My opinion, THE JEFFERSONS AND GOOD TIMES should have ranked higher. I understand COSBY SHOW being at top, but Good Times should have either been #2 (if it didn't come in as #1) and THE JEFFERSONS should be at #3. Well, it was a poll so it was based on people's opinions. I can't even begin to imagine they had BEING BOBBY BROWN on that list!!:crazy:

In the October 2007 issue of Ebony there's an interesting article by Bryan Monroe that attempts to choose the Top 25 Black TV Shows of all time.

The Ebony editors looked at over 100 shows over 60 years of television. Some of the shows that didn't make it were Room 222, The Mod Squad, Julia, That's My Mama and Being Bobby Brown.

Readers also weighed in on www.ebonyjet.com

1-The Cosby Show
2-A Different World
3-Living Single
4-The Jeffersons
5-In Living Color
6-The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
7-Sanford and Son
8-Martin
9-Good Times
10-Soul Train
11-Girlfriends
12-Soul Food
13-The Bernie Mac Show
14-227
15-Showtime At The Apollo
16-What's Happening
17-The Steve Harvey Show
18-Grey's Anatomy
19-Amen
20-New York Undercover
21-Fame
22-Roc
23-The Flip Wilson Show
24-The Jamie Foxx Show
25-Diff'rent Strokes and Family Matters (tie)


Top 3 Black Talk Shows or Daytime Shows
1-The Oprah Winfrey Show
2-The Arsenio Hall Show
3-Judge Mathis



Top 3 Black Animated Shows
1-Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids
2-The Jackson 5ive
3-The Boondocks

Thanks for sharing that list, Irene. Fat Albert was and IS one of the best cartoon series, ever. I loved watching it as a kid!! HEY HEY HEY!! :cool:

I'm also surprised Sanford & Son only ranked #7. I would've had it pegged in the Top 5!! :confused:

You are welcome. ;)

That list is a farce, Where the heck is Amos 'N Andy? http://www.sitcomsonline.com/ubb/icons/icon8.gif

That list is a farce, Where the heck is Amos 'N Andy? http://www.sitcomsonline.com/ubb/icons/icon8.gif
When you consider they had BEING BOBBY BROWN on the list of choices, what do you expect? :crazy:

This is what i would have done for the top 4
The Jeffersons
Good Times
The Cosby Show
Sanford and Son

When you consider they had BEING BOBBY BROWN on the list of choices, what do you expect? :crazy:

Good point and what about Benson?

Good point and what about Benson?
:doh: Yeah, what abt BENSON??? :eek: I hate this list. :mad: Remove GIRLFRIENDS and put BENSON instead. :snob:

I didn't realize Grey's Anatomy was a black show? If they're going half and half then In the Heat of the Night sure should be on the list.

Benson wasn;t really a black tv show.

I'm surprised to see Living Single on the List so high over


Fresh Prince and Family Matters

Benson wasn;t really a black tv show.
Neither is GREY'S ANATOMY, but if that is on the list, then I guess any show with a black actor qualifies. :lol:

Neither is GREY'S ANATOMY, but if that is on the list, then I guess any show with a black actor qualifies. :lol:

I agree and where's St. Elsewhere?

Shoot, just abt any show with a black actor/actress can be listed I guess. :crazy: I guess if a show had a black man in the background IT QUALIFIES!! :lol:

Shoot, just abt any show with a black actor/actress can be listed I guess. :crazy: I guess if a show had a black man in the background IT QUALIFIES!! :lol:
I think Dallas might have qualified then. That CIA guy who helped JR during the BD Calhoun affair was black. :lol:

I think Dallas might have qualified then. That CIA guy who helped JR during the BD Calhoun affair was black. :lol:
:rofl:
Not to mention whatshername that worked at the Cattlemen's Club, the black hostess. ;) :lol:

At least Homeboys In Outer-Space didn't make the list. :lol:

At least Homeboys In Outer-Space didn't make the list. :lol:
:lol:
We don't know, it might have been on the bottom, since Ebony only listed the FIRST 25. :eek: :lol:

:rofl:
Not to mention whatshername that worked at the Cattlemen's Club, the black hostess. ;) :lol:
Dora Mae... :rofl:

At least Homeboys In Outer-Space didn't make the list. :lol:
or The Secret Life of Desmond Pfeiffer. :lol:

Dora Mae... :rofl:
:rofl: Yes, thank you for reminding me of her name. :lol:

Let me add:

Deacon from KING OF QUEENS. Cool cat. ;)

The blind guy (forgot his name) from BECKER. >>>he wore glasses like this>:cool:

Tootie from FACTS OF LIFE. Now where is the love???????:(

martin and girlfriends shouldn't be on that list. the jeffersons would be in my top 3 and where was the fresh prince of bel air? as for greys anatomy, WTF?

