Good Times (TV Series) Florida Gets a Job (1978) User Reviews

Last appearance of Gary Coleman as Gary James

[kevinolzak · 7/10 · 26 December 2016]

"Florida Gets a Job" marked the second and last appearance of irascible Gary Coleman as Gary James (Willona: "Chicago's answer to the neutron bomb!"), introduced in "That's Entertainment, Evans Style," still trailing behind his girl Penny Woods. He doesn't want to play a sheep in Penny's play, having to wear cotton on his head: "it took us 300 years to get out of cotton, now here they go putting us right back in it!" Alderman Fred Davis (Albert Reed, fifth of six) drops by to visit his 'favorite project family,' worried about the upcoming election, but promising Florida her desired job as a city bus driver provided she pass all the requisite tests. JJ contributes to the cause with a portrait of Davis, as his mother finds that she has a rival for the job, Fred's arrogant niece Sandra Forbes (Janet MacLachlan). One encounter with little Gary is enough to convince the poor woman that bullfighting might be safer!

Three Janets and one Gary

[gregorycanfield · 9/10 · 24 August 2021]

This episode has the distinction of featuring three actresses named Janet (Du Bois, MacLachlin and Jackson). We also have Gary Coleman before Different Strokes. Coleman is funnier here than anywhere on Different Strokes. He is perfect as smart-mouthed little brat. Gary is one of the kids that Florida will be driving in a school bus (if she gets the job). Florida thinks she has Alderman Davis in her corner, until he shows up with his arrogant niece. Janet MacLachlin is perfect in the role. A question, however. Why would a woman with her attitude (and means) want to drive a school bus? I guess it was the only way that Coleman would have an excuse to pull her wig off. That was definitely one of the funniest scenes in the series. My only quibble is that Janet looked good with the wig on! Very pretty lady with a sexy voice. If I was supposed to dislike her character, it didn't work that way. If you like what you see, you can manage to forgive alot. Very good episode.

Silly episode, but funny

[bettye-360-133556 · 5/10 · 3 October 2023]

Some of the episodes after the character James Evans's death stretch credulity, even for a sitcom, and this was one of them. When did Florida Evans get a driver's license? She came from a poor family, and she and James never owned a car. Yet she's qualified to be a school bus driver, so apparently she knows how to drive. And as for the Alderman Davis's niece holding an advanced degree and wanting a job driving a school bus...yeah, right. But at least there was a very funny scene with Gary Coleman and guest star Janet McLachlan...but I won't spoil it for you. I just think the writers should have made the situation more believable.