Five Black 90's Sitcoms You Probably Forgot About

 

With so much content out there, some show's and movie's slip through the cracks of time and minds. For a variety of reasons, from show's not being given a chance to not being accessible anywhere in this digital age. Or honestly they weren't good enough to deserve to be remembered. With that in mind, I decided to focus on 5 sitcom's from the 90's with Black leads that no one remembers. 

Secret Diary of Desmond Pfeiffer

A product of it's time, I remember the promo's for the show and some of the controversy surrounding it. Although I was too young to know why there was outrage, but not fully understand it. I just know I never watched the show when it aired for it's very short life. Chi McBride starred as Desmond Pfeiffer, a U.K. transplant who serves as Abraham Lincoln's butler in the white house during the civil war era. The show only lasted 4 episodes before being cancelled and quickly disappearing from the minds of many.

Goode Behavior

During UPN's early years they did what any upstart would do, throw things at the wall and see's what stick. That's exactly what Goode Behavior likely was, starting Sherman Helmsley and Dorien Wilson. Helmsley played a recently paroled con artist who moves in with his son and his family, Dorein plays his son a college professor who is on the path to being promoted to Dean. I honestly don't remember this show, so I can't say whether it was funny or not. It only lasted one season so I'm going to guess no.

The Preston Episodes

After leaving In Living Color with the Wayans Family, David Allen Grier decided to branch out into the sitcom world on his own.  His first shot was htis 1995 Fox network sitcom, The Preston Episodes a English college professor who moves to Manhattan after a divorce. He take's a job as a caption writer for a gossip magazine and experiences a bit of a culture clash with his coworkers. The show flew under the radar as I don't remember it one bit, and it only lasted 8 episodes with two unaired episodes in the can. Which means it probably did not showcase Grier's talent that well.

Damon

Before creating and starring in the classic 2000's sitcom My Wife and Kid's, and now starring alongside his son Damon Jr. in the CBS sitcom Poppa's House. Damon Wayans first foray as a sitcom lead was this 1998 Fox network sitcom. Wayan's starred as a Chicago undercover cop alongside his brother Bernard played by David Allen Grier who is a rent-a-cop who want's to join the force. The sitcom featured Damon navigating his home and work life. It only lasted 13 episodes which is surprising considering the comedic geniuses involved in the show.

Arsenio

After his stint as the host of the Arsenio Hall Show, Arsenio kind of disappeared from the limelight for a few years. He returned to TV in 1997 in his own ABC sitcom alongside Vivica A. Fox as his wife. The sitcom followed Arsenio as a local Atlanta sports newscaster named Michael Atwood (why he wasn't named Arsenio is very asinine). The sitcom is a traditional concept following his home and work life and how to navigate both. To be honest outside of his legendary late-night show, I've never found him to be actually funny. So I'm not shocked his sitcom was cancelled after 7 episodes never to be seen again.

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The Pop Culture Icon That Was TGIF

 September 22nd, 2024 marks 35 years of TGIF, the ABC Friday night block of sitcoms that ran originally for 11 years ending in 2000. It was so successful though it was revived on two different occasions first in 2005 and again in 2018, but neither was nowhere near as successful as the original run.

TGIF which most people know as "Thank God It's Friday" was instead known in this instance as "Thank Goodness It's Friday". The 2 hour block is well known for gracing our screens with sitcoms such as Full House, Perfect Strangers, Family Matters, Hangin' With Mr. Cooper, Step By Step, Boy Meets World and the list goes on and on.

While rival network NBC had it's Thursday night block of sitcoms called Must See TV for the adults, TGIF was the place to be for everyone else. Especially as a kid during the 90's where on demand wasn't a thing, and the internet was in its infancy. Sitting in front of the TV watching those sitcoms was the place to be.

Oh man if my mom had errands to run and I had no choice but to tag along. I always mentioned TGIF comes on tonight, like I had any real control of anything lol. For most people it was a routine, order takeout after a long week of school or work sometimes both, visit Blockbuster to get a newly released movie for the weekend and get home before 8:00 pm.

