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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5 Random Sitcoms Set In Baltimore

 

When it come's to sitcoms the most well known sitcoms set in Baltimore are Roc, One on One and spin-off series Cutz. There have been a few sitcoms that were set in the charm city, many of them truly obscured. Once I went down the rabbit hole, I will admit most of these sitcoms I've never seen or heard of. In the spirit of sharing knowledge, even it's information you absolutely do not need. Here are 5 sitcoms based in Baltimore.

5. In The Beginning

This sitcom is probably the legendary Norman Lear's biggest sitcom failure in his storied career, next to another Baltimore based sitcom he created in the 70's Hot l Baltimore. Released in September 1978 on the CBS network, the sitcom followed Mclean Stevenson as an uptight conservative priest Father Clearly, who is assigned to an inner-city parrish. He experiences a bit of a culture clash and frequently butt's heads with a nun who is more liberal minded named Sister Agnes, portrayed by Priscilla Lopez.

The sitcom managed to only air 5 episodes, with the remaining four never to be seen. The most footage available for this sitcom is the opening intro, but beyond that nothing on this series.

4. The Ellen Burstyn Show

Looking this sitcom up, I'll be honest I only knew Ellen Burstyn as the grumpy neighbor in the Baby-sitters Club movie from the mid-90's. Watching clips of the sitcom, I also got the feeling this was inspiration for a sitcom that would premiere just a couple years later in Murphy Brown. Debuting in September 1986 on ABC, the series followed Ellen as she handled being a college professor and dealing with her busy body mother, her daughter who is getting over a divorce and her active grandson.

This sitcom did not last either, it was cancelled after eight episodes and then bought back the following year to run through the remaining episodes. 12 episodes aired, with only one never making it on-air. The biggest success story from this sitcom is probably Megan Mullally of Will & Grace fame.

Family Rules

This UPN sitcom debuted in 1999 and was an outlier of what the target audience was for the network at the time in the sitcom realm. The sitcom starred Greg Evigan as a widowed dad, raising his four daughters in Baltimore. He is the basketball coach at a university called....Morgan College, and that's probably the most Baltimoreish connection the series creates. The show was a mid-season replacement and survived for one full month, before catching the axe. No wonder no one remembers it, or that it was set in Baltimore.

Life's Work

Life's Work was a sitcom ABC that debuted in September of 1996 and lasted for only 18 episodes. It starred Lisa Ann Walter (Melissa in Abbott Elementary) as a assistant district attorney in Baltimore. Juggling the demanding job and home life of being a wife, and mother to a young daughter and toddler son. The sitcom was intended to be the next breakout sitcom of a stand up comic but it never caught on to get that far.

I don't remember this series at all, a promo clip on YouTube includes a rendering of the Inner Harbor to help drive the fact it is set in Baltimore. 

True Colors 

This Fox sitcom lasted the longest of the forgotten Baltimore sitcoms stables, it debuted in the fall of 1990 and ended in '92. The season were broken up so it really only had 2 seasons for a total of 45 episodes The sitcom starred Frankie as widowed dentist Ronald Freeman, who meets Stephanie Faracy's character Ellen, the two soon elope and blend their families together. Ronald had two teenage boys, while Ellen had a daughter and her mother who did not approve of a interracial marriage to bring into the fold.

In season 2 Frankie was replaced by Cleavon Little of Blazing Saddles fame. Cleavon was battling some health issues during this time, along with Nancy Walker who played Ellen's mom Sara. Fox cut the show from under it's leg's and cancelled it early in it's season 2 run.

There are a few full length episodes on YouTube, along with promo videos and the original intro.

I'm sure there are more sitcoms set in Baltimore and I may revisit this topic. Until then, maybe time a new sitcom rises to show Baltimore some love.

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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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Subscribe To The Upshaws

 

The Upshaws is one Netflix’s latest hit sitcoms starring Mike Epps, Kim Fields, and Wanda Skyes. A big hit for the streaming service, season 2 release date has been announced as June 29th and the episode order has been increased from 10 episodes to 16.

Now I will admit, at first I was hesitant to watch the series with initial plans of not watching it at all. I find Mike Epps style of comedy to be very hit or miss. After some persistent nagging by my sister to watch it, I finally watched it and really enjoyed the show.

The Upshaws are your typical family with some extra circumstances to round their life. Mike Epps character Bennie and his wife Regina played by Kim Fields have three kids together. Bennie also has a child with another woman from when he and Regina were “on break”. Wanda Skyes plays Regina’s sister Lucretia. Bennie and Lucretia don’t like one another and have no problems displaying it, but they also won’t allow anyone else to disrespect the other.

