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Good Times
S2.E17
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IMDbPro

The Family Business

  • Episode aired Jan 21, 1975
  • TV-PG
  • 25m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
91
YOUR RATING
Ralph Carter and Jimmie 'JJ' Walker in Good Times (1974)
Comedy

When James is rejected for a loan to open a repair shop, he sets up shop in the apartment ... well-aware of a clause in his lease prohibiting the operation of commercial activities inside re... Read allWhen James is rejected for a loan to open a repair shop, he sets up shop in the apartment ... well-aware of a clause in his lease prohibiting the operation of commercial activities inside rental units. Can the Evans family keep the business a secret from Bookman, the scheming bui... Read allWhen James is rejected for a loan to open a repair shop, he sets up shop in the apartment ... well-aware of a clause in his lease prohibiting the operation of commercial activities inside rental units. Can the Evans family keep the business a secret from Bookman, the scheming building superintendent, knowing he might make the new venture very difficult for James if he... Read all

  • Director
    • Herbert Kenwith
  • 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
    91
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Herbert Kenwith
    • 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 cast8

    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
    • (as Bernnadette Stanis)
    Johnny Brown
    Johnny Brown
    • Mr. Bookman
    Morris Buchanan
    Morris Buchanan
    • Mr. Dawson
    • Director
      • Herbert Kenwith
    • Writers
      • Eric Monte
      • Mike Evans
      • Norman Lear
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews1

    7.291
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    Featured reviews

    7kevinolzak

    Johnny Brown debuts as Nathan Milhous Bookman

    "The Family Business" introduced LAUGH-IN's Johnny Brown as the building superintendent Nathan Milhous Bookman, who made a total of ten episodes over the first four seasons, before becoming a full time regular for the last two. Willona always greets him as 'Mr. Booger,' before switching to 'Buffalo Butt.' James proves a wizard at repairing devices like radios and clocks, but not the old Evans TV set: "your daddy is good at fixing things JJ, nobody said nothing about raising the dead!" Florida suggests that her husband open his own repair business right there in the Evans apartment, with so many potential customers in the building, unable to buy items new so they have to repair what they have. The only snag is the snooping Bookman, typically a thorn in the family's side with his penchant for dropping by at dinnertime.

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    Related interests

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

    Storyline

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    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Johnny Brown's first appearance as building superintendent Nathan Bookman, who would become a regular during the fourth season.
    • Goofs
      When James and Bookman are arguing in the final scene, the position of J.J.'s hat alternates several times between lying neatly on the sofa bed, to being crumpled on the pillow.
    • Connections
      References Let's Make a Deal (1963)
    • 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
      • January 21, 1975 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Filming locations
      • Studio 41, CBS Television City - 7800 Beverly Boulevard, Fairfax, Los Angeles, California, USA(Studio)
    • Production company
      • Tandem Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 25m
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1
      • 4:3

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