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Good Times
S1.E4
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IMDbPro

God's Business Is Good Business

  • Episode aired Mar 1, 1974
  • TV-PG
  • 26m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
135
YOUR RATING
Roscoe Lee Browne and John Amos in Good Times (1974)
Comedy

Reverend Sam, a flashy televangelist who instead of living the word who uses religion as a hustle, pays a call on his old army buddy James and offers him a job with his entourage that will p... Read allReverend Sam, a flashy televangelist who instead of living the word who uses religion as a hustle, pays a call on his old army buddy James and offers him a job with his entourage that will pay him $700 a week(Sam told James "$100 a day, 7 days a week"). However, Florida, who sees... Read allReverend Sam, a flashy televangelist who instead of living the word who uses religion as a hustle, pays a call on his old army buddy James and offers him a job with his entourage that will pay him $700 a week(Sam told James "$100 a day, 7 days a week"). However, Florida, who sees right through Sam's act, is less than thrilled that her husband would want to work with h... Read all

  • Directors
    • Bob LaHendro
    • Donald McKayle
  • Writers
    • Eric Monte
    • Mike Evans
    • Norman Lear
  • Stars
    • Esther Rolle
    • John Amos
    • Ja'net DuBois
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.2/10
    135
    YOUR RATING
    • Directors
      • Bob LaHendro
      • Donald McKayle
    • Writers
      • Eric Monte
      • Mike Evans
      • Norman Lear
    • Stars
      • Esther Rolle
      • John Amos
      • Ja'net DuBois
    • 1User review
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos

    Top cast7

    Edit
    Esther Rolle
    Esther Rolle
    • Florida Evans
    John Amos
    John Amos
    • James Evans, Sr.
    Ja'net DuBois
    Ja'net DuBois
    • Willona Woods
    • (as Ja'net Du Bois)
    Ralph Carter
    Ralph Carter
    • Michael Evans
    Jimmie 'JJ' Walker
    Jimmie 'JJ' Walker
    • James 'J.J.' Evans, Jr.
    • (as Jimmie Walker)
    BernNadette Stanis
    BernNadette Stanis
    • Thelma Evans
    Roscoe Lee Browne
    Roscoe Lee Browne
    • Reverend Sam
    • Directors
      • Bob LaHendro
      • Donald McKayle
    • Writers
      • Eric Monte
      • Mike Evans
      • Norman Lear
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews1

    7.2135
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    Featured reviews

    8kevinolzak

    Roscoe Lee Browne as Reverend Sam

    "God's Business is Good Business" guest stars Roscoe Lee Browne as TV evangelist Reverend Sam, an old army buddy of James, who remembers 'Smiling Sam the Happiness Man' as a master crap shooter. Florida doesn't approve of hustlers using the Lord as an excuse to enrich themselves, but 'Honest James' still thinks highly of his old friend. He admits turning over a new leaf to embrace God's vows, while Florida notes the diamonds on his fingers: "I see none of those vows include poverty!" Sam calls upon James to work in his employ for $100 a day, which beats $2.50 an hour: "I didn't know honest men were that expensive!" Florida's willing to keep an open mind: "and a closed pocket book!" Willona admits that Sam is a 'shepherd of the Lord' after watching his people 'fleecing the sheep!'

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    Related interests

    Will Ferrell in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004)
    Comedy

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The purple and gold jacket that Rev. Sam wears is also worn by George Jefferson in the second season of The Jeffersons, George Meets Whittendale show.
    • Goofs
      Reverend Sam offered James a job offering $100 a day. He told him he needed an answer soon because he had to catch the midnight train. Later, after James accepted Reverend Sam's offer, an employee of Reverend Sam's showed up at the apartment to warn the reverend that they needed to hurry to catch an airplane to their destination to Philadelphia.
    • Quotes

      James Evans, Sr.: Sam, I want you to meet my eldest son, James Jr. Junior, this the Reverend Sam.

      James 'J.J.' Evans, Jr.: Is that your Cadillac out there? That's the biggest hog I ever seen!

      Reverend Sam: Well son, the Lord watches over me.

      James 'J.J.' Evans, Jr.: Well, He must've blinked, because one of your hubcap's is missing!

    • Crazy credits
      Ralph Carter courtesy of the Broadway musical "Raisin". (Closing credits. This original Broadway production ran from October 1973 to December 1975.)
    • Connections
      References Blacula (1972)
    • Soundtracks
      Good Times
      Music by Dave Grusin

      Lyrics by Alan Bergman & Marilyn Bergman

      Performed by James Gilstrap and Blinky (as Blinky Williams)

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    Details

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    • Release date
      • March 1, 1974 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • Studio 41, CBS Television City - 7800 Beverly Boulevard, Fairfax, Los Angeles, California, USA(end credit indent)
    • Production company
      • Tandem Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 26m
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1
      • 4:3

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