Not So “Good Times” has Black Community Upset
Screenshot from the Netflix preview of the new series “Good Times,” that was executive produced by Steph Curry, Norman Lear and Seth MacFarlane.
Yikes! That is all I really could say after watching one of several Netflix previews of the upcoming cartoon series “Good Times.” It is supposed to be about the descendants of the original classic television show that aired in the 70’s and is still examined in social science classes around the country. This “new version” looks like hot garbage and Black Americans are not holding back voicing their disappointment.
Some of the harshest criticism is being reserved for basketball star Steph Curry, who served as the main executive producer along with Norman Lear, the original EP of the TV show and comedian Seth McFarlane. Curry grew up the son of an NBA star, attended a private prep school and knows nothing about life in the hood or the struggles poor Black families face. The question now is who is going to be the sports reporter that covers the Warriors and has the guts to ask Curry about his creation, which is being dogged before it is even officially released.
The use of profanity in the clips is not sitting well with a lot of people either. In addition to the n-word, the b-word was also prominent, which gives me pause to think what else is in the show.
Comedians JB Smoove and Wanda Sykes do the voices for some of the main characters. They too are catching heat from the community, along with teen actress Marsai Martin (Blackish). At this point, I wonder if this show will even make the April 12 release date as the online anger seems to only be just beginning.
Most importantly, this cartoon version does not capture the essence of the show. The original show captured the joy, struggle, tragedy and accomplishments of a then modern Black family living in the projects of Chicago. While the Evans’ had their struggles, the family loved each other, their neighbors and their community. This show misses that mark and Black people are not having it.
“Hard pass. The essence of Good Times was a solid family working hard to make their lives better in the system of inequality. Nobody needs Bebe’s kids mixed in with a hood rat mom, bad ass kids, and a fat sloppy dad,” wrote X user @HenriettaSnacks.
Those of us who are from Chicago hold “Good Times” in a special place in our heart. To see it being denigrated in this manner is a gut punch. It will be interesting to see if Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, who is pretty conscious and protective about Black culture himself, makes a statement on the show. In the meantime, Black media personalities are going in hard.
“This is piss poor degenerate programming at its absolute worst. We didn't ask for this nor want it. Throw it in a dumpster fire immediately. It's literally a cartoon minstrel show for 2024,” wrote Digital Media Creator Nicole’s View.
Esther Rolle, who played Florida Evans on the original show, fought constantly with the show’s writers on the image of the characters. It is well noted that she demanded a Black father be included. She left the show when James Evans was killed off and returned only after several of her demands were met, which included in part, better quality scripts, J.J. (her son) maturing into a man, better pay and her leaving a man she had married after James died who was an atheist, when it was well known that she was a devout Christian.
“Some things just need to be left alone,” wrote X user @_juice2x in the comment section.
Amen to that brotha. Esther Rolle has got to be turning in her grave.