The only problem that I have with the list is that they have Grey's Anatomy on the list. Also they have 227 so far down LOL

Different Strokes deserves much higher. top 10 at least
and Everybody Hates Chris should have made the list.

The only problem that I have with the list is that they have Grey's Anatomy on the list. Also they have 227 so far down LOL
Yeah, isn't that crazy? :crazy:

Let me add:

DYNASTY had Diahann Carroll.

THE A-TEAM had Mr. T. ;) :lol:

What the hell kind of a list is this? WTF is Grey's Anatomy doing on that list? Either the voters of this survey were drunk on their asses, or its rigged. I can understand Cosby being number 1, but The Jeffersons should be #2, easily, with A Different World somewhere else, at least in the top 10. I'm shocked Family Matters is at #30 - that was a classic black show. 227 should be higher, too. And Benson should easily have made the list. If they're calling Grey's Anatomy a black show (:lol:), then Benson should be too.

I disagree, any show with TWO or more black characters is a black show

One or Less, it's not

The only problem that I have with the list is that they have Grey's Anatomy on the list. Also they have 227 so far down LOL


227 Was not a Good Black show

What the hell kind of a list is this? WTF is Grey's Anatomy doing on that list? Either the voters of this survey were drunk on their asses, or its rigged.
:rofl:

Let's add ROSEANNE to my list, I mean there was a black actress AND a black actor on there too. :lol:

Let's remember, the voters voted for the shows that EBONY put on the list. If it wasn't on the list, it wasn't voted for. I guess in EBONY'S eyes, Grey's Anatomy is a black show. :crazy: How many blacks are on Grey's anyways? I stopped watching the show after maybe 4 episodes.

:rofl:

Let's add ROSEANNE to my list, I mean there was a black actress AND a black actor on there too. :lol:

Let's remember, the voters voted for the shows that EBONY put on the list. If it wasn't on the list, it wasn't voted for. I guess in EBONY'S eyes, Grey's Anatomy is a black show. :crazy: How many blacks are on Grey's anyways? I stopped watching the show after maybe 4 episodes.


There was nothing on Roseanne but BLACK PROPS-lol

There was nothing on Roseanne but BLACK PROPS-lol
That's what you say. :crazy: But there were two black actors who played a married couple on the show. There was another friend of Dan's who was also black. That is more black friends on a non-black sitcom than I have ever seen on a regular basis. :lol:

But according to EBONY'S standards, ROSEANNE is a black show because it had at least 3 black actors at one time. :rofl:

That's what you say. :crazy: But there were two black actors who played a married couple on the show. There was another friend of Dan's who was also black. That is more black friends on a non-black sitcom than I have ever seen on a regular basis. :lol:

But according to EBONY'S standards, ROSEANNE is a black show because it had at least 3 black actors at one time. :rofl:


It would have just been better to say the Top 25 shows featuring black actors

It would have just been better to say the Top 25 shows featuring black actors
THANK YOU...WELL SAID!!! :thumbsup:

I don't think Grey's Anatomy even has any black characters on the show - I don't want it, so I could be wrong. Seriously, Ebony has got their heads in their asses for even allowing people to vote for some of those show. If GA made the list, Roseanne could have easily been on there :lol: I mean, a black actor AND actress on at the same time? And it's not on there??? :eek: :lol:

And Solomon, I disagree with you about 227. That is one of the few shows that had an all black cast, so its easily one of the "blacker" shows, if that's politically correct-LOL. It was a great show nonetheless.

I don't think Grey's Anatomy even has any black characters on the show - I don't want it, so I could be wrong. Seriously, Ebony has got their heads in their asses for even allowing people to vote for some of those show. If GA made the list, Roseanne could have easily been on there :lol: I mean, a black actor AND actress on at the same time? And it's not on there??? :eek: :lol:

And Solomon, I disagree with you about 227. That is one of the few shows that had an all black cast, so its easily one of the "blacker" shows, if that's politically correct-LOL. It was a great show nonetheless.
I remember when that black actor who made those gay comments towards his co-star caused him to be released from the show. But I don't know if he was the only one on the show or if there are more black actors.

I agree, 227 was a great show.

I remember when that black actor who made those gay comments towards his co-star caused him to be released from the show. But I don't know if he was the only one on the show or if there are more black actors.

