Good News (TV series)

The series focused on David Randolph (David Ramsey), a young acting pastor designated to Compton, California's African American Church of Life. Initially, the majority of the church's members balk at the young pastor's new position and resent him replacing their former pastor. With the help of the church's secretary, Vera Hudson (Rose Jackson Moye), Randolph attempts to reunite the church and help his congregation.{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-aug-25-ca-25696-story.html|title=A Wobbly Start, That's for Sure|last=Rosenberg|first=Howard |date=1997-08-25|publisher=Los Angeles Times|access-date=2008-07-30}}{{cite news|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990DEFD7113EF936A1575BC0A961958260|title= Television in Review|last=James|first=Caryn|date=1997-08-25|newspaper=New York Times|access-date=2008-07-30}}

Other cast members included Roz Ryan as Hattie, the church's cook, Tracey Cherelle Jones as the church's youth director, Guy Torry as a choir member and janitor.

• David Ramsey as David Randolph
• Roz Ryan as Hattie Dixon
• Tracey Cherelle Jones as Cassie Coleman
• Jazsmin Lewis as Venita Stansbury
• Guy Torry as Little T
• Alexia Robinson as Mona Phillips
• Rose Jackson Moye as Vera Hudson (pilot only)

{{Episode table

|total_width =

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|overall = 5

|title = 18

|director = 14

|writer = 24

|airdate = 30

|airdateR =

|Viewers = 9

|country = U.S.

|episodes =

{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 1

|Title = Pilot

|DirectedBy = Ed. Weinberger

|WrittenBy = Ed. Weinberger

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1997|8|25}}

|Viewers = 4.44{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41386194/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Aug. 25-31)|date=September 4, 1997|work=The Los Angeles Times|access-date=May 31, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}

|ShortSummary = Pastor Randolph arrives at his new church, only to find that the ministers & staff are quite upset that their previous pastor had chosen an outsider to be his replacement, and all have decided to quit and form their own church and take half the congregation with them. Even the cute church secretary has to quit because of her mom.

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{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 2

|Title = Writing on the Wall

|DirectedBy = Stan Daniels

|WrittenBy = Lenny Ripps & Rob Dames

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1997|9|1}}

|Viewers = 4.23{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41386194/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Sept. 1-7)|date=September 10, 1997|work=The Los Angeles Times|access-date=May 31, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}

|ShortSummary = Pastor Randolph decides its time to remove the gang graffiti from the walls outside the church. This angers the gang members and strikes fear into the hearts of the church congregation. Now the pastor has to find a way to mend fences, stand up for his faith, and bring everyone together in peace, love and harmony.

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{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 3

|Title = Ashes to Ashes

|DirectedBy = Stan Daniels

|WrittenBy = Samm-Art Williams

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1997|9|8}}

|Viewers = 4.34{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41313990/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Sept. 8–12)|date=September 17, 1997|work=The Los Angeles Times|access-date=May 31, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}

|ShortSummary = Pastor Randolph loses one of his members and has to prepare for preaching his first funeral. A stuttering man gets "in the Spirit" during the funeral and begins to speak fluently for the first time.

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{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 4

|Title = The Baby on the Door Step

|DirectedBy = Stan Daniels

|WrittenBy = Samm-Art Williams & David Chambers

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1997|9|15}}

|Viewers = 4.10{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41385768/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Sept. 15–21)|date=September 24, 1997|work=The Los Angeles Times|access-date=May 31, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}

|ShortSummary = Pastor Randolph must play Solomon when his parishioners square off over their rights to adopt Joey (Evijan Watson), a four-year-old found abandoned in the church.

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{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 5

|Title = The Dinner Party

|DirectedBy = Kim Friedman

|WrittenBy = Ron Nelson & Mark Steen

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1997|9|22}}

|Viewers = 3.75{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41307958/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Sept. 22–28)|date=October 1, 1997|work=The Los Angeles Times|access-date=May 31, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}

|ShortSummary = Pastor Randolph abstains from handing out condoms that have been donated to the church.

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{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 6

|Title = A Joyful Noise

|DirectedBy = Anna Maria Horsford

|WrittenBy = Bernadette Luckett

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1997|9|29}}

|Viewers = 4.87{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41301856/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Sept. 29-Oct. 5)|date=October 8, 1997|work=The Los Angeles Times|access-date=May 31, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}

|ShortSummary = Mona, a new member at the church, tries to host a party. But things get out of hand when rival gangs show up.

