Good Times | Thelma And Her Boyfriend Have A Secret | The Norman Lear Effect

Thelma (BernNadette Stanis) introduces her parents to her new boyfriend, who has written an essay about 'Sexual Behavior in the Ghetto'.
Good Times From Season 1, Episode 6 'Sex and the Evans Family': While cleaning the apartment, Florida finds a notebook titled "Sexual Behavior in the Ghetto" and thinks that its a sex manual. She then accuses JJ of bringing it in the apartment and yells at him for doing so. JJ denies it and when she shows it to James he has a totally different reaction and laughs it off thinking that it is JJ's way of learning about the birds and the bees. However, when James finds out that the book belongs to Thelma, he blows a gasket. Complicating things even more is the fact that she is dating a 21 year old college student.
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ABOUT GOOD TIMES: Life in the Chicago projects is never easy, However, the Evans family never gives up trying to make the best of things.
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Good Times | Thelma And Her Boyfriend Have A Secret | The Norman Lear Effect
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[@halfunkbass2966]

I love when James was on the show... he was the driver.

[@mick40jb]

My 15 year old grandmother married my 26 year old grandfather in 1928. Married 53 years until she died in 1981.

[@raymondrochajr9621]

Well James dropped the ball here! And his wife too!

[@georgeforall]

Fathers are so important to daughters.

[@Faithfullfertilitytv]

And sons

[@guineapiglady2841]

Not mine.

[@therealniggabruh]

@@guineapiglady2841 Truly hope you've healed from any trauma you had to endure. May God continue to bless you abundantly.

[@vickiefinney6073]

21 year old dating a 16 year old wouldn't fly these days. He'd be in jail

[@jayharvey7043]

He could've been in jail in those days too, if the parents so desired to press charges.

[@jidowu6019]

some not most @NickAtNight84

[@Chutney1luv]

​@@jayharvey7043That's so true!! 💯

[@Chutney1luv]

And those days too! No home with a father in it would allow it except in groups with kids the same age and a chaperone. 🤔

[@airving]

True

[@SamuelGriffin-u8d]

Actor Phillip Michael Thomas exactly 10 years before Miami Vice

[@edwardsawtell5712]

Holy cannolis!

[@hildapompa4236]

That's right I recognized him quickly.. that beautiful badazz acting voice with an accent in Miami Vice❤❤ ...I LOVE LOVE LOVE Miami Vice still to this day!! He comes out in other sitcoms and movies too you know!!👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🩵💙 And he sure still handsome❣️💙💙🫶

[@jazzygirl4140]

Thank you because I was going bonkers trying to remember who he was lol

[@whatusername4817]

Thanks for the info. Didn't know that.

[@highlightedreply8838]

how MV ended was ridiculous!!!!!!!!!!! ..blowin the man up in a car ????? really ?? ....WF be plottin !! @@hildapompa4236

[@P.Michelle]

Phillip Michael Thomas has been fine his whole life!!!

[@RobetteRodgers-dq2vl]

Fine His Entire Life😂😂😂❤❤

[@HoneyHoneyBaby]

Facts 💯💯‼️

[@soulsister1976]

Definately unfair to be that fine... He shole spread his seed around tho..ELEVEN kids!!!

[@ThisLIFEisR]

💯🧨‼️

[@macywood4619]

@@soulsister1976He has eleven children?

[@ferehj675]

That phrase”HOME WITH A STRONG BLACK FATHER FIGURE”, just let that sink in.

[@mdm5216]

In todays society... it sank.

[@SciFiDreamer]

You gotta merry before you carry.

[@lcam9241]

​@@SciFiDreamermarry and true

[@SPACEMAN70000]

This was deep

[@mccoobs]

The statement doesn't mention anything about ethnicity.

[@SariahSavvyTips]

STRONG FATHER FIGURES IS WHAT OUR HOMES ARE STILL MISSING IN 2024.

[@tramdr]

In real life, they wrote the Father James out the show, killed him off, because the show went from real life like this to focusing on JJ with just silliness. 'James' complained about it and then they canned him Sad.

[@t3up220]

Also don’t forget he wanted higher pay. He really deserved it . Because after James died the show went downhill.

[@H0DLTHED0R]

Crump and BLM did it. I know I'm right

[@danejoseph6208]

@@t3up220 I have not read or seen any interview where it was about him asking for higher pay. Where did you hear that?

[@marksaguindel1903]

​@@H0DLTHED0R this was the 70s fool

[@shymultimedia]

@@danejoseph6208there have been interviews about that. I saw him talk with a reporter about this on a documentary.

[@joaquinmojado]

James Evans is the way fathers are supposed to be suspicious.

[@Wilson632]

Strong black father figure thats so desperately needed today.