I agree, 227 was a great show.

I did my research, and I just found out that Charles Pickens, Jr, who coincidentally played the black guy on Roseanne, is also in GA. I didn't know that, so now I guess we can call the show a "black show" according to Ebony's standards.

And 227 was a great black show, especially for being on the same night as The Golden Girls.

I remember when that black actor who made those gay comments towards his co-star caused him to be released from the show. But I don't know if he was the only one on the show or if there are more black actors.

I agree, 227 was a great show.
Their were 2 other black actors on the show during the first season which was the only one I watched but their were a lot more white actors on that show.

Their were 2 other black actors on the show during the first season which was the only one I watched but their were a lot more white actors on that show.
The white ratio vs. black ratio...

:lol: Thanx Sonny.

I remember when that black actor who made those gay comments towards his co-star caused him to be released from the show. But I don't know if he was the only one on the show or if there are more black actors.

I agree, 227 was a great show.

I also liked 227 - and I LOVED Sister, Sister.

227 was a different kind of black comedy. It wasn't abt sending a message per se, more abt a couple with a daughter and their neighbors.

227 was a different kind of black comedy. It wasn't abt sending a message per se, more abt a couple with a daughter and their neighbors.


I would be willing to give it another chance if it appears on a local or cable Tv station in the future between 7am and 1am

227 was a different kind of black comedy. It wasn't abt sending a message per se, more abt a couple with a daughter and their neighbors.
227 was just there to entertain, those are always my favorites anyway...it was always a very underrated sitcom. I liked Cosby but it often got too preachy for me.

227 was just there to entertain, those are always my favorites anyway...it was always a very underrated sitcom. I liked Cosby but it often got too preachy for me.
Yes, the preachy sitcoms went over the top at times. Good way to describe 227 - to entertain. ;)


Solomon, TVland aired 227 in the afternoon last year and you didn't record it or watch it then, why?

Yes, the preachy sitcoms went over the top at times. Good way to describe 227 - to entertain. ;)


Solomon, TVland aired 227 in the afternoon last year and you didn't record it or watch it then, why?


Didn't know it was on. TV One with theiir dumb ass scheduling once again.

Didn't know it was on. TV One with theiir dumb ass scheduling once again.
No no no, it was on TVLAND last year. I remember they had it on in the afternoon and then as quickly as they put it on the schedule they changed it to I think twice a week and then POOF it was totally removed. It didn't have any chance at all on Crapland. :crazy:

No no no, it was on TVLAND last year. I remember they had it on in the afternoon and then as quickly as they put it on the schedule they changed it to I think twice a week and then POOF it was totally removed. It didn't have any chance at all on Crapland. :crazy:


227 is not a 1pm to 3pm type of show, so that's one of the reasons it failed

227 is not a 1pm to 3pm type of show, so that's one of the reasons it failed
:lol:
It might not be suitable for you at that hour, but you can't speak for anyone else who may be home to watch it or who is recording it to watch later.

:lol:
It might not be suitable for you at that hour, but you can't speak for anyone else who may be home to watch it or who is recording it to watch later.


Poor Scheduling is what killed it. LOL

Poor Scheduling is what killed it. LOL
Exactly. TVland scheduled it and then they diminished the time it was on and then they took it off altogether. THAT! is poor scheduling. Just like ION and BET with not letting shows have time to pick up steam.

Exactly. TVland scheduled it and then they diminished the time it was on and then they took it off altogether. THAT! is poor scheduling. Just like ION and BET with not letting shows have time to pick up steam.


I think the problem I had with the show is the same problem I had with Roseanne, it was too centered on the PARENTS and THEIR FRIENDS and not the kids and their friends or the family as a whole

I think the problem I had with the show is the same problem I had with Roseanne, it was too centered on the PARENTS and THEIR FRIENDS and not the kids and their friends or the family as a whole
You wanted to see the kids and their friends, but not the parent's friends?

You wanted to see the kids and their friends, but not the parent's friends?


I want to see a balance between the kids/their friends and parents/their friends and family as a whole

I want to see a balance between the kids/their friends and parents/their friends and family as a whole
Oh I agree. I felt like the kids got put on the back burner with so few scenes and lines. Kind of like a "filler".

From what I remember, 227 was shown Saturday mornings at 8:30, I don't remember it being on in the afternoons, though. If it was, damn, I can't believe I missed it-LOL. It's a very good show, though, and it raell ygot shafted over the years. It seemed way too good a show to run just 5 seasons.

