Gerren Keith Movies
- 1992
Down in the dumps after learning that her former college roommate has won a Pulitzer Prize, Maggie (Joanna Kerns) convinces herself that life has passed her by because she's been to afraid to face its biggest challenges. There is only one cure for Maggie's melancholia, and that is to fulfill her lifelong dream--of climbing a mountain! Meanwhile, Mike (Kirk Cameron) and Ben (Jeremy Miller) clash over their strategies to finagle money out of their parents. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1992
A girl named Cheryl (Wendy Cox) has a crush on Ben (Jeremy Miller), but he pays no attention to her, preferring instead to pine over the "unattainable" Sarah Serotsky (played by a very young Hilary Swank). Finally, Cheryl gives up and begins dating Luke (Leonardo DiCaprio). But when Sarah tells Ben to get lost, he tries to date Cheryl on the rebound--thus sparking an intense rivalry between Ben and Luke! Tracey Gold (Carol) does not appear in this episode. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1991
As he prepares to cram for a college entrance exam, Ben (Jeremy Miller) hopes for some intellectual input (or at least moral support) from his dad Jason (Alan Thicke). Instead, Ben overhears Jason making the flippant comment that his son is "no Einstein"--and the results are potentially devastating. Meanwhile, an unexpected problem arises when Dwight (Christopher Burgard) tries to reconnect with Carol (Tracey Gold). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1979
The Evans family is showered with expensive gifts when their cousin Raymond (Calvin Lockhart) pays a visit. The most lavish present is offered to Florida (Esther Rolle): a new, luxurious apartment. But when Florida learns that Raymond's wealth has come from gambling, she wants no part of his generosity. Originally slated to air during Good Times' sixth season, this is one of three episodes that were never telecast by CBS, though all have been included in the series' syndication package. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1979
By rights, J.J. (Jimmie Walker) should be overjoyed at the fact that he has won a prestigious art contest. But J.J. isn't happy at all; it seems that, thanks to a delivery error on the part of landlord Bookman (Johnny Brown), the painting which won the contest is actually the work of one of J.J.'s art students. Originally slated to air during Good Times' sixth season, this is one of three episodes that were never telecast by CBS, though all have been included in the series' syndication package. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1979
Good Times concluded its sixth-season run with one of the most outlandishly "happy" endings in sitcom history. On the first wedding anniversary of Thelma (BernNadette Stanis) and Keith (Ben Powers), Thelma's brother J.J. (Jimmie Walker) receives word that he has landed a high-paying job with a comic book company. Even better, Keith's injured knee miraculously heals, enabling him to accept a six-figure contract with the Chicago Bears. And upon moving into Thelma and Keith's luxurious new apartment, Thelma's mom, Florida (Esther Rolle), is thrilled beyond words to discover that she didn't have to leave her old friend and neighbor Willona (Ja'net DuBois) behind in the ghetto after all! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1979
Willona (Ja'net DuBois) cannot understand why Jeffrey (Rod Perry), her latest boyfriend, has suddenly begun showering expensive gifts upon her and her adopted daughter, Penny (Janet Jackson). Things become painfully clear when the source of the "gifts" is revealed. It seems that Penny's abusive birth mother (Chip Hurd) wants the girl back -- and she'll go to any lengths to prove to the authorities that Willona is an unfit guardian. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1979
The family is concerned about the mercurial behavior of Thelma's husband, Keith (Ben Powers). They are aware that he is frustrated about losing out on a lucrative pro football contract, and his difficulty in landing a good job. What they don't know is that Keith has begun drinking -- and drinking a lot. Originally slated to air during Good Times' sixth season, this is one of three episodes that were never telecast by CBS, though all have been included in the series' syndication package. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1979
Left in charge of Penny (Janet Jackson), Florida (Esther Rolle) rushes her to the local free clinic when the girl shows signs of suffering from the flu. Upon arrival, Florida is shocked to learn that the only doctor on duty (Paula Kelly), a product of the ghetto herself, is fed up with her shabby surroundings and is preparing to leave for a better-paying job. Desperately, Florida tries to persuade the departing doc to stick around long enough to avert what threatens to become a flu epidemic. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1979
Local loan shark Sweet Daddy Williams (Teddy Wilson) sends out two thugs to "kidnap" J.J. (Jimmie Walker). Much to his surprise, J.J. ends up in a hospital room, where Sweet Daddy is in desperate need of a blood transfusion. Should J.J. get even for Sweet Daddy's past misdeeds and refuse to donate a pint of blood -- or should he accept the 1,000 dollars that the ailing crook is dangling in front of him? (Esther Rolle [Florida] does not appear in this episode.) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1979
Florida (Esther Rolle) is naturally nervous on the night before her bus-company physical. Unfortunately, this is one of those "typical" evenings in the Evans household when everything goes wrong -- culminating in Florida's son Michael (Ralph Carter) being tossed into jail. Originally slated to air on June 27, 1979, this episode was bumped up two weeks to July 11. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1979