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{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 7

|Title = Try a Little Tenderness

|DirectedBy = Stan Daniels

|WrittenBy = Myra J.

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1997|10|13}}

|Viewers = 4.79{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41309132/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 13-19)|date=October 22, 1997|work=The Los Angeles Times|access-date=May 31, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}

|ShortSummary = Pastor Randolph tries to convince young bride-to-be Cynthia Porter to reconcile with her estranged father before her wedding and to include him in the ceremony. Cynthia is ashamed of her father because he is a little person. Meanwhile, Mr Porter makes a big jump for Mrs Dixon.

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{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 8

|Title = The Fallen Woman

|DirectedBy = Stan Daniels

|WrittenBy = David Chambers

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1997|10|27}}

|Viewers = 4.62{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41295054/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Oct. 27-Nov. 2)|date=November 5, 1997|work=The Los Angeles Times|access-date=May 31, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}

|ShortSummary = Pastor Randolph needs a root canal, but his dentist and his bride-to-be are having problems in their relationship because of her past, and he is in no condition to perform the root canal. Pastor Randolph needs to hurry up and patch their relationship back up, so his can get his painful tooth problem fixed.

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{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 9

|Title = Show Me the Money: Part 1

|DirectedBy = Kim Friedman

|WrittenBy = Robert Howe

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1997|11|3}}

|Viewers = 3.94{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41385906/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Nov. 3-9)|date=November 12, 1997|work=The Los Angeles Times|access-date=May 31, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}

|ShortSummary = The church choir agrees to sing in a televised 24-hour telethon.

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{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 10

|Title = Show Me the Money: Part 2

|DirectedBy = Ed. Weinberger

|WrittenBy = Robert Howe

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1997|11|10}}

|Viewers = 4.48{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41313879/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Nov. 10-16)|date=November 19, 1997|work=The Los Angeles Times|access-date=May 31, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}

|ShortSummary = The church choir has a hard time completing the telethon they agreed to sing in. They try to finish it in order to receive the money that's been promised to them.

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{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 11

|Title = There's an Old Flame: Part 1

|DirectedBy = Kim Friedman

|WrittenBy = Rob Dames & Lenny Ripps

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1997|11|17}}

|Viewers = 5.20{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41384655/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Nov. 17-23)|date=November 26, 1997|work=The Los Angeles Times|access-date=May 31, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}

|ShortSummary = One of Pastor Randolph's old girlfriends comes to town and attempts to seduce him. However, Pastor Randolph is reluctant to respond to her advances because it would make his image look bad.

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{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 12

|Title = There's an Old Flame: Part 2

|DirectedBy = Charlotte Brown

|WrittenBy = Rob Dames & Lenny Ripps

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1997|11|24}}

|Viewers = 4.42{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41310278/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Nov. 24-30)|date=December 3, 1997|work=The Los Angeles Times|access-date=May 31, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}

|ShortSummary = Rev. Randolph realizes his true calling when a romantic moment with Joanne (Tanya Boyd) is interrupted by a suicidal man who's perched on the ledge of her suite.

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{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 13

|Title = A Christmas Story

|DirectedBy = Charlotte Brown

|WrittenBy = Leilani Downer

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1997|12|16}}

|Viewers = 3.45{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41315246/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Dec. 15-21)|date=December 24, 1997|work=The Los Angeles Times|access-date=May 31, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}

|ShortSummary = The Christmas pageant is fouled up when Joey's duck eats one of Mrs. Dixon's earrings. Meanwhile, a snowstorm reminds Pastor Randolph of home at the holidays.

|LineColor = 030303

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{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 14

|Title = Love, Honor & Obey

|DirectedBy = Anna Maria Horsford

|WrittenBy = David Chambers & Darice Rollins

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1998|1|12}}

|Viewers = 4.58{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41371569/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Jan. 12-18)|date=January 21, 1998|work=The Los Angeles Times|access-date=May 31, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}

|ShortSummary = Pastor Randolph intercedes on behalf of a wife-turned-comedienne (Amelia McQueen) whose husband finds her choice of profession no laughing matter.

