"Good Times" and "The Cosby Show"
“Good Times” and “Cosby” Present Different Views of Black Families
Jan 18, 2009
In 1974, Norman Lear produced “Good Times,” a show depicting the struggles of the black family in Chicago’s Cabrini Green housing projects. Esther Rolle and John Amos starred as mother and father, Florida and James Evans. Jimmie Walker, Bern Nadette Stanis and Ralph Carter played their three children JJ, Thelma and Michael. This was the first show with an all-star black cast representing an intact African-American family.
“The Cosby Show,” by contrast, presented a different perspective of the black family. Instead of a family struggling to survive in the ghetto, the Huxtables were an upper middle-class family living in Brooklyn, New York. Bill Cosby and Phylicia Rashad portrayed Cliff and Clair Huxtable. He was a doctor and she was a lawyer. They were the parents of five children, Sondra (Sabrina LeBeauf), Denise (Lisa Bonet), Theo (Malcolm Jamal Warner), Vanessa (Tempestt Bledsoe), and Rudy (Keshia Knight Pulliam).
When “Good Times” is released in the 1970s, it is applauded for its realistic portrayal of African-American life in the inner city. Norma Lear, the producer, never shied away from making socially relevant shows. Many of the show’s storylines tackled issues such as unemployment, inflation, racism, and education in inner-city schools. Despite the struggles they faced, the Evans family remained positive about the future.
By contrast, “The Cosby Show” received mixed reviews. Some critics applauded the show’s portrayal of an upwardly mobile family with two college-educated parents. Others criticized the show because they felt that the show was an unrealistic look at black families. For some reason, there were people who felt that wealthy black families don’t exist.
Critics also felt that “The Cosby Show” didn’t shed light on social issues facing African Americans, which is what “Good Times” often did. In reality, “The Cosby Show” showed racial pride in subtle way. For example, before this show, many people never knew much about historically black colleges and universities. The show’s set also displayed African-American art in the living room, and Bill Cosby played a lot of black music, such as jazz. In one episode, they specifically talk about being part of the Civil Rights Movement.
Despite the socio-economic differences between the two shows, major similarities exist in both of them. They both show the importance of parental influence in the lives of their children; they both illustrate the importance of education as a way toward a successful future. Whether the family is rich or poor, these are important elements in any family.
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