227 did well in syndication before, but on TVland, it was not even given a decent shot.

I would be willing to give it another chance if it appears on a local or cable Tv station in the future between 7am and 1am
Now that you have a DVR, if 227 ever comes back on tv, you can record it regardless of when it comes on.;)

Now that you have a DVR, if 227 ever comes back on tv, you can record it regardless of when it comes on.;)


That's starts being a lot of work when you don't know if you like a show-lol

That's starts being a lot of work when you don't know if you like a show-lol
So then it shouldn't matter. :lol:

So then it shouldn't matter. :lol:


It's less work to just grab the remote and turn to the channel it's coming on-lol

That's starts being a lot of work when you don't know if you like a show-lol


You don't know if you like 227 or not? I'm hurt LOL

You don't know if you like 227 or not? I'm hurt LOL


The show was too centered around Mary/Lester and their Friends

The show was too centered around Mary/Lester and their Friends


That's the whole premise of the show. Just like Fresh Prince was too centered around Will.

The show was too centered around Mary/Lester and their Friends
If those characters did NOT have a child, would that have been better?

That's the whole premise of the show. Just like Fresh Prince was too centered around Will.


Please don't compare 227 to FP because that would send me to the........LOL

FP was centered around the FAMILY as a whole, just like George Lopez, and Family Matters which is why they are very good shows

If those characters did NOT have a child, would that have been better?


YUP!!!

Please don't compare 227 to FP because that would send me to the........LOL

FP was centered around the FAMILY as a whole, just like George Lopez, and Family Matters which is why they are very good shows


I think that on FP most of the stories were centered around Will. On 227 they had stories that centered around Mary and her friends. Also Brenda really didn't play a big roll on the show at all. She only had like 3 or 4 shows that was centered around her.

I think that on FP most of the stories were centered around Will. On 227 they had stories that centered around Mary and her friends. Also Brenda really didn't play a big roll on the show at all. She only had like 3 or 4 shows that was centered around her.


That sounds strange since she was the daughter

That sounds strange since she was the daughter


She was in just about every episode, but there weren't that many that were solely based on her. I can think of a handful of episodes that was about the Brenda character.

She was in just about every episode, but there weren't that many that were solely based on her. I can think of a handful of episodes that was about the Brenda character.


That's probably why the show BOMBED on TV land

That's probably why the show BOMBED on TV land


It bombed on TVLand because they didn't advertise it and they gave it a crappy time slot. You don't put a new addition on early in the morning and then move it to Saturdays early in the morning.

It bombed on TVLand because they didn't advertise it and they gave it a crappy time slot. You don't put a new addition on early in the morning and then move it to Saturdays early in the morning.


Maybe a show on TV Land in primetime has to deliver a certain number in order for them to have certain sponsors so that's maybe why they got rid of it

These 25 are on the list because that's all there have ever been right? I'm not trying to be funny, it's just that there haven't been many Black TV shows in general.

I still think that The Cosby Show & A Different World are the two best of all time & that's really sad that there haven't really been any good quality Black TV shows since then. I guess Fresh Prince is ok. I watched it from beginning to end. I say this because in my opinion, Black people are portrayed morseo in a negative way. I mean they may play characters that may have a good job, but why do they have to be so silly, cocky, nerdy, the class clown, ghetto, etc. It's like if they're not playing just normal, likable characters, it's too boring or something. Even on the Cosby Show, Cliff got on my nerves sometimes & on A Different World, Dwayne's silliness was a little too much.

Maybe a show on TV Land in primetime has to deliver a certain number in order for them to have certain sponsors so that's maybe why they got rid of it


I believe when it first aired on TVLand it was on in primetime for the first few days that it aired. I think that 227 was a filler show and they never intended to add it to their regular lineup. So it was never given a chance.

These 25 are on the list because that's all there have ever been right? I'm not trying to be funny, it's just that there haven't been many Black TV shows in general.

I still think that The Cosby Show & A Different World are the two best of all time & that's really sad that there haven't really been any good quality Black TV shows since then. I guess Fresh Prince is ok. I watched it from beginning to end. I say this because in my opinion, Black people are portrayed morseo in a negative way. I mean they may play characters that may have a good job, but why do they have to be so silly, cocky, nerdy, the class clown, ghetto, etc. It's like if they're not playing just normal, likable characters, it's too boring or something. Even on the Cosby Show, Cliff got on my nerves sometimes & on A Different World, Dwayne's silliness was a little too much.
Not correct. There were waaaay more shows that were compiled on a list and the readers of Ebony picked their 25 shows out of that huge list. That stupid reality show with Whitney and her stupid husband, BEING BOBBY BROWN was on that initial list. You also have to consider we were chatting not abt the amount of shows to choose from, but the fact that a show like GREY'S ANATOMY is considered a black show. WTF???? Simply because of one black character? Stupid if you ask me.