The series features common topics such as blended families, coming out of the closet, parenting while returning to school, children trying to grow up too fast, keeping an open dialogue in a relationship and much more into its 10-episode order. I can't wait for next season to pick up from that bombshell cliffhanger season 1 gave us.

Bennie and Lucretia individual personalities and how they interact remind me of relatives, and I’m sure once you watch it you’ll feel the same way. Those two characters are thee highlight of the show. If you have not yet watched it. Binge it real quick and get prepared for season 2. 

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Subscribe To Grand Crew

 

Without question Abbott Elementary is the best new comedy on TV right now, but dont sleep on another freshman sitcom Grand Crew. Grand Crew is one of NBC’s newest ensemble comedies. Like most sitcoms it follows a group of friends navigating life and their different situations, while relying on one another. I’ll admit it took me a couple of episodes to enjoy Grand Crew and “get” it’s type of humor, which is probably the driest of dry humor. At least to me though, it secretly is a genius program.

The center of these groups of friends is Noah played by Echo Kellum of “Arrow” fame. Noah wants nothing more than to be in a relationship, and he looks to romantic comedies for inspiration which is hilarious. He is a walking romantic comedy encyclopedia, which is a ununsual character trait but is something a person in real life probably has that same quirk. His crew is rounded out by his sister Nicky (Nicole Byer), Wyatt (Justin Cunningham), Sherm (Carl Tart), and Anthony (Aaron Jennings). All working through their own issues but also making things work.

The show has covered some topics I don’t think have been talked about on TV yet. Such as the effects of letting another grown man see you cry, navigating political differences when you’re dating and really into a person. How being a vegan can be looked down upon within the Black community, especially from the older generation. As well as  being a kept house husband just to name a few. Wyatt is perfectly content being a house husband because of his friends constantly lamenting about the lackluster dating scene. A frequent comment I've heard from single people I know, which makes the show even more relatable. 

Take the time to check out Grand Crew, it comes on NBC Tuesdays at 8:30 and can be watched on the NBC App, Peacock, and Hulu. 

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Subscribe To Abbott Elementary

 

Abbott Elementary is ABC’s newest hit comedy, a mockumentary style sitcom similiar to The Office and Scrubs. Starring Quinta Brunson, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Tyler James Williams amongst the ensemble cast. The sitcom follows these characters as they navigate teaching at one of Philadelphia’s poorest schools, making the best of a tough situation..

I’ll admit I was a little late to the Abbott Elementary party. I think I started watching on episode 3, I heard people mentioning how good it was. My wife finally nudged me enough to watch it and the word of mouth that it was funny was absolutely correct. The show has potential to be a must watch for years to come, and maybe a classic one day.

One of the highlights of the show to me, is Principal Coleman played by Janelle James. To be perfectly honest Principal Coleman ain’t shit and doesn’t really care about much besides herself. It’s hilarious how oblivious she is to real issues going on at the school while she set's out to make herself look good all the time. I can’t forget school custodian Mr. Johnson (William Stanford Davis) he’s at the point in his career where he just doesn’t care and will say whatever comes to mind. Lisa Ann Walter and Chris Perfetti play their roles to perfection as well. Perfetti as Mr. Hill the socially woke white teacher in everything he touches is hilarious as well.

If you haven’t tuned into Abbott Elementary, don’t miss the boat and check it out. It come’s on Tuesdays at 9:00 pm and you won’t be disappointed.

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Subscribe To Kenan

 

NBC sitcom “Kenan” starring a legend amongst 90’s kids and a future comedy legend period Kenan Thompson is a sitcom I didn’t know I needed. I honestly didn’t feel one way or another about the show, if I checked it out I checked it out and if I didn’t I didn’t. Well I’m here to say I am glad I checked it out.

Just kicking off its second season. Kenan stars of course as a fictionalized version of himself, a local Atlanta TV morning show host raising his two daughters while grieving his wife’s recent passing. Helping him raise his daughters are his brother/manager and his father-in-law played by Don Johnson (of Miami Vice and Nash Bridges fame). A casting choice I certainly didn’t expect to work that does.

What I liked most about the series is that Kenans grieving is an arc within the show. He has a hard time admitting just how much he is hurting, is keeping upbeat as possible for his daughters, and every move he makes he has his wife in mind. The series gets big points for  portraying a Black man as a good damn father doing everything possible not to let his kids down.

It does fall into some sitcom traps, but what sitcom doesn’t? If you’re looking for a good-hearted series with some laughs, Kenan is your show.

The show currently airs on Monday's on NBC. The first season is only 10 episodes. The second season is 5 episodes in. Perfect for a weekend binge during this time of year. You can find it on the NBC app, Hulu, and Peacock so go ahead and subscribe to Kenan.

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