Good Times (1974–1979): Season 3, Episode 8 - Michael's Big Fall - full transcript

♪ Good times Any time
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♪ Good times Any
time you need a friend ♪

♪ Good times Any time
you're out from under ♪

♪ Not gettin' hassled
Not gettin' hustled ♪

♪ Keepin' your
head Above water ♪

♪ Makin' a wave when you can ♪

♪ Temporary layoffs Good times ♪

♪ Easy credit
ripoffs Good times ♪

♪ Scratchin' and
survivin' Good times ♪

♪ Hangin' in a chow
line Good times ♪

♪ Ain't we lucky we got 'em? ♪



♪ Good times ♪♪

Hey, Ma?

I got a problem.

I'm supposed to paint
a picture of somebody

by the weekend,

and I can't figure
out what to paint.

Well, who did you promise

to paint a picture of, J.J.?

This new fox I'm dating,

Marvelous Myrna,
the human burner.

"Human burner?"

Yeah. Kissing Myrna's like
putting your lips to a hotplate.

She really cooks.

Forget about the painting,
and get her a skillet.



Nah, Ma, I want
to get the lucky girl

a true expression
of my artistic talents.

Well, then paint her something
that'll take her breath away.

I already thought of that, Ma,

but I don't have time
to do a self-portrait.

Then do a still-life.

Paint your brain.

I want to know
who rang your bell,

frog face.

Who are you calling frog face,

chicken chest?

You got some nerve calling me...

All right. Stop it, children.

Now, look, I'm in no mood
for any of your hassling now.

What's the matter, Ma?

Oh, it's Michael.
He's late again.

You know, I'm a little
worried about him.

He's been late a lot lately

since he's been
going to that school.

Aw, Ma, he's
probably just walking

some love-starved
teenybopper home.

Oh, don't be silly. Michael's
mind's on his studies.

Yeah, Ma, but he's
getting old enough

to find out about the
right things to... study.

Michael's really
acting different lately.

I mean, really cranky.

This morning, I
cooked the oatmeal,

and he didn't stop
complaining about it.

All right, J.J.,

don't you say anything
smart about my oatmeal.

Thelma, I wouldn't say

anything smart
about your oatmeal.

I mean, everybody knows

your oatmeal
sticks to the ribs...

And to the pot and to the pan

and to the ceiling.

All right, J.J., that's enough.

You know, I just
don't like the idea

of Michael being out this late.

And the way he has been
acting, who knows what he's up to.

Oh, Ma...

Michael's got a lot
of extra school work

now that he's in
that special-ed class.

Maybe he stopped
off at the library.

Maybe.

Hi, sis.

Wilbert!

Uncle Wilbert!

Oh, you sure are one
for pulling surprises.

Now, how come you didn't tell us

you were coming?

Well, now, if I told
you I was coming,

you'd be counting the minutes.

So why should I make you suffer?

Well, I'm here now. Enjoy me.

Oh, Thelma... You
sure have grown up.

You're a beautiful young lady.

Thank you.

You look just like
your mama here

when she was your age.

Please don't remind me.

I was a size seven then.

But, like Willie Mays,

they permanently
retired my number.

J.J., there's something
different about you.

I don't know what it is.

I can't spot it.

Nobody can. It's his mustache.

What you talking about, girl?

I'll have you know,

I have to trim this
thing every day.

It's growing wild.

Well, save the hair for me, J.J.

I could use it up here.

You two.

Wilbert, you don't know
how good it is to see you.

Mm. What brings you here?

Well, now, when you wrote me

that James was gonna
be out of town for a while,

I said to myself,

"Now, this family needs a man

"to take charge of the house.

My sister needs me."

Now, you know your sister
can take care of herself.

And I know why
you're really here.

Every time James is away,

you just can't
wait to take over.

Well, I'm a sucker
for your kids,

and taking care is my specialty.

Yeah, you know,
being the only boy

in a family of five
girls, you know,

I had to take care of all y'all.

And I did a good job too.

You know,

when your mama used to
go out driving with a boy,

I'd always make sure
he knew the three R's.

Respect, righteousness,

and, if you thinking about
messing with my sister,

reverse!

Hey, hey...

Where's Michael,
my genius nephew?

Oh, he's not home
from school yet.

Well, how's he doing
in that special class?

Getting straight
A's as usual, huh?

Well, we don't know.

He didn't bring home
his first report card yet.

Well, there ain't
nothing to worry about.

You know he's
always gonna be tops.

Hi, y'all.

Hey, Willona.

Lord, give me strength. Wilbert!

Willona!

How you doing?

What are you doing
in the Windy City, man?

Oh, making it blow harder.

Oh, Willona, you
sure are looking fine.

Mm-hmm.

How do you manage
to stay so young?

Well, I lie a lot.