Another thing, Queen Latifah had a talk show. I can't understand how she didn't make the top 3 talk shows YET a court show MADE THE TOP THREE TALK SHOWS? A court show is NOT a talk show. :crazy:

I believe when it first aired on TVLand it was on in primetime for the first few days that it aired. I think that 227 was a filler show and they never intended to add it to their regular lineup. So it was never given a chance.
You got it. I remember when it came on TVland it aired at noon, weekly. Then it was moved to only some days of the week. Then it was moved to Saturday mornings ONLY. It was then totally removed. That is not being serious abt the show. I only knew abt 227 coming to TVland because of Pav mentioning it here, not because TVland hyped it up.

You got it. I remember when it came on TVland it aired at noon, weekly. Then it was moved to only some days of the week. Then it was moved to Saturday mornings ONLY. It was then totally removed. That is not being serious abt the show. I only knew abt 227 coming to TVland because of Pav mentioning it here, not because TVland hyped it up.


Well I guess Marla Gibbs was not good as a LEAD CHARACTER-lol

Well I guess Marla Gibbs was not good as a LEAD CHARACTER-lol


What in the world are you talking about, Marla Gibbs acting skills (which she was a great lead actress) has nothing at all to do with 227 being on TVland.

What in the world are you talking about, Marla Gibbs acting skills (which she was a great lead actress) has nothing at all to do with 227 being on TVland.

Why not??? The show was grabbing viewers. Was it LESTER that made people turn the channel?-lol

Why not??? The show was grabbing viewers. Was it LESTER that made people turn the channel?-lol


I believe that you are throwing out these type of comments just to argue. I know you read my other posts about how TVland didn't promote the show and how the show was moved around and treated. So I've said all that I'm going to say about this topic, and leave it at that.

I believe that you are throwing out these type of comments just to argue. I know you read my other posts about how TVland didn't promote the show and how the show was moved around and treated. So I've said all that I'm going to say about this topic, and leave it at that.


Ok Brieanna Sanford-LOL

I believe that you are throwing out these type of comments just to argue. I know you read my other posts about how TVland didn't promote the show and how the show was moved around and treated. So I've said all that I'm going to say about this topic, and leave it at that.
Yep, you said it. :lol:

Marla Gibbs is a great comedic actress. The show was a HIT when it originally aired. If a show is not given great treatment in syndication, it isn't going to get ratings. DUH!:crazy: I remember watching 227 in syndication and it ran two full cycles, if not more.

Yep, you said it. :lol:

Marla Gibbs is a great comedic actress. The show was a HIT when it originally aired. If a show is not given great treatment in syndication, it isn't going to get ratings. DUH!:crazy: I remember watching 227 in syndication and it ran two full cycles, if not more.


a HIT??

85-86-#20
86-87-#14
87-88-#27
88-89-?????-LOL
89-90-?????-LOL

a HIT??

85-86-#20
86-87-#14
87-88-#27
88-89-?????-LOL
89-90-?????-LOL
85-88...hmmmm 3 years. Yep, I'd say that is a hit. How many shows make it past a season? :lol: Those numbers are great too. It is not like it is #59 in the ratings.

The writer of Grey's Anotomy Shonda Rhimes is African American.

That list is a farce, Where the heck is Amos 'N Andy? http://www.sitcomsonline.com/ubb/icons/icon8.gif
I agree that whole list is a joke.The only show in 'their' top 5 that belongs there is The Jeffersons.And having viewed a few DVDs of Amos 'n Andy,it is definitely a show that should be among the top 5 black shows of all time.However it's not politically correct to even mention that show in the media.

Well, The Cosby Show and The Jeffersons are in the top 5 which is good, but Sanford and Son and Good Times should be there too. As far as some of this other stuff goes, Fresh Prince is a good show too. 227 should have been higher as many people say. As far as I remember it was on TV Land from July 2006-December 2006 and it was only on Saturdays or Sundays early in the morning or at lunchtime. It needed a better timeslot. It did well when it was on TV One from 2004-Decmeber 2007, and hopefully it will do well on Gospel Music Channel. Diff'rent Strokes and Family Matters definitely should be higher. Some of these shows don't belong. Everybody Hates Chris should have been on here in at least the top ten. It's a great show as well.