Long unemployed, James Evans (John Amos) has every confidence of landing a lucrative government job. In anticipation, the Evanses arrange a party to celebrate James' good fortune. But things don't quite turn out as planned: It seems that the powers-that-be have decided that James is a just a few years too old to qualify for the position. The third episode of Good Times to be produced, "Too Old Blues" was the first one telecast, according to contemporary TV Guide listings; however, other sources claim that the inaugural episode was "Getting Up the Rent."