the television program Good Times, that aired on CBS Television from February 1974 to August 1979. The program was created by Norman Lear and Bud Yorkin. This highly successful team of independent producers team enjoyed unmitigated success during the 1970s and 1980s with a number of hit television shows including Maude, Sanford and Son, The Jeffersons and one of television's most controversial sitcoms, All in the Family.

Good Times was a spin-off show of the hit series Maude. In Maude, the Black maid/housekeeper Florida, was portrayed by actor Ester Rolle. Rolle was chosen to star with John Amos as Mr. and Mrs. Evans in Good Times. The cast of Good Times included Florida; her unemployed but always looking-for-work husband, James; their teen-aged son, J.J.; a daughter, Thelma; and a younger son, Michael. The Evan's neighbor, a fortyish woman named Willona made frequent appearances. A very young Janet Jackson of the Jackson family fame, joined the cast later as Willona's adopted daughter.

Good Times earned its place in television history for a number of reasons. The program is significant for its decidedly different view, not only of Black family life, but American family life in general. Unlike the innocuous images served up in early televisions shows such as Father Knows Best and Julia, Good Times interjected relevancy and realism into prime-time television by dealing with the pressing issues of the day.

Good Times was also noteworthy in its portrayal of an African-American family attempting to negotiate the vicissitudes of life in a high-rise tenement apartment in an urban slum--the first show to tackle such a scenario with any measure of realism. The program exploited, with comic relief, such volatile subject matter as inflation, unemployment and racial bigotry. Along with The Jeffersons, Good Times was one of first television sitcoms featuring a mostly Black cast to appear since the controversial Amos 'n' Andy show had been canceled some twenty years prior.

Good Times was initially successful in that it offered solace for both blacks and whites, who could identify with the difficulties the Evans family faced. During the program's appearance on prime-time television, the concurrent period of history had included the Watergate scandal, the atrocities of the Vietnam War, staggeringly high interest rates, and growing unemployment. The James Evans character made clear his dissatisfaction with current government policies, hence, the show became a champion for the plight of the underclass.

The show also highlighted the good parenting skills of James and Florida. In spite of their difficult situation, they never shirked on their responsibility to teach values and morality to their children. The younger son Michael was thoughtful, intelligent, and fascinated with African-American history. He frequently participated in protest marches for good causes. J.J. was an aspiring artist who dreamed of lifting his family from the clutches of poverty. In one episode the family's last valuable possession, the television set, is stolen from J.J. on his way to the pawn shop to obtain a loan that would pay the month's rent. But somehow the Evans family prevailed, and they did so with a smile. Their ability to remain stalwart in the face of difficult odds was an underlying theme of the show.

Good Times is also significant for many layers of controversy and criticism that haunted its production. Both stars, Rolle and Amos walked away and returned as they became embroiled in various disputes surrounding the program's direction. A major point of disagreement was the J.J. character, who metamorphosed into a coon-stereotype reminiscent of early American film. His undignified antics raised the ire of the Black community. With his toothy grin, ridiculous strut and bug-eyed buffoonery, J.J. became a featured character with his trademark exclamation, "DY-NO-MITE!" J.J. lied, stole, and was barely literate. More and more episodes were centered around his exploits. Forgotten were Michael's scholastic success, James' search for a job and anything resembling family values.

Both Ester Rolle and John Amos objected to the highlighting of the J.J. character. When both stars eventually left the program in protest, abortive attempts were made to soften the J.J. character and continue the program without James and Florida. "We felt we had to do something drastic," Rolle said later in the Los Angeles Times, "we had lost the essence of the show."

Even with a newly fashioned (employed and mature-acting) J.J. character, ratings for Good Times plummeted. With some concessions, Rolle re-joined the cast in 1978 but the program failed and the series was canceled. The program went on to enjoy a decade of success in syndication.

Good Times, with its success and its criticism remains an important program in television history. As the product of the highly successful Lear/Yorkin team it stretched the boundaries of television comedy, while breaking the unspoken ban on a mostly black cast television show.



You still don't understand do you-LOL



My argument is supported by the executive producer and your argument is supported by people who had nothing to do with the creation of the show.

