"Good Times" was the story of the Evans family, led by James Evans (John Amos) and his wife, Florida (Rolle). Ultimate Classic Rock describes the show as the story of a working-class man who holds down multiple jobs to keep his family from the ravages of poverty. Set in a poor Chicago neighborhood, the part of Florida Evans is crucial, as her job is to keep the family together and the three teenage children out of harm's way.
The eldest of the Evans' children was James "J.J." Evans Jr. (Jimmy Walker). He quickly became a fan favorite, with one-liners and his catchphrase "Dyn-O-Mite!" The character's portrayal led to Rolle leaving the show. Though the cast was Black, the show's writers were all white. This was especially unsettling for Amos, who told Vlad TV in a 2020 interview (on YouTube) that although he accepted J.J.'s comic relief as necessary, the character's antics were counterproductive to the message he felt the show should have.
Rolle also took issue with the way her TV son's character evolved. In she told Ebony Magazine, "He's 18 and he doesn't work. He can't read and write. He doesn't think. The show didn't start out to be that. They have made him more stupid and enlarged the role." She continued to vent her frustration, pointing out a descent into stereotypes. "Negative images have been quietly slipped in on us through the character of the oldest child. I resent the imagery that says to Black kids that you can make it by standing on the corner saying 'Dyn-o-mite!'"