[@roveriia6334]

I had to scroll through 20+ comments to get to the strong father themed comment.

[@Wilson632]

​@@roveriia6334no doubt saggy pants wouldn't have been allowed in James house😂

[@roveriia6334]

Great statement@@Wilson632

[@maryk446]

@@Wilson632 Exactly. James would have said to his son: "Nuh-uh, you aint' goin out this house lookin like you was raised by goofy the dog. You put on some normal pants" Or he might have said to J.J. "Junior, if you keep wearin pants that show your butt-crack, I'm gonna insist on crackin your butt!"

[@lenevee4925]

Thesis or not, he's 21 and she's 16!

[@Naniessss]

EXACTLY!!!

[@lakicia30]

It’s just a show. Lol

[@stryfetc1471]

It used to be a common thing.

[@pmarieblessed5117]

Things are different now! During those times young ladies in my family got married at 16 years old. Things were very different.

[@seaor2k122]

​@pmarieblessed5117 You have your era's mixed up. This was the mid-70s. Dating and marriage between a sixteen year old would have been considered illegal.

[@wb3381]

James Evans is seriously needed in 2024

[@johnnyanderson3287]

The thesis still holds true today..

[@BIGELOW.65]

James wants to drop Tubbs from Miami Vice.

[@southamcaballero]

He could have, if he wanted

[@loveforeignaccents]

Oh, I just saw this episode the other night. He was a good-looking chap!

[@HoneyHoneyBaby]

Yes, indeed 💯

[@hildapompa4236]

Still is aging gracefully❣️💙💙💙💙

[@jrewing1512]

This is why the show wasn't the sams when James was killed off.

[@JustK009]

James Evans = Legend John Amos = A Legend’s Legend

[@karencharlier3136]

Need more fathers like James

[@WarFace-lj4kx]

Across the board

[@TF-gf3fs]

Vastly underpaid with a 6th grade education? No thanks.

[@WarFace-lj4kx]

@@TF-gf3fs Not education and job status, but the parental skills, loving the wife and children, respecting the wife and children, protecting the family, providing for the family regardless of obstacles.

[@TF-gf3fs]

@@WarFace-lj4kx Oh please. Cut the crap. None of that means anything if you don't have the proper education to get the right job to take care of your family.

[@SIKE01]

the greatest TV dad ever.

[@bighomiemac3472]

Daddy raised her right. Notice she didn’t come down stairs until her father told her it was ok.❤️

[@SIKE01]

Thelma's character arc ended when they killed off the greatest TV father ever 💔

[@nineixb616]

There’s no stairs in project apartments.

[@bighomiemac3472]

@@nineixb616 Actually There are stairs in some. Maybe not in the high rises, but there are stairs in the flats. . . . . .BTW, Go away klansmen, we don't need you here.

[@mizzkaykay93]

@@nineixb616lmfao😂

[@valley818-]

​@@nineixb616 Theirs didn't have stairs inside, but some do have them.

[@ricardotorres4150]

For all you people out there who don’t BernNadette Stanis and Philip Michael Thomas actually dated for a little while.

[@Stressless2023]

16 and 21? Sounds way different today than it apparently did back then.

[@nomibe2911]

Yep. Attitudes were different back then.

[@jaiyabyrd4177]

At 16 my father wouldn't let me out with a 21 y.o. I'm surprised James Evans said Yes.

[@mirianalajtman7728]

They were such a nice family. Always brings a smile to my face

[@williemo44]

This is exactly why the producers didn’t want a father on the show👍🏽✊🏽

[@borood1188]

His secret is he will be on Miami Vice in ten years!

[@ritagreenlaw8923]

Phillip Michael Thomas was cute and smart.

[@HoneyHoneyBaby]

Well, it ain't Let's Make A Deal 😭

[@RexYoung206]

Philip Michael Thomas! Awesome!

[@tamaraknox2185]

Young Phillip Michael Thomas in this episode

[@yorkrothschild9922]

He looks like 1983 Michael Jackson before Michael Jackson

[@rosieb9]

Tubs Miami Vice and Stix from Sparkle ❤️❤️❤️

[@flowersandcandyflowersandc9093]

This man was so handsome when he was young, also he was a great pick for Miami Vice..

[@yasminvaughn2975]

I love how Florida did not try to usurp her authority over James.

[@christophertracy2807]

In the 70s, men were still men and women were women. The best thing about Good Times was the strong black man image of James Evans

[@DevoeP]

@@christophertracy2807no most woman didn’t even believe they had that right low iq. 😂

[@TeAnnLawrence]

My 16 daughter which I currently have will NEVER be with a 21 year while I’m still breathing…. That would ONLY happen over my dead body on God!!

[@shaquilleburton1611]

She gonna do what she wanna do same way you did.

