Every season of Good Times ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best seasons of Good Times!

James is all excited because he's sure he's going to get a high paying job.  However, at the interview, he learns that he's too old to join the company's union.  Meanwhile, Florida and the kids get ahead of themselves and throw a celebration party for James unaware that he was rejected.

Too Old Blues

J.J.'s painting of a Black Jesus, becomes the family's good luck charm after a string of success hits each family member.  However, Florida refuses to entertain the notion that the painting had anything to do with the recent string of ""good times"".

Black Jesus

With an eviction notice over their heads, the Evans family scrambles to come up with $74 dollars needed for their rent.  Despite Florida's opinion, James goes down to the pool hall to try to hustle some money, J.J. comes up with a scheme of his own and Florida and Willona go down to the welfare office.

Getting Up the Rent

An old friend of James, who is now a shady televangilist, stops by the Evans apartment and offers James a job that would pay $100 a day.  James is set to take it, however, Florida is dead set against James accepting the job, believeing the job goes against his morals and values.

God's Business is Good Business

Michael comes home from school early one day with the announcement that he has been suspended.  This, after telling his teacher that George Washington was a racist.  James and Florida become determined to prove to Michael that he's wrong.

Michael Gets Suspended

Florida finds what she believes to be a dirty story called, ""Sexual Behavior in the Ghetto"".  Assuming it to be J.J.'s, Florida confronts him, but she's in for a surprise when Thelma claims it and has an even bigger surprise when she learns it belongs to Thelma's latest boyfriend.

Sex and the Evans Family

J.J. is sure he's bound to make it big when he gets a patron in Leroy Jackson, who begins providing him with all the supplies he needs.  However, when James discovers who the patron is, he forbids J.J. to be associated with him and J.J. responds by moving out.  This leads to a confrontation at J.J.'s new apartment between James and Leroy.

Junior Gets a Patron

Florida and James are worried that J.J. won't pass into the 12th grade but when he gets his report card he did indeed pass but the grades seem to be a far cry from what they should be.  This leads James and Florida to do a little investigating on their part.

Junior the Senior

Michael submits a angry letter about the conditions in the Evans' apartment to a newspaper and gets an immediate response from a housing commission official who quickly finds himself stranded in the ghetto and experiences the conditions first hand.

The Visitor

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.

Springtime in the Ghetto

Florida comes home from the supermarket with great news, she's been offered a role in a TV commercial.  What's even better is the pay she will get, $5,000.  However, once she reads the script and tests the product, Florida has second thoughts.

The TV Commercial

Florida and the kids become concerned about James's health after reading an article in a magazine about hypertension.  When he learns about their concerns, he goes through the roof and refuses to go in for a check up.

The Check Up

A popular girl wants J.J. to paint her portrait and J.J. mistakenly assumes that they will become more serious when he makes plans to ask her to go steady.  However, Florida and Thelma smell a rat.

My Son the Lover

Florida's strange behavior has the family and Willona wondering what's wrong with her.  Michael thinks she's beginning menopause while Willona believes she's fed up with the boredom that comes with being a housewife.

Florida Flips

J.J.'s 18th birthday has James and Florida in a fit when they find out they won't be able to give J.J. the art supplies he wanted because James' credit has been reduced to 0.  After the birthday party, news hits the Evans family that J.J. has been arrested for robbing a liquor store.

J.J. Becomes a Man (1)

J.J. is taken down to the police station for questioning in the liquor store robbery.  The family gathers there and tries to think up ways to raise enough money for J.J.'s bail and ultimately consider taking money from a loan shark.

J.J. Becomes a Man (2)

Michael has the chance to be bused to a better school in a white neighborhood but he is determined to get out of it.  Florida and James first hear about the opportunity when his principal arrives to question them about their responses on a busing questionnaire that Michael responded to and forged his parents names.

Crosstown Buses Run All Day, Doodah, Doodah

Michael must write an essay on the person whom he most admires.  He first picks Florida for her strength and effort in keeping the family together.  However, Florida points out that James may be the best person.  However, James' recent actions in applying for a new job leave little to be admired.

The Man I Most Admire

Thelma's been seeing the same man for two months and hasn't introduced him to the family yet.  However, when she comes home with an engagement ring, Florida and James demand that they meet him and they are in for a surprise when they finally do.

