Netflix Cancels ‘Good Times’ Reboot After Backlash

It seems Netflix has decided to end the run of its animated ‘Good Times’ reboot, ‘Good Times: Black Again,’ after only one season. The decision comes following significant public backlash and protests that criticized the show’s portrayal of Black characters and its perceived reliance on harmful stereotypes.

Backlash Over Stereotypes and Offensive Content

The series, executive produced by Stephen Curry and Seth MacFarlane, premiered in 2024 and aimed to offer a modern take on the beloved 1970s sitcom. However, it struggled to connect with audiences and longtime fans. Critics accused the show of leaning into racist tropes, failing to capture the original’s humor, humanity, and cultural relevance.

The opposition was vocal, with groups like the Committee to Eliminate Media Offensive to African People (CEMOTAP) leading protests. CEMOTAP co-chairs Dr. James McIntosh and Betty Dopson penned an open letter to Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos, blasting the reboot as a “racist cartoon” that depicted Black characters as “unintelligent, violent, simian, and hypersexual.” They specifically condemned its use of slurs, obscenity, and what they deemed harmful stereotypes, urging a public boycott of the streaming service.

Viewership Numbers Not Enough to Save the Show

Despite featuring a star-studded voice cast including J.B. Smoove, Marsai Martin, Jay Pharoah, Yvette Nicole Brown, Tisha Campbell, and Wanda Sykes, the show’s viewership figures weren’t enough to secure a renewal. Reports indicate the series garnered around 5.4 million streams in its first year, but this, combined with the ongoing controversy, ultimately led Netflix to cancel the series.

We can’t think of anything that is more offensive than having toddlers with machine guns throwing menstrual blood in children’s faces…all those are the types of things that are in this cartoon. — Dr. James McIntosh, CEMOTAP Co-Chair

The cancellation marks another instance where a reboot or reimagining of a classic series has faced significant challenges in satisfying both nostalgic fans and contemporary audiences, especially when dealing with sensitive social commentary and representation.