How Norman Lear’s Most Famous Shows Changed TV History – Looper

Before “The Jeffersons,” Norman Lear developed another Black-led sitcom that holds the distinction of showcasing the first African American nuclear family — “Good Times.” The show was a spin-off of “Maude,” which itself was a spin-off of “All in the Family.” It first aired in 1974, honing in on the Evans family led by patriarch James (John Amos) and matriarch Florida Evans (Esther Rolle). While J.J. (Jimmie Walker) became a breakout character, mostly due to his catchphrase, “Dy-no-mite,” the show followed in its predecessors’ footsteps by tackling sensitive topics. 

Unlike “The Jeffersons,” which had a higher-class Black family at the center, the Evans clan was more pressed for cash. Plotlines often centered on the family attempting to overcome poverty, with James often having to perform manual labor when he wasn’t unemployed. As such, the sitcom was relatable to anyone who faced adversity in trying to get over economic boundaries, Black or white. 

The show wasn’t without criticisms at the time, especially when it came to J.J., whom many criticized for exemplifying racial stereotypes, especially in the later seasons. But along with “The Jeffersons,” “Good Times” showed there was an appetite for Black-centric storytelling on TV. And it opened doors for more Black creators behind the scenes of productions. Norman Lear may have developed and produced “Good Times,” but the creators were two Black men — Mike Evans and Eric Monte.