Thelma's Young Man

Michael, one of the brightest boys in his class, comes home with the news that he scored the lowest out of his whole class on an I.Q. test.

The I.Q. Test

An encyclopedia salesman is the last person James wants to see when he comes home from work.  However, he softens when he learns the man is blind.  This leads James to sign a contract and reads the fine print only after the man leaves.

The Encyclopedia Hustle

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.

The Gang (1)

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.

The Gang (2)

A wedding has Florida realizing that Willona is the only friend of hers left that isn't married.  So this leads Florida to try her hand at matchmaking, and matches her with a friend of James'.

The Matchmaker

James finds a bag of robbery loot adding up to $27,000.  After some coaxing from Florida, James decides to turn it in.  However, what Florida doesn't know is that there was $29,000 in the bag and James kept the other $2000.

The Windfall

Cousin Naomi is visiting the Evans' for the Christmas season.  However, her visit is not a happy one for Thelma, who discovers that Naomi is hiding a serious drinking problem.

Sometimes There's No Bottom in the Bottle

James is sure he's going to get a sales position at a department store but when he brings Florida along on the interview he is in for a big surprise, the supervisor would rather hire Florida rather then him.

Florida's Big Gig

Florida is going to night school hoping to achieve a High School Equivalency diploma, but her working in the daytime and going to school at night puts a strain on her relationship with James.

Florida Goes to School

A woman aks J.J. to paint a nude portrait of her as a birthday gift for her husband.  However, Florida has a hard time understanding why a woman would pose in the nude and why she has to pose in the Evans' apartment.

The Nude

Realizing his mechanical skills, Florida suggests that James open a fix-it shop but when they go to the bank, they're turned down for a loan.  This leads James to set up shop right in the apartment, despite a clause in the lease.

The Family Business

J.J. is enchanted with his new girlfriend, Clarissa, and is all set to take her to a ritzy debutante ball.  However, Clarissa has come to the Evans' apartment with some bad news, her parents won't let her go with J.J., citing that they think she's too good for him.

The Debutante Ball

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.

The Dinner Party

A childhood friend of James' arrives for a visit and quickly his gambling problem becomes an Evans family problem when two hoods show up looking for him to pay off a $5000 debt.

The Houseguest

The Evans family's joy at finally getting to meet J.J.'s girl Henrietta is shrouded by J.J.'s declaration that his immediate future could include Henrietta and matrimony.

My Girl Henrietta

The Evans' family is hit with a double dose of unemployment blues after both James and J.J. lose their jobs.  Wanting to support his family, J.J. decides to join the U.S. army.

The Enlistment

Thelma has a chance at winning a scholarship to an exclusive boarding school in Michigan.  However, even before she knows she won, a snobby girl from a fraternity comes around wanting Thelma to join and quickly discovers they just want her because she's black.

Thelma's Scholarship

A bully has been stealing Michael's lunches which prompts James to give him some tips on how to handle the situation.  However, Michael surprises everyone with his own tactic, he invites the bully home for the weekend.

The Lunch Money Ripoff

After taking some courses at a trade school, James has a chance of getting a good paying job.  However, when he is finally offered one, there is one catch, it's in Alaska.

A Real Cool Job

James brings a gun home to protect his family.

The Family Gun

Florida has had a pain in her side for the last two weeks but doesn't want to see a doctor out of fear of the cost.  However, when James learns of her dilemma he decides to pay any cost for Florida's treatment, even after he learns she has to have a gallbladder operation.

Operation Florida

Thelma has great news, she's engaged.  However, her opinion of great news differs greatly with her parents who hit the roof after learning this.

Love in the Ghetto

Florida plans on borrowing money from her cousin to help pay some unexpected bills.  James's pride stands in the way causing him to storm out to a bar, leaving Florida to learn about the shocking news about her seemingly wealthy cousin by herself.

Florida's Rich Cousin

A friend of James' gives him permission to use his cabin to celebrate his and Florida's 20th wedding anniversary.  However, the trick is trying to get Florida to stop worrying about the kids.

