Unfortunately, deeply ingrained racial bias is present in many forms of media and can cause harm in unforeseen ways. A reboot for Moesha may be in the works, and for many of us who followed Brandys teen antics on the show as kids, we are so here for that. Black sitcoms of the 90s were most often focused on day-to-day relationships between the talented cast members that brought these stories to life. #100. 30 Black Films From the '90s Best 1990s Black Movies - Men's Health '90s Black TV shows that are iconic - TheGrio the shows that made us laugh cry and yearn to see the new episode old school and new school black/urban tv shows ( sitcoms . You can stream The Wayans Bros. on Sling TV. That means there's a great option for your TV viewing experience, regardless of your taste or preference. She and her childhood friend Lolo (Sherry Cola), a trash-talking free spirit making sex . Your IP: Heres how it works. This superhero themed series is based off the 1986 DC comic of the same name and takes place in an alternate universe where superheroes are now seen as vigilantes due to their violent methods. The Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom actor was a part of some massive box office blockbusters during the '90s, such as Jurassic Park, Independence Day, and The Lost World: Jurassic Park, among others. Original run: July 5, 2017 April 19, 2023, Starring: Damson Idris, Michael Hyatt, Emily Rios, Angela Lewis, Amin Joseph, Carter Hudson, Sergio Peris-Mencheta, Isaiah John, Devyn Tyler, and Gail Bean. Suddenly, the show was about Steves ridiculous antics, catchphrases, and inventions. Thankfully, they have a great group of friends to help them along the way. But as much as I wish this weren't true: The bliss caused by Netflix is only temporary. This episode was a great preview of how entertaining and impactful each episode would be. All Rights Reserved. This sitcom set in a historically Black college gave me a glimpse into some of the things I may face as a Black woman in higher education. The aughts successor to Living Single, Girlfriends gave us a new group of gal pals -- this time, living on the West Coast -- eight seasons of big laughs, love drama, and the blessing that is Tracee Ellis Ross as a leading lady. "'Mo' to the, 'e' to the"Brandy was one of the biggest teenstarsof the '90s, with her very own leading sitcom role to prove it. Easily taking the number one spot and universally praised by our sources, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air takes the long-established trope of a poor person suddenly joining the wealthy and casts it in a new and now iconic light. Brandy Norwood starred as Moesha and lived in South Central with her middle-class Black family. NY 10036. RELATED: 20 Powerful Black History Books to Add to Your Reading List. Enter: Moesha. Cinemablend is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. But if you've been hiding under a rock, we can break it down for you. Black people of the 90s - IMDb Network: Disney Channel The Famous Jett Jackson chronicled movie star Jett Jackson played by Lee Thompson Young (RIP) and his move back to North Carolina. 1. Original run:September 6, 2016 Present, Starring:Donald Glover, Brian Tyree Henry, LaKeith Stanfield, Zazie Beetz. Will Smith and the Banks kids lived out the issues that many suburban Black kids like myself face including, racial profiling, discrimination in school and not being Black enough. Part comedy, part drama, Issa Rae writes a world that accurately mirrors the Black woman experience, no sugarcoating needed. 37 Best '90s Black Movies to Watch - 90s Black Films List - Oprah Daily Family Matters became the second-longest-running live-action U.S. sitcom with a predominantly African-American cast, behind only The Jeffersons, details TV Insider. More than a third of children dont feel represented in the books they read because of their gender or ethnicity. Died: January 6, 2022. Bradley Cooper told a bit of a lie to land his role on 'Sex and the This reimagined version of the late 80s sitcom, tells the coming-of-age story of a 12-year-old Black boy in Montgomery, Alabama in the late 1960s, as told by his adult self. I feel bad knowing that some people didnt grow up watching Martin. It features hilarious characters and celebrity guest that will make you want to binge all in one shot. Growing up without a father figure, One on One was both endearing and sometimes hard to watch. But the biggest change arguably