Good Times is one of several shows from the 1970’s to trace its origins back to All In The Family. Florida was the maid to Maude, Edith’s cousin, who also got her own show. It wasn’t very long before Good Times became the Jimmie Walker show. His ghetto witisms and trademark “Dyn-o-Mite” exclamation took any attention from the other cast members. In the Fourth season John Amos left the show and his character, James, was killed in an accident. Esther Rolle would also depart for a time after this season. It’s no surprise that JJ’s role was beginning to increase and perhaps peaked here in Season Four.
Audio
Good Times has a pretty minimal Dolby Digital 2.0 track that, like most sitcoms from this era, is really a 2 channel mono. You can hear everything being said. There’s little or no distortion. The audio does suffer in the applause and laughter track. You’ll find plenty of high-end splatter. Pulling down your highs will help to minimize the effect.
Video
Good Times is presented in its original broadcast 1.33:1 full frame format. This was a sitcom from the 70’s and the years show on these prints. The transfer is admirable in that new life is brought to the color saturation found in cable reruns of the show. These prints have more stable and brighter color and contrast. There are still tint fades in and out throughout the set. This is likely as good as it can get.
Special Features
Nothing… and the case has lock tabs which I find annoying.
Final Thoughts
Good Times was wearing thin on its audience by its fourth season. The cycle of African-Americans in poverty as funny was soon to be replaced by the more affluent and positive role model of Bill Cosby’s Huxtable family. Both of the show’s major stars saw the writing on the wall before the end officially came. Still, there was a time when Good Times was truly “Dyn-o-Mite”.