After the release of All in the Family, The Jeffersons, and Sanford & Son in DVD season sets, it was only logical to release Good Times at some point. Good Times started in 1974 as a spin off of Maude. Florida Evans (Esther Rolle) was Maude's (Bea Arthur) housekeeper and Good Times concerns the Evans family and their ups and downs living in a Chicago project development. The other members of the Evans family are the father, James (John Amos), daughter Thelma (BernNadette Stanis), and sons Michael (Ralph Carter) and J.J. (Jimmie Walker). And don't forget Wilonna (Ja'net DuBois) from next door! Sorry, but Penny (Janet Jackson) and Superintendant Bookman (Johnny Brown) don't appear until Season 5 so you'll have to wait for that. The Norman Lear/Bud Yorkin sitcoms were one of a kind and each ground breaking in its own way. They dared to show real life, situations, attitudes, and characters who actually exist. Good Times was unique. It was like the Jeffersons in that it centered around a black family, but the Evans' were different from the Jeffersons both in family size and economic status (The Evans' poor, the Jeffersons rich). Good Times, like the other Lear/Yorkin classics, don't shy away from realistic views and language, but thats why these shows are so important. This type of sitcom won't come along again so get it while you can. Its a great thing that these shows have been preserved and brought to digital in an uncut & unedited form. This 2 DVD set contains the first season of 13 episodes which ran from February to May 1974. There are no extra features other than subtitles, episode selection, and previews, but having such a classic, funny, and important piece of television history in this format at the push of a button is priceless. Actually this release does have the "play all episodes" feature, which hasn't been on the other Lear/Yorkin show DVDs, so that's cool. The next logical release will be Maude, then maybe One Day at a Time! Looking forward to it and all upcoming seasons of All in the Family, The Jeffersons, & Sanford and Son!

Florida Evans FIRST appears on Maude, a Norman Lear production.

LATER, Florida Evans appears on Good Times, a Norman Lear production.

Spin off.

First on one show, then on another. Same name, same actress, same production company.

The end.

Originally posted by dlemond
Florida Evans FIRST appears on Maude, a Norman Lear production.

LATER, Florida Evans appears on Good Times, a Norman Lear production.

Spin off.

First on one show, then on another. Same name, same actress, same production company.

The end.


She may had the same name but

her husband had a different name
family lived in a different city
Husband was poor and not a fireman



PLus in a episode of Good Times, Florida states that a list of jobs that James had and fireman was not one of them. In the first episode of Good Times you would think they would explain why Florida was poor and living in Chicago when on the last episode of Maude, she quit being a maid because her husband was promoted at the fire house. In the first episode of Goodtimes James was unemployed in Chicago and not employed in NYC

Yeah, and Mork was from Ork and Richie's brother seems to have existed only in the viewer's mind.

It does not have to be completely consistent or stay exactly the same, the point is a character was transfered to a new show.

What about Henry Jefferson? Did he exist or didn't??? We never saw him on the show.

Originally posted by Brian Damage
What about Henry Jefferson? Did he exist or didn't??? We never saw him on the show.

I'm not sure i know what you mean

Henry was on All in the Family, yet he wasn't on the Jeffersons...it's all about inconsistencies.

Florida Evans on her FIRST show Maude!

http://valdefierro.com/times65.jpg

Originally posted by Brian Damage
Henry was on All in the Family, yet he wasn't on the Jeffersons...it's all about inconsistencies.


Why would Henry need to be on the Jeffersons and he was George's Brother? So where is the inconsistency? On a ep of All in the Family, Henry Jefferson moved to a another section of New York. So why would he needed on the Jeffersons?

Originally posted by Brian Damage
Florida Evans on her FIRST show Maude!

http://valdefierro.com/times65.jpg



That picture meaNS nothing

Esther Rolle had played maid Florida Evans for two seasons on producer Norman Lear's Maude (which itself was spun off from All In The Family) when she left the Findlay household in the spring of 1974. Originally, CBS wanted Florida to be a single mother raising three kids on her own. But she put her foot down and demanded that she have a husband. As created by Eric Monte (who lived in the Chicago projects himself), Florida and husband James (John Amos) shared an apartment with their three children: young social activist Michael (Ralph Carter); teenage daughter Thelma (BernNadette Stanis); and oldest son James Jr. (otherwise known as J.J. and played by young comic Jimmy Walker). Living next door to the Evans family was the liberated and single Willona Woods (Ja'net DuBois). Strangely enough, Amos' character was named Henry when he appeared occasionally on Maude as Florida's husband; why his name was changed to James for Good Times remains unclear

At the center of "Good Times" is the relationship between James and Florida Evans, played with true heart and character by John Amos and the late Esther Rolle, whose character originated in "Maude."

Originally posted by Brian Damage
Esther Rolle had played maid Florida Evans for two seasons on producer Norman Lear's Maude (which itself was spun off from All In The Family) when she left the Findlay household in the spring of 1974. Originally, CBS wanted Florida to be a single mother raising three kids on her own. But she put her foot down and demanded that she have a husband. As created by Eric Monte (who lived in the Chicago projects himself), Florida and husband James (John Amos) shared an apartment with their three children: young social activist Michael (Ralph Carter); teenage daughter Thelma (BernNadette Stanis); and oldest son James Jr. (otherwise known as J.J. and played by young comic Jimmy Walker). Living next door to the Evans family was the liberated and single Willona Woods (Ja'net DuBois). Strangely enough, Amos' character was named Henry when he appeared occasionally on Maude as Florida's husband; why his name was changed to James for Good Times remains unclear


We wouldn't be having this debate if they changed Florida's name. The question is, why didn't they change Florida's name? That's unclear to me.

