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Was the early 1990s the Golden Era of Black Television?

Home ▸ Archive ▸ Serious Business ▸ Was the early 1990s the Golden Era of Black Television?
Little Danny's avatar

Little Danny

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Jul 24, 2011 12:07 PM
A buddy of mine were having this discussion the other day. TV shows like Martin, In Living Color, the Arnenio Hall Show, etc. not only were big in the AA community, it crossed over into the rest of society as well. It seems like the shows of today that star primarily AA casts do not have that ability? Why is that? Were these shows just inherently better? Were people more tolerant in 1993 than they are today?

http://www.urbanbellemag.com/2010/11/best-black-tv-shows-of-early-90s.html
Jul 24, 2011 12:07pm
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Ironman92

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Jul 24, 2011 12:12 PM
Movin on up
Jul 24, 2011 12:12pm
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tcarrier32

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1,497 posts
Jul 24, 2011 12:45 PM
it has nothing to do with tolerance, and has everything to do with the quality of work. Sorry, but Tyler Perry isn't funny. Rewind about 7 or 8 years and Chappelle's Show was the funniest show on television.
Jul 24, 2011 12:45pm
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4cards

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Jul 24, 2011 12:51 PM
Little Danny;839666 wrote:A buddy of mine were having this discussion the other day. TV shows like Martin, In Living Color, the Arnenio Hall Show, etc. not only were big in the AA community, it crossed over into the rest of society as well. It seems like the shows of today that star primarily AA casts do not have that ability? Why is that? Were these shows just inherently better? Were people more tolerant in 1993 than they are today?
Jul 24, 2011 12:51pm
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derek bomar

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3,722 posts
Jul 24, 2011 12:58 PM
tyler perry is gross
Jul 24, 2011 12:58pm
ptown_trojans_1's avatar

ptown_trojans_1

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Jul 24, 2011 12:59 PM
The growth of the early 1990s show was the success of the Cosby Show. Crosby crossed over and allowed all the early 90s sitcoms to take place. That is why you saw their growth.
I'd also say it was the growth of black comedians, like Eddie Murphy, Chris Rock and the Wayans brothers. Their crossover gave network execs the confidence to go with their shows.
One other show that wasn't mentioned was the Fresh Prince.

And that period was much better than today in my view. Those were some classic and funny shows.
Jul 24, 2011 12:59pm
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rmolin73

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Jul 24, 2011 3:35 PM
Tyler Perry and his shows are not funny.
Jul 24, 2011 3:35pm
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fiction

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Jul 24, 2011 3:53 PM
Jul 24, 2011 3:53pm
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bigdaddy2003

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Jul 24, 2011 4:10 PM
I tried to watch one of Tyler Perry's shows and I didn't laugh once. Just not funny.
Jul 24, 2011 4:10pm
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robj55

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Jul 24, 2011 4:12 PM
You forgot to mention the best of them all, Fresh Prince.
Jul 24, 2011 4:12pm
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Ironman92

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Jul 24, 2011 4:27 PM
Hey, Hey, Hey!
Jul 24, 2011 4:27pm
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Ironman92

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Jul 24, 2011 4:28 PM
Whatchu talkin about Willis?
Jul 24, 2011 4:28pm
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Belly35

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Jul 24, 2011 4:31 PM
I think we got our first color TV in the 70's
Jul 24, 2011 4:31pm
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krambman

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Jul 24, 2011 4:42 PM
You can add Hanging with Mr. Cooper to the list of 1990's Black sitcoms.

As many have mentioned, Tyler Perry is about the only person making Black sitcoms today, and to most white people they just aren't that funny (I would say that no one finds them funny, but the guy is making millions so someone is watching). I also think that the Latin sitcom started to replace the Black sitcom as the minority of choice by networks in the 2000's.
Jul 24, 2011 4:42pm
E

El Jefe Grande

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Jul 24, 2011 10:35 PM
Tyler "The Fairy" Perry
Jul 24, 2011 10:35pm
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killer_ewok

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Jul 24, 2011 10:39 PM
Martin was the shit for the first two seasons.
Jul 24, 2011 10:39pm
G

gut

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Jul 24, 2011 10:48 PM
ptown_trojans_1;839691 wrote: And that period was much better than today in my view. Those were some classic and funny shows.

That's true in general. Who knows how many good shows we've lost to reality tv. For the most part, the best shows today are put out by HBO, USA, FX and A&E. The networks are deathly afