Good Times Gone Bad: Understanding the Reboot’s Critics
Originally Published April 4, 2024
Throughout television history, few shows resonate as deeply with the Black community as the 1970s sitcom Good Times. Set against the backdrop of Chicago’s gritty projects, the show depicted the trials and triumphs of the Evans family while capturing the essence of love, resilience, and humor amidst adversity.
So when word of an animated reboot started making its rounds a few years back, it sent shockwaves through fans, leaving many asking, “WHY?” In this age of the “reboot,” studios and streamers have become obsessed with recreating classic films and TV shows with the hopes of using familiar characters and storylines to stir up nostalgia and anticipation to draw an audience. This project was no different. The problem with that, though, is when you try to attach a brand new project to one with such a strong cultural impact and legacy, you set the stage for a polarized reception: either it’s as good as the original, or it’s a flop. There’s rarely any space in between.
Now, there have been reboots that have performed relatively well. Shows like Fuller House (a reboot of Full House 1987-1995), The Connors (a reboot of Rosanne 1988-1997), The Wonder Years (a reboot of The Wonder Years 1998-1993) at least made it past season one. The most notable reboot that comes to mind is Peacock’s Bel-Air, which reimagines the classic, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990-1996). Now filming its third season, the show’s rookie season “shattered every Peacock record for new subscribers, usage, and upgrades" and was "crowned as the platform’s most-streamed original series, reaching 8 million accounts to date,” according to Comcast Corporation back in 2022.
Reboots these days can really be a toss-up. People may love it; people may hate it. But people will always make a comparison. And ever since Netflix dropped the first trailer for Good Times (2024), it has gotten a lot of buzz, but probably not in the way they’d hoped.
The trailer, which features foul language, sexual innuendos, shootouts, and a drug-dealing baby, has sparked a wave of skepticism and criticism, leaving many fans fearing that the reboot will fail to capture the authenticity and charm of the original series. Others worry that it may inadvertently perpetuate harmful stereotypes or dilute the legacy of its predecessor.
The show and everyone involved is catching heat weeks before the show drops because what we’ve seen, to date, ventures so far from what we think of when we hear Good Times. Though many studios and streamers bank on using well-known names and storylines to help elevate their projects, this time, it hurts them.
The original Good Times was more than just a TV show; it was a cultural touchstone, a mirror reflecting the joys and struggles of Black life in America. From the indomitable spirit of matriarch Florida Evans to the comedic antics of J.J. and the earnestness of Michael, each character left an indelible mark on viewers, weaving a tapestry of laughter, tears, and shared experiences.
This project, on the other hand (at least from the trailer), gives the next generation of the beloved Evans family a raunchy, ratchet, and stereotypical makeover. From social media threads to community forums, voices of dissent echo across digital platforms as fans and critics alike voice their apprehensions. Many have expressed concerns about the handling of sensitive themes such as poverty, race, and family dynamics, questioning whether the reboot will stay true to the spirit of the original series.
Amidst the chorus of criticism, defenders of the reboot offer a different perspective. They argue that a modern retelling of Good Times has the potential to introduce the series to a new generation of viewers, sparking important conversations about social issues and cultural representation. Moreover, they contend that animation provides a unique canvas for storytelling, allowing for creative exploration and interpretation.
Actress Yvette Nicole Brown, who voices Beverly Evans in the show, responded to the criticism, saying it “is edgier and more irreverent than the Good Times of our childhood, but it’s still a show about family, fighting the system and working to make things better despite where you start out in the world.”
Former Good Times stars John Amos (James Evans) and Bernadette Stanis (Thelma Evans) were asked what they thought about the new show. Amos told The Hollywood Reporter, “I really can’t form an opinion, as I’ve not seen any of the episodes yet.” He continued with, “Norman [Lear]–and the entire cast and company–set the bar pretty high.” “They’ll have a hard time reaching that level of entertainment [and] education. I wish them the best. I see people aspiring to that, but I don’t see anybody reaching that goal, especially in an animated version.”
Stanis shared her thoughts, saying, “Probably a lot of people don’t know how Hollywood works. A lot of times, you use a certain name to open up the door for a new show. That could be what it is,” she said. “But I’m sure a lot of people will be a little confused at first because they have to think that it’s us. They think, ‘Oh, my God! That’s got to be Thelma, J.J. and Michael.‘ And then you come in there, and you don’t see anything like that.”
She also shared that she and Jimmie Walker (J.J. Evans) voiced a few characters in the new show. “I did a little voice for them, but I did not know it was going to be the way it is,” she said. “I thought it was going to be different…But I think they did that because they knew what their show was going to be like. So I guess they figured, if you put us in there, it wouldn’t look so bad or whatever.”
As the Good Times reboot prepares to make its debut, the eyes of fans and critics alike are fixed on its journey. Will it honor the legacy of the original while carving out its own place in television history? Only time will tell as viewers embark on a new chapter in the saga of the Evans family.
What do you think? Will you be tuned in on April 12th?