The night usually started of the catchy TGIF theme song to get the mood right. The block would have cast members from the sitcoms being "hosts" for the night. With interstitial between commercials commenting on the line up for the night. They even had occasional crossover episodes between the sitcoms. Looking back some of the storylines and acting were definitely on the cheesy side a very 90's staple, but we as audiences cared about the characters in the sitcoms and not just for one or two shows, but usually all that aired in that block. 

When a sitcom on a different night wasn't successful but the network had hopes for it, they found a way to get it on Fridays. When ABC cancelled Family Matters and Step By Step, CBS scooped them up and kickoff their own Friday block of sitcoms, hoping to replicate the success of TGIF.

It's really hard to quantify in words just how much TGIF ruled back in the 90's. Even in the late 90's and early 2000's when it was starting to fade, it still had it's loyalist who tuned in to whatever was associated with that block. The heavy hitter sitcoms that were known for being on TGIF are still heavily played on syndication and streaming, which is a testament to how successful those shows were and the legacy of the block. 

It truly was a special time in TV land, and with the way networks and streaming services are now will never be replicated. TGIF was a pop culture icon and you had to be there to truly appreciate it. 

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Ten Shows You Forgot Were Apart Of TGIF

 It's 35 years of  TGIF, a staple for many families during the 90's. We all know sitcom classics like Full House, Family Matters, Perfect Strangers, and Boy Meets World that aired on the TV Block. TGIF ran for 11 years and to go along with those classics, there were a few duds. Then there were sitcoms, that weren't terrible but weren't necessarily great. Then there's one's you completely forgot aired on TGIF, here are ten sitcoms you may not remember being apart of the block.

10. Going Places

A standard yet interesting concept for a TV series Going Places followed four young Hollywood writers who share a house, while they try to make it. It starred Heather Locklear, Alan Ruck, and lesser known names but hey I know that face Jerry Levine and Hallie Todd (Lizzie Mcguire's mom). It debuted September 21, 1990 and lasted until March of 1991. It likely did not fit into the family themed sitcoms that were major successes for TGIF at the time. 

9. Just The Ten Of Us

Just The Ten Of Us was a ABC sitcom that actually debuted before TGIF was created. Debuting in 1988, it was a spin-off of Growing Pains that followed a couple as they raised their eight kids (damn eight kids). The father Graham Lubbock (Bill Kirchenbauer) is the gym teacher at the same catholic high school, his oldest daughters attend. Which of course bought it's own hijinks to the sitcom. It also starred Heather Lagenkemp who is best known from the Nightmare on Elm Street films as Nancy. The series actually lasted for 3 seasons, and was a staple in the sitcom rerun world of USA network back in the day. It just didn't sustain enough of a legacy to be remembered as being a part of TGIF.

8. Baby Talk

Loosely based on the hit film series Look's Who Talking, Baby Talk followed a few plot points with the film. The baby's name was Mikey, this time voiced by Tony Danza, his mother Maggie is a single mom as Mikey's father refused to leave his wife for her. That's pretty much where the similarities stopped, while George Clooney and later Scott Baio joined the cast, two different actresses portrayed Maggie over it's two seasons and I don't remember the show being very funny. Which is why it has become forgotten to time.

7. Where I Live

Where I Live starred Doug E. Doug followed Doug a typical teenager along with his best friends Reggie (Flex Alexander) and Malcolm (Shaun Baker) living in Harlem. Along with the clashes he experiences with his hardworking immigrant parents. It debuted as a mid-season replacement in March of 1993, but wasn't a ratings hit. It bounced around on days, but truly wasn't given a chance to make a statement on TGIF.

6. Odd Man Out

Odd Man Out debuted September 24, 1999 as TGIF was starting to lose it's gripe on pop culture. It starred Erik Von Detten as the only male in the house with his mom, aunt and three sisters. The series followed Von Detten's character Andrew, as he tries to be the man of the house while trying to get some teenage privacy in a house full of women. It only lasted 13 episodes, but being as though TGIF was in decline at the time it never stood a chance.

