jamesanthony
07-07-2004, 04:47 PM
I think this is probably the best black sitcom that has ever been produced in this country. The first year is dull, but not unwatchable. It's dull because Denise is a rather dry character to be leading a show so the first year has a very vanilla quality because of this. In year 2 it definitely improves. Debbie Allen knew exactly what she was doing and brought her choreography skills and sense of style to the mix. It really gets good in year 3 with the Dwayne and Whitley thread and gets better with each season thereafter. They tackled all the social issues with wit and style, had incredible consistency in the stories of each of the characters (in any of the episodes they mention things from past episodes or you see seeds of future story points being planted- its fascinating to watch the continuing storylines unfold- some of them over several years) and the acting was very good all around. Watching the reruns 15 some odd years later it is still vibrant and relevant as well as funny. The Norman Lear shows are good and so is Cosby Show and some of the others but this one is the best.