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The Best Episodes of Good Times

Every episode of Good Times ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Good Times!

Good Times is an American sitcom that originally aired from February 8, 1974, until August 1, 1979, on the CBS television network. It was created...
Genre:Comedy
Network:CBS

Best Episodes Summary

"The Evans Get Involved (1)" is the best rated episode of "Good Times". It scored 8.6/10 based on 130 votes. Directed by Gerren Keith and written by N/A, it aired on 9/21/1977. This episode scored 0.3 points higher than the second highest rated, "The Dinner Party".

  • The Evans Get Involved (1)
    8.6/10130 votes
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    #1 - The Evans Get Involved (1)

    Season 5 Episode 1 - Aired 9/21/1977

    When a young girl, Penny Gordon follows J.J. home, she quickly insinuates herself into the Evans household and makes up stories about her life, including forgetting to mention she has an abusive mother.

    Director: Gerren Keith

    Writer: N/A

  • The Dinner Party
    8.3/10129 votes
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    #2 - The Dinner Party

    Season 2 Episode 19 - Aired 2/11/1975

    An elderly resident of the projects appears to be living on pet food after Michael takes out her garbage. The Evans family's attempt to do something for her is complicated when she brings a meat loaf to dinner and the kids suspect it is made from dog food.

    Director: Herbert Kenwith

    Writer: Allan Manings

  • The Big Move (2)
    8.3/10124 votes
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    #3 - The Big Move (2)

    Season 4 Episode 2 - Aired 9/29/1976

    The death of James has J.J., Thelma and Michael overcome with grief and also leaves them wondering what is wrong with Florida, who hasn't cried once since she found out the news of James' death. During a get-together at the apartment after James' funeral, the kids plan to confront Florida, who is seen laughing and having a great time.

    Director: Gerren Keith

    Writer: N/A

  • The Evans Get Involved (2)
    8.3/10111 votes
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    #4 - The Evans Get Involved (2)

    Season 5 Episode 2 - Aired 9/21/1977

    Willona and the Evans children are convinced that Penny is being abused, but when Willona takes Penny to see a doctor about a broken arm, he refuses to believe she's being abused.

    Director: Gerren Keith

    Writer: Sid Dorfman

  • The Evans Get Involved (3)
    8.3/1090 votes
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    #5 - The Evans Get Involved (3)

    Season 5 Episode 3 - Aired 9/28/1977

    Willona and the Evans kids are stunned to discover that Penny and her mother have moved. They are equally stunned when they discover Penny hiding the Evans apartment. Later, Penny's abusive mother abandons her leaving Willona to ponder adopting the battered youth.

    Director: Gerren Keith

    Writer: N/A

  • The Family Tree
    8.2/10102 votes
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    #6 - The Family Tree

    Season 3 Episode 15 - Aired 12/23/1975

    Thelma researches her family tree for a school project and discovers James's father is very much alive and living in the Chicago area. However, when James learns that Thelma has invited him as a surprise for his birthday, he refuses to see him.

    Director: Herbert Kenwith

    Writer: N/A

  • The Big Move (1)
    8.2/10106 votes
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    #7 - The Big Move (1)

    Season 4 Episode 1 - Aired 9/22/1976

    The family is getting ready to move to Mississippi which is where James has gotten a promising new job. However, the family is waiting for the right time to tell Bookman the news. Later, Willona throws a going-away party but the happiness is interrupted by heartbreaking news that James has been killed in a car accident.

    Director: Gerren Keith

    Writer: N/A

  • The Gang (2)
    8.1/10109 votes
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    #8 - The Gang (2)

    Season 2 Episode 10 - Aired 11/19/1974

    J.J. is recovering after being shot by Mad Dog, which only turned out to be a flesh wound. Meanwhile, a vengeful James presses charges against Mad Dog but a worried Florida is afraid James's anger will take over before the law does.

    Director: Herbert Kenwith

    Writer: Eric Monte

  • The Evans Get Involved (4)
    8.1/1089 votes
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    #9 - The Evans Get Involved (4)

    Season 5 Episode 4 - Aired 10/5/1977

    Willona worries over whether or not she will be able to adopt Penny. Meanwhile, a well meaning, Bookman, tries to help out by telling the social worker, that he's married to Willona, this only makes things worse when the social worker learns the truth.

    Director: Gerren Keith

    Writer: N/A

  • The Gang (1)
    8.0/10129 votes
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    #10 - The Gang (1)

    Season 2 Episode 9 - Aired 11/12/1974

    J.J. secretly has become a member of the Satan's Knights, a gang who are in the midst of a gang war with the Warlords. Two members and the leader of the Satan's Knights arrive at the Evan's home to escort a scared J.J. to a meeting place where the two gangs are to tangle. However, on the way there they run into James and Florida and a scuffle ensues leaving J.J. shot.

    Director: Herbert Kenwith

    Writer: Eric Monte

  • Florida's Protest
    8.0/10102 votes
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    #11 - Florida's Protest

    Season 3 Episode 11 - Aired 11/25/1975

    Florida and James become outraged when the kids get a touch of food poisoning after eating meat from the local supermarket. She organizes a group of concerned citizens and they boycott the market. The protest gets effective results, but not before Florida experiences her first trip to jail.

    Director: Herbert Kenwith

    Writer: Allan Manings

  • Cleatus
    8.0/1098 votes
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    #12 - Cleatus

    Season 3 Episode 14 - Aired 12/16/1975

    A bank robbery in Atlanta has the FBI showing up at the Evans' apartment to question Florida since her nephew, Cleatus is the prime suspect. Things get tense, when Cleatus arrives at the apartment with a briefcase full of money and wanting a place to stay.

