In the October 2007 issue of Ebony there's an interesting article by Bryan Monroe that attempts to choose the Top 25 Black TV Shows of all time.
The Ebony editors looked at over 100 shows over 60 years of television. Some of the shows that didn't make it were Room 222, The Mod Squad, Julia, That's My Mama and Being Bobby Brown. Readers also weighed in on www.ebonyjet.com
And now, the envelope please:
1-The Cosby Show
2-A Different World
3-Living Single
4-The Jeffersons
5-In Living Color
6-The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
7-Sanford and Son
8-Martin
9-Good Times
10-Soul Train
11-Girlfriends
12-Soul Food
13-The Bernie Mac Show
14-227
15-Showtime At The Apollo
16-What's Happening
17-The Steve Harvey Show
18-Grey's Anatomy
19-Amen
20-New York Undercover
21-Fame
22-Roc
23-The Flip Wilson Show
24-The Jamie Foxx Show
25-Diff'rent Strokes and Family Matters (tie)
Top 3 Black Talk Shows or Daytime Shows
1-The Oprah Winfrey Show
2-The Arsenio Hall Show
3-Judge Mathis
Top 3 Black Animated Shows
1-Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids
2-The Jackson 5ive
3-The Boondocks
The only beefs I have with the list is that Julia should have been on it, The Flip Wilson Show should have been ranked much higher than number 23, and I think Martin should have been ranked much lover than number 8. I don't think it's the same quality level as A Different World, The Cosby Show, Living Single or The Jeffersons.But then again, I'm just now finding out about this poll.
Gotta renew my subscription to Ebony ;)
Hi Monica,
ReplyDeleteIf Grey's Anatomy is on the list, then what about St Elsewhere with Denzel Washington and Hill Street Blues and ER with Eric LaSalle and many others. Also I'm not happy that the Boondocks is on the list, to me it's just a half hour of the N word.
But I think the greatest omission besides I Spy and another comedy with Bill Cosby where he played a PE teacher (I can't remember the name) Is the Nat King Cole Show. As far as I know it was the first Show ever hosted by an African American. That's a pretty big deal to have missed it.
Ms. Deaux,
ReplyDeleteYou're right. Without The Nat King Cole Show, Flip Wilson doesn't get his in the early 70's.
Julia was the first show that featured an African-American woman in a lead role. It was 'Must See TV' when I was growing up along with The Flip Wilson Show.
I came across your page from a link on another blog. Anyhoo... to address the 1st comment, Grey's Anatomy is on the list because its creator, executive producer, and part-time writer is Shonda Rhimes, a black woman. That's what sets it apart from the other shows listed in the 1st comment. Just thought i'd add my 2 cents.
ReplyDeleteRoc was one of the most superbly written and acted television shows of all-time and, given time, would have blazed a path of authentic original African American programming. It's place on this list is hurt by its short run but it's quality should net it more respect.
ReplyDeleteAnd though not a network show, there is no television program in last 10 years that can touch the Wire on HBO. It opens a realistic window into the Black experience in America.
Other then the PJ's that was omitted from the list for obvious reasons, is there any other black cartoons out there? The Boondocks has earned it's place. Even if it says the N- Word, God how I loathe that word, the fact remains that it is funny, well written and excellently drawn. It reaches a multicultural fan base that others haven't done yet and gives you something to talk about each episode.
ReplyDeleteYeah, the Proud Family
ReplyDelete