[@GamerGee]

Times were different then.

[@winniejohnson5559]

21 year olds are the new 13 year olds 😂😂.. the 21 year old could be more innocent than the 16 year .. but I respect your point and agree 👍

[@valley818-]

Yes I always thought it was weird how my Great grandmother was a teenager married to my much older great grandfather and it was ok back then to some folks. But I still think she was a baby at the time.........

[@dbrown9495]

Phillip Michael Thomas was a handsome sharp guy!

[@charlestonchewy]

James changed his tone quick after the part about the “strong father figure” part :-)

[@thelionofjudah2012]

Gotta love James!

[@A.Light33]

I think Florida has a beautiful complexion and smile.

[@peaceinthemiddleeast4349]

21YO taking out a 16YO? America was a wild place back in my grandparent's day.

[@LRowe-e1x]

James was strong a father figure

[@ChrisNapolion-c5w]

Happy belated birthday 84th birthday John amos

[@hildapompa4236]

He is older then that!!!

[@hildapompa4236]

He is older than 74 now😅!!!

[@nicolebrooks2876]

Phillip Michael Thomas...Miami Vice, himself.

[@HoneyHoneyBaby]

Philip Michael Thomas 😘

[@Spillers72]

The irony, they extol two parent homes with a strong father in the home. Then they killed him off.

[@thenormanleareffect]

If you want to see more iconic scenes from Good Times, SUBSCRIBE to our channel! 📺

[@Chutney1luv]

I do remember this episode back then. Loved it! Phillip Michael Thomas, did look like a youngster. And he is still handsome!

[@ckdub2]

Every time I watch good times I wish I was 4 5 & 6 again ❤

[@MarshaVoires]

He was always, one of my favorite ,father figures on TV. Strong and correcting but also very tender. James Evans. We miss seeing this on television today.

[@Naniessss]

A 21 year old going out with a 16 year old is blasphemous😭

[@maikeliRAIWALUI]

in acutal fact thelmas actress was 20 in real life

[@Naniessss]

@@maikeliRAIWALUI Yea REAL LIFE but the SHOW was portraying a 16 year old and a 21 year old going on a date…I wasn’t born back then but I’d assume it had to been creepy still.

[@mlynettepinky595]

Thelma dated 2 older men Remember she was dating Louis Gossett Jr. His character was old enough to be her daddy. His character was in his 40s Depending on the state, it would be statutory Ain't no way I would allow my 16 yr old to date a 21 yr old man Philip Michael Thomas was fine though 😂

[@mjbankhead9063]

@@mlynettepinky595Let’s not forget Thelma also dated that guy who got arrested for bigamy 😂

[@joannlacy2276]

And the African Evay.

[@Ohgood4you]

"DAMN DAMN DAMN DAMN!!!"

[@sistagirllondon]

Florida at 00:43 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@aaronkenyon7112]

😂 That part took me out

[@sistagirllondon]

​@@aaronkenyon7112🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 excellent acting!

[@destineetyson7756]

I love good times my favorite black TV show of all time ❤❤❤❤❤📺📺📺📺📺📺📺📺📺📺📺📺

[@RJ-ek7ov]

Oh Ester Rolle we lost her too soon.

[@TwoPair72]

One moment, James is about to tear his head off. Minute later, he's smiling. Glad he listens....

[@listennow1537]

James was like a father figure to me

[@miguelrobledo875]

Love and miss that Show

[@CHIARIEN]

Her look at james was everything😂

[@peterwolf3760]

Norman Lear was a THIEF! … the real genius behind GOOD TIMES and THE JEFFERSONS was ERIC MONTE!

[@ChrisNapolion-c5w]

Rip Esther rolle

[@gTimber1930]

This is a show that was under rated. Actors were awesome. Writing good.

[@signoresantinoburnett1169]

Tubbs always smooth.

[@maundamartin59]

Wow didnt know that Phillip played in this. 21 years old and 16. 2024......straight to jail.

[@moreme40]

You could always trust Rico Tubbs

[@alanmorris7669]

Would you believe 14-year-old children are still allowed to get married in West Virginia?

[@airving]

Love all these actors/actresses.

[@zxcccccc1]

Thelma was only one generation from share croppers, the generation before her were married and had two children by that time.

[@southamcaballero]

One of the things that was great about Good Times was how the audience would react to James and the other character's emotions. Everybody was just so in tune and in anticipation of every moment and knew when that other person was in trouble or something good was about to happen

[@geeskin5750]

Facts, good times had the best live audience

[@kedt4mb]

James was the best dad

[@jackbarnaba7751]

Tubbs

[@tomswill9189]

James is wilddddddd😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@juanwhitfield7626]

"I oughta drop him.." 🤣😂

[@jameshughes6049]

John Amos was the best part of the show.