The Weekend

Florida and the kids throw a baby shower for a friend, Loretta.  However, the joyous occasion is dampened when Loretta announces her plans of giving the baby up for adoption.

The Baby

When James is out of town, Florida and her brother Wilbert are left to deal with a troubled Michael.  His cutting classes, getting into fights at school and low grades are all warning signs that lead Florida to make an appointment to see Michael's teacher.

Michael's Big Fall

A feud erupts in the Evans' household when James and J.J. take the side of Alderman Fred Davis during his attempt at a re-election while Florida, Thelma and Willona take the side of his young opponent.

The Politicians

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.

Willona's Dilemma

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.

Florida's Protest

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.

The Mural

Thelma brings home a friend of hers and instantly J.J. is smitten.  However, when she rejects him he quickly loses all of his confidence and slips into a depression.

A Loss of Confidence

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.

Cleatus

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.

The Family Tree

An elderly man that Michael befriended stops by the Evans' apartment just prior to the New Years celebration and knowing that he only has a little time left, decides that this would be the best place to pass on, surrounded by a loving family and friends.

A Place to Die

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.

J.J.'s Fiancee (1)

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.

J.J.'s Fiancee (2)

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.

Sweet Daddy Williams

The family is being investigated by the FBI because they are suspected to be security risks due to Michael doing research about and communicating with a Communist country for a term paper.

The Investigation

When the children are left at home for the weekend, J.J. receives bad news that he has given VD to an ex-girlfriend.  This leads an embarrassed J.J. to debate on whether or not to visit a free clinic for treatment.

J.J. in Trouble

After a morning of being take granted for by her children and her husband, Florida decides to take her boss up on a lunch invitation.  This eventually leads to a confrontation with a jealous James.

Florida the Woman

Thelma's fiancee's idea of romance is taking her to a basketball game but that is the least of her worries after he gets a big break in California leaving her with two options, stay with her family in Chicago or move to California with her fiancee.

The Break Up

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.

The Rent Party

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.

The Big Move (1)

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.

The Big Move (2)

Thelma invites her favorite teacher to the apartment and while she is there she is fascinated with JJ's artwork. She and JJ soon develop an instant attraction to each other, which disturbs Florida, who can't accept her oldest son carrying on with a woman who is fifteen years older.

J.J. and the Older Woman

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.

Michael the Warlord

Michael is in love with Yvonne but every time he's around her he freezes.  When Yvonne meets J.J. she instantly falls for him thus creating a sibling rivalry between Michael and J.J.

Michael's Great Romance

Alderman Davis makes a visit to the Evans' household wanting J.J. to speak at his re-election campaign.  However, when J.J. refuses, an eviction notice is immediately handed to Florida.

Evans Versus Davis

After loosing his job, J.J. tries his best to find a job.  However, when Bookman serves the Evans' family with an eviction notice due to late rent, J.J. decides to take a job offer from a couple of his shady friends.  Meanwhile, Thelma contemplates dropping out of college to get a full time job and help the family out.

J.J.'s New Career (1)

J.J. is in the money, now that he has a new job working with two friends in a gambling operation.  However, little does he know, the gambling business also includes prostitution and drugs.  Meanwhile, Florida demands some answers from J.J. and kicks him out when she learns what line of work he is now in.

J.J.'s New Career (2)

Florida and the children are excitedly anticipating the arrival of Grandpa Evans. However, he arrives with a loud companion in tow.

Grandpa's Visit

Some good luck strikes the family when J.J. wins a lottery.  However, the luck doesn't last long, that is until, Thelma's friend Edna shows up with her sister both wielding pistols and demanding the winning money.

Rich is Better Than Poor . . . Maybe

The kids feel Florida has been spending too much time alone and they decide to cancel their plans and spend an evening with her. But Florida surprises them all and goes out with Willona. Willona takes her to a local night spot where they have an exciting evening.

Florida's Night Out

J.J. is managing Michael's singing group and gets them a gig at a local tavern.  While there, J.J. comes across Judith Cohen, an act whom he knows will hit it big, given the right exposure.

The Judy Cohen Story

J.J. borrows money from a loan shark to back his talented new comedian.  However, within days, two thugs come to collect their money, money that J.J. doesn't have.

