Shut up, Schultz...

If you know me, you probably know how much I love Good Times. Two weeks ago, I had gotten to a point in Season 3, and I had to take a break. Got a little misty. That point was a little episode called “A Place to Die”. I could not find an internet video of this episode, so I blog for you today.

In it, Hubert Johnson, a man from a nearby elderly home who Michael has befriended, comes to the Evans home a few days before New Year’s Eve looking for a welcoming place to spend his final days. The family agrees to have him stay, and on New Year’s Eve, Hubert is mystified that he is still alive. The whole family, including their neighbor Wilona (pictured second row center above), are throwing a party.

Hubert: I can’t understand it, by now a preacher should be doing my eulogy…course I don’t know what he’d say…I was born a poor man, then a working man, then a married man, then a family man, and now, I’m an old man. It isn’t very exciting is it?

Wilona: Hubert, it might be more exciting than you know. I got a eulogy that’ll baked yo potatoes.

H: You have?

W: Mmmhmm. I’ma give you a free sample right now. Come around here brothers and sisters. Gather around. Gather ‘round.

Brothers and sisters, we are gathered here tonight to say good bye to Hubert Johnson.

Who was this man?
Hey, was he rich and famous?                  No!
Did he discover a cure for a disease?         No!
Did this man walk on the moon?                No!

Then who was this man?             Who was he?
I say, who was this man?            Who was he?
He was an ordinary man.
I said he was an ordinary man.         All right!

Some of you out there might say why she hootin and a-hollerin about some ordinary man? Why -  cuz they ain’t nothing more special on God’s green earth than an ordinary man when all he doin is the best he can!

Hubert Johnson was a good man, a spiritual man. He worked like a dog to take care of his family and kids. But most of all – I said most of all - He lived! He lived every minute of his life. Yessir. Yessir.

While other folks was out there chasin’ at the pie in the sky with ice cream on top, Hubert knew – Hubert knew it was all just jive. Jive al a mode. Jive al a mode.

Here lies a Man of goodness and purity who lived his last 10 years on Social security!

Honey, don’t cry, don’t shed no tear, cuz Hubert’s home up there, home in paradise. He done found out, they serve red beans and rice!

When Hubert J.                    When Hubert J.
goes marching in!                 Goes marching in!

All: When Hubert J goes marching in, oh I want to be in that number when Hubert J goes marching in!

Everyone dances in a line around the sofa, Hubert quietly sinks into an armchair with a huge grin on his face.


When I go, I hope I go like Hubert J.