SHIFTER Magazine

BLACK SITCOMS FROM THE 1950’S TO 2020’S

Kevin Bourne

From Amos ‘n’ Andy and The Cosby Show, to Abbott Elementary, SHIFTER’s Kevin Bourne takes a look at Black sitcoms from the 1950’s to 2020’s.

Black sitcoms have given us some of the most iconic characters in the history of television, including TV moms and dads. They’ve also produced a number of stars who went on to become household names. These shows reflected the everyday lives of Black people, sometimes even playing into cliches and stereotypes, and in some cases, represented our aspirations for a better life.

Airing in 1951, Amos ‘n’ Andy is credited with being the first Black sitcom, although it didn’t last long after the NAACP raised concerns that it played into Black stereotypes. Black sitcoms wouldn’t re-emerge until the 1970’s with shows like Sanford & Son, That’s My Mama, Good Times, The Jeffersons, and What’s Happening!!

While the 1980’s would give us some of the most iconic Black sitcoms in TV history with the likes of The Cosby Show and 227, the 90’s would prove to be the Golden Era just by the sheer volume of shows and classics like Family Matters, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Sister Sister, Moesha, Martin, and Living Single. Yes, those Thursday nights on Fox were legendary.

With the historical success of Black sitcoms, it makes you wonder what happened to them. Why does it seem like the industry is more hesitant to greenlight Black shows when there’s clearly always been a demand for them? Especially post-George Floyd when Black culture is pop culture, there are more Black commercials on TV than ever before, and the world is more open to hearing about the Black experience?

The truth is, Black sitcoms are still around today, although we don’t have the volume that we once had, and they aren’t producing the stars and classics like Black sitcoms of the past.

Here are three reasons why Black sitcoms are on the decline.

Changes in consumer habits (streaming/devices)

This is the biggest factor which has affected no only Black sitcoms, but sitcoms in general. Sitcoms were the byproduct of an era where families would sit in front of the TV at the same time every week. A household would have one, maybe two, TV’s. With the rise of streaming services, not only has programming become a lot more mature and cinematic, but individuals can watch shows on demand by themselves on their cell phone, tablet, or computer. Households have gone from having 1-2 screens to 4-6 screens depending on the size of the family. And every member of the family has their own profile within a streaming service which reflects their individual tastes. TV viewing has become an individual experience, and it’s not always for the better.

Changes in consumer tastes (Reality TV/comedy-dramas/short form)

The decline of Black sitcoms over the past few decades has also corresponded with the rise of reality TV. Let’s face it, generally speaking, Black people love drama and our main sources for it are reality series franchises like Housewives, Love & Hip-Hop, and courtroom shows.

Soap operas have always satisfied Black people with their fix of over-top-drama as well. Soaps during the day and sitcoms at night. But when reality TV was first introduced, it was primetime TV and competed directly with sitcoms. Our thirst for drama also led to the rise of comedy-dramas which were a lot more real and raw than the sometimes intentionally cheesy sitcoms. Add to that, social media and YouTube, and other short form content and sitcoms don’t stand a chance.

Decisionmakers are risk averse

While the first two factors affected sitcoms across the board, this point specifically affects Black sitcoms.

I mentioned this already, but despite the success of Black shows and movies, industry decision makers, who are typically white, don’t see the market for Black content. Quite a few of the legendary Black sitcoms had white executive producers and allies who were willing to take the risk. Those people don’t seem to exist today.

Yes, there are Black sitcoms in recent years which have failed, but there are also white sitcoms which have failed. When a white TV show fails, it never calls into question to economic viability of all white shows, but when a Black show fails, it’s seen as a stain on Black shows everywhere, calling into question whether there’s an audience for them at all.

But despite the Golden Era of Black sitcoms being in the rearview mirror, with the success of Black-ish and its spinoffs, The Upshaws, Family Reunion, Abbott Elementary, Tyler Perry’s House of Payne and House of Payne, and more recently Poppa’s House, the Black sitcom is far from dead.

Now here’s a closer look at Black sitcoms from the 1950’s to the present.

1950’s BLACK SITCOMS

Original 'The Jeffersons' cast member makes surprise cameo on 'Live in Front of a Studio Audience'

1970’s BLACK SITCOMS

1980’s BLACK SITCOMS

1990’s BLACK SITCOMS

2000’s BLACK SITCOMS

2010’s BLACK SITCOMS

2020’s BLACK SITCOMS

Web series

Comedy/Comedy-dramas

Kevin Bourne is SHIFTER’s Toronto-based editor and Senior Entertainment Reporter focusing on Black music and film & TV. He was named one of 300 international voters for the 81st and 82nd Golden Globe Awards by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and a Tomatometer-Approved Critic by Rotten Tomatoes.

 

 

 

Related content:

FILM REVIEW – PIECE BY PIECE IS AN INSPIRATIONAL AND CREATIVE MASTERPIECE
Exit mobile version