Description
MASSIVE VTG COLLECTION: 15 VHS Tapes GOOD TIMES - The Collector's Edition
Released in 1998, these tapes are over 28 years old. The tapes have been kept inside the closed clamshell cases, so the tapes are in pristine condition. The cases themselves have a little shelf wear. Please keep in mind that these tapes should be handled with care when played as they are OVER 28 YEARS old.
Grab this collection while you can, this is a pretty impressive collection we were lucky enough to come across. Chasing after each of these tapes individually would be quite an undertaking.
SEE photo's #4-18 for ALL the episodes you will be getting and a description of each! Wow, such memories, a REAL BLAST from the PAST! These photos are ALL of the exact back side of each VHS case that you will be receiving.
A bit about the history of these tapes:
Here is the background and history.
1. The Original TV Series (1974–1979)
Good Times aired on CBS from 1974 to 1979 and ran for 6 seasons with 133 episodes. It was created by Eric Monte and Mike Evans and developed by legendary producer Norman Lear.
The show followed the Evans family living in a Chicago housing project and was notable for addressing serious social issues—poverty, racism, unemployment—while still being a comedy. It starred:
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Esther Rolle
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John Amos
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Jimmie Walker
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Ralph Carter
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Bern Nadette Stanis
The character J.J. Evans and his catchphrase “Dy-no-mite!” became one of the most famous elements of the show.
2. Why the “Collector’s Edition” VHS Was Created
Before streaming or full-season DVD sets existed, TV shows were rarely released complete on home video.
In the late 1990s, the mail-order company Columbia House produced “Collector’s Edition” VHS tapes for classic TV series. These were typically:
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Curated episode collections
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Sold through direct-mail subscription catalogs
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Packaged in clamshell collector cases
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Marketed to nostalgic fans and collectors
This same approach was used for several shows in that era.
3. Release of Good Times – The Collector’s Edition
The Good Times Collector’s Edition VHS sets were released around 1998.
Typical features:
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Each tape contained about 4 episodes
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Episodes were grouped by themes (examples: “Out of the Ghetto,” “Florida Storms”)
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Runtime around 100 minutes per tape
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Clamshell packaging marketed as a collectible series.
Because the show originally had 133 episodes, the VHS line was meant as a “best-of” selection rather than a complete series.