5. The Hughleys

Comedian D.L. Hughley finally got his own sitcom in the fall of 1998 with The Hughleys. Featuring D.L. as a vending machine entrepreneur raising his family in the suburbs. The first season was a huge success for ABC, the second season experienced a drop in ratings before it was cancelled, where the show was then picked up by UPN. Which I think is where most people remember watching it.

4. On Our Own

On Our Own debuted September 13, 1994 on TGIF and is best remembered for starring the Smollet siblings. Jurnee Smollet was best known for her appearances on Full House as Michelle's best friend Denise, while brother Jussie was best known for his role in the classic 1992 film Mighty Ducks. The other four siblings weren't known, but that didn't stop ABC from giving them their own sitcom. It featured the siblings, alongside Ralph Harris as their older brother Josh who are raising themselves since their parents passed. Josh dresses up in drag as a older aunt, to keep the hounds of child protective services away and splitting up the family. 

The series didn't catch on which is a shame because it actually had a strong message.

3. Two Of A Kind

A couple years after Full House ended, ABC decided to try and strike gold again with the Olsen twins. This time as twin sisters getting into mischief while their widowed dad and college professor Kevin tried to keep everything in order. Along for the ride is Carrie, a student of Kevin's at the university and babysitter to the twin's. The show wasn't horrible, but not sure it's what audiences wanted from the Olsen twins at the time. It debuted in September of 1998 and was cancelled in 1999 after one season. It played on Fox Family later ABC Family for a little in reruns, which is where most people probably discovered it.

2. Clueless

There is absolutely no question the 1995 film Clueless is a classic, it has held up to this day and if it's on and I'm busy I will watch it. After the mega success of the film, a TV series was developed and debuted September 20, 1996 on ABC. Stacey Dash, Donald Fasion, Elisa Donovan, Twink Caplan, and Wallace Shaw were the only main cast remembers to reprise their roles. While Sean Holland who had one scene in the movie, gained a bigger role. Rachel Blanchard took over the role of Cher.

The series followed in the footsteps of the movie, as the characters seemed even more clueless. It was a moderate success on TGIF, but was cancelled after two seasons. Then suddenly the repeats over the summer were ratings hits, and UPN picked the show up for two additional seasons. Then syndication followed, where even more people watched the show. Forgetting it's mild success all started on TGIF.

1. Sister, Sister

April 1, 1994 Sister Sister debuted on ABC in the TGIF block. We all know the story, two sisters separated at birth find each other in a mall and their respective single parents, agree to move in the same house and raise them jointly. The series ran for two seasons ABC, but was cancelled in 1995 when the new upstart WB network picked the series up and it found success. Running for a total of 6 seasons, most people probably saw the show on the WB network or in syndication, but it all started right on the historic block known as TGIF. 

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Roc Was A One Of A Kind Sitcom

 

Thanks to a page on IG called Baltimore History Channel, the page made a post of a few scenes from the early 90's sitcom Roc which sent me down a Roc rabbit hole. The sitcom debuted in 1991 on Fox during a time Black sitcoms were used to help the network gain footing against the big 3 networks. Looking back at clips and episodes it's clear Roc was a special sitcom and there has been nothing like it since.

The sitcom starred Baltimore native Charles Dutton as Roc Emerson, a Baltimore sanitation worker who lived in a traditional Baltimore rowhome with his family. His wife Eleanor (Ella Joyce) who was a nurse, his womanizing musician brother Joey (Rocky Carroll), and his retired widowed father Pops (Carl Gordon). Later on in the series Roc and family adopted a pre-teen girl named Sheila (Alexis Fields) and later the couple had a baby of their own. 

The series was catergorized as a sitcom, but truthfully it was dramedy that realized early it had a voice and a responsibility to bring awareness to various issues affecting the Black community. Subjects covered throughout the sitcoms run included sexual assault, HIV, hospital billing teen violence, gangs, and drug dealers contributing to the decline of the Black community. A drug dealer named Andre played by Clifton Powell was the focal point of several episodes, which is another reason Roc was Special. There were many story arcs in the series, covering multiple episodes. 

