We’ve all been there—super excited about a newly touted “Black” show with a notable Black cast, only to be let down when we finally have the opportunity to view it. Whether the show contained grossly inaccurate portrayals of Black people, watered-down replications of Black culture, or gratuitous explanations of cultural phenomena and expressions, it’s often more than obvious that while these shows were made about us, they weren’t made for us. Looking through the show’s writing credits further confirms our suspicions—shows being marketed to us, aren’t even being written by us! While looking for accurate and reliable Black representation on television can be exhausting, not all hope is lost. Here are three television shows that are by us, for us and Black AF.
“Abbott Elementary”, 2021 (ABC)
The brand new mockumentary-style comedy show starring, created, and written by Quinta Brunson premiered on ABC on Dec. 7 to favorable reviews and has already broken comedy rating records for its network. Brunson, who initially rose to prominence on social media with her Instagram series “Girl Who Has Never Been on a Nice Date” and later worked on other notable projects including Netflix’s animated adult comedy “Big Mouth” and HBO’s “Black Lady Sketch Show”, plays the show’s main character, second-grade teacher Janine Teagues. The show follows Teagues as she navigates her second year teaching at the grossly underfunded, mismanaged and primarily Black Abbott Elementary, a product of the Philadelphia School System.
The show is a breath of fresh air for a major network with its vetted majority Black cast and hilarious yet accurate depiction of the happenings in Black inner-city schools. The all-star cast includes the likes of Sheryl Lee Ralph (“Moesha”) who portrays Mrs. Howard, the perfect archetype of the “no-nonsense old school teacher with a big heart” that we’ve all encountered at some point in our lives, and weary yet caring substitute teacher Mr. Greg, played by Tyler James Williams (“Everybody Hates Chris”), whose youthfulness, experience and presence as a Black male teacher helps him connect with his students on a different level. As a comedy tour-de-force, the show is full of Black cultural references such as linguistic lessons based on Philly AAVE, history lessons based on roasting and allusions to prominent Black figures. Furthermore, besides simply being comedic, the show is heartwarming as well and provides viewers with insightful knowledge of how we can do better by our teachers and students in this country.
“Run the World”, 2021 (Starz)
From the creator of the iconic Black television series “Living Single”, Harlem meets “Sex in the City” in this hilarious scripted television show that follows the lives and friendships of four Black women living in the Big Apple. Told from the unique vantage point of each main character, Renee (Bresha Webb), Whitney (Amber Stevens), Sondi (Corbin Reid) and Ella (Andrea Bordeaux), the show explores the intertwining of their personal and professional lives.
As the show’s logline reads, “At its core, it’s an unapologetically female show about enviable friendship and not only surviving –but thriving together,” and the main premise of the show
is just as interesting as each main character’s plotline. Renee is navigating the dichotomy of progress in her professional career as an advertising specialist and failure in her personal life as she proceeds through a divorce with the potential to leave her in financial ruin. Whitney is preparing to get married to her college sweetheart Ola and the only love she’s ever known, but the extreme pressures of her job as a banking executive and a chance encounter with a stranger threaten her relationship. Sondi is an African American Studies doctoral student currently entangled in an illicit relationship with her professor and advisor that could put both of their academic careers in jeopardy. Lastly, reeling from being dropped by her publisher after her last novel failed to do well, Ella is biding her time as a columnist for a gossip blog while an old flame that left her scorned returns to her life, spelling out definite trouble. The show is an absolute must-watch. The cinematography, wardrobe, soundtrack and writing all culminate to create a refreshing portrayal of Black women that is rarely seen on television.
“South Side”, 2019 (HBO)
Originally airing on Comedy Central, HBO’s comedy sitcom “South Side” is hands down one of—if not the best—scripted comedy series to come out in recent years. True to its title, the series is set on the South Side of Chicago in Englewood and follows best friends Simon and Kareme who have just graduated from community college and are ready to chase their dreams in business and astrology respectively but are stuck biding their time between working at Rent-T-Own and coming up with side hustles. The pair go on hilarious escapades repoing items from customers late on payments, selling Viagra to senior citizens, starting a pseudo catering business to sell knockoff mild sauce meatballs, using faulty cryptocurrency to invest in hair products that attract bats and much much more. Besides just Simon and Kareme, the show shifts its focus to other hilarious characters as well, including mildly corrupt police officers Brenda and Goodnight, other employees at Rent-T-Own and inept local alderman Allen Gayle.
What makes the show truly stand out is its unparalleled authenticity. You can thank the show’s creators, sibling duo and native Chicagoans Sultan and Bashir Salahuddin, for that. Few shows compare to South Side’s dedication to portraying Chicago accurately. References to specific streets, high schools, gangs, notorious landmarks and Eddy Curry, as well as guest appearances from Chicago-born celebrities such as Lisa Raye McCoy, Dreezy and Chance the Rapper are sure to resonate with anyone from Chicago. Moreover, the show is a rare portrayal of life that is 100% from a Black perspective and chock-full of cultural euphemisms that if you get, you get and if you don’t, you don’t.