    Director: Herbert Kenwith

    Writer: N/A

  • Michael the Warlord
    8.0/1090 votes
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    #13 - Michael the Warlord

    Season 4 Episode 4 - Aired 10/13/1976

    Widespread violence has been running rampant in the neighborhood and a large part of it is due to the street gang, the Warlords. While Florida and some concerned citizens discuss the problem, Michael does his best to conceal a secret from his mother, he himself is a member of the gang.

    Director: Gerren Keith

    Writer: N/A

  • Willona's Dilemma
    7.9/1081 votes
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    #14 - Willona's Dilemma

    Season 3 Episode 10 - Aired 11/11/1975

    When J.J. brings home Walter, a man from his art class, he hits it off with Willona. Despite the fact that he's deaf, him and Willona begin a relationship one that Willona thinks is headed for the alter.

    Director: Herbert Kenwith

    Writer: John Baskin

  • J.J.'s Fiancee (1)
    7.9/10103 votes
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    #15 - J.J.'s Fiancee (1)

    Season 3 Episode 17 - Aired 1/6/1976

    J.J. and his girlfriend, Diana, are getting serious and the topic of marriage comes up, something which both J.J. and Diana both want. However, both of their parents are totally against the notion. Meanwhile, Diana is secretly hiding a drug problem.

    Director: Herbert Kenwith

    Writer: John Baskin

  • Sweet Daddy Williams
    7.9/10113 votes
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    #16 - Sweet Daddy Williams

    Season 3 Episode 19 - Aired 1/20/1976

    J.J. has been commissioned by a number's runner, Sweet Daddy Williams, to paint the portrait of his girlfriend, Savannah. In return, J.J. will get his own art display.

    Director: Herbert Kenwith

    Writer: N/A

  • The Snow Storm
    7.9/1088 votes
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    #17 - The Snow Storm

    Season 6 Episode 11 - Aired 12/13/1978

    A snowstorm hits Chicago and Florida gets stuck in it with her school bus. This leads her and the kids on the bus to take refuge in an abandoned building to keep warm.

    Director: Gerren Keith

    Writer: N/A

  • Florida's Favorite Passenger (2)
    7.9/1075 votes
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    #18 - Florida's Favorite Passenger (2)

    Season 6 Episode 15 - Aired 5/30/1979

    After a near fatal accident, Larry's mother finally realizes that Larry has a hearing problem. Unable to take him to the doctor because she has to work, Mrs. Baker allows Florida to take him to the doctor, which is where Larry makes the announcement that he plans on running away from home.

    Director: Gerren Keith

    Writer: N/A

  • Springtime in the Ghetto
    7.8/10109 votes
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    #19 - Springtime in the Ghetto

    Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 4/19/1974

    Florida is running in a cleanest apartment competition and is sure she will win. However, her chances are dashed when Michael tries to help someone in need and brings home Ned the Wino.

    Director: Herbert Kenwith

    Writer: N/A

  • The Mural
    7.8/1084 votes
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    #20 - The Mural

    Season 3 Episode 12 - Aired 12/2/1975

    J.J. is commissioned by a bank to paint a mural and in return will receive $250 needed for Thelma's college education whom recently won a scholarship and found herself $200 short. However, the bank is reluctant to pay after seeing the finished product.

    Director: Herbert Kenwith

    Writer: N/A

  • J.J.'s Fiancee (2)
    7.8/10107 votes
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    #21 - J.J.'s Fiancee (2)

    Season 3 Episode 18 - Aired 1/13/1976

    On the night of her senior prom, Diana decides to run off to Indiana and elope with J.J. Meanwhile, back in Chicago, switched purses leads the Evans family to discover Diana's drug problem and her supplier.

    Director: Herbert Kenwith

    Writer: John Baskin

  • The Rent Party
    7.8/1094 votes
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    #22 - The Rent Party

    Season 3 Episode 24 - Aired 3/2/1976

    The Evans family decides to hold a rent party to help out a neighbor in the building whose electricity has just been turned off. However, the party may come to a quick halt when the heartless building superintendent catches wind of it.

    Director: Herbert Kenwith

    Writer: John Baskin

  • Willona's Surprise
    7.8/1081 votes
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    #23 - Willona's Surprise

    Season 4 Episode 17 - Aired 1/26/1977

    Willona gets a surprise for her birthday, a visit from her womanizing ex-husband, Ray. Ray does his best at convincing Willona that he's changed and she decides to try to start over with him. However, quickly his old ways surface and he begins making passes at Thelma.

    Director: Gerren Keith

    Writer: N/A

  • A Friend in Need
    7.8/1087 votes
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    #24 - A Friend in Need

    Season 4 Episode 18 - Aired 2/2/1977

    When Florida's away for the weekend, J.J., Thelma and Michael throw a wild party. However, it gets even wilder than they had dreamed of when one of the guests takes an overdose of pills and J.J. has to save his life.

    Director: Gerren Keith

    Writer: John Baskin

  • Willona, the Fuzz
    7.8/1089 votes
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    #25 - Willona, the Fuzz

    Season 5 Episode 6 - Aired 10/19/1977

    Willona is offered a new job but her morals force her to refuse it. However, when Penny has her heart set on figure skating lessons, Willona decides to set her morals and values aside and take the job for the extra money.

    Director: Gerren Keith

    Writer: Sid Dorfman