Bullying and teen violence was another hot topic the series covered. Which is my favorite episode of the series, Terrance Got His Gun guest starring Brandon Adams. Speaking of guest stars, along with Brandon Adams and Clifton Powell, Roc pulled in several prominent Black entertainers during the show's run. Names like Loretta Devine, Garrett Morris, Debbi Morgan, Richard Roundtree Jamie Foxx, Heavy D, Eddie Griffin, Kadeem Hardison, Tone Loc, En Vogue (who also did the intro for season 3). Samuel L. Jackson, Tisha Campbell, Kim Fields, Jennifer Lewis,Salli Richardson, Sinbad, James Avery by now you get the point.

Another component that made Roc stand out and special was that for season 2, thee entire season all 25 episodes were aired Live on Fox. The core cast all had backgrounds in theater and were up for the challenge and succeeded. Going back and watching the episodes you may notice a flub here and there but nothing that took you out of the series. 

Roc was a special series and it's a shame it only lasted 3 seasons, but in those short 3 seasons it provided audiences with something to think about. A masterpiece of television, it is still underrated 30 plus years later for not being a typical sitcom. However, it truly was a one of a kind special sitcom that was needed. 

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30 Years of Martin: My 10 Favorite Episode's

 Today marks 30 years of my favorite sitcom "Martin". Starring Martin Lawrence, the show was a cornerstone of upstart TV network Fox. With an unmatched chemistry from the cast, non stop laughs. These simple words define the show legendary, iconic, game changing. There will never be another sitcom like Martin.

I have seen every episode hundreds of time, even the lackluster fifth season. Heres my top 10 episodes.

10. Really Gina Is Not My Lover

This season 2 episode focuses on Martin attending his 10 year high school reunion, with a focus on getting back at everyone who did him wrong in high school. Including Ricky Fontaine "Pretty Ricky" what they called him. Martin's goal to show up everyone is interrupted when Gina fresh off of an allergic reaction shows up to stand by her man.

9. No Justice, No Peace

This season 2 episode sees Martin deciding to fight a traffic ticket in court on his own. What follows is a hilarious range of banter between Martin, his close pals, and even the judge. The two most iconic scenes in this episode are finding out what GTD stands for, and Martin pleading insanity and acting upon it to escape any charges. 

Everytime this episode is on I stop what I'm doing and watch it.

8. Suspicious minds

Season 2 episode Martin buys a brand new CD player that turns up missing. Martin then takes a Don't Trust Anybody approach and become's a detective interrogating his friends. Eventually taking inspiration from New Jack City, he call's a meeting with his friends in all black and his stuffed dog.

Which lead's to this scene that if you don't laugh you need to check your pulse. Even Thomas Ford who play's Tommy is trying his best to keep his composure together with Martin's antics.

7. I Don't Have The Heart

Pam dates a older very rich man and Martin reaps the benefits. While Gina feels the dynamics of the  relationship is off. This episode was a fun poke at people getting into relationships without really knowing the other person. Marrying for money, and having friends with deep pockets and connections opening up a new whole lifestyle for some.

Martin without him realizing him becomes a third wheel in the relationship. He almost has a nervous breakdown when he's loses access to the suite at the Pistons game.

6. Momma's Baby, Martin's Maybe

A little boy named Marvin shows up claiming Martin is his dad. Figuring out the math make's sense, Martin set's out to be the best dad he can be. Trying to make up for all those lost year's he did not know about Marvin. That is until he find's out Marvin isn't even his son, which lead's to this funny exchange about Arizona.

5. Blackboard Jungle Fever

Martin runs into his old grade school teacher Ms. Trinidad. Only to see Ms. Trinidad still has it going on all those years later, and she's willing to let Martin fulfill his childhood fantasies. Martin almost give's into the temptation that is until Gina walk's in on the both of them.

Martin's a bit remorseful about even getting in to the temptation, Ms. Trinidad still wants her prey, and Gina is out for blood. This is a certified season 1 classic.