came in the 1990s. African-American characters over the years have had their name as top-billing or as prominent co-stars in some of the best primetime TV shows to date. The show then shifted to a bigger focus on a black cast (Like Sinbad!). And dont miss our Black History Month special on ET Live. Best Black Sitcoms Of The '90s: Top 5 Shows, According To Fans Premise:BeforeBlack-ish, Tracee Ellis Ross played California girl Joan. An underrated gem of the mid-aughts, Everybody Hates Chris was based on Chris Rock's teenage years, starring Tyler James Williams as a younger version of the comic and SNL star -- with Martin breakout Tichina Arnold and then-up-and-comer Terry Crews playing his parents. Actor | Martin Martin Fitzgerald Lawrence is an African-American comedian, producer, writer, director and actor. Moesha was a TV show that revolved around the life of a Black teenager and how she handled the stuff that life threw at her. When Miles (Casal) is suddenly incarcerated, Ashley (Jones), his partner of 12 years, has to navigate a chaotic new environment as when she and her son Sean (Woodward) are forced to move in with Miles' mother (Hunt) and half-sister (Barron). - On air: 1994-1997. Take our poll, below, and sound off in the comments! Mekhi Phifer Lucianna Faraone Coccia/Getty Images 2. Starring: Thuso Mbedu, Aaron Pierre, William Jackson Harper, Chase Dillon, Joel Edgerton, Sheila Atim. They were spotted interacting at Michael Rubins annual white party in the Hamptons. The Best '90s Black TV Shows, Ranked By Fans One of the most memorable moments in this TV show is when Wills father abandons him again, and Will breaks down in one of the most emotional 90s Black TV show moments, writes Yahoo!. Lawrences ability to effortlessly play as multiple different personas within the series, often within the same episode, quickly became a highlight of the series. Viewers would get to know Lawrence as Martin Payne, a DJ working out of Detroit, in what quickly became one of the funniest sitcoms of all time. For the latest content celebrating Black History Month, please visit our Black History Month page, or read more in our Black Stories section. The show has a dynamite plot as its about a mother and daughter, Nikki and Kim Parker (played by Academy Award winner MoNique, and Countess Vaughn, respectively) who go to the same college together and even become roommates. Premise: Think Saturday Night Live for Black women. The List: Best Black Sitcoms of the '90s, According to Experts. In it, Marlon and Shawn help an old lady cross the street, only for her to get hit by a bus and flung into the air. Family Matters followed the lives of the Winslows, a middle-class family living in Chicago and their annoying yet lovable neighbor, Steve Urkel. What are television's best Black '90s shows? Thankfully, the rest of the show and the series itself was also hilarious. Ill never forget the first time I saw the intro to The Wayans Bros. The popular show ran for two seasons on ABC before switching over to The WB for seasons 3-6. Carson. New York, Premise:The ability to have brief psychic visions of the near future was every kid's dream because of this show. Both programs were beloved for the realistic, funny and emotional depictions of beautiful Black lives, posits Watch Mojo. 3:55 PM PDT, July 9, 2021 The 1990s was a decade of crushed velvet, rollerblades, grunge and some of the most talented child stars to ever grace our screens. This American crime drama, directed by Oscar-nominated director John Singleton . Premise: This continuation series of the 2018 movie of the same name, starring Daveed Diggs and Rafael Casal, takes place six months later. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Khadija (Queen Latifah), Synclaire (Kim Coles), and Regina (Kim Fields) are roommates in a Brownstone Apartment, while Maxine (Erika Alexander), their lawyer friend, would stop over every now and then to visit and talk about her day. The Mountbatten-Windsors have been recastagain. 2023 Wellness House. Like many of the 90s sitcoms, Sister Sister reruns would come on late at night, but that never stopped me from staying up to watch the marathons. 