In today's episode, Rachael and Roxanne connect the dots between a classic sitcom and today’s headlines in a discussion about the very first episode of Good Times. We talk about the Evans family as they scramble to come up with rent money, which is a struggle that feels just as real today as it did in the 1970s. This episode takes a close look at how Good Times tackled poverty, systemic inequality, and family resilience from day one. We talk about life in the 1970's, how inflation has impacted rent prices over time, and the burnt orange and harvest gold aesthetics of 1970's-era Jesus.
**At one point, Roxanne mentions John Amos is still living a short distance from her hometown, but this is not correct. John Amos died in 2024.**
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Amos
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Times
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0070991/
https://interviews.televisionacademy.com/shows/good-times
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Law & Order: Criminal Justice System - Season 1 & Season 2
Season Two Out Now! Law & Order: Criminal Justice System tells the real stories behind the landmark cases that have shaped how the most dangerous and influential criminals in America are prosecuted. In its second season, the series tackles the threat of terrorism in the United States. From the rise of extremist political groups in the 60s to domestic lone wolves in the modern day, we explore how organizations like the FBI and Joint Terrorism Take Force have evolved to fight back against a multitude of terrorist threats.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com