Rolle was playing an ongoing part on the ABC soap "One Life to Live" when Lear brought her to Hollywood to play Florida Evans, the maid to the liberal "Maude", portrayed by Beatrice Arthur. She was an instant hit with the audience, her mere presence putting a crimp in Maude's brand of liberalism. Rolle was steady, took no grief, and often was the audience's voice of reason when the pampered white folks of Westchester Country became too silly. So popular was Florida, that CBS wanted a spin-off series. What resulted was actually a completely new life for the Florida character, one living in Chicago with no relation to Maude Findlay whatsoever. "Good Times" premiered in 1974 as the first network prime time series created by African-American writers--Eric Monte and Lionel Evans--but their participation ended quickly. Rolle was the wife of John Amos, living in the projects, and trying to raise three children with only two bedrooms and a whole lot of love. What she had hoped would be a sitcom in the socially-conscious mold of the times, exploring life for Blacks in urban America, instead turned into a minstrel show led by the antics of the eldest son played by Jimmie "Dyn-o-mite" Walker. An appalled Amos left the series in 1976 and an equally fed-up Rolle quit at the end of the 1976-77 season. She was lured back in the autumn of 1978 with promises that the content would be different. But, by that time the show had lost its spark and it was canceled in 1979

Originally posted by Brian Damage
At the center of "Good Times" is the relationship between James and Florida Evans, played with true heart and character by John Amos and the late Esther Rolle, whose character originated in "Maude."


I already explained that the producer said they CHANGED that Florida Evans character. It was no longer the same character.

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer
I already explained that the producer said they CHANGED that Florida Evans character. It was no longer the same character.

It was the same character, they just changed the settings around her. Read man!

Based on the life of Eric Monte and Mike Evans (Lionel on The Jeffersons), the shows original creators; Good Times, a Norman Lear production, which premiered on CBS on February 1, 1974, was a spin-off from Maude, which in turn was a spin-off from All in the Family. In the beginning, its central character, Florida Evans, played by Esther Rolle, was already known to viewers, having first appeared for two seasons as the outspoken maid from Maude and also on All in the Family, until she got a show of her own.

Originally posted by laneyday
Sitty, I'm still looking for the September back issue of the 1975 Ebony magazine article you're talking about of Good Times being it's own original show. Contrary to your opinion, though, the websites don't agree.

To all you Spin-Off believers, here's the place to go.
http://www.memorabletv.com/showsaz/goodtimes.htm
and
The Family Tree of All In The Family Spin-Offs at:
http://www.geocites.com/televisioncity/set/8663/famtree.html

I don't know. Maybe it's just me but everytime I look around at Good Times, I see...SPIN-OFF!!!

Solomon, if you can find me ONE WEBSITE that sites your opinion and belief and present it to everyone here, I will give YOU the crown... Amen!:baby:

It is a spinoff. I do know after watching the E true Hollywood Story that Good Times was actually concieved in 1971 as an idea for a series called "The Black Family" However it did not take off as of yet. Esther Rolle signed on to play the role of Florida Evans in the summer of 1972 on the series Maude. She was later offered the role as the mother on the "Black Family" . The producers decided to change the name to "Good Times" and made an agreement to let Esther Rolle to keep her character name and begin production on "Good Times". There was no forgetting to change her name. That would be something obvious to change. So SOLOMON is correct when he says that "Good Times" was not really based on the series Maude in a way, but yet her character was spunoff from Maude to Good Times. Florida's and Henry Evans on Maude had three children as well. That is another similarity right there.

"Knots Landing" was concieved before Dallas started but the CBS wanted something more saga and glitzy so "Dallas" came into play. The "Dallas" producers decided to come back with the "Knots Landing" idea and took son Gary Ewing and Valene Ewing and use them for Knots Landing. Are we to say that "Knots" is not a spinoff? It is though because characeters on the "Dallas" show were put into their new world. Florida and James were put into a new world. So while not following the traditional standards of spinning off, we can conclude without a doubt the "Good Times" was a spinoff of sorts from Maude using characters from Bea Arthur's show. Location of characters does not matter. So the Evans' biography was rewritten. TV can do that.

