The Netflix reboot of “Good Times” has stirred up controversy surrounding its depiction of African Americans, drawing criticism from viewers and organizations like the NAACP. A Change.org petition, garnering 5,000 signatures, is calling for a boycott due to concerns about the promotion of stereotypes and negative portrayals of Black culture.
Ranada Shepard, the showrunner for the reboot, has addressed the immediate response to the series, noting that key cast members like J.B. Smoove, Yvette Nicole Brown, Marsai Martin, Jay Pharoah, and Slink Johnson have not been actively promoting the show as they typically would. Shepard suggests that without prior context, viewers formed opinions solely based on what they saw.
Taking over as showrunner for the reboot of the Norman Lear-produced CBS family sitcom, which originally aired 50 years ago, Shepard acknowledges the challenges of reviving a beloved classic. Despite initial struggles among viewers familiar with the original, the series reportedly improves over time, according to THR’s Chief TV critic, Daniel Fienberg.
The voice cast for the animated “Good Times” includes JB Smoove, Yvette Nicole Brown, Jay Pharoah, Marsai Martin, Slink Johnson, and Rashida Sheedz Olayiwola. Notably, Pharoah portrays the iconic character J.J. Evans, originally played by Jimmie Walker, in ABC’s “Live in Front of a Studio Audience: All In The Family and Good Times.” Additionally, following the passing of TV icon Norman Lear, it was exclusively revealed that he will guest-star in a Season 1 episode.
The animated series follows the fourth generation of the Evans family in apartment 17C of Chicago’s last housing projects. Despite changes, challenges persist, with life’s struggles mirroring the past. Love remains the toughest test, yet it’s abundant among them.
Created by Mike Evans and Eric Monte, “Good Times” was the first African American two-parent family sitcom on television, spun off from “Maude,” a spin-off of “All in the Family.” Norman Lear and Brent Miller executive produce the animated series through Act III Productions, with involvement from Stephen Curry, Erick Peyton, Jeron Smith, Seth MacFarlane, and Erica Huggins. While the release date is not confirmed, insiders suggest a likely premiere in summer 2024.
