Ep 22. J.J. in Business

J.J. in Business is a hilarious episode from Good Times' fourth successful season. This sitcom was set in the inner-city Cabrini-Green housing project in Chicago during the 1970s. The show is centered around the Evans family, specifically the parents James and Florida, and their three children J.J., Thelma, and Michael. In this particular episode, the character J.J. takes a shot at entrepreneurship.

Good Times was groundbreaking in its time as one of the first successful sitcoms with a predominantly black cast. The show tackled important issues such as racism, poverty, and social injustice while also highlighting the strength and resilience of the African American community. J.J. in Business continues in this tradition by addressing the theme of economic empowerment.

The episode begins with J.J. realizing he needs more money to support his family. He has a love for painting and decides to market his art by starting his own business. J.J. is excited to set up shop and sells his artwork at a local street fair. However, he quickly realizes that the business world is tough, as he gets swindled out of almost all of his profits by a shrewd businessman who sells knockoff artwork.

Reluctant to give up on his dream, J.J. seeks advice from his family and friends. Florida, Thelma, and Michael all offer ideas on how he can improve his art or find a new career path altogether. However, J.J. is determined, and with the help of his best friend, Bookman, he tries again. This time, J.J. decides to sell his artwork door to door, but once again, things do not go smoothly.

Good Times frequently dealt with serious subjects, but the show's strength was its ability to deliver messages in a lighthearted and comedic way. The episode J.J. in Business is no exception. Viewers will be laughing out loud at J.J.'s zany antics as he tries to make a living from his art. Yet, despite all the setbacks, J.J. never gives up and remains persistent in his pursuit of success.

Overall, J.J. in Business is a heartwarming episode that highlights the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity. Through J.J.'s journey, viewers learn that starting a business is not easy, but that with determination and a little bit of luck, anyone can achieve their goals. Good Times continues to be an important piece of television history, and this episode is no exception. Fans of the show will be delighted by the humor and the positive message of this episode, and it is sure to leave a lasting impression.