Barbershop The TV series: Gone Too Soon

 

 In the early 2000's a sleeper hit film starring Ice Cube, Eve, and Cedric the Entertainer, made people laugh, made money at the box office, and spawned a film franchise. That film was 2002's Barbershop (hard to believe that was 23 years ago), which spawned 2004's Barbershop 2: Back In Business. A belated sequel in 2016's Barbershop 3: The Next Cut. The 2005 spin-off starring Queen Latifah Beauty Shop.

And a TV series you either forgot about or never knew existed. Today is the 20th anniversary of that show called Barbershop The Series. A continuation of the film series, minus some minor adjustments all of the characters from the films were included in the show. With Omar Gooding taking over Ice Cube's role as Calvin.

It aired on Showtime for 10 episodes and had potential. Yeah some of the jokes didn't land or were outright corny, and the chemistry of the cast wasn't as good as the films. However with the ability to really spend time with the individual characters. It helped draw attention just to what the Barbershop means to the Black community.

Therapy sessions, shit talkin, relationship advice, world issues and how to fix them. You name it and its bought up in a barbershop. And the series touched on these and other areas of discussion. Unfortunately the show just didnt land and connect with audiences enough to gain traction.

Which was a shame, especially for me. My grandfather owned his own Barbershop for forty plus years and my brother is a barber. I grew up around the Barbershop and heard many interesting stories there. And could relate to the dynamics of the crew at the shop.

 I wish this short lived show had been given a chance to find its footing and build on the franchises legacy. Maybe it was just a little ahead of its time? 

It's a crime though that it did not get to explore more the strength, the wisdom, and history that comes out of a Barbershop in more detail. Prime Video recently ordered an updated series for the franchise, hopefully that finds the audience it deserves.