Oh, ho, ho, ho!

Seriously, though,

to what do we owe
the honor of this visit?

Oh, just filling in for James
while he's out of town.

You know, this house
needs a man in it.

Yeah, so does mine.

What are you talking about,
"This house needs a man"?

What do I look like?

Ooh, can I answer that?

Hey, Flo, was today some
kind of school holiday?

No.

Why do you ask?

Well, I could have
swore I saw Michael

near the boutique around noon.

Are you sure Chicago
ain't celebrating

New York being broke?

No, this ain't no holiday.

Now what about Michael?

Well, I was coming
out of the boutique

on my way to lunch, and...

Child, you will never believe
who I had lunch with today.

Rochelle Johnson.

And you want to hear the latest?

She was just divorcing
for the sixth time.

Willona, about Michael?

And she don't
even bother getting

no new wedding license.

She just has the
old one xeroxed.

Willona, please,
what about Mike?

Oh, honey, it wasn't important.

Oh, no, no. You
started something,

now finish it.

Well, it was just that I thought

I saw Michael on the corner
in the middle of the afternoon.

I was kind of surprised.
But it wasn't him.

Because when I yelled "Michael,"
whoever it was turned and zipped

faster than a
witness at a mugging.

No, that couldn't
have been Michael.

Not that boy. He'd
be at school, huh?

Of course he would.

Yeah, probably some
kid just looked like him.

Yeah, you know what
they say. We all have a twin.

You mean that
there's somebody else

walking around looking like you?

You know, I really am starting
to get worried about him.

J.J., will you go out and
see if you can find him?

Sure, Ma.

Hi.

See, Ma? I told
you I'd find him.

Michael, boy.

Hi, Uncle Wilbert.

Come over here

and give your favorite
uncle a great big hug!

Michael, where have
you been? It's almost 5:00.

Oh, I'm sorry I'm late, Ma. I
had to go back for my book.

Now, you see there, Florida?

I told you that boy's always
got his mind on books.

He's gonna be a
Supreme Court judge

just like we always said.

Hey, Supreme
Court judge nothing.

This dude here's
gonna be president.

Hey, hey, Michael,
when you become prez,

will you make me
ambassador to Harlem?

Sure, Uncle Wilbert.

Michael.

Yes, Ma?

When are you gonna
get your report cards?

Your Uncle Wilbert is
just dying to see them.

Oh, well, Ma, I don't know

exactly when we
will be getting them.

Well, uh, if you'll excuse me,

I'm going to do some
studying. Michael.

When your Uncle Wilbert is here,

you always like to
sit and chat with him.

Oh, no, that's
all right, Florida.

Let the boy study.

Now, that is much more
important, you know.

His mind is like a
belly dancer's hips,

got to be moving all the time.

Well, um, excuse me, please.

Well, Flo, listen.

One thing's for certain.

It wasn't Michael I
saw, so stop worrying.

You know, I must be
getting nearsighted.

They say that happens
when you're getting near 30.

30, huh?

Uh-huh.

I don't know. Michael
just is not himself.

Ma, it's like I've
been telling you.

Some little chick's
probably got his nose open.

But I'll go in there

and have a chat with him.

Give him the benefit

of my vast experience
in the area of... amour.

Come in.

Hey, Michael, what's happening?

Oh, it's you.

Michael, is that any way to talk

to your beloved big
brother and bunk buddy?

J.J., why don't
you cut the jive?

What you want?

Well, Michael,

I think it's time we had
a brother-to-brother talk,

or to put it delicately,

a talk about the
birds and the bees.

Well, I have to study right now.

I'll teach you about sex
some other time, okay?

Too bashful to
talk about it, huh?

Tell me, Michael, who is she?

Who is who?

Your little fox, that's who.

There is no fox, J.J.

Michael, there's
got to be a fox.

For every bull, there's a cow.

For every rooster there's a hen.

For every rhinoceros

there's a lady rhinoceros
to share its mud hole.

Well, I got some homework to do

right now, man.

I don't have no time
for no Wild Kingdom.

It's wild, all right, Michael,

but it's beautiful,

and you're at the perfect age.

At 13, girls are just
like comic books.

Loaded with adventure,
easy to understand,

and don't cost no
more than a quarter

to take out.

Well, J.J.,

I don't feel like
talking about it

right now, okay?

Michael, I know why
you're feeling the miseries.

You're probably turned
on to some little chick

and she's turned off to you.

Well, let me tell you
something, Michael.

You're a good-looking dude,

and you can pull out
any chick you want.

All you got to do is
walk around them...

flash that big Evans smile...

and they'll be grabbing
tickets and waiting in line.

Got it, Michael?

Yeah, J.J. I got it.

All right, good, and, uh...

when you get a little older,

I'll teach you how
to handle yourself

in the NFL of love.

