Review(s): DVD Good Times - The Complete Fifth Season
Great comedy from back in the day.
I watched this show when it was on in the 70s and I've been a big fan. It just goes to show you that "there is nothing new under the sun...". The concerns and problems the Evans family dealt with then are mostly the same ones we have today. The surviving cast should do a reunion movie.
No complaints
I was not in a rush to get this, almost forgot I ordered it, so it was a delight when it arrived, thank you very much for a smooth and speedy transaction!
Compromise to a certain point is surrender...And I'm not changing another word.......
I'm a die-hard Good Times fan, but it's hard to completely endorse this season of the show. It's like the writers just gave up completely. The jokes are so stale they are almost evil - pure garbage. You really can't imagine people sitting at a typewriter believing anyone would think the jokes are funny - the writers should be ashamed of themselves. When sit-com writing gets this stupid, it sucks at your brain. There are many disappointments - J.J. trades his dream to become a artist and works at an advertising agency, never to pick up a paint brush again, Michael, our black genius gets a "D" on his report card, and as an African American, I'll never understand why a show that makes so many comments on discrimination has so many crude fat jokes. (also see What's Happening.) Bookman was never strong enough to be a main character, but there was really no one else, I guess, to consider.
That said, this may still be a "must buy" for a few reasons. One is the early Penny eposides("The Evans Get Involved")when Penny is introduced as an abused child. These episodes do what Good Times does best - poignant dramatic comedy with an edge. Watching Kit Fields and Janet Dubois' confrontation over her abuse allegations is amazing, and Janet Jackson is heartbreaking when she says to her mother who she is protecting, "I didn't tell them anything Mama." I never forgot these episodes when they aired in the seventies and now understand why.
Part of the advantage of watching the shows in order by season is that you can see the progress (or decline.) I happen to like Wilona as a lead character and Janet Dubois as a actress definitely has her moments. Some of the situations she's put in are ridiculous, but her acting is strong and it is always touching the way she becomes a mother to Penny.
And finally, there is "Write On, Thelma." Thelma is asked by Mr. Nichols to change her play and finally delivers words to live by. For my family, this was a classic and the DVD was worth it for this episode alone. When Thelma recites her main character's monologue "My Daddy Always Told Me......." it is amazing how John Amos, gone from the show for two seasons, still makes an impact on the viewer's mind as "James."
Good Times was a complicated show and has been criticized rightly for many reasons. But I still love it, and James Evans was unprecedented in terms of the presentation of black fathers on television.
Related DVD's Good Times - The Complete Fifth Season
I really enjoyed this TV Series when I was younger and have seen every episode, so finally getting them on DVD is a special treat for me. Seasons 1-3 were great! I looked up to John Amos' character "James". To me, James was what I needed growing up without a Dad in the home. So as a kid, when I first saw the episode where he dies and since I really looked up to James, I felt for Florida and the Evans Family and I even went into the bathroom and cried after that episode because I didn't want any of my family members to see me crying. To my understanding, John Amos was constantly frustrated and voicing his opinion about the writing and wanted to see more positive situations written into the show. I guess people at CBS thought they knew enough about African-Americans who watched the show and... More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Esther Rolle DVD Release Date: Released the 15 February 2005 Usually ships in 24 hours
List Price: $29.95 Your Price: $26.96YOU SAVE $2.99!
Buy it
It almost seemed like the acting got worse after every season. I'm really a big fan
of what's happening. There is a episode where Raj is singing a ballad which I found
really funny, because I never thought I would ever see Earnest Thomas (raj) sing a song
with so much sincerity. The third season is really corny, however, if you have
been a on going fan you will enjoy watching many of the episodes.....if you were
never a fan of what's happening! don't waste your money, or just buy the second
season (the best season) and call it a day. More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Ernest Thomas DVD Release Date: Released the 23 August 2005 Usually ships in 24 hours
List Price: $29.95 Your Price: $23.96YOU SAVE $5.99!
Buy it
I just bought Season 3 of the "Jefferson's" this classic comedy is still so funny! Sherman Hemsley and Marla Gibbs (George and Florence) are so crazy! The 2 of them keep you in stiches! I will be ordering all 4 seasons on DVD. All the episodes are funny as hell!! More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Isabelle Sanford DVD Release Date: Released the 12 April 2005 Usually ships in 24 hours
List Price: $29.95 Your Price: $26.96YOU SAVE $2.99!
Buy it
Like others sitcoms, Good Times was better in its earlier seasons, especially when John Amos was still on the show as James Evans, Jr. In fact, Amos did some of the best acting on the show. Good Times was a look at a family in the ghetto who managed to navigate through poverty, the sexual revolution, racial changes and so much more during a volatile time in our nation's history. The interplay between Esther Rolle (Florida) and the children is hilarious, bombastic, but always loving. It showed a family pull together with love, honor, and dignity. I wish amidst all the new reality shows, trash talk shows, and MTV, that there could be just ONE show like Good Times. But since those days look pretty much gone, get this set of DVD's and enjoy what was a much funnier and more sane time in... More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Esther Rolle DVD Release Date: Released the 10 August 2004 Usually ships in 24 hours
List Price: $29.95 Your Price: $26.96YOU SAVE $2.99!
Buy it
"The Jeffersons' 4th Season" is soooo funny! This show may be old, but it I still love it. George is hilarious, I love the episode were he tells Whittendale off (Florences' Union) and any episide with Florence b/c she is smart and sassy, and when her and Geporge go at it, it's great!! Even if you've never seen this show before in your life, you will love it!! This is classic comedy and they do not make shows like this any more! More Info about this DVD Actor(s): Isabelle Sanford DVD Release Date: Released the 11 October 2005 Usually ships in 24 hours
List Price: $29.95 Your Price: $23.96YOU SAVE $5.99!
Buy it