50 Best TV Shows of the 1990s - TV Guide StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. Following in the footsteps of '70s predecessors like Good Times and The Jeffersons, the '90s and early aughts were a sweet spot for the Black sitcom. After that, Steve Urkel (Jaleel White) became an icon in pop culture, breaking the barriers of only attracting black audiences, which contributed to the shows catapulted success. The show started with Denise Huxtable (Played by Lisa Bonet), and Maggie Lauten (Marisa Tomei) as her white friend, but then changed dramatically by Season 2 after Lisa Bonet became pregnant and was taken off the series (Bill Cosby apparently didnt want Denise Huxtable to be seen as a single mother). Could the practice also become a key tool in eliminating racism? Original run:August 27, 1992 May 1, 1997, Starring:Martin Lawrence, Tisha Campbell-Martin, Thomas Mikal Ford, Carl Anthony Payne II, Tichina Arnold. It's time to head back to Point Place for That '90s Show, to see a new generation of teenagers coming of age in the Forman family basement. With a stellar cast that includes Bill Cosby, Phylicia Rashad, and Lisa Bonet, among others, the show seamlessly weaves together witty humor, touching moments, and significant life lessons. Family Matters was actually a spin-off of another sitcom called Perfect Strangers,but the original series did not feature a predominately Black cast. Black Couples in TV and Movies Who Have Influenced the Culture, Black Joy Streaming Guide -- Movies & TV Shows Celebrating Black Life, Black History Month: How It Began and How to Celebrate, By signing up, you agree to our Ashley Park stars as Audrey, a successful lawyer adopted from China as a little girl by white parents. The Chris Rock Show was another popular Black TV series that aired in the 1990s. Is The Fresh Prince of Be Worth Your Time? During the 1990s, Carson also found. Image Source: Everett Collection. Now, thankfully . .css-9g06me{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:#125C68;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#000;-webkit-transition:background 0.3s ease-in-out,color 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:background 0.3s ease-in-out,color 0.3s ease-in-out;display:inline-block;background-color:#53c2be;border-radius:0.125rem;font-family:NeutraDisplay,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:0.79054rem;line-height:1;font-weight:bold;letter-spacing:0.05rem;padding:0.6rem 1rem;text-transform:uppercase;width:auto;}.css-9g06me:hover{color:#fff;text-decoration-color:#595959;background-color:#000000;}.css-9g06me:focus-visible{outline-color:body-cta-btn-link-focus;}WATCH NOW. DL Hughley It's all about the power of female friendships and helping each other thrive. Jaleel White's breakout blerd was years ahead of his time, even if his infatuation with Laura sometimes made him take things a little too far. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms. Tia and Tamera served as a template for me on how to deal with the little complications that came with being a teenager. As Chris and his family navigate the ups and downs of living in Brooklyn in the 80s, their experiences shed light on some important issues like poverty and police brutality. According to new research, White people who practice mindfulness techniques are three times more likely to offer help to Black individuals. Her friend circle was made up of Niecy, Kim, and Hakeem also frequented the TV episodes and made up most of the storylines. Each product has been independently selected by our editorial team. Read on to check out our favorites, and where you can stream them now! Black sitcom - Wikipedia Thus, in the 90s it was no wonder that audiences were drawn to a slew of new programs that showed Black Americans at center stage. For a while, I didn't feel like I fit in well anywhere. Heres how it works. Although Brandys Moesha dealt with loss, an unfaithful partner and issues around her father remarrying in the shows debut, we still found ourselves laughing throughout the story. Other good shows that appear on this top 1990s Black TV show list include Moesha, Martin and Living Single. Premise:When hip-hop artist and CEO of Empire Entertainment Lucious Lyon (Terrence Howard) finds out his days are numbered, his three sons battle for control over his multi-million dollar company. This list of the best Black TV shows of the 1990s includes the top '90s Black sitcoms to shows that featured live performance, music, and interviews. There was just some kind of strange magic when they all came together, and it shows, since Will and the Banks family captivated all of America, not just my own household. She always reminded me when we watched it that I could build that kind of