Black History Month: Best Black TV Shows of All Time?
These are the television shows we have welcomed into our home long after the shows have ended. Though fictional, these families have become our families, these stories have become our stories. Not only have these shows made us laugh and taught us a thing or two about life, but most of these television shows crossed cultural and color boundaries by succeeding both here in the U.S. and abroad. These are the shows we continue to watch in the land of reruns, and these are our picks for the best African American shows of all time.
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The Cosby Show
For eight seasons, nearly everyone wanted to be a member of the Huxtable family, as we saw them grow up and go through quirky family situations. TV Guide called the show “TV’s Biggest Hit in the 1980‘s,” and the show set the bar for every other African American television show that followed.
The Jeffersons
George’s loud-mouthed opinions and Louise’s open-mindedness won audiences over for years, but the show also tackled serious issues such as racism and suicide. The All in the Family spinoff lasted for 11 seasons, making The Jeffersons one of the longest-running sitcoms in television history.
In Living Color
Classic skits, hilarious characters and the Fly Girls made the sketch comedy show from Keenen Ivory Wayans a hit throughout the country. Not only did it make the Wayans family a household name, but it also helped Jim Carrey and Jennifer Lopez launch their careers.
Family Matters
Who can forget Urkel? Steve Urkel is one of the most recognizable TV characters of all time, and Family Matters is the third longest-running U.S. sitcom with a predominately African American cast, clocking in with 215 episodes.
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Will's West Philly street smarts made him unstoppable in this classic sitcom about a kid from the wrong side of the tracks who moves in with his wealthy relatives. It also spawned the most beloved theme song of all time.