He said the middle wasn't represented, but that the What's Happening? family was closer to the Evans than the Jeffersons...and that's middle. He's saying that project living is terrible, but that it's relatable... How do you know people weren't influenced to get out of their situations because of Good Times? That's the issue with filtering shows through current thought. (I watch a lot of reactions to shows and this is the issue.) You see the differences, but at the time, you just relate or not, you watch it or not. Going back now and critiquing with a current mental mindset isn't particularly relevant.
When I say the middle wasn’t represented I meant that from a popularity standpoint Good Times was more influential. I grew up in the projects and I know that it’s not all bad. The problem is that it built the popular perception that Good Times represented black urban life.
Back when the show was first created, it was looked at as cutting edge for it’s time. So this seems to be more of a looking in the rearview mirror, sort of conversation. Having said that, I do actually appreciate the conversation.
As a white person, I didn't take what he thinks I took from this show. Maybe it's because we were poor, but my mom LOVED this show. We watched it religiously. My mom was their mom. We loved Good Times because so few shows reflected the reality of life. This was just us, with black face. Truth is, almost no one born poor, makes it out. Smart people like the Evans' don't make it out just because they are smart, or talented artists. Hard working people don't make it out just because they work their fingers to the bone, like the parents. No matter what you want for your kids, they aren't necessarily going to make it out. I didn't think all black people were like them. But it was good for our racist parents to see good people dealing with the same shit we dealt with. It started the shift in their thinking. It did normalize poverty. And for us, that was good. Because we didn't know other people in our like position, coming from share croppers and tenant farmers in the hills and being a military family, we were surrounded by middle class (seeming) people who went to Six Flags for vacation and had paintings on the wall, instead of grandma's quilt. It didn't tell us they were having a Good Time despite being poor. It told us that you had to find whatever good you could in the world so the poverty doesn't drag you down. Maybe it was just my white family.
You absolutely nailed what the point of this show truly was..a positive representation of people living in poor conditions inna system that barely helps the common folk and especially black folks..it dealt with many serious themes that got lost at times because the producers wanted to make money off JJ getting into hijinks...that what John Amos was against...he didnt wanted us laughing at black folks or poor folks..he wanted us to cheer for them...i grew up poor as hell and living in many projects myself....i also think this show was overall positive and something to appreciate as someone in those conditions growing up...keeping ya head above water..making a wave when u can...thats the best message for anyone living in the struggle...so cheers to you bro..i stand with u
I think you are wiser than most. The only thing is this is a lot of mainstream America thought of all black people. You and your family were just smart enough to see this as a problem of the poor experience, NOT the black experience.
I am the ONLY person in my family that said the same thing. We were not allowed to watch TV a lot, and that was 1 show we were allowed to watch. I said it was sad and depressing and I did not see too many good times. So I stopped watching it. No person agreed with me until today.
Funny thing is, I've had several friends of various ages say the same thing after I posted this video. It's almost like we're afraid to express ANY opinion on this show that isn't positive and that's just insane to me.
My biggest problem with the show is it suffered from the Gilligan Island syndrome. You knew no matter gow close they came to getting off the island it wasnt going to happen so you kinda gave up as a viewer. Same thing with Good Times. Whenever something good would come their way you knoew it was going to fall through before the eppisode ended..bummer. Honestly if they had one some WINS from time to time it would have been more compelling. But then the show would have been called Rosanne.
Man that's a tough question, I think the Boondocks had a very obvious message and it was an effective satire, so I honestly have a lot of respect for that show.
This is going to be an unpopular opinion but it seems everyone is judging based on the trailer, a series of clips from various episodes, not an actual episode. The original show was criticized for one negative stereotypes and two for not being serious enough. There’s some serious scenes in the trailer with the teacher basically telling a student to give up and do only fans, the men in suits running guns into the ghetto and ever the soundtrack has some serious lyrics.
You were 100% correct. It was written by white people specifically white Jewish people. (Nothing about the Jewish people as a negative) but it was a tight group of people who hired who they knew and associated with. Norman Leer was Jewish, so most of the writers on the show were Jewish. This wasn't a "Jew" conspiracy as people try and portay it, its just people hire who they know and grew up with. The problem is that the few black writers who were associated with any of Leer's shows were "token" hires but didn't have much say in the final product. " The famous line you always heard black people say "Jive time turkey" was written by Leers writers who being Jewish and having no real knowledge of the black community wrote this line of what they THOUGHT a black person would say. NO BLACK PEOPLE SAID JIVE TIME TURKEY until it aired on TV and black people thinking that this was something said by black people in large cities like Chicago and NY started saying it afterwards because they didn't want to be "Behind the times" To see a modern example of the same thing watch curb your enthusiasm.
The Florida character kept that family from progressing. She should have let James go to Alaska. They would have been out of the projects within a year.
Good Times was trash. Never liked it. If you want to be influenced on how to be a loser in life, Good Times will help you with that.
OK guys I am a avid follower of Good Times and still watch it today in reruns! I guess I could relate because we lived in the projects!!🥰
Sanford and Son brings back school holiday memories for me. Was on TV during the afternoon as reruns here in South Africa
Same here, watched every afternoon with my granddad
@stevesmgt my grandad preferred the British version Steptoe and Son, which was also funny, but Sanford for me felt funnier cause Redd was just great
He said the middle wasn't represented, but that the What's Happening? family was closer to the Evans than the Jeffersons...and that's middle. He's saying that project living is terrible, but that it's relatable... How do you know people weren't influenced to get out of their situations because of Good Times?
