"Good Times" Part One Trivia Quiz

Answer: Mike Evans

Mike Evans, who played "Lionel" on "The Jeffersons" and "All In The Family," was one of the principle writers of this show. His work comprised forty-six episodes of "Good Times."

*Allow me to say this please. Although the opening and closing scenes for "Good Times," show the infamous Chicago housing project known as, Cabrini-Green; The name was never mentioned on the show as the project where "Good Times" was set.

Answer: Jay Leno

Jay Leno wrote one episode of "Good Times." He also appeared in one, "J.J. in Trouble." This episode had J.J. visiting the free clinic with a possible std. While in the clinic he had a short conversation with the then 25 year old, Leno. Leno is best known for his huge chin, but he is also well-known for his collection of vehicles.

He replaced Johnny Carson as host of NBC's, "The Tonight Show."

Answer: Dap Sugar Willie

Dap Sugar Willie played the role of Lenny, the guy who would open his coat in a flasher type manner to show you his wares. Usually a travelling jewelry store, he was not above having access to whatever you needed.

Answer: 26

J.J. was portrayed by comic Jimmie Walker, by all accounts, a "beanpole." Walker was no doubt cast after being spotted on "The Jack Paar Show." Though he was cast to play a teenager on "Good Times," Walker was actually 26 years old when he began the role that made him famous. Walker will always be known for his famous catchphrase, "Dyn-o-mite."

Answer: The health drink contains a lot of alcohol

Florida is excited at the prospect of making money for the family until she reads the label and sees that the health tonic contains 35% alcohol.

Answer: Cindy

Michael brought his roommate Cindy (Nancy Morgan), home to meet his family, and boy was he surprised. I know, you'd think it would be his family who was surprised, huh? You see Cindy also brought her parents to the Evans home. They talked about how safe they felt their daughter would be now that she had a big strong Black man as a roommate. Did I forget to mention Cindy was Caucasian? Dare I say, that was the end of the roommates. Ralph Carter was twelve when he came to the show. He was at the time on Broadway in the musical "Raisin," an adaptation of "A Raisin In The Sun." Carter went back to the stage after "Good Times" ended its run.

*Special thanks to diamondjim68 for your help.

Answer: Ibe

Thelma (Bern Nadette Stanis) was engaged to marry Ibe (Johnny Sekka) until he couldn't assure her that she would be his only wife. You see, Ibe (pronounced like the Internet selling site, eBay) was a Nigerian and espoused many African views when it came to marriage. Florida couldn't accept that her daughter was ready for marriage, espcially to an African (Thelma was a very strong-willed young woman). Even though Willona talked her into accepting the fact of the pending marriage she still held out hope that it would never happen.

Her hopes were realized when Ibe couldn't swear to Thelma he'd never take another wife. Thelma gave him his ring back.

Answer: "All in the Family" and "Maude"

One of Edith Bunker's relatives from "All In The Family" was Maude, played aptly by, Bea Arthur. Arthur made a few appearances on "All In The Family" and was so well received she got her own show called "Maude." To bring perspective to the show, Maude had a Black housekeeper named Florida Evans. Florida was enough of a scene stealer to warrant her own show. A new show about a Black family living in the projects of Chicago. From that was born, "Good Times." The show also brought over Florida's husband from "Maude." Although John Amos was named Henry in "Maude," his name for "Good Times" was changed to James. Ground-breaking to say the least, the show was funny beyond belief and its early demise can only be attributed to changes in the show. There were many contentions behind the scenes of this show. The major one lead to the firing of John Amos and left the Evans household without a strong male figure. After Amos left, the show "Jumped the Shark." Esther Rolle left the show soon after Amos, due to inability to come to terms with the writing on the show. The writing was also a sore spot for Amos. Both Rolle and Amos hated the way Jimmie Walker was allowed to portray J.J.

"Jumped the Shark," is a term that originated on "Happy Days." It means that your show is headed for a decline in viewers. And it did. On "Happy Days," the show was in trouble and in one episode Fonzie jumped a shark while water skiing. The show just went downhill from there.

While "Good Times" hung in there for three more years it suffered and many new faces were brought in to support the show.

*Special thanks to Mommy_O for your help.

Answer: "Sweet Daddy" Williams

Teddy played, "Sweet Daddy" Williams who was cowered by Florida during their scene. Sweet Daddy and his thugs came to Florida's home looking to extract either limbs or money from James Jr. When Florida found out who he was, she became a mother tigress.

She informed Sweet Daddy that he would get what J.J. borrowed and not a penny more. They left with their hats in hand and tails tucked neatly between their legs. You go girl!

Answer: Frazee

What nerve! How dare they place an entire family's lives in danger without informing them. Thelma, J.J. and Michael got suspicious of the boarder when he jumped at every loud noise and acted like a man on the run. When confronted about who he really was, he told them. Frazee found him and offered him $25,000 to leave town. He took the money and ran.

Answer: Cleatus

Florida's nephew, Cleatus (John-Anthony Bailey), had robbed a bank and wanted to use the Evans home as a hideout until the heat was off. Unable to talk him into turning himself in, he was wrestled to the floor after holding Michael at gun point. He asked that the stereo be turned on, unaware that there was a short in the wire that would cause the lights to go out.

When the stereo was turned on, he was promptly jumped by James.

Answer: 1954 pink and gray DeSoto

Chrysler Corporation manufactured and sold the DeSoto automobile from 1928 until 1961. The auto was named after the explorer, Fernando De Soto. The car set a record for sales that stood for quite a while, but by the end of its run, they were practically giving the cars away.

Mr. Bookman sold a 1954 DeSoto, so it was either a Powermaster or Firedome model.

Answer: Lucky Motoring

Johnny Brown played Nathan Bookman in the last two years of the show. He was the superintendent of the builing, though he seldom did any work. Bookman had his brother-in-law, with whom he was estranged, broker the deal for the car J.J. and his friends bought.

When asked why he was estranged from his brother-in-law, he replied. "We got into a fight over a car. The same car ya'll just bought." Mr. Bookman and his brother-in-law were best friends at some point when they bought that very car together.

Unfortunately, their relationship crumbled because of the car.

Answer: $25.00

Mr. Bookman was a scammer, no doubt about it. He was offered $25.00 by the junk dealer to take that piece of scrap off his hands. He was however, sure that he could get more than that. He did! The car did the same thing to Bookman and his brother-in-law that it did to J.J. and his friends.

It tore the guys apart. Unable to be separated from each other, the guys got back together, with Penny's help. They resold the car to Mr. Bookman just in time for a dump truck to come along and trash it.

Answer: Poppo, Head, Cool Breeze

The "Awesome Foursome," until they were dead, was comprised of: J.J., Head, Cool Breeze, and Poppo. In a later episode, the "Awesome Foursome" became the "Gleesome Threesome." Cool Breeze seemed to vanish without a trace.

*See you in part two...