Where Have All The (Black) Sitcoms Gone?

[waichingliu81]

Friday Jan 22, 2010 – By La'Juanda "LJ" Knight

Take a journey with me. Lets go way back. I’m talking more than 10 years. I can recall a time when I was actually excited for 7 o’clock on a week night because I knew that my favorite Black shows would be coming on.

Shows like A Different World, The Cosby Show, Living Single, Martin, Family Matters, Fresh Prince Of Bel Aire, The Parent Hood, Roc and so on. Then, nothing compared to African American Entertainment. The thirty minutes (minus commercials) of visual pleasure that they gave me stays with me to this day. In fact thinking of these shows puts a smile on my face and I still become excited when I catch reruns.

These shows were part of the 90’s movement that displayed successful African Americans living their lives. They gave us a subculture that installed in us that Black love existed, Black people were business minded and that it was possible for you to be from the hood and still be successful without “selling out”. For some who never saw that lifestyle first hand in their own lives likes myself they gave me something to aspire to.

They confirmed the complexities that sometimes accompany being an African American. The dualities that many of us go through in our career versus our home life. Most importantly, they were FUNNY. They were funny without having the stereotypical coon images or having constant slap hi jinx from the African American cast. No there was no need for the Black faced negro shucking and jiving his way to higher ratings while popping gum. They kept it real AND kept it balanced.

I am disappointed in African American television today because it glorifies the same stereotypes that we have tried for years to fight. There is no balance within the characters. They are usually extremely hood or the polar opposite.

In fact, I would go as far as to say that there isn’t any quality African American programming currently on TV. The new wave of reality shows and newly aired shows like TV One’s Love That Girl for instance have the same simple stereotypical characters. Therefore they do not count as far as quality Black programming.

For instance the lead characters brother in Love That Girl wants to be a stand up comic but refuses to work meanwhile to support himself. Instead he slums off his newly Real Estate licensed sister. Another example would be the receptionist at the Father’s Real Estate Office who can never seem to utter a sentence without chewing gum and doing some type of hand or neck motion to emphasize her point.

As far as reality show madness, VH1 takes the cake with their array of African American reality series which displays images like Black women fighting over some washed up African American talent who is “looking for love”. Sure….. Or my newly favorite annoyance! The new Fantasia Barrino reality series where.. guess what… she too has a family who refuses to work and would rather slum off her. More specifically her big, grown, ashy brother who seems to be floating through life without a care in the world, expecting her to financially support him, while Fantasia struggles to revive her singing career and care for her own child. Seeing previews for that show makes me quiver with annoyance inside out every time. Every time.

The other shows that reach popularity on TV that feature African Americans are other reality series like Keyshia Cole’s The Way It Is. I did not have too much of a problem with Keyshia’s behavior on the show but her family! Wow. If there were a casting for stereotypical black people to be put on blast they would meet the criteria. I never even bothered to watch a full episode of the Frankie And Neffie reality show. Nope, that madness was not going to be a part of my reality. Nor was the drama filled show that is Real Housewives Of ATL. Helping to facilitate the stereotype that Black women are catty and cannot play nice together.

To be honest, I am not even upset with Keyshia Cole or her family. They are just being themselves and collecting a check for their foolery. I am more upset with the networks who are choosing to portray such low quality images of African Americans. It would be different if we already had primarily African Americans shows that displayed us in a more positive light but we don’t. Therefore there is no balance. Therein lies the problem.

The handful of recent shows that did show African Americans in a positive light and with characteristic balance, meaning they were not over the top “hood” or so engulfed in the 90210 lifestyle that the average middle class African American could not relate to the characters were quickly taken off the air.

Or they were only allowed a few seasons and abruptly ended. Think the Girlfriends and The Game, (I cannot be the only one who felt that Girlfriends did not receive a proper series finale)

The truth of the matter is that we are lacking in Black entertainment television so when there is a new show I immediately become excited and want to give it a fair shot. So far, I continue to be disappointed and have to turn to box sets of DVD’s of old shows or searches online for my quality African American programming. No not everyone is a “high class negro” but not everyone is on the corner shooting dice either. Frankly, I really do not want to see either. Where is the balance I ask you! Where?