As far "Billy" is concerned, SOLOMON, his biography was changed as well as the Evans. Flo never mentioned Maude, Billy never mentioned the IHP students, DR. Samuels and Ms. Meara and it seemed as though in the premise of the spinoff series, he had just moved to the U.S. from what I can remember after watching the show(it's been 11 years since I last viewed it) Both these show are spinoffs even if the history of the characters are changed.

Originally posted by ThomasE
It is a spinoff. I do know after watching the E true Hollywood Story that Good Times was actually concieved in 1971 as an idea for a series called "The Black Family" However it did not take off as of yet. Esther Rolle signed on to play the role of Florida Evans in the summer of 1972 on the series Maude. She was later offered the role as the mother on the "Black Family" . The producers decided to change the name to "Good Times" and made an agreement to let Esther Rolle to keep her character name and begin production on "Good Times". There was no forgetting to change her name. That would be something obvious to change. So SOLOMON is correct when he says that "Good Times" was not really based on the series Maude in a way, but yet her character was spunoff from Maude to Good Times. Florida's and Henry Evans on Maude had three children as well. That is another similarity right there.

"Knots Landing" was concieved before Dallas started but the CBS wanted something more saga and glitzy so "Dallas" came into play. The "Dallas" producers decided to come back with the "Knots Landing" idea and took son Gary Ewing and Valene Ewing and use them for Knots Landing. Are we to say that "Knots" is not a spinoff? It is though because characeters on the "Dallas" show were put into their new world. Florida and James were put into a new world. So while not following the traditional standards of spinning off, we can conclude without a doubt the "Good Times" was a spinoff of sorts from Maude using characters from Bea Arthur's show. Location of characters does not matter. So the Evans' biography was rewritten. TV can do that.

As far "Billy" is concerned, SOLOMON, his biography was changed as well as the Evans. Flo never mentioned Maude, Billy never mentioned the IHP students, DR. Samuels and Ms. Meara and it seemed as though in the premise of the spinoff series, he had just moved to the U.S. from what I can remember after watching the show(it's been 11 years since I last viewed it) Both these show are spinoffs even if the history of the characters are changed.


Now Solomon, is there any part of that you do not understand?

Originally posted by Brian
Now Solomon, is there any part of that you do not understand?

I will never see Good Times as a spinoff because the EXECUTIVE PRODUCER said it's not a spinoff. Since Alan Manings played a key role in creating Goof Times, why would I not think Good Times is not a spinoff? That statement came from the Producer not the makeup artist.

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer
Since Alan Manings played a key role in creating Goof Times, why would I not think Good Times is not a spinoff?

Well, maybe GOOF Times is not a spin-off, but GOOD Times certainly is.

Originally posted by GeeBee
Well, maybe GOOF Times is not a spin-off, but GOOD Times certainly is. :lol: :lol: :lol:

In between rounds, take time to vote someone off the Chicago ghetto island in my revived edition of the "Good Times" survivor game posted on the board.

Originally posted by GeeBee
Well, maybe GOOF Times is not a spin-off, but GOOD Times certainly is.


i made a mistake and hit the f button instead of the d. Correction: GOOD TIMES is not a spinoff

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer
i made a mistake and hit the f button instead of the d. Correction: GOOD TIMES is not a spinoff

This is never goind to end. SOLOMON, I must admit, you are the most popular one on the board right now. LOL . You do bring up things that make people think. Don't forget to vote sometime this week for the character that you want to see gone from the island in the "Good Times" survivor game.

Originally posted by Sitcom Analyzer
i made a mistake and hit the f button instead of the d. Correction: GOOD TIMES is not a spinoff


Of course it was.

Originally posted by ThomasE
SOLOMON, I must admit, you are the most popular one on the board right now. LOL .


Yeah, underneath it all, Solomon's a goof man...I mean a good man.

Originally posted by GeeBee
Yeah, underneath it all, Solomon's a goof man...I mean a good man.


:lol:

Wasn't James' father on Good Times named Henry?

Originally posted by mr roper
Wasn't James' father on Good Times named Henry?


Yes it was.

Like ThomasE said, Good Times was an idea created by Eric Monte. I'm sure that the names of his characters were different. CBS wanted to give Esther Rolle her own show, so they decided to combine the the two. Hence, Florida now lives in Chicago instead of New York. There were no intentions of creating two Florida Evans characters. Florida is Florida from Maude...THE END!

Originally posted by Brian Damage


There were no intentions of creating two Florida Evans characters. Florida is Florida from Maude...THE END!

Right on to that!

Hey Sitcom, maybe the producer got mad because he didn't get his bonus or someone cheated him out of rights. With flame in his eyes, he reported to the magazine (the September 1975 issue of Ebony) that Good Times was not a spin-off to get back at the culprits.:lol: