Black sitcoms are a bunch of African American comedies. Black sitcoms are present from the earlier days of network television. Moreover, from the early days of television, Black actors were used to cast stereotypical roles and comedy clowns. These black actors continue to make TV audiences laugh. Furthermore, various actors also present real-life issues in a traditional comedy manner that provides laughter but also leaves a lasting effect in the hearts of onlookers. This is the list of 10 internet movie database’s top black Sitcoms.
1. A Different World – Aired on NBC, 1987- 1993
A Different World presented different social issues in front of an audience in a comedy manner. Denise Huxtable( Lisa Bonet) was the lead character. The show was aired on NBC from 1987 to 1993. Different world’s leading cast members are Lisa Bonet, Kadeem Harrison, Jasmine Guy, Cres Summer, Dawn Lewis, and Jada Pinkett. Moreover, the show dealt with issues such as the HIV/AIDS epidemic, sexual assault, and racial Profiling. Furthermore, A Different World is the sequel to The Cosby Show with a 6.9 IMDB Rating. Moreover, after the first season, Lisa Bonet left the series. After that, Dwayne Wayne( Kadeem Hardison) and Whitley Gilbert ( Jasmine Guy) got all the attention in the series. Later, the series focuses on their college life and romantic relationship.
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2. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air – Aired on NBC, 1990-1996
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’s theme song is known by the English-speaking world, “In West Philadelphia born and raised”. The show featured Will Smith as Philadelphia. Along with this, the show also dealt with gun violence, issues of race, and Drug use in a comical way. The Fresh Prince showed the world that Will Smith is more than a rapper. He later became one of the biggest movie stars in the world. Furthermore, The Fresh Prince was aired on NBC from 1990 to 1996 with a 7.9 IMDB Rating. On the other hand, the leading casts are Will Smith, Alfonso Ribeiro, James Avery, Tatyana Ali, Daphne Maxwell Reid, Janta Hubert Whitten, Joseph Marcell and Karyn Parsons.
3. The Jeffersons – Aired on CBS, 1975-1985
The Jeffersons was the second longest-running African American sitcom with 254 episodes. Moreover, the show aired on television for 10 years and was one of the most successful CBS shows. The Jeffersons tells the story of an African American family who moved in Queens to Manhattan’s luxury apartments. Along with this, the cast members are Sherman Hemsley, Marla Gibbs, and Isabel Sanford.
4. The Cosby Show – Aired on NBC, 1984-1992
The Cosby Show became one of the biggest hits on television after its premiering. It became one of the most successful sitcoms to date. The show showcased the upper-middle-class Black family who were living in Brooklyn. Furthermore, this was the first time audiences witnessed an upper-middle-class black family story on the screen. Moreover, the Cosby Show also won six Emmy awards. The show was aired on NBC, from 1984 to 1992 with a 7.4 IMDB Rating. Moreover, its cast members are Bill Cosby, Lisa Bonet, Phylicia Rashad, Malcolm Jamal Warner, Tempestt Bledsoe, Sabrina Le Beauf, Keshia Knight Pulliam, and Raven Symoné.
5. Martin – Aired on FOX, 1992-1997
Martin is a black sitcom that revolves around Martin Lawrence and his girlfriend Gina. The show shows Martin and Gina’s relationship, along with her best friend Pam and his friends. Apart from that, the leading characters are Martin Lawrence, Tichina Arnold, Tisha Campbell, Thomas Ford, and Carl Anthony Payne.
6. Living Single – Aired on FOX, 1993-1998
The Living single centered around friends living in Brooklyn. The show tells the story of their life struggles, friendship, navigating love, careers and sex. Moreover, The Living Single was aired on FOX, from 1993 to 1998 with 7.3 IMDB rating. Furthermore, the cast includes Queen Latifah, Erika Alexander, Kim Coles, Kim Fields, John Henton and T.C Carson.
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7. The Wayans Bros – Aired on The WB, 1995- 1999
The Wayans Bros showcased Shawn and Marlon Wayans as siblings. Shawn and Marlon Wayans used to run a newsstand in New York. While the show’s leading characters are Shawn Wayans, John Witherspoon, Marlon Wayans, and Anna Maria Horsford.
8. One on One – Aired on UPN, 2001-2006
One on one starred Flex Alexander and his daughter Breanna. Apart from this the leading characters of one on one are Flex Alexander, Robert Ri’Chard, Kyla Pratt and Sicily.
9. Black-Ish – Aired on ABC, 2014-present
Kenya Burris is the writer and producer of Black-Ish. Tracee Ellis Ross earned a golden globe from this series. Furthermore, Black Ish’s cast are Anthony Anderson, Yara Shahidi, Tracee Ellis Ross, Jennifer Lewis, Marcus Scribner, Miles Brown, Laurence Fishburne and Marsai Martin.
10. Girlfriends – Aired on UPS/CW, 2000-2008
The Girlfriends is an American sitcom television series. Mara Brock Akil has created this masterpiece. Moreover the story revolves around 4 African American women struggling in career, friendship, and love. Furthermore,The leading casts are Tracee Ellis Ross, Jill Marie Jones, Golden Brooks, Reggie Hayes and Persia White.
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Conclusion
These black sitcoms have discussed race, existentialism, class, and the American dream in a humorous way. Moreover, these African American comedies have continuously entertained TV audiences from ancient times till now.