4. Guard Your Grill

Martin takes winning a charity boxing event too far and feeling disrespected, decides to challenge Tommy "Hitman" Hearns to a charity boxing match. Despite all the training in the world, of course he is no match for Hearns. Leading up to this hilarious confrontation in the boxing ring, which Martin sustains some serious apperance altering bruises from.

3. The Night He Came Home

This season 1 Halloween episode has everyone in the spirit except for Martin who doesn't buy into it. What follows is a night of Martin finding out his apartment just maybe haunted by Old Man Ackerman, and his friends being victims of the ghost. Martin soon show's his bravado is all talk when more spirits come after him.

2. I've Got A Secret

This season 1 episode brings out some bad blood amongst the friends, when secrets they've all held about one another come to light. Everytime I watch this episode I laugh my ass off like it's my first time watching it. 

In classic he said, she said scenario. Martin spills the beans on-air about a secret tactic Pam uses to get what she wants at work. Which he would only from Gina, which open's pandora's box amongst the gang of them basically talking shit about each other to one another.

1. Hollywood Swingin 1 and 2

This two part episode featured Tommy Davidson as a highly successful Late night host Varnell Hill who inspires Martin to reach for more.

Originally I only had the second episode listed, that interruption of Jodecis live performance gets me everytime. When I thought about it the first episode is just as funny if not more. While the second episode has the Jodeci interruption and a hilarious beef between Martin and "Michael Jackson". 

The first episode of this two-parter includes a just as funny if not more funnier exchange, between Martin and Varnell during an interview. Martin and Tommy Davidson are even trying their best not to break character during this scene. The 2nd half of this scene also highlights the chemistry between the two comedic geniuses and their amazing comedic timing.

A show as iconic as Martin it was hard to narrow down my ten favorite episodes, but in my opinion if someone could only watch 10 episodes from the 5 seasons. This 10 will show just what made this show so special.

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30 Years Of Martin: 15 Of My Favorite Scenes

 In continuing to celebrate 30 years of my favorite sitcom ever, I decided to highlight 15 scenes that really have stood the test of time as funny to me. Originally this was only to suppose to contain 5 scenes, anyone who has watched Martin religiously like I have. Know's how hard it was hard to settle on just five.

So, originally I picked 10 and that wasnt enough. So here we are with a top fifteen list, but while the episodes themselves may have been funny these scenes just took it over the edge for me. I consider them more memorable than the episodes themselves.

15. "Old School Loving"

In this season 4 episode, Gina has been working an insane amount of hours making things happen at work. As such she hasn't really spent quality time with Martin, and he hasn't really been eating.

The eating part come's to a head when he link's up with Cole and Tommy at Nipsey's. While they indulge in good ol restaurant food, Martin tries to hold strong but eventually cave's in under pressure.

14. "Working Day And Night"

In this season 2 episode, Martin begins working multiple shifts at the station. When Gina objects to it, Martin let's Stan and the fella's get into his head about Gina dominating him. In true Martin fashion, he shows up at a dinner. Encouraging other Male patrons and encouraged by them buying into his B.S. he lead's a "revolt" and it always get's me, when he yell's "Yo Fella's Let's Be Out!!"

13. "Romantic Weekend"

I'll be honest I don't find this season 3 episode on "Chilligan's Island" that funny. What saves the episode  is the famous battle with the rat. Tichnia Arnold and Martin show that they were just as great at physical comedy as they were at delivering lines. It also snapshotted their relationship best, when needed they had one another's back but could quickly go back to cracking on one another. Needless to say they whipped that "puppy's" ass.

12. "Martin Returns"

The end of season 2 finds Martin leaving Gina and friends behind to find his way. The beginning of season 3 finds Martin as Shaquille Sunflower. He's all philosophical now and it's all on display in the second episode of that season. During a conversation with Cole and Tommy, Martin makes so many philosophical comparisons that have nothing to do with the situation really, but are funny as hell.

11. "Ain't Nuttin Going On But The Rent"

Season 3 episode "Ain't Nuttin Going On But The Rent". It's a blizzard outside,there's no food in the house, no heat and Martin refuses to "pay the five". While waiting for Cole to come back with food, the gang hears a knock on the door. On the other side is none other than Hustle Man selling "free range" chicken, and offering his recipe to Gina who totally buys into his foolisness.

