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Post by horsemen4ever on Jan 17, 2013 19:54:21 GMT -5
So which 70's sitcom about working class african american families do you like better? Good Times or What's Happening!
And I can not stress the word "working class" enough, that is why the Jefferson don't really compare, that is a different kind of sitcom about upper class african american familes.
Well I love both shows, with their memorable characters and catch phrases. But even though the last couple of season were a shell of its former glory, but in it's prime it was excellent, I have to go with Good Times.
They had John Ames, he is one of the great underrated actors ever.
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The OP
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Post by The OP on Jan 17, 2013 20:28:12 GMT -5
I was about ready to say that while What's Happening was more consistently entertaining, Good Times was entertaining in it's own right and was a more poignant and emotionally powerful show. That thought process tilted the scale toward Good Times.
Upon further reflection however, I remember that What's Happening also had heart tugging moments of it's own, and I like the way they portrayed Raj and Dee's parents as having a mature friendship and working together for the children's sake even though they were divorced. A case could be made that despite having a relatively campy, dated look as opposed to Good Times, What's Happening had sharper writing in some respects; specifically the dialogue was arguably wittier and funnier, and the plots more inventive.
I vote "What's Happening!", final answer.
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Post by King Boo on Jan 17, 2013 20:32:10 GMT -5
I like both, but I still say "hey, hey, hey!", so "What's Happening!!" for me.
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Post by SeVeN: #TheBadGuy. on Jan 17, 2013 20:56:35 GMT -5
Good Times! DYNO-MITE mfers.
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nate5054
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Post by nate5054 on Jan 18, 2013 0:38:42 GMT -5
I feel this thread is not complete without the intros to each show:
And I still can't decide. Those are both epic.
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Post by dlg3000 on Jan 18, 2013 16:20:37 GMT -5
I voted for Good Times. What's Happening is more underrated however.
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Post by Clash, Never a Meter Maid on Jan 18, 2013 20:36:43 GMT -5
What's Happening. It wasn't as bleak.
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Post by celticjobber on Jan 18, 2013 20:54:26 GMT -5
Good Times always depressed me as a kid, and it's theme song was nightmare fuel when I was a toddler (for some reason, it made me think all of the characters were dead and we're watching them in the afterlife). I prefer What's Happening. The Doobie Brothers episode was especially enjoyable.  |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2013 20:57:17 GMT -5
Good Times lost all of its charm when James died. JJ was not fit to carry a show. What's Happening takes this.
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Post by fuzzywarble, squat cobbler on Jan 18, 2013 21:57:21 GMT -5
I actually got into What's Happenin'. I saw only a few episode of Good Times and, while entertaining, it just didn't have the same dynamics that the other show had. It didn't have Dee's rotten attitude, Shirley's sarcastic nature or Rerun's overall jovial personality.
What's Happenin' was a great show. Also, whereas Good Times dealt with more of a 'ghetto' theme and black issues, What's Happenin' really never dove into that. It was just a show about 4 friends.
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Post by Welfare Willis on Jan 19, 2013 0:54:14 GMT -5
What's happening. After John Ames and Esther Rolle left the writing was on the wall.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2013 8:47:53 GMT -5
Since there's no "other" option (Sanford & Son, you big dummy!), I pick "What's Happening!" I would actually watch that on purpose.
Good Times was something I'd watch if somebody else was watching it. I think Jimmie Walker is funny, his stand-up is funny. The show could just be such a downer sometimes.
And Thelma was such a pain-in-the-ass, I couldn't stand her.
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