That's the issue with filtering shows through current thought. (I watch a lot of reactions to shows and this is the issue.) You see the differences, but at the time, you just relate or not, you watch it or not. Going back now and critiquing with a current mental mindset isn't particularly relevant.
When I say the middle wasn’t represented I meant that from a popularity standpoint Good Times was more influential. I grew up in the projects and I know that it’s not all bad. The problem is that it built the popular perception that Good Times represented black urban life.
Back when the show was first created, it was looked at as cutting edge for it’s time. So this seems to be more of a looking in the rearview mirror, sort of conversation. Having said that, I do actually appreciate the conversation.
Thanks, we both think that it was a product of its time and we don’t really fault the creators
As a white person, I didn't take what he thinks I took from this show. Maybe it's because we were poor, but my mom LOVED this show. We watched it religiously. My mom was their mom. We loved Good Times because so few shows reflected the reality of life. This was just us, with black face. Truth is, almost no one born poor, makes it out. Smart people like the Evans' don't make it out just because they are smart, or talented artists. Hard working people don't make it out just because they work their fingers to the bone, like the parents. No matter what you want for your kids, they aren't necessarily going to make it out. I didn't think all black people were like them. But it was good for our racist parents to see good people dealing with the same shit we dealt with. It started the shift in their thinking. It did normalize poverty. And for us, that was good. Because we didn't know other people in our like position, coming from share croppers and tenant farmers in the hills and being a military family, we were surrounded by middle class (seeming) people who went to Six Flags for vacation and had paintings on the wall, instead of grandma's quilt. It didn't tell us they were having a Good Time despite being poor. It told us that you had to find whatever good you could in the world so the poverty doesn't drag you down. Maybe it was just my white family.
Hey, I really appreciate your take on the subject, it honestly helps when we can have open discussions in today's climate!
You absolutely nailed what the point of this show truly was..a positive representation of people living in poor conditions inna system that barely helps the common folk and especially black folks..it dealt with many serious themes that got lost at times because the producers wanted to make money off JJ getting into hijinks...that what John Amos was against...he didnt wanted us laughing at black folks or poor folks..he wanted us to cheer for them...i grew up poor as hell and living in many projects myself....i also think this show was overall positive and something to appreciate as someone in those conditions growing up...keeping ya head above water..making a wave when u can...thats the best message for anyone living in the struggle...so cheers to you bro..i stand with u
I think you are wiser than most. The only thing is this is a lot of mainstream America thought of all black people. You and your family were just smart enough to see this as a problem of the poor experience, NOT the black experience.
I am the ONLY person in my family that said the same thing. We were not allowed to watch TV a lot, and that was 1 show we were allowed to watch. I said it was sad and depressing and I did not see too many good times. So I stopped watching it. No person agreed with me until today.
Funny thing is, I've had several friends of various ages say the same thing after I posted this video. It's almost like we're afraid to express ANY opinion on this show that isn't positive and that's just insane to me.
My biggest problem with the show is it suffered from the Gilligan Island syndrome. You knew no matter gow close they came to getting off the island it wasnt going to happen so you kinda gave up as a viewer. Same thing with Good Times. Whenever something good would come their way you knoew it was going to fall through before the eppisode ended..bummer. Honestly if they had one some WINS from time to time it would have been more compelling. But then the show would have been called Rosanne.
😆😆 excellent opinion 💯
That books breaks down Those Shows
The trailer will set back efforts made to view Black American culture positively.
Do you feel the same way about The Boondocks?
Man that's a tough question, I think the Boondocks had a very obvious message and it was an effective satire, so I honestly have a lot of respect for that show.
Making some good points here...
Thanks
My title for that catastrophic blaxploitation fiasco is horrible times.
Dr.Naim Akbar ,Chains and Images of Psychological Warefare
This is going to be an unpopular opinion but it seems everyone is judging based on the trailer, a series of clips from various episodes, not an actual episode.
The original show was criticized for one negative stereotypes and two for not being serious enough.
There’s some serious scenes in the trailer with the teacher basically telling a student to give up and do only fans, the men in suits running guns into the ghetto and ever the soundtrack has some serious lyrics.
THESE SHOWS WERE NOT WRITTEN BY Blacks,
You were 100% correct. It was written by white people specifically white Jewish people. (Nothing about the Jewish people as a negative) but it was a tight group of people who hired who they knew and associated with. Norman Leer was Jewish, so most of the writers on the show were Jewish. This wasn't a "Jew" conspiracy as people try and portay it, its just people hire who they know and grew up with. The problem is that the few black writers who were associated with any of Leer's shows were "token" hires but didn't have much say in the final product. " The famous line you always heard black people say "Jive time turkey" was written by Leers writers who being Jewish and having no real knowledge of the black community wrote this line of what they THOUGHT a black person would say. NO BLACK PEOPLE SAID JIVE TIME TURKEY until it aired on TV and black people thinking that this was something said by black people in large cities like Chicago and NY started saying it afterwards because they didn't want to be "Behind the times" To see a modern example of the same thing watch curb your enthusiasm.
The Florida character kept that family from progressing. She should have let James go to Alaska. They would have been out of the projects within a year.
Yeah she was in the way most of the time.
Every show you watch going to have different opinions on the viewer. If it’s a bad show then people wouldn’t watch so it would get canceled (ratings)…
You on some BS
I'd wanted to watch this video in its entirety; however, your wife won't stop interrupting your train of thought.
😆😆 I’ll let her know lol, I actually cut 30 min from the entire recording, we went on too many tangents.
@@stevesmgt
Respeck
That books breaks down Those Shows