life for myself no matter how Black people were predominantly portrayed. Now, check out all six seasons of the sitcom that launched Will Smith to superstardom and gave us not one but two iconic Aunt Vivs more on that in the recent reunion special, offers ET. A poll of 1,000 American children between six and 12 and their parents finds nearly three-quarters (74%) read regularly but agree that characters always look the same and dont represent different views. My mom claimed I was too young to be watching this show, but sneaking around and watching it while she wasn't around was half the fun. '90s Child Actors: Then and Now - TV Guide Premise:This two-time Emmy winner tells the story of cousins Alfred "Paper Boi" Miles (Brian Tyree Henry) and Earnest "Earn" Marks (Donald Glover). History, comedy, family stories and romance await with these recent series and sitcoms. These are the best '90s Black TV shows, ranked from best to worst by user votes. After a strange, supernatural event occurs, she tries to find out the cause with the help of her adoptive parents, friends and a tattoo shop owner who just might be a superhero in disguise. Vote up the 1990s shows that center both Black stories and Black characters that were the best of the decade and see where the Black shows of the '90s you loved to watch rank. Naomi is a superhero drama from DC and the CW following a comic book-loving teenager who is also the host of a superhero fan website. One of the aha moments in the TV show is when Brandys real-life brother, Ray J, joins the series as Dorian, Franks nephew, writes The Grio. RELATED: The Central Park Five: The True Story Behind Netflix's Miniseries, 'When They See Us'. In the mood to catch up some great shows? Kim Cattrall Didn't See or Speak to Her Costars When Filming 'And Just Like That' Cameo, The 85 Best K-Dramas You'll Be Completely Hooked On, Selena Gomez Revealed Meryl Streep Is Joining 'Only Murders in the Building' Season 3, Sophia Brown on Joining the World of The Witcher: Blood Origin, 'Ginny & Georgia' Season 2: Everything We Know, The Cast of 'The Crown' Season 5: Your Guide. Will Smiths Bad Boys film partner Martin Lawrence was also at the helm of a very successful 90s sitcom. 1 A Different World. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. As I went through my preteen and oh-so-complicated teen years, it became harder for me to navigate the cultural differences that I had grown up with, and the ones I was now expected to know. Netflix owes us answers after that ending. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. What shows appear on this list of the best 1990s Black TV shows? Vote up the best shows that center both Black stories and Black characters and aired new episodes between 1990 and 1999. The 2020s In the '90s, Will Smith set a personal goal to become the "biggest movie star in the world." Today, he's an Oscar winner. The Best 1980s Black TV Shows - Ranker Original run:January 18, 1975 July 2, 1985, Starring:Isabel Sanford, Sherman Hemsley, Marla Gibbs,Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover, Paul Benedict. From 1990-1994, In Living Color had viewers laughing with a new take on sketch comedy thanks in part to the hilarious humor of The Wayans brothers. Lovecrafts best works. 52.29.142.31 The 1992 film stars Omar Epps, Tupac Shakur, Jermaine Hopkins and Khalil Kain as a group of friends growing up in Harlem, but things take an unexpected turn when they decide to rob a corner. Group Black's collective includes Essence , TheShadeRoom and Afro-Punk . What was your favorite black sitcom of the 90s? Original run:September 3, 2001 May 15, 2006, Starring:Kyla Pratt, Robert Ri'chard, Flex Alexander, Kelly Perine, Sicily Johnson. The three of them grapple with a broken system as aftershocks from the event ripple across their community. The rare spinoff that surpassed its original show (Carl and Harriette Winslow began as characters on Perfect Strangers), Family Matters became an all-time classic as one of the best representations of a Black family on TV, staking out their own beloved spot in the predominantly white primetime landscape of the '90s. But, like, the best and coolest one ever. Premise:After coming into a lot of money, the Jeffersons ditch Queens for a space in a high-rise in Manhattan. Premise: Estranged half sisters Mona (Rachel True) and Dee Dee (Essence Atkins) start bonding after they move in to the same apartment building, to the dismay of their