"The Big Move," broadcast in two parts, kicked off the fourth season in stunning fashion, its impact still felt decades later. The Evans family is packing up and getting ready to move to Mississippi to be with father James, whose uncle has offered him a half interest in his garage business. They don't plan on being rich, just better than what they're doing in Chicago. They have to hide the news from landlord Bookman for two more days, Willona plans to throw a celebratory bash, and Michael's first crush with Luanne (Kimberlee Nickerson, never seen again) has him wanting to stay behind in Chicago. The loud music is enough for Bookman to evict them, just before a telegram announcing the death of James Evans Sr...
3 Reviews
The show goes on
gregorycanfield18 August 2021
Warning: Spoilers
If you're watching this episode for the first time, you have to notice that John Amos is suddenly missing from the opening credits. It's obvious that Amos is now off the show. The only mystery is in what will be revealed. As the episode opens, everyone is preparing to go to Mississippi. James is reportedly now part owner of a business. The usual amount of insults and jokes are exchanged. JJ and Florida proudly tell Bookman what he can do with the apartment. A big, happy party until Florida reads the telegram. Anyone who has ever watched this show knows what the bad news was. Don't miss Part 2.
A shocking ending
safenoe23 November 2016
Warning: Spoilers
This episode still packs a punch after all these years, where James (John Amos) unexpectedly dies just as he was moving his family to Mississippi. When I watched it (you can see the famous scene on YouTube) I could not believe that James would be written out in such a tragic and horrific manner.
The end credits were played in silence, such was the solemnity of this episode, and I wondered why John Amos left. Then I read later that he didn't like the "shucking and jiving" of JJ (DYN-O- MITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) I can only imagine how Normal Lear, the creator of Good Times, would feel about Jimmy Walker, famous for playing JJ, supporting Donald Trump.
The end credits were played in silence, such was the solemnity of this episode, and I wondered why John Amos left. Then I read later that he didn't like the "shucking and jiving" of JJ (DYN-O- MITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) I can only imagine how Normal Lear, the creator of Good Times, would feel about Jimmy Walker, famous for playing JJ, supporting Donald Trump.
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