10. "Do The Fight Thing"

Gina is a guest on Martin's radio show in this season 1 episode. Stan convinces the two to make it permanent which Martin isn't feeling. He decides to leave Gina hanging and when she cracks under pressure, a caller gets disrespectful with her. Martin comes to the rescue and cusses the caller out full of all kinds of bleeps. While funny this episode displayed just how much they had one another's backs.

9. "Come Over To My Place"

Cole comes to the determination he needs his own spot in this season 5 episode. Which the highlight for me is the scene where he casually walks in Martin's apartment. Martin remarks to Cole to remind him to whip Cole ass later. Cole pulls out a notepad to schedule it. The way those two non chalantly discuss the timing of the ass whipping, like it's normal has me in tears everytime.

8. "Arms Are For Hugging"

This episode from season 2 follows Martin and Gina headed to the mountains for a weekend at a couple s retreat. Honestly thinking about it, this episode is easily top 15, but what really takes the cake in this episode is when a fellow retreater labels Martin "an angry man". Martin responds with a comeback and look that only Martin could. 

7. "Lockin' Boots"

This season 3 episode features Gina getting a boot on her car, and trying to keep it from Martin. Martin upon learning she doesn't have it sends her on a wild goose chase across the city for random things. After coming clean, Gina get's her payback in this scene dressing Martin in too small clothing "Air Wack".

6. "The Tooth Will Set You Free"

Turn's out enemies often are just alike, in this season 4 episode Pam is hypnotized while getting a tooth removed. She's end up under a spell to be more like Martin, and more like Martin she becomes during an high class art show. The scene at the art gallery is even more hilarious once Martin and Gina realize Pam is under hypnosis, Marvin loves it while Gina can't handle two of the same personalities, especially as they clear out the gallery.

5. "Get A Job"

I believe this season 3 episode is the first appearance of Hustle Man. As he attempts to swindle Martin for a pizza, Tommy pays for the pizza and pulls out a wad of money. Everyone knows Tommy ain't got no job, so Martin heads down the rabbit hole of what he does in this episode.

The highlight is Hustle Man's line which I always quote "We go back like spinal cords and car seats".

4. "Martin I Want To Sing"

This is by far the funniest Hustle Man scene ever, as well as one of the series all time funniest. This season 4 episode features Martin ever the opportunist, taking a young singer under his wing as her manager.

While he tries to secure a record deal for her. Hustle Man is at the same label trying to secure a deal. Saxophone in tow, he performs his catchy tune "Pick Up The Pieces"

3. "The Closer I Get To You"

Martin fill's in as the talk show host at his job and help's a couple rekindle their love in this season 3 episode. He spend's the remaining episode giving out relationship advice as The "Love Doctor" even being responsible for Pam and Tommy connecting, which he isn't aware of. Man when he find's out this scene is one for the ages.

2. "Fat Like Dat"

In this season 2 episode, Martin feeling less of a man after not being able to sustain working out in a majority female class. Decides to go on a strict diet and workout regiment, Gina not being able to sustain the lifestyle anymore. Use's some good ol' homecooking and his Momma's biscuits to break him down, and in this funny ass scene break down indeed he does.

1. "Your Arms Are Too Short To Box With Martin"

Episode 24 of Season 1 Tommy, Cole, and Martin are jumped by midgets during the early part of the episode. This episode has several zinger of jokes and is easily a top fifteen as well. After being jumped the gang decides they need to learn how to protect themselves better, and enlist the services of Dragon Fly Jones. This scene show's just how good of a comedian Martin Lawrence is with his delivery and his body language.

Dragon Fly Jones is a supposed master of the martial arts, but his pupil overpowers him at every step of the way. I crack up everytime I watch this scene, and it seem's Martin ad-libbed a lot of his movements during filming, as Carl Anthony Payne who plays Cole can be seen in the background trying his hardest not to laugh. This is my favorite scene in the history of Martin, even topping the Jodeci scene.

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