Well, Ma, it's
just like I thought.

Some little chick's
been bugging him,

but I gave him a quick
orientation course.

J.J., I've seen

some of the girls
you've gone out with.

They look like they've been
through an obstacle course.

Quiet, melon face.

Oh, Mrs. Evans? Yes.

We're Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins.

You have a son named Michael

attending the
Upper Grade Center.

We want to talk to
him, if you don't mind.

Oh, sure. May I ask why?

Because he's in
big trouble at school.

Big trouble?

What happened?

That no-good kid of yours
beat up on our little boy,

that's what happened.

Oh, there must be some mistake.

Michael wouldn't go around

beating up on anybody.

That's right.

Michael doesn't
believe in violence.

We taught him that.

That's right,

and we'll punch out anyone
who says that we didn't.

All I know is that my wife
called me home from work

on account of this,

and I can't afford to
lose no hour's pay,

so you folks better
get your son in line

or I'll have that kid expelled.

Oh, now, hold it.

Now, don't you go
making no threats there,

balloon belly.

Don't you go calling my
husband "balloon belly."

Yeah, cool it, jive turkey.

You asking for a fat lip
to go with that stomach?

Yeah!

Oh, J.J., stop that

before your arms
fall out of the sockets.

Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins,

I don't appreciate anybody
walking into my house,

blaming my son for
something he didn't do.

That's right, so you
just shift that lard

in the other
direction and split.

Wilbert, please.

We're not leaving

till we get an apology
from you and your husband.

I am not her husband.
I'm her brother.

Now, you see that, Florida?
It is a good thing I came.

Now, you don't
have to take no guff

from fatso here, or
that lady over there

with the bad sinus condition.

Bobby, tell them
what happened, honey.

Go ahead. Tell them.

Michael hit me.

Well, if he did,
you hit him first.

That's impossible.

We've taught our son
that fighting is for animals

and to turn the other cheek.

And when I did, Michael
hit me on that one too.

Well, there is one
way to find out.

Michael, will you
come out here, please?

You know, what don't make sense

is Michael laying
a hand on this kid.

He look like he play center
for the Chicago Bears.

Yeah, the only way
Michael could hurt him

is to harpoon him.

Michael,

didn't you hear me
calling you, child?

Yeah, Ma, I heard you.

Look, these folks
said you hit their son.

I want you to tell
them the truth.

You didn't hit him.

You didn't even
touch him, right?

No, Ma, I did hit him.

Well, then, he
hit you first, right?

No, Ma.

One more "No, Ma,"

and there ain't
gonna be no Michael.

I'll tell you why he hit me.

Because he's jealous.

Jealous? Jealous of what?

I showed him my
report card yesterday,

and I got all A's,
and he didn't.

Okay. I caught you lying.

You couldn't have showed
him your report card yesterday,

because the report cards
haven't come out yet.

Ain't that right, Michael?

No, Uncle Wilbert.

I got a feeling we're seeing
a disaster film in the making.

I beg your pardon.

The report cards were
handed out yesterday.

We've already signed
Bobby's and sent it back.

Yesterday?

All right, Michael,

I want to see your report card.

Now go and get
it. Go on, Michael.

Michael.

Oh, no.

Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins,
we owe you an apology.

We're sorry.

Michael?

Don't you have
anything to say to Bobby?

Yeah.

For having such a big mouth,

I should have jacked you up!

Michael!

Mr. and Mrs.
Jenkins... It's all right.

Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins,
I guarantee you,

Michael won't
bother your son again.

Thank you! Come on, Bobby.

Dummy!

Michael!

I don't understand this.

Six subjects, six grades,

and not an A in the bunch.

Michael, you never
made less than an A

the whole time
you've been in school.

I'm gonna ask you a question
and I want a straight answer.

Was that you Willona
saw this morning?

Yeah, Ma.

Was that before or after

you teed off on Tubby the Tuba?

After. That's why I cut class.

Michael, this isn't like you.

I don't understand it.

I want you to tell
me what's going on.

Fighting, cutting
classes, low grades,

and worst of all, lying
about your report card.

I'm waiting for an
explanation, son.

Yeah, so am I!

I'll wait for you to get
your explanation first, Ma.

That's what I'll do right
here. I'll do that, yeah.

Michael, there must be

some good reason
for all of this.

I don't have one.

All right, young man.

Well, it seems that there's

nothing else for me to do

but go to that school

and see what's going on.

We've got to get
to the bottom of this.

Uh, Wilbert,

I think I can do this by myself.

Michael is my problem.

What are you talking
about? He's my nephew.

I know, but you
know you have a habit

of blowing your stack,

especially when it
concerns the children.

Now, hold it, Florida!

You know I have complete
control of my temper!