The Comedian and the Loan Sharks

Florida's bad mood prompts the kids to go into the underwear selling business in order to raise enough money to send Florida on a vacation to Lake Geneva.

The Hustle

The cafeteria at Thelma's college is in disrepair. Thelma and her friends picket the college. She meets Ibe, an African exchange student. They date, and he asks her to move in with him. Thelma is suspended from college because of the picket.

Thelma's African Romance (1)

Florida hits the roof when Thelma announces her plans of moving in with Ibe.  However, things begin moving a little bit too fast when Ibe asks her to marry him and move to Nigeria.

Thelma's African Romance (2)

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.

Willona's Surprise

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.

A Friend in Need

Florida is horrified to learn that Michael is harboring atheist attitudes planted by his boss.  This leads Florida to confront Michael's boss and get to the bottom of the situation.

A Stormy Relationship

A reluctant Florida agrees to go on a date with Carl.  However, once at the restaurant, she gets into an argument with him ending with him walking out.

Florida and Carl

J.J. is all excited about taking Michael to a father-son dinner but when Michael breaks the news that he invited Carl to take him, J.J. storms out.

My Son, the Father

JJ has another money-making idea. He starts a greeting card business and has the whole family involved in making up messages. He has the business plans are laid out, but does not have the financing.

J.J. in Business

Florida and Carl's relationship has gotten quite serious and Carl breaks the news to J.J., Thelma and Michael that he's planning on proposing marriage to Florida.  However, after a visit to his doctor, Carl decides to break off the relationship, since he's been diagnosed with lung cancer.

Love Has a Spot on His Lung (1)

A furious J.J. confronts Carl, who makes up an excuse that a war injury in the groin is the reason why he's breaking up with Florida.  However, later Carl reveals the truth to Florida and he proposes marriage and she readily accepts.

Love Has a Spot on His Lung (2)

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.

The Evans Get Involved (1)

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.

The Evans Get Involved (2)

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.

The Evans Get Involved (3)

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.

The Evans Get Involved (4)

Fed up with having no privacy and being burdened by two brothers, Thelma decides to move out and into an apartment that is shared by three other roommates.

Thelma Moves Out

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.

Willona, the Fuzz

J.J. and his friends become partners in the ownership of car, a car that they foolishly bought from Bookman.  However, the quality of the car is minor compared to the constant fighting over who gets to use it.

Wheels

Michael passes himself off as J.J. while using a CB radio and quickly discovers he's not the only one who's putting on an act. A girl he contacts who calls herself Fun Girl really turns out to be a paraplegic.

Breaker, Breaker

The conditions in the building become to much for Willona, Penny and the Evans kids to bare so they decide to circulate a petition that would terminate Bookman as the superintendet.  However, Bookman and his wife, hatch a plan to save his job.

Bye, Bye, Bookman

Thelma begins dating a man named Lloyd Williams, however, suspicions run rampant between J.J., Willona and Michael who become convinced he's married.  However, J.J. makes a discovery that surprises everyone.

Thelma's Brief Encounter

Fishbone, a wino, complains that he has no friends and quickly discovers he has many when a vagrant steals his wallet and is later killed in a car accident.  Everyone assumes, Fishbone is the one that was killed and they hold a wake.

Requiem for a Wino

After getting her wallet stolen, Penny steals a necklace from a department store in a desperate attempt to try to get Willona a Christmas gift.  However, Penny's attempts may lead to Willona losing custody of her.

Penny's Christmas

Michael's apathetic behavior towards household chores and homework leads J.J. to put his foot down and to step in as a father figure.  He really comes down hard when Michael and Penny are arrested for being in a stolen vehicle.

No More Mr. Nice Guy

Willona's old boyfriend arrives back in town and asks Willona her hand in marraige.  However, Willona turns him down since his job would have her and Penny constantly moving.  Meanwhile, Penny, feeling like she's holding Willona back, decides to run away.

Willona's Mr. Right

J.J. is given a sexy assistant, one whom he makes a play for immediately.  However, later when he learns that she's the boss's daughter, he continues to go out with her thinking that it will give him special privileges with his boss.

The Best Seasons of Good Times

The Best Seasons of Good Times

Season 2

Season 6

Season 3

Season 1

Season 4

Season 5