Today, the only way some Americans get insight into what life is like for a black family is by watching snippets of the Obamas on the nightly news. No English-language network program centers around a black family — or an Asian or Hispanic family either — except Fox’s “The Cleveland Show.” And that’s animated.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/why-isnt-the-cosby-show-for-a-new-generation-on-network-tv/2012/07/13/gJQAMPuTiW_story.html

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSkbKCmR9wEHtodccxNah0dj5_sHZszNF7zq8QpjuZpFM3DZvZFQQhttp://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQQLmut6b1fYthA-VLcerYbZXsLK33spvIcphYykwanaVLi9OW8

It's nothing like The Cosby Show. Thank heavens!

It's nothing like The Cosby Show. Thank heavens!

Is that in a good way or a bad way? lol

Is that in a good way or a bad way? lol

Well, I never really cared much for the Cosby Show. It was always so self important and kind of smug, for me, at least. I loved Bill Cosby previous to the show; loved his albums, stand up and Fat Albert. Just never thought the sitcom was that funny, and was really bowled over by how incredible its ratings were.

"Cleveland" is a long ways from perfect, but it does usually make me laugh.

Well, I never really cared much for the Cosby Show. It was always so self important and kind of smug, for me, at least. I loved Bill Cosby previous to the show; loved his albums, stand up and Fat Albert. Just never thought the sitcom was that funny, and was really bowled over by how incredible its ratings were.

"Cleveland" is a long ways from perfect, but it does usually make me laugh.


I gotcha, I definitely hear what you are saying. I didn't so much mind The Cosby Show in earlier seasons, but as it wore on, I think it did become those things you said.

i love the Cleveland Show, but I don't think it is any more realistic a portrayal of an average family than Family Guy is - it is a caricature made to cartoonish ridiculous extremes - because it is a cartoon.

they may not dominate, but there are still black-centric shows on TV - I hear that Tyler Perry had something or other going on.

...and I don't think anyone believes that the Obamas are anything resembling a typical average family life.

It is no Cosby Show and never will be. You want a better black tv show? Watch The Boondocks. That has black characters voiced by real black actors. Cleveland and Rallo are voiced by a white actor. The Boondocks uses real life issues with social commentary and it far surpasses The Cleveland Show.