Eric Monte’s Family And Mike Evans’s Disapproves ‘Good Times’ Animation Remake Coming To Netflix

NETFLIX

Last week, fans of the classic Good Times would get their first look at the animated series

version of the iconic show, which debuted back in 1974. This series taken from the life of the writer/creator Eric Monte who grew up in the Cabrini Greens project, would spotlight the Evans family, who lived in a Chicago projects, and would highlight the many obstacles they faced as a family. Now Netlfix along with Seth McFarlene, the late Norman Lear, and NBA player Stephen Curry is set to premiere the animated series in April. Along with the announcement and first looks, the cast of the new series would also be revealed.

GETTY IMAGES

JB Smoove, Yvette Nicole Brown, Jay Pharoah, Marsai Martin, Godfrey, Slink Johnson, Rashida Olayiwola, Tisha Campbell Martin, and social media star Pretty Vee are all reported to havelended their voice for the animation. Voice over veteran, Cree Summers is also attached to theproject as a voice director.Now upon research, it doesn’t appear that many online fans were happy with some of the first lookimages coming from the animated project.

Users on X would write:

“I've got conflicting feelings about this animated reboot of the classic Good Times. Would Leave it to Beaver, The Waltons or The Brady Bunch ever get animated like this?”

“They should’ve just made a completely new series because I would’ve never thought this was Good Times”

“Ughh this looks gross and man this remake is not looking good at all and disrespect to the OG show!”

For some, the first look images would be an issue compared to the shows original format. As it appears that the show’s integrity and intention from creators Eric Monte and Mike Evans may get lost by pushing narratives that reinforce negative stereotypes about black people. Now in an exclusive statement given to Comedy Hype, The Monte and The Evans Family have announced that they aren’t affiliated with the new series, and are not approving of, or blessing the new project.

ERIC MONTE via Gerald S. Williams/Philadelphia Inquirer/KRT

“The families of Eric Monte and Mike Evans do not support (nor have granted permission) for the Animated Reboot of Good Times”

From the looks of it, it appears that Norman Lear before his passing would move forward on the Concept without Monte’s and Evan’s consent, and despite the ongoing reports that the original Good Times was stolen by him from writer/creator Eric Monte and co-creator Mike Evans. Those in the YouTube-verse have learned in recent times that Lear looks to have taken majority of the credit and financial reward for a series he did not create.

One of the main concerns from the families is that Eric Monte and Mike Evans works stood for black empowerment and positive black imagery and that this new project looks to not depict positive black imagery.

As they weren’t there to make money but to make history. They also took strong issue with some of the early press coverage that would mention Eric Monte and Mike Evans: in a way that could be mislead audiences that they were affiliated with the animated version.

Carlena Evans, daughter of co-creator Mike Evans has also spoken out about the matter as she would reveal in a recent interview, expressing that it was expected for the animated series to have gone through the proper protocol because Eric Monte, and Mike Evans own the intellectual property of the show while Sony only owns the show.

As of this report, it’s unclear what Netflix or Sony has to say about the current backlash. Former Boondock’s producer Carl Jones and Ranada Shepard are reported to have co-created the animated series, neither has yet responded. And as for Eric Monte, he would recently turn 80 years old, and is expected to release new projects under his Eric Monte Productions company, EMP.

As he enjoys his family in Atlanta, Monte has just received a proclamation for his own day, March 17th in Stonecrest, Georgia giving to him by Stonecrest Film Committee. And lastly he was honored for Black History Month at the NBA G League's Wisconsin Herd for his contribution to Sitcom History and Black Culture and continues advocating for black positive imagery.