2019 is coming to an end and with that the 2010’s is ending
as we push toward the 2020’s. The 2010’s bought some quality television shows
to the masses, through traditional network and cable television and the new method
of watching entertainment streaming media. For the culture these television
shows were relatable, provided a voice when messages needed to be heard, and at
times were just flat out entertaining. Here are ten TV shows of the 2010’s I
think were the top of the heap for the culture.
10. Carmichael
Show
Debuting in
2015 on NBC, this comedy starring Jerrod Carmichael, Tiffany Haddish, Lil Rel,
Loretta Devine, and David Alan Grier. This comedy was unapologetically Black,
funny, politically aware of the current climate in America. It also made
comedic situations of life occurrences you may expect could have funny
undertones. Episode topics such as confronting death, changing eating habits as
you grow older, religion, Black lives matter, gentrification, even touched on
cancel culture with an episode around still supporting Bill Cosby or not. The
show ended in 2017 after a few disputes between Jerrod and NBC, sadly there
were a couple more seasons left in the tank. Underrated and honestly slept on
by many, if you’ve never seen the Carmichael Show it’s available on Hulu.
9. Greenleaf
“Greenleaf” debuted in 2016 on OWN (Oprah Winfrey
Network). The series follows the leaders of a Megachurch, Bishop James Greenleaf
played by a ninja that always looks like he’s up to something Keith David, and
his first lady Mae Greenleaf played by the always classy Lynn Whitfield. Their
family and church congregation contain a lot of secrets and scandals that
unfold over the series 4 seasons. Greenleaf touches upon a section of the Black
community, many often talk about but don’t highlight much. The influence of megachurch’s,
“celebrity” preachers, and the issues that exist within the confines of those
walls. If you enjoy a good drama with some scandal thrown in check out Greenleaf.
A fifth season will premiere sometime
next year.
8.Empire
Created by Lee Daniels and starring Terrence
Howard, Tariji P. Henson, Bryshere Gray, and Jussie Smollet. This Fox drama
debuted in 2015, and was an instant hit. A combination of soap opera and musical
drama this series followed music mogul Lucious Lyon (Terrance Howard), and the
exploits of his family and record label. The series fired on all cylinders in
the first few seasons, having guest appearances from various musical artists,
and a hit soundtrack to boot. The series is now in it’s sixth season and has jumped
the shark as far as content, in addition to the Jussie Smollet scandal
earlier this year. Empire has seen better days but it definitely left a mark on
the culture this decade.
7. Atlanta
The brainchild
of Donald Glover, this series debuting in 2016 on FX is unlike any other series
currently on television. It follows down on his luck Earn (Donald Glover) who
goes about life just trying to make it, with his cousin local rapper Paper Boi
(Brian Tyree Henry), and homeboy Darius (Lakeith Stanfield). The series has a
very surreal vibe to it, including invisible cars and revolving nightclub
doors. Had some very Black moments, such as an episode where Earn wiggles his
way out of paying for a expensive dinner, and an episode featuring a barber
that does everything but cut hair. It also had a genius episode in the first
season satiring the medias portrayal of the Black community through the lens of
a talk show, with accompanying commercials. Donald's a bit busy these days. The series third and fourth seasons
are on the horizon, scheduled to begin filming in early 2020.
6. Power
The series that put Starz original programs on HBO
levels, Power debuted in 2014. Starring Omari Hardwick, Joseph Sikora, and Naturi
Naughton. The series follows Omari Hardwick as James St. Patrick better known
as Ghost. A drug dealer turned legitimate businessman who is constantly in
conflict with which life he wants to live. Along the way he encounters numerous
foes with his best friend/brother turned on again off again enemy Tommy (Joseph
Sikora) and Kanan (50 Cent). Power was a highly anticipated show every season,
and every week the previous episode was heavily discussed while looking forward
to the next one. 2020 brings the last 5 episodes of the series and no matter
which way it goes; it will be highly debated.
5. How To Get Away With Murder
I admit I have never watched a episode of “How To Get
Away With Murder”, however the series starring Viola Davis and produced by
Shonda Rhimes definitely left it’s mark on the culture. Debuting in 2014 on
ABC, the series involves a lawyer Annalise Keating (Viola Davis) who’s involved
in a murder and is always caught up in some shit related to the murder. The story involves a lot of twist and turns, when each episode airs you cannot escape the chatter around the show. It's talked about on social media and water coolers across the country. Now in it’s sixth and final
season How To Get Away With Murder left it’s mark on the culture, just as the
next series on the list.
4. Scandal
Starring Kerry Washington and created by Shonda
Rhimes. “Scandal” debuted in 2012 on ABC and followed Olivia Pope (Kerry
Washington) as a high-powered Washington D.C. crisis manager. She fixes a lot of
crises that arise in political circles in D.C., while being involved in quite a
few herself namely her affair with the President of the United States Fitzgerald
Grant (Tony Goldwyn). The show ran for seven seasons ending in 2018, and
despite creating “Greys Anatomy” really was the series that raised Shonda
Rhimes status. Many aspired to be like Olivia Pope and through reruns, she will
likely inspire generations to come to hop into the crisis’s management field.
3. Insecure
Issa Rae started the decade on YouTube with her web
series “Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl” and ended the decade a bonafide star. Starring in films, being a creative mastermind, and being included on numerous “one’s to watch” list,
all of the praise she received was amplified by her 2016 HBO series “Insecure”.
Starring Issa as a 30 something LA resident who life hasn’t quite gone to plan,
whether in her work life or personal life. The show is very relatable to
members of the Millennial generation male or female with the current landscape
of life. Being a Millennial I feel like it’s one the first television series
that accurately addressed some of the issues Millennials face. Like “Atlanta”, “Insecure”
has been renewed for a fourth season but due to Issa’s hectic schedule has not yet commenced
filming.
2. Snowfall
Created by the late John Singleton this FX series
debuted in 2017 and chronicled the origins of the crack epidemic in 1980’s Los
Angeles. The series follows main character Franklin Saint (Damson Idris) and
his rise through the drug business from a naïve small-time dealer to a kingpin. The series also covers how crack destroyed families and neighborhoods, drug
distributors and their role and federal agents assigned to fight the war on
drugs, and the games they play. Snowfall will be returning for a fourth season
and after the ending of season 3, I’m looking forward to where Franklins story
heads next.
1. 1. Blackish
Debuting in 2014 on ABC, Blackish was
originally perceived as a Cosby show for the 2010’s. Mannn the series has
turned out to be even more then that. Starring Anthony Anderson and Tracee
Ellis-Ross, Blackish follows the Johnson Family Dre (Anthony Anderson) and
Rainbow (Tracee Ellis-Ross). A highly successful upper middle-class Black
couple raising their four later five children in a life of privilege, while
still ensuring they appreciate their “blackness”. Blackness has had educational
episodes and has not shied away from controversial topics on the series, having
episodes focus on the “N” word, police brutality, being biracial, the existence
of God, and Juneteeth. It also famously had a episode
pulled due to a controversal topic that caused a rift between ABC and series
creator Kenya Barris The series has spawned two spin-off series “Grownish” and “Mixed-ish”
and now in it’s sixth season has created it’s own legacy and will be enjoyed by
many for years to come.
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