moms, single Phyllis (Telma Hopkins) and second wife Big Dee Dee (Valarie Pettiford). The Magic School Bus. It's as lovely as well as laugh-out-loud funny as it sounds. Many of us have a binge-watching problem and can go through seasons of the best TV shows like it's nothing. Premise: At a party, South African teen Puleng (Ama Qamata) runs into Fikile, a rich girl whom she believes to be her long-lost older sister, who was abducted at birth. Tia and Tamera Mowry starred in this Parent Trap-style show, playing identical twins separated at birth. The show centered around six friends living in Brooklyn as they navigated love, friendship, sex and their careers. He graduated from Rutgers University (Go, R.U.! While I understand that you dont have to be white to enjoy Friends (My Filipino wife grew up loving the show), there was just something about it that didnt click with me. The four members of the former 90s band, Nasty Bitches, reunite to try and revive their careers in the hip hop world. I love everything about The Parkers. After the Jeffersons and the Huxtables in the '70s and '80s, a whole host . Original run:August 22, 1993 January 1, 1998, Starring:Queen Latifah, Kim Coles, Erika Alexander, John Henton, Kim Fields, Terrence 'T.C.' The show was at its best whenever Martin and Pam butted heads, which was always, or whenever Lawrence portrayed the loud and feisty Sheneneh Jenkins, who frequently gathered the group with her sharp quips, explains Ebony. Starring: Ama Qamata, Khosi Ngema, Thabang Molaba, Natasha Thahane, Dillon Windvogel, Arno Greeff. Premise: Boyz in the Hood director John Singleton helmed this crime drama about the Saint family, who navigate ways to make moneyduring the 1980scrack epidemicinSouth Central LA. Best Prime Day Dyson Deals: Get Up to 30% Off Vacuums & Air Purifiers, Skechers Sneakers Are Majorly On Sale Ahead of Amazon Prime Day, The Best Early Amazon Prime Day Deals on Sandals for Summer, The Best Early Prime Day Deals on Ring Video Doorbells to Shop Now, What to Stream in Honor of Black History Month, How Black Hollywood Has Used Its Platforms for Social Change. Sort by: View: 25 names 1. sitcom follows a hilarious crew of young friends living their best lives as young Black professionals in LA. She chooses the latter, and something happens that changes her forever. Premise: This gorgeous adaptation of Colson Whitehead's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel follows Cora (Thuso Mbedu), who escapes from slavery aboard a literal underground train system. The transition to this program nearly becoming the Steve Urkel Show was rapid. pic.twitter.com/aig2T1T3Py, whitebloom (@whitebloom07) August 14, 2020. The Chris Rock Show was another popular Black TV series that aired in the 1990s. For millennials, Kenan Thompson has always been a part of TV comedy culture -- from All That breakout star to SNL's longest-tenured cast member. Before he was an Oscar winner, Jamie Foxxco-created this WB show in which he starred as aspiring musician Jamie King, who worked at his family's Los Angeles hotel while trying to make it in the music industry. By Jean Bentley Jan 30, 2023 Hello again, Wisconsin! In celebration of Black History Month, ET has put together a guide, featuring some of our all-time favorite Black sitcoms. Blair Underwood Stephen J. Cohen/Getty Images 8. His on-off relationship with Gina Waters (Tisha Campbell-Martin) proved that true love does exist, but it doesn't come without a couple of mishaps. With Steve Urkel, Family Matters gave us one of the most iconic TV characters of the 90s. Cedric the Entertainer Leon Bennett/Getty Images 7. The show took place at a fictional black college, and actually addressed stuff like race, and even AIDS, back when those kinds of topics were taboo. A kid (Smith) from West Philadelphia moves in with his wealthy uncle Phil (James Avery) and crew in California at his mother's request. The five-season sitcom also featured recurring roles from famous faces like Nickelodeon star Kel Mitchell and Saved by the Bell's Lark Voorhies. Black Soap Stars Who Made Us Love Daytime TV | Essence Original run:April 5, 2012 April 19, 2018, Starring:Kerry Washington, Tony Goldwyn, Darby Stanchfield, Katie Lowes, Bellamy Young, Guillermo Diaz. 10 Best Black Male Actors In TV Dramas - Screen Rant The Cosby Sho w, quintessentially, struck a chord with audiences, showcasing an affluent African American family and breaking down barriers in popular culture.