Jokes that got a lot of laughs in Good Times but most likely wouldn't today? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Janice Johnson · 11-25-2023, 05:08 AM

So, Alderman Davis says something like,"I remember holding JJ in my arms when he was a newborn on December 20th 1961." Thelma is shocked and said something like,"That was ME!" James says something like,"Alderman Davis is under a lot of stress and needs some rest. " Michael says something wryly like,"A man needs a lot of rest if he can't tell a boy from a girl!"

The Audience laughs heartily and even I thought something like,"Michael's right. That is REALLY bad that Alderman Davis mistook a girl for a boy. " But in current and recent times, it truly can be hard to tell a boy from a girl with a lot of people being Transgender/Transsexuals/Androgyny, etc. . One of my Customers had us baffled on whether they were a man or a woman. We think it's a man who identified as a Woman, but we are not sure. So the Good Times joke that got so many laughs in the 1970's would fall flat in 2023.

BestTVever · 11-26-2023, 03:22 PM

I am not sure it would fall flat. I think there is such an over-reaction to trans people.
When Penny was acting out on her doll the abuse she took as a girl, the audience is laughing and the "laugh sign" was on. THAT is something that would not be funny today. When I watch that scene today and the laughter it really makes me angry.

11-25-2023, 05:08 AM	#1
Janice Johnson Commercial Lover Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: May 30, 2003 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 4,738	Jokes that got a lot of laughs in Good Times but most likely wouldn't today? So, Alderman Davis says something like,"I remember holding JJ in my arms when he was a newborn on December 20th 1961." Thelma is shocked and said something like,"That was ME!" James says something like,"Alderman Davis is under a lot of stress and needs some rest. " Michael says something wryly like,"A man needs a lot of rest if he can't tell a boy from a girl!" The Audience laughs heartily and even I thought something like,"Michael's right. That is REALLY bad that Alderman Davis mistook a girl for a boy. " But in current and recent times, it truly can be hard to tell a boy from a girl with a lot of people being Transgender/Transsexuals/Androgyny, etc. . One of my Customers had us baffled on whether they were a man or a woman. We think it's a man who identified as a Woman, but we are not sure. So the Good Times joke that got so many laughs in the 1970's would fall flat in 2023.

11-26-2023, 03:22 PM	#2
BestTVever Member Senior Member Join Date: Jan 29, 2021 Location: Miami Posts: 1,874	I am not sure it would fall flat. I think there is such an over-reaction to trans people. When Penny was acting out on her doll the abuse she took as a girl, the audience is laughing and the "laugh sign" was on. THAT is something that would not be funny today. When I watch that scene today and the laughter it really makes me angry.