They say that the media responds to what we demand and to what we express the need for. If that is the case then I am insulted at the notion that the networks feel that there is not a demand for quality African American programming. Either that or they feel that it will not be successful, so they do not attempt to put anything close to a positive Black image on prime time. It is as if the only way we can secure a show is if we are shucking and jiving. Shuck or jive or fear cancellation. Someone needs to remind them that the African American audience is a mosaic of individuals who yearn to see shows that have more complex topics than what a reality series for a has been celebrity, an R and B singers family or a rappers baby moma can provide.

Oh well, there are always reruns.

http://clutchmagonline.com/newsgossi...-sitcoms-gone/

[GARFIELDKOOL]

There only been a handful of black sitcoms in TV history period. There haven't been any decent black sitcoms since the mid-90s. I did not like any UPN black sitcoms, nor would I consider them great classics. Many modern black sitcoms showcased blacks as clowns, ghetto fabulous, or just people with attitudes. Sitcoms are dead nowadays, so I wouldn't expect the black sitcoms to come back. "Everybody Hates Chris" and "House of Payne" are ok, but they are not great black sitcoms yet.

[waichingliu81]

Originally Posted by GARFIELDKOOL

There only been a handful of black sitcoms in TV history period. There haven't been any decent black sitcoms since the mid-90s. I did not like any UPN black sitcoms, nor would I consider them great classics. Many modern black sitcoms showcased blacks as clowns, ghetto fabulous, or just people with attitudes. Sitcoms are dead nowadays, so I wouldn't expect the black sitcoms to come back. "Everybody Hates Chris" and "House of Payne" are ok, but they are not great black sitcoms yet.

i read the last black sitcom to have a laughter track was 'girlfriends'. i've never watched that show though. it's all reality tv garbage. it's not just black sitcoms but the whole sitcom genre has suffered so much during the 00s.

there needs to be a sitcom comeback or revival of some sort- though whether we will ever see quality sitcoms on TV is another thing as well.

[TripperFan]

Let's face it - where have ALL the sitcoms gone? lol

Let's hope someday sitcoms aren't labelled as "black" "white" "latino" etc. I've watched plenty of "black" sitcoms that are enjoyable to this white chick. And I really enjoy sitcoms that have both black and white characters since that is more real to me than anything. Like King of Queens where one of Doug's best friends is Deacon.

[waichingliu81]

Originally Posted by Pus$y Galore

Let's face it - where have ALL the sitcoms gone? lol

Let's hope someday sitcoms aren't labelled as "black" "white" "latino" etc. I've watched plenty of "black" sitcoms that are enjoyable to this white chick. And I really enjoy sitcoms that have both black and white characters since that is more real to me than anything. Like King of Queens where one of Doug's best friends is Deacon.

oh but of course. that's why i put the brackets around the word 'black'. a sitcom is a sitcom at the end of the day and whilst i'm sure there are blacks who watch white sitcoms, it's vice versa with some blacks as well. i'm a british chinese and i love american sitcoms!

[TripperFan]

Originally Posted by waichingliu81

oh but of course. that's why i put the brackets around the word 'black'. a sitcom is a sitcom at the end of the day and whilst i'm sure there are blacks who watch white sitcoms, it's vice versa with some blacks as well. i'm a british chinese and i love american sitcoms!

Exactly! Good writing is good writing and it's universal. I'm Canadian white and love the Britcoms. One of my favourite shows was Fresh Prince of Bel Air which would be considered a "black" sitcom I suppose, yet there's no reason other races can't appreciate and enjoy the humour. It's this sort of thing that breaks down racial barriers. Will Smith still is one of my favourite actors (and people) of all time. Colour or race truly means nothing to me anymore. In the end, we all bleed red and want the same things in life.

But I do know what you mean - I miss sitcoms so much now. Hopefully they'll make a comeback soon.

[JT]

I could type forever about a subject like this, and after reading the article earlier this morning, I thought about it for a while.

I think it's unfair to heap so much responsibility on the writers and producers of these so-called "black sitcoms" (a term, in and of itself, leads to problems) to present this image, with this style, with this type of attitude, etc. I find that people like the woman who wrote this article would be perfectly okay with a stereotype, as long as it was a positive stereotype (black woman, late 20s/early 30s, professional career, close group of friends, attractive boyfriend -- basically, Sex and the City, but with black people).