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{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 15

|Title = The Reunion

|DirectedBy = Charlotte Brown

|WrittenBy = David Chambers & Darice Rollins

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1998|1|19}}

|Viewers = 4.12{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41308151/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Jan. 19-25)|date=January 28, 1998|work=The Los Angeles Times|access-date=May 31, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}

|ShortSummary = Pastor Randolph's plan to raise money for a new furnace hinges upon whether Mrs. Dixon will take a little person (Dana Woods) to her class reunion.

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{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 16

|Title = Back in the Day: Part 1

|DirectedBy =

|WrittenBy =

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1998|2|16}}

|Viewers = 3.80{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41371946/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Feb. 16-22)|date=February 25, 1998|work=The Los Angeles Times|access-date=May 31, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}

|ShortSummary = The church decides to put on a talent show to raise money for the children's summer camp, bringing together a collection of some strange talents from the congregation.

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{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 17

|Title = Back in the Day: Part 2

|DirectedBy =

|WrittenBy =

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1998|2|23}}

|Viewers = 3.02{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41373362/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (Feb. 23-March 1)|date=March 4, 1998|work=The Los Angeles Times|access-date=May 31, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}

|ShortSummary = Randolph takes steps to keep Beans (Reynaldo Rey) sober, but faces a higher power, stage fright, when the two perform at the church's variety show.

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{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 18

|Title = Amazing Grace

|DirectedBy = Michael Elias

|WrittenBy = Michael Elias

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1998|3|2}}

|Viewers = 3.72{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41373578/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (March 2–8)|date=March 11, 1998|work=The Los Angeles Times|access-date=May 31, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}

|ShortSummary = Race relations become an issue when a parishioner dies, leaving his kids in the care of his brother, who has been passing himself off as white.

|LineColor = 030303

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{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 19

|Title = Gospelfest: Part 1 (AKA Lift Every Voice)

|DirectedBy =

|WrittenBy =

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1998|4|28}}

|Viewers = 2.91{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41373233/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (April 27-May 3)|date=May 6, 1998|work=The Los Angeles Times|access-date=May 31, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}

|ShortSummary = Part 1. Pastor Randolph hits a sour note with Mrs. Dixon after he gives away her gospel-competition solo to Cassie's aunt Shirley (Shirley Caesar).

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{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 20

|Title = Gospelfest: Part 2

|DirectedBy =

|WrittenBy =

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1998|5|5}}

|Viewers = 3.17{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41304257/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (May 4–10)|date=May 13, 1998|work=The Los Angeles Times|access-date=May 31, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}

|ShortSummary = Part 2. Lou Rawls aids Pastor Randolph in pepping up the choir as the prepare for a national competition.

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{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 21

|Title = Driving Blind

|DirectedBy = Charlotte Brown

|WrittenBy = Rob Dames & Lenny Ripps

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1998|5|12}}

|Viewers = 2.38{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41306012/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (May 11–17)|date=May 20, 1998|work=The Los Angeles Times|access-date=May 31, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}

|ShortSummary = After devouring a batch of rum-spiked cookies, a tipsy Pastor Randolph labors to get a blind man and his pregnant wife to the hospital safely.

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{{Episode list

|EpisodeNumber = 22

|Title = Under the Influence

|DirectedBy = Michael Elias

|WrittenBy = Rob Dames & Lenny Ripps

|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1998|5|19}}

|Viewers = 2.42{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/41373921/the-los-angeles-times/|title=National Nielsen Viewership (May 18–24)|date=May 28, 1998|work=The Los Angeles Times|access-date=May 31, 2023|via=Newspapers.com}}{{free access}}

|ShortSummary = Pastor Randolph faces the legal system when he's arrested for drunkenly allowing a blind man to drive his expectant wife to the hospital.

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}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{IMDb title|id=122821|title=Good News}}
• {{epguides|id=GoodNews|title=Good News}}

{{MTM Enterprises}}

{{UPN}}

Category:1997 American television series debuts

Category:1998 American television series endings

Category:1990s American black sitcoms

Category:American English-language television shows

Category:Television shows set in Compton, California

Category:American television spinoffs

Category:Television series by MTM Enterprises

Category:Religious comedy television series

Category:UPN sitcoms