Best Black TV Shows of All Time
You’ve made it to the TV viewing age, which makes you eligible to check out the best Black TV shows of all time. This list provides a great selection of television series that truly stand out for storylines, characters, dialogues, and many other aspects. Some of these shows are memorable for their comedic elements, while others are more of a dramatic series. Whether you are looking for a good laugh, a gripping drama, or a lighter feel-good show, this list should have something for you. Check out all these great Black TV shows of all time.
Golden Age of African-American Television
The 1960s kicked off a golden age of African-American-driven TV shows. During this time period, many of the shows featured African-American characters as leading roles instead of just side characters in the background. Here are some of the classic ground-breaking Black TV shows of this era:
• Amos ‘n’ Andy: This show was one of the first on television to feature African-Americans in the starring roles. It featured two main characters, Amos Jones and Andy Brown, who were best friends and roommates in the city of Manhattan.
• I Spy: Starring Bill Cosby and Robert Culp, this show was revolutionary at the time since it featured a Black man and White man as “equal” partners. The show revolved around the two of them being international spies.
• My Two Sons: While this show was only on the air for a brief period of time, it is still remembered as one of the first TV shows to feature a Black family as the main characters. William Demarest played the father character, while the two sons—portrayed by cast members Gary Collins and Bishope.
• Julia: Just three years after the civil rights act of 1965, actress Julius “Julia” Baker became the first African-American lead in a primetime situation comedy with her show Julia. She played a young single mother who had to handle the responsibilities as a nurse in a military hospital.
Black TV Shows from the 1980s and 1990s
The 1980s and 1990s saw a shift in the world of TV. More African-American characters and shows were popping up, from comedic sitcoms to drama series. Check out some of the classic shows from these decades that were very popular for their racially diverse casts and storylines:
• The Cosby Show: A highly successful sitcom led by Bill Cosby. The show followed the lives of the Cosby family, as they faced life’s many challenges. The show was highly regarded for its positive portrayals of a middle-class African-American family.
• In Living Color: This sketch comedy show was created by Keenan Ivory Wayans. It featured a wide variety of comedic sketches around pop culture and current events. The show ran in the early 1990s and still holds its place as one of the most iconic Black TV shows of the decade.
• Martin: This popular sitcom starred Martin Lawrence as the title character, an overly loveable, yet often loud and obnoxious talk show host living in Detroit. His hilarious antics, together with the show’s hilarious original characters made this show a classic.
• Living Single: This was Fox’s version of the “Friends” show, starring Queen Latifah, Kim Coles and Kim Fields. The show revolved around a group of African-American friends living in New York City.
• The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air: This 1990s show is arguably still one of the most well-known Black TV shows of all time. Starring Will Smith as the main character, the show followed his life in Bel Air. It was full of great comedy and characters that we still love today.
Modern Black TV Shows
In recent years there have been a ton of amazing series that starred African-American leads or showcased diverse casts. Here are a few of them:
• Black-ish: This show is a modern-day classic. It follows the life of an African-American family living in a suburb in California. The show covers topics like racial identity, gender roles, and police brutality in a humorous and thought-provoking manner.
• Queen Sugar: This show follows the life of three estranged siblings who are forced back together when their late father’s sugarcane farm is inherited to them. It is both a family drama and a window into the lives of African-Americans, as it enters into topics of sociological and economical issues.
• Atlanta: From Donald Glover’s creative mind comes this show about two cousins who are trying to make it in the “Hip Hop Capital”. It is both comical and dramatic, intertwined with powerful messages about race, gender, and the music industry.
• Insecure: This HBO show follows the lives of two African-American women in Los Angeles. It covers real topics, such as mental health, self-esteem, and racism.
• Grown-ish: This is a spinoff of the popular Black-ish show, following the life of Zoey Johnson as she navigates through her college experience. It is a great show for its fresh cast, comedic timing, and real struggles that young adults face.
There you have it: the best Black TV shows of all time. With this great selection, you can’t go wrong. We hope this list gives you the inspiration to further explore TV that features African-American characters and/or casts.
