"Good Times" Part Two Trivia Quiz

Answer: Eddie

The pint-sized bully, played by Douglas Grant, was named "Eddie." When Michael took it upon himself to handle the situation, he brought Eddie home for the weekend. Eddie was amazed to learn that Michael had a live-in father. The boy however, didn't impress James at all.

In fact Eddie's rudeness and insolence caused James to deal with him the same way he did with his kids. Uh huh! He took him in the back room and off came the belt.

Answer: When a statue of President Carter was in the park.

J.J.'s friend Poppo fancied himself a ladies man and was always lusting after Thelma. Unable to take no for an answer, Thelma finally told him, she'd date him when there was a statue of President Carter in the park. I don't think a statue of President Carter would ever be going up in the park of such a neighborhood.

Answer: Mississippi

Finally the Evans family could say good-bye to the projects. James was in Jackson, Mississippi, and had secured a good job. While the family is having a party to celebrate, and to say good-bye to old and dear friends, they are suddenly stunned. While reading telegrams from well-wishers, Florida opens and reads one from Mississippi. It is to inform Mrs. James Evans, that her husband had been killed in an automobile accident. How sad, no one saw this one coming. I'm sure all viewers were as stunned as Florida.

In an interview with John Amos, he said he received a phone call from the show stating that his contract would not be renewed. He had been fired. Amos, as well as Rolle, were vehement about the writing on the show. They felt it didn't portray what they had hoped it would. The show had become a vehicle for Jimmie Walker and his antics. It didn't portray any positives of a Black core family. Not even one living in the projects.

Answer: Carl

After the devastating loss of James, Florida finds love again with Carl Dixon, played by Moses Gunn. Carl owned a repair shop and Michael worked for him. He has taken Michael under his wing and eventually, Florida's heart. However, he has obstacles to overcome with the entire family. Carl and Florida butted heads over religious differences. Carl was an atheist.

A resolution was reached enough for Florida to accept Carl as more than Michael's boss and they married. After the wedding the couple was off to Arizona for their honeymoon. Carl, diagnosed with cancer, and his bride remained in Arizona for the climate.

Although they were never seen again as a couple, ratings on the show will see Esther Rolle reprising her role some time later. However, the show is on a downward skid by then.

Answer: A book bag

James was afraid of getting left behind because he hadn't completed high school elther. He used the excuse that the Evans household was falling apart with Florida dividing her time between home and school. Finally he got that Florida needed to set an example for other women as well as do something positive for herself. James not only brought Florida a book bag, he brought one for himself as well.

Answer: Lena

Grandpa Henry, played by Richard Ward, brought his partner Lena, played by Paulene Myers, to meet his family. The problem was, they weren't married, which didn't set well with Florida. This episode brought the problem of the aged and fixed incomes into public view. If Henry and Lena were to marry, they would lose income that was barely enough to make ends meet as it was.

Answer: $250.00

After trying to renege on the deal with J.J., the bank officer, P.J. Hewitt (James Wheaton) finally paid Jr. the $250.00 he was promised. J.J. gave $200.00 of it to help with Thelma's college scholarship.

The artwork used in "Good Times" as J.J.'s was actually done by Ernest E. Barnes. Barnes was the 10th round draft pick for the then World Champions, Baltimore Colts. He was traded around the AFL until one day he literally saw the light and asked to be released from his contract to pursue painting as a career.

Answer: He was too old

James was turned down for the job because government guidelines said he was too old. It's amazing that this country can have a man in his seventies or eighties as President or seated on the Supreme Court, making decisions that might affect the world. Yet that same government will ask the working man to retire at sixty-two.

Answer: $12.00

Florida paid $12.00 and change for a pot roast that made the entire family and Willona, green around the gills. When she organized a protest of the market, the protesters were quickly carted off to jail. While James didn't forgive the store's apology, Florida did, until she overheard the manager's unsympathetic phone call with his boss. James and Florida decided to make the manager eat his own pot roast.

They served it to him in front of a supposed Inspector.

Answer: Millicent

In the Fall of '77 as "Good Times" began its fifth season, two new characters were added to the cast of the show. Janet Jackson, as an abused child and Chip Fields (Kim's mother), as her abusive mother. Janet was cast as a precocious but abused and neglected girl called Penny, who follows J.J. home. Penny met J.J. on a city bus and thought he was the most handsome thing she had ever seen.

When Mr. Bookman comes looking for the child they discover her name is Millicent. In this four parter, Willona and the Evans children find out that Penny is a much abused little girl.

Her mother later abandons her and Willona takes steps to become her foster mom.

Answer: Jeffrey

Penny's mom resurfaces in the final season of the show with the intention of getting Penny back at any cost. She has married well since abandoning Penny and now seeks to destroy Willona's reputation. She hired her friend Jeffrey (Rod Perry) to do the dirty work. He is having a party at Willona's and has invited the dregs of the area. All well-known at the local precinct. In the meantime Penny shows Willona her new tape recorder and leaves it in the party room, recording.

While Willona's place is raided, Mrs. Gordon finally shows herself as the cause of her problems. At the end of this episode called, "A Matter of Mothers," Penny's tape proves to be Mrs. Gordon's downfall.

Answer: Sweet potato pie

While working as an art teacher, J.J. has entered one of his works into a contest. He asks Mr. Bookman to deliver it to the contest for him. As a reward Mr. Bookman could have a piece of Florida's sweet potato pie. However, unable to wait until he gets back from dropping off the work, Mr. Bookman sets the painting down and grabs a slab of pie. On his way out the door he grabs the work of one of J.J.'s students, Emily (Renee Brown).

The work wins the contest and James Jr. is named as the winner. J.J. reluctantly announces that the work isn't his.

Answer: Larry Baker

Derek Wells played the youngster, Larry Baker. The Evans family found out that Larry was quite adept so they were at a loss to explain why he was thought to be slow. When Larry had no reaction to a loud noise they understood why. Larry had a hearing problem.

His mother however, refused to believe it. When Larry almost fell down the elevator shaft because he couldn't hear her telling him to stop, she had no choice but to accept it.

Answer: He slapped Thelma

Ben Powers, joined the cast of "Good Times" in '78 as Thelma's love interest, Keith Anderson. Anderson had a promising career ahead of him playing for the Chicago bears. Thelma and Keith became husband and wife and before Keith had a chance to play football, tragedy struck. Keith tripped over J.J. and broke his leg after the ceremony. Reduced to finding other income, unbeknownst to Thelma and the family, Keith started drinking. During one of his drinking bouts, he slapped Thelma.

The family got him help and Thelma and he resolved their issues.

However, before starting over Thelma had something for Keith. Mrs. Anderson slapped Mr. Anderson's face.

Answer: "The End of the Rainbow"

"The End of the Rainbow" episode is chock full of good news. Willona's good news is that she is moving out of the projects to a ritzy high-rise across town. J.J. has finally sold his comic strip idea and can now afford his own place. Michael is going to a very good college and living on campus. Keith was secretly rebuilding his knee and has been given another shot at the pros. He has a new contract and a new home. While Thelma is happy, she is also sad that she will be leaving her mom behind. Then Keith informs her that the new apartment has plenty of room and mom is more than welcome. Good news for Willona, the apartment building is the same one she's moving to. Thelma has promised Florida that she may have news of her own and today she can confirm it. She and Keith will make Florida a grandmother. And so, "Good Times" never felt so good for the Evans family.

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