How many of you over the age of thirty remember a time you said aloud (either in public or in private), “DY-NO-MITE!!!?” If you raised your hand, as I did, there’s no need to be ashamed. As a matter of fact, go ahead; say it again…loud and proud. That’s it, think about the fact that Sony is re-releasing the entire 6 season run of “Good Times” on DVD, stand up and proudly proclaim, “DY-NO-MIIITE!!” Okay, now that your entire family is looking at you kind of funny, run out and pick up a copy of this great DVD set so you can re-live the good old days of family comedy. “Good Times” ranks right up there with some of the best TV sit-coms of the seventies, and rightfully so. The writing was sharp, funny and smart. It was another comedy that dealt with important issues, but what was so great was that they weren’t necessarily one sided. This was an African American family who stood up to injustices railed against them, but never really blamed anyone for their problems.

They never felt sorry for themselves, and realized it was in their power to change a bad situation. We were also shown that racists come in all colors. This characteristic was never placed on one group or social caste.

We watched every week as the family struggled with hard times, but considered them ‘good times’ because of the love they had for one another. James (John Amos) was the patriarch of the family. He was tough and never took lip from his kids. But he never demanded respect from them, he earned it. Florida (Esther Rolle) was the glue that held the family together. She was usually the voice of reason when tempers flared, but she was as strong as they come.

“Good Times” which ran from 1974 - 1979, also worked as a great ensemble show. All of the actors had opportunities over the years to come to the forefront and be featured in an episode. Mostly it was Jimmie Walker as J.J., but Ralph Carter as Michael and Ja’net Du Bois as Thelma also had several episodes that revolved around their characters. Counted amongst my favorites are “The Family Gun”, which relates the problems a family can have when they disagree on how best to protect the household, while “Michael’s Big Fall” brings out some negative changes in Michael when he changes schools. “A Place to Die” offers a poignant look at the elderly when a senior citizen friend of Michael’s wants to move in with them for a little while. In “The Investigation”, Michael’s research fir a bicentennial report leads to strange happenings for the family. James loses his job and the family comes under investigation by the government. And to think, the Patriot Act wasn’t even in effect back then. It’s a great episode that is oddly reflective of our current homeland situation.

Like most shows, it underwent changes thoughout its 6 season run. But most notably the 3rd season marked the final season for John Amos. After leaving the series, his character is written out as having passed away. This in itself served up some emotional episodes in the following season, but unfortunately this also meant that he could not return. In a strange twist of fate, the death of Amos' character eventually evolved into rumors that the actor had actualy died himself. I actually remember being surprised to see him while watching "Die Hard 2" and remarking "John Amos is still alive?" Of course, he has since made a name for himself in a number of other projects and continues to enjoy a succesful acting career.

Sony had previously released "Good Times" in individual season sets, but recently opted to release this all-encompassing set. All 133 episodes are included here, spread across 17 discs. I apapears these discs are the same ones that were available individually before, just repackaged. I like the idea of the simplified, slimmer packaging. It takes up a heck of a lot less room on the shelf. However, the 'spindle' that houses the discs seems kind of flimsy and I worry that it will collapse with continued use. I guess time will tell.

Still I'm glad to see a great show from the seventies making its way onto DVD in an affordable format. You can almost hear me singing “…Ain’t we lucky we got ‘em…Good Times… on DVD….yeah…” (Just don’t cringe when you hear my voice…)

Episodes -

Season 1:
Too Old Blues
Black Jesus
Getting Up The Rent (a.k.a.) Good Times Pilot (a.k.a.) The Pilot
God's Business Is Good Business
Michael Gets Suspended (a.k.a.) The Midget Strikes Back
Sex and the Evans Family
Junior Gets a Patron
Junior the Senior
The Visitor
Springtime in the Ghetto
The TV Commercial
The Checkup (a.k.a.) James Goes Down
My Son, The Lover (a.k.a)I Love Marcy

Season 2:
Florida Flips
J.J. Becomes a Man (1)
J.J. Becomes a Man (2)
Crosstown Buses Run All Day, Doodah, Doodah
The Windfall
Thelma's Young Man
The I.Q. Test
The Encyclopedia Hustle
The Gang (1)
The Gang (2)
The Matchmaker
The Man I Most Admire
Sometimes There's No Bottom in the Bottle
Florida's Big Gig
Florida Goes to School
The Nude
The Family Business
The Debutante Ball
The Dinner Party
The Houseguest
My Girl Henrietta
The Enlistment
Thelma's Scholarship
The Lunch Money Ripoff

Season 3:
The Family Gun
A Real Cool Job
Operation Florida
Florida’s Rich Cousin
The Politicians
Love in the Ghetto
The Weekend
The Baby
Michael’s Big Fall
Willona’s Dilemma
Florida’s Protest
The Mural
A Loss of Confidence
Cousin Cleatus
The Family Tree
A Place to Die
J.J.’s Fiancée, Part 1
J.J.’s Fiancée, Part 2
Sweet Dadddy Williams
The Investigation
J.J. in Trouble
Florida the Woman
The Break-up
The Rent Party

Season 4:
The Big Move (1)
The Big Move (2)
J.J. and the Older Woman
Michael the Warlord
Michael's Great Romance
Evans Versus Davis
J.J.'s New Career (1)
J.J.'s New Career (2)
Grandpa's Visit
Rich Is Better Than Poor...Maybe
Florida's Night Out
The Judy Cohen Story
The Comedian and the Loan Sharks
The Hustle
Thelma's African Romance (1)
Thelma's African Romance (2)
Willona's Surprise
A Friend in Need
A Stormy Relationship
Florida and Carl
My Son, the Father
J.J. in Business
Love Has a Spot on His Lung (1)
Love Has a Spot on His Lung (2)

Season 5:
The Evans Get Involved (1)
The Evans Get Involved (2)
The Evans Get Involved (3)
The Evans Get Involved (4)
Thelma Moves Out
Willona, the Fuzz
Wheels
Breaker, Breaker
Bye, Bye, Bookman
Thelma's Brief Encounter
Requiem for a Wino
Penny's Christmas
No More Mr. Nice Guy
Willona's Mr. Right
J.J. and the Boss' Daughter
Where There's Smoke
I Had a Dream
The Boarder
J.J.'s Condition
Willona, the Other Woman
Something Old, Something New
Willona's New Job
Write On, Thelma
That's Entertainment, Evans Style

Season 6:
Florida's Homecoming (1)
Florida's Homecoming (2)
Florida's Homecoming: The Wedding (3)
Florida's Homecoming: United We Stand (4)
Florida Gets a Job
Stomach Mumps
J.J. the Teacher
Michael's Decision
J.J. and the Plumber's Helper
The Witness
The Snow Storm
The Traveling Christmas
House Hunting
Florida's Favorite Passenger (1)
Florida's Favorite Passenger (2)
Blood Will Tell
Where Have All the Doctors Gone?
J.J. and T.C.
The Art Contest
The Physical
A Matter of Mothers
The End of the Rainbow
The Evans' Dilemma
Cousin Raymond

Starring: John Amos, Esther Rolle, Jimmie Walker, Ralph Carter and Ja’net Du Bois
Studio: Sony
Specifications: Full Screen
Release Date: 10/28/2008
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
Website

We'll give Good Times: The Complete Series a B.