J.J. (Jimmie Walker) has always regarded landlord Bookman's assistant T.C. (Ronalda Douglas) to be "one of the guys." But despite her tomboyish behavior, T.C. has the same yearnings as any young girl, and she hopes against hope that J.J. will invite her to an upcoming dance. This little drama will not be resolved until an eye-opening incident in a neighborhood "singles" bar. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1979
The good news: Florida (Esther Rolle) has decided to move her family out of the ghetto and into a decent house. The bad news: This move will require a rather sizeable bank loan, and banker A.J. Rutherford (Charles Siebert) is not exactly the sympathetic or generous type. First telecast January 3, 1979, "Househunting" turned out to be the last Good Times episode until May of that same year. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1979
In the conclusion of a two-part story, it takes a near-tragedy for Florida (Esther Rolle) to convince the mother of Larry Baker (Derek Wells) that her son is suffering from a hearing loss. Unable to accompany Larry to the local clinic for a check-up, Mrs. Baker (Bebe Drake) prevails upon Florida to do so. Unfortunately, Larry takes his mom's absence as "proof" that she doesn't care about him -- so he begins making plans to run away from home. (Jimmie Walker [J.J.] does not appear in this episode). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1979
Good Times returned from a five-month hiatus for this episode, the first of a two-part story. Still employed as a school bus driver, Florida (Esther Rolle) takes a personal interest in Larry Baker (Derek Wells), one of her student passengers. Most people thinks that Larry's lack of responsiveness is due to a lagging intellect, but Florida suspects that the boy is suffering from a hearing loss -- a fact that his mother (Bebe Drake) fiercely denies. (Jimmie Walker [J.J.] does not appear in this episode.) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
Willona's former boyfriend Frank (Adam Wade), a globetrotting contractor, comes back into her life with a marriage proposal. Though flattered, Willona (Ja'net DuBois) turns Frank down, worried that his constant moving about would disrupt the carefully cultivated stability of Willona's adopted daughter, Penny (Janet Jackson). Upon learning of this, Penny becomes convinced that she is ruining Willona's life -- and runs away from home. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
Not realizing that his new assistant, Val (Tanya Boyd), is his boss' daughter, J.J. (Jimmie Walker) puts on the usual amorous moves. Eventually, J.J. learns the truth -- and not long afterward he receives a promotion at the art agency. Is it remotely possible that J.J. is currying romantic favor with Val only to advance himself professionally? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
Playing the role of his siblings' surrogate father to the hilt, J.J. (Jimmie Walker) blows his top when brother Michael (Ralph Carter) rebelliously refuses to do his homework. Sister Thelma (BernNadette Stanis) advises J.J. to cool it, assuming that Michael is only going through one of those "stages." But even Thelma changes her tune when both Michael and Penny (Janet Jackson) are arrested for riding in a stolen car. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
Hoping to alleviate the monthly rent problem, J.J. (Jimmie Walker) opens the doors of the Evans apartment to a boarder. Little does J.J. realize that the new tenant is in protective police custody. But this state of affairs becomes painfully evident when the Evans family find themselves in the cross hairs of a likely syndicate hit. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
J.J. (Jimmie Walker) falls in love with Barbara (Fay Hauser), a married woman on the verge of a divorce. The relationship hits some rocky terrain when J.J. learns that Barbara is still living with her future "ex" -- and suddenly can't commit herself to going through with the breakup. As a result, our hero becomes literally lovesick when he develops an ulcer. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
It's "Rashomon" time when the couch in the Evans living room catches fire. Under the baleful glare of Willona (Ja'net DuBois), each of the Evans kids -- J.J. (Jimmie Walker), Thelma (BernNadette Stanis), and Michael (Ralph Carter) -- has a different story as to what caused the conflagration. But only Willona's adopted daughter, Penny (Janet Jackson), knows the whole truth. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
Good Times moved from Wednesday to Monday evening with this episode, in which J.J. (Jimmy Carter) loses out on a job promotion. Another employee at the ad agency intimates that J.J. would have gotten the move-up had he been a different color. The result: J.J. has a dream in which he has turned white, whereupon series regular Jimmie Walker relinquishes his customary role to Caucasian comic actor Dennis Howard. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
After receiving a promotion at the boutique where she works, Willona (Ja'net DuBois) has second thoughts about her relationship with her sweetheart Frank (Adam Wade). He wants to marry her, but insists that she first give up her job. When Willona turns him down, Frank decides to force the issue by purchasing the boutique. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
Having completed her first play, would-be writer Thelma (BernNadette Stanis) is thrilled when her masterpiece is chosen for presentation at a local little theater. Anxious to see the work produced, Thelma agrees to a few "minor" changes at the behest of the theater's owner/director. Before long, however, it becomes obvious that what will emerge on stage will not resemble Thelma's original play in any way, shape, or form. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