[@jackietrujillo9612]

james is so protected of her. His attitude change like that. wow just for saying father figure.

[@pinktaco646]

Miami Vice. No wonder he looked so familiar

[@jaredjlinden]

I liked the one where she was going to marry eBay.

[@prettybadcontent8301]

This dudes research aged like a fine chardonnay.

[@davionbradley2527]

James was absolutely right. Should no 21 year old be pursuing no 16 year old child!

[@ms.payton1458]

Phillip Michael Thomas 😍😍😍😍

[@maryk446]

Florida thinking that a college thesis can't be dirty! Gotta love the innocence of the mid-1970's!

[@FUCKINGENIOUS]

Miss it actually

[@omglivetv1]

This episode was rather Bitter sweet.. Because The Evans actually never won... There was always something bad that happened to keep them "IN The Ghet Tow" THEY NEVER REMEDIED THEIR CONDITION.

[@gweneetikibradley3007]

One of my favorite episodes💛. Among my favorite shows💛.

[@teribarker1021]

He wouldn’t have been 21 taking my 16 year old daughter anywhere.

[@shaquilleburton1611]

With your permission maybe not.

[@antoniojames9493]

She did date Louis Gossett Jr🤣

[@lookoutnow4996]

​@@antoniojames9493True old head..😂😂😂

[@willsims5477]

She wouldn’t have gone anywhere with him if she were my daughters.

[@shaquilleburton1611]

Maybe not with your permission

[@kewan2045]

Different generation. Most of my aunts married spouses they date in h.s. The men married them when they graduated shortly after h.s. 3-4 year age gape. Wasn’t uncommon to see seniors dating freshman.

[@solonfuller7478]

phil the cutest man in the world -courtney fuller writing

[@robbyg4777]

This is a black father moment

[@LOEMOB1962]

Man… they fought an uphill battle against society with this show…

[@corrbenbernsten4902]

Tubbs 10 years earlier

[@thelighthousefjcproduction5597]

Great scene and so true and good family is so important.

[@malakvalentin2352]

Great comedy from beginning to end. Oh, how I miss those days. Love this family unit Good Times Great Times.

[@stryfetc1471]

I always wondered how James was able to stay there with his family, part of project living is fact that they wanted to break up the black family and replace the men with Government Assistance to make the women dependent on it. They didn't allow fathers to live there.

[@jayharvey7043]

They weren't on government assistance.

[@pittsburge88]

Norman Lear was a Wicked man!

[@pl1763]

They were married so they were not in government assistance. Single mothers who were on assistance were not allowed to live with a man and keep assistance.

[@tonimt1712]

@@pl1763 unmarried living with a man is called being roommates

[@soulheaven9243]

@@pl1763 since they were married they could still be on govt assistance with him living in the home... if their combined household income didnt exceed limits(which Im pretty sure it didnt)

[@Miss_Loving]

Even in the mid-70s it showed the detriment of single-parent households run by baby mamas. A two-parent household lead by a strong father and husband will always the best choice!

[@material-cheshirekhatter2413]

What makes you think single mothers CHOOSE to be single mothers, the men who ran are to blame.

[@darylllanier2591]

@@material-cheshirekhatter2413 2-5 kids for many black single moms; 2-5 baby daddies. They made the choice to be "loose." In my day, the Good Times era and even the early 80s, women like this were ostracized because more was expected of them and their sexuality. There was discipline in the home and the neighborhood towards kids. Today, it's a immoral mess.

[@storbokki371]

16 and 21 is still jailbait.

[@christophertmunro4503]

RICARDO TUBBS 10 YEARS BEFORE SONNY CROCKETT ENTERED THE PICTURE!!!!

[@anthonyglaser929]

I almost didn't recognize Rico with all that hair.

[@greenbyrd3665]

These were absolutely the best episodes, when the nuclear family was intact.

[@thetruesoulofanaquarius9302]

Phillip Michael Thomas 😍 and he is still fine.

[@ericwilliams1575]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 My top favorite episode in the premiere season. Along with God's business is Good Business, Black Jesus, and TOO OLD BLUES

[@garyloten-beckford889]

Yet, they decided to kill off the father for a single-parent household.

[@GSXSF-250]

Hey, that’s the guy in Miami Vice!!

[@TheAccessFoundation]

Thelma was fast! Phillip Michael Thomas and Louis Gosset Jr

[@nassauguy48]

Thelma had a lot of controversial boy friends. This guy, the 42 year old divorced guy, the Nigerian guy with a harem of wives back home, the auto mechanic who wanted to take her to California. Even the guy she married ended up living off the family for a few years with a bum leg until he recovered and finally got a football contract.