What was the last time
you saw me blow my stack?!

There's enough smoke

coming out of
that stack right now

to pollute all of Chicago.

Wilbert, I think I must
handle this myself.

Oh, you do, huh?

After I come all
the way down here

from Detroit just to
be by your side, huh?

To give you a man's help.

Oh, Wilbert, you know that...

No, no, no, that's okay, now.

I know when I ain't wanted.

I'll get out of your
hair right now!

No, don't go.

I know when I ain't wanted!

Now, you heard your mother.

She said she don't need me.

Goodbye, y'all.

No!

No, don't go!

Wilbert... Wilbert. Wilbert!

Don't worry, Michael.

We'll straighten
these dudes out.

Oh, Wilbert, please.

Now, I didn't want
you to come here,

but since you are, I want
you to please promise me

you'll let me do all
the talking, okay?

All right, Florida.
You the boss.

I'll keep my mouth shut

and play it real cool.

Sorry to have kept you waiting,

but I had a problem.

Ain't nothing compared
to the problem

you gonna have right now!

There's something wrong

when my nephew
don't get all A's.

I... I beg your pardon?

You'll have to
excuse my brother.

He's just a little
upset about Michael.

More than just
a little, Florida!

Now, this situation
needs straightening out.

Now, now, now, look at her.

She can't be a
real school teacher.

She ain't even wearing glasses.

Wilbert, please!

What we're concerned
with is Michael's grades

and his whole attitude
since he's been at this school.

Well, that's natural.

You know, here
there's more homework,

the pace is accelerated,

and Michael is
in a special class

for brighter students.

Well, now, that's exactly
what I mean. Yeah.

Now, Michael's got
more brains in his head

than any two kids
in the whole school.

Now, that's why you put
him in the special class, huh?

There ain't no work that you got

that he can't do,
and I'd say that

even if he wasn't my nephew.

He just wouldn't say it as loud.

Now, look, look,
we have all known

that Michael was gonna
be a Supreme Court judge

since he was 8 years old, huh?

You tell her, son. Huh?

That you're gonna be a
lawyer, best one there is, huh?

I'm not sure, Uncle Wilbert.

Say what?

I said I'm not... I
said I'm not sure.

Michael, ever since
you were 8 years old

you wanted to be a lawyer.

Remember?

Another Thurgood Marshall.

You always said that.

No, Mama, you and
Daddy always said that.

I was just trying to be
what you wanted me to be,

but I wish you, Daddy,
Uncle Wilbert and everybody

would please stop
telling me how smart I am.

Michael... No, Ma,
I have to say this.

When I was in elementary school,

I was at the top of my class,

but here there are
kids as smart as I am,

some of them even smarter.

Maybe I don't even
belong in this special class.

Michael, is that
why you were afraid

to bring home your report cards?

Ma, I knew how you'd feel

if I didn't bring
home all straight A's.

I wouldn't have said nothing.

Mrs. Evans, perhaps
you and your family

are putting a little too
much pressure on Michael

to perform in school.

Michael, have we done that?

You tried to help
him, but often,

instead of helping a child to
become what he wants to be,

some parents force him

to be what they
think he should be.

Well, what is wrong

with a family wanting him to
be a Supreme Court judge?

Nothing,

but that's a pretty high
goal to think of at his age,

and without realizing it,
you might force him to rebel.

Like fighting, cutting
classes, low grades?

Exactly,

and sometimes, it leads
to something even worse.

Worse? Yes.

Some children run
away from home,

some join gangs,

and sometimes,
it leads to things

far more tragic.

Michael, son,

I guess all we can
say is we're sorry.

We love you, and
we're behind you 100%.

That's right, Michael.

No more butting in.

You the boss.

You can be anything
you want to be.

Yeah, and if being a
Supreme Court judge

don't turn you on,

well, then don't
let us push you.

You choose your own career.

You your own man now.

Well, I've been figuring.

The way I punched
old Bobby around,

I might even become a boxer.

A what?!

Hey, Florida,

that might not be
a bad idea, now.

First of all, we'll start off

with the Junior Boxing League,

then move on over
to the Golden Gloves,

and then on to the Olympics.

Olympics.

Hot damn, my nephew gonna
be a heavyweight champ!

Wilbert!

I'm sorry, sis.

Come here.

♪ Mm-mm-mm ♪

♪ Just lookin' Out
of the window ♪

♪ Watching the asphalt grow ♪

♪ Thinkin' how It all
looks hand-me-down ♪

♪ Good times Good times ♪

♪ Keepin' your
head Above water ♪

♪ Makin' a wave When you can ♪

♪ Temporary layoffs Good times ♪

Good Times is recorded on tape

before a live audience.

♪ Ain't we lucky we got 'em? ♪

♪ Good times ♪♪