'Good Times' cast to have 50th celebration in Delaware this March. How to attend

From "Family Guy" to "Martin" — the classic sitcom "Good Times" has been paid tribute to and has been parodied countless times.   

Delawareans can pay homage to the show under one roof when cast members Bern Nadette Stanis (Thelma), Jimmie Walker (JJ) and Ralph Carter (Michael) will all be in town to celebrate the 50th anniversary of "Good Times" at Wilmington Public Library on Friday, March 15.  

No tickets or registration are required for this free event. Seating is first come, first served.   

The moderator for the event is actor Ernest Lee Thomas, best known as “Raj” from the ‘70s sitcom “What’s Happening!!”  

What is 'Good Times' about?  

Taking place in 1970s Chicago, "Good Times" depicted the challenges faced by the Evans family, headed by James (John Amos) and Florida Evans (Esther Rolle), as they strive to overcome adversity. Residing in the projects, the couple raises their three children: JJ (Jimmie Walker), Thelma (Bern Nadette Stanis), and Michael (Ralph Carter). 

Despite the Evans' fight against poverty, the family still managed to keep a smile on their faces, hence the title: "Good Times."    

The sitcom "Good Times" ran from (1974-79) and is considered one of the most iconic Black TV shows for its mix of comedy and ability to tackle social issues. 

Before the cast arrives in Delaware, here are five popular TV shows with episodes that were inspired by "Good Times."

'Martin' uses famous line from 'Good Times'  

One of the most iconic lines from "Good Times" came when an emotional Florida Evans was grieving the loss of James. In the closing moments of the episode "The Big Move: Part 2" (Season 4 Episode 2), Florida is cleaning her kitchen until she has a meltdown. She shatters a glass punch bowl and screams the famous line: "Damn, damn, damn!" 

Countless TV shows have parodied that scene including "Martin" in the 1993 episode "To Kill a Talking Bird" (S2 E9) where Martin's girlfriend Gina (Tisha Campbell) accidentally kills his mom's pet bird; and when Mrs. Payne (played by Martin Lawrence) discovers her beloved Ruby was dead in a shoe box, Mama Payne loses it. She shatters the drinking glass in her hand and yells Florida Evans' famous words. 

'Wayans Brothers' recreates 'Good Times' 

Years before Shawn and Marlon Wayans hit it big with their film "White Chicks," they paid homage to "Good Times" on their '90s sitcom "The Wayans Bros." In the episode "Unspoken Token" (S4 E5), Shawn is stressed from work and decides to clear his mind by watching an episode of "Good Times."

The audience then sees him appear as JJ, and the cast of "The Wayans" spoof other characters from the TV show. Bern Nadette Stanis and Johnny Brown (Bookman) reprised their roles on the episode.  

John Witherspoon (cast as James Evans) made fun of how the short-tempered James couldn't keep a job to save his life. Before randomly hurling a chair across the room, which almost hit Thelma, he exclaimed the ridiculous statement: "I just got fired for the last ... fifth time this month!"  

'Boondocks' teases 'Good Times' 

The cartoon "The Boondocks" dedicated an entire episode to poking fun at "Good Times" with a dark humor-themed show conveniently titled: "Good Times" (S4 E2). Robert "Grandad" Freeman (John Witherspoon) was going broke and snippets from the "Good Times" theme would occasionally play in the episode as a slap in his face, even when he was crying and accidentally knocked over his punch bowl (which shattered).

Things got crazy when Grandad decided to sell himself and his grandsons into slavery, followed by the final snippet of the "Good Times" theme song.  

The message behind the episode may have been a social commentary on the fact that some Black people reject "Good Times" because they view it as a negative representation of Black people, while others argue it's funny and inspiring that the Evans family can still smile after having so many setbacks.   

'Family Guy' pokes fun at 'Good Times' 

Plenty of movies and TV shows have become the butt of a joke in the cartoon "Family Guy" and "Good Times" is no exception. In the episode "I'm Dyin’, I'm Lyin'" (S2 E9) — there's a made-up scene where the character Florida Evans complains to James and JJ about being named after a state. This revelation leads to a dramatic pause before JJ randomly breaks the ice and says his favorite slogan: "Dyn-o-mite!"  

'Black-ish' closes season with 'Good Times'  

The sitcom "Black-ish" became "Good-ish Times" when that very episode ran as the Season 2 finale in 2016. Dre, the father of the Johnson family (played by Anthony Anderson), falls asleep in front of the TV during a marathon of "Good Times." He ends up dreaming about his family and being charaters on the TV show.  

Details about 'Good Times' 50th celebration

Wilmington Public Library (10 E. 10th St., Wilmington) at 6 p.m. Friday, March 15. Admission is free. Visit Facebook.com/WilmingtonLibraryDE, wilmington.lib.de.us or call (302) 571-7400.     

If you have an interesting story idea, email lifestyle reporter Andre Lamar at alamar@gannett.com. Consider signing up for his weekly newsletter, DO Delaware, at delawareonline.com/newsletters.