Not al black people are the same, so not all black people on television should be the same. Look at a classic like "Sanford & Son." Then look at a more recent show like "Girlfriends." Two completely different audiences for the most part. But the trouble is, a show like "Sanford & Son" would be dismissed as stereotypical, ghetto-fabulous trash today, and it makes no sense.

I could go on, but I think I'll leave it at that.

ETA: Well, I will say a few more little bits:

I hate, hate, hate, hate the term "black sitcom." Hate it. What a way to alienate an audience. If a show like "The Brady Bunch" was marketed as a "white sitcom," how many black kids would have watched it growing up? Stop depending on the color/culture of your characters to bring in the audiences. Focus on the characters as people and the stories you want to tell.

And, honestly, my extended family relates to "Roseanne" more than "The Cosby Show" on any day of the week. "Good Times" more than anything else, but then again, the Evanses have more in common with the Conners than the Huxtables.

[Jude The Obscure]

And in this day and age.......Good Times seems so relevant. One wonders how James and Florida would be reacting to today's society......probably much like they reacted to the '70s.

[TVFactFan]

Originally Posted by Jude The Obscure

And in this day and age.......Good Times seems so relevant. One wonders how James and Florida would be reacting to today's society......probably much like they reacted to the '70s.

The Current state of the Economy has gave new life to the James Evans Era of Good Times-lol

[Tubehead]

myfavorite are the hughlys,HANIGING WITH MR COOPER,SISTER,SISTER, amen, sanfrod and son the jerfferson andfresh prince of bel air. you might try checking out meet the browns. its really funny. it lot better then house of payne. does any one rember roc? i rember it when it was on tv LAND CAN'T FORGET ABOUT FLIP WLISON. THAT WAS REALLLY FUNNY SHOW. ANOTHER GOOD SHOW IS LINCONE HEIGHTS. IT NOT REALY COMDEY IT MORE DRAMAR. I LIKED MALCOME AND EDDY . IT HAS THEO FROM THE COBSY SHOW. IT DIDN'T LAST TOO LONG. MY WIFE AND KIDS ARE PRETTY FUNNY. MY FAVORITE SHOW RIGHT NOW IS EVERYONE HATES CHRIS. ITS REALLY FUNNY SHOW.

[Tubehead]

sorry didn't mean to post it twice.

[Chocoholic]

I'd like to know where good sitcoms in general went.

Personally, I don't care if the cast members of a show are white, black, or even purple with pink polka dots. It's great writing, acting, and chemistry that makes a TV show great.

[comedyfreak]

They must have went with the UPN network.

[waichingliu81]

Originally Posted by Pus$y Galore

Exactly! Good writing is good writing and it's universal. I'm Canadian white and love the Britcoms. One of my favourite shows was Fresh Prince of Bel Air which would be considered a "black" sitcom I suppose, yet there's no reason other races can't appreciate and enjoy the humour. It's this sort of thing that breaks down racial barriers. Will Smith still is one of my favourite actors (and people) of all time. Colour or race truly means nothing to me anymore. In the end, we all bleed red and want the same things in life.

But I do know what you mean - I miss sitcoms so much now. Hopefully they'll make a comeback soon.

me too. the fresh prince was a black sitcom that was a mainstream success across the globe- it connected and resonated with people of all races, partly because of the class issues and differences shown through working class will from philly and the banks family- middle/upper class wealth. those same issues and differences were also similar to white upper/middle class and working class whites.

sitcoms really connect with us in ways reality TV cannot and tell tales that relate to well almost everything in life.

00s was arguably the worst decade for sitcoms compared to 50s-90s for many people.

[waichingliu81]

Originally Posted by JT

I hate, hate, hate, hate the term "black sitcom." Hate it. What a way to alienate an audience. If a show like "The Brady Bunch" was marketed as a "white sitcom," how many black kids would have watched it growing up? Stop depending on the color/culture of your characters to bring in the audiences. Focus on the characters as people and the stories you want to tell.

i think you touched on a good point there- we would never say 'white' sitcoms, and we wouldn't say the same thing about asian sitcoms- yet 'black' sitcom/s props up. a sitcom is a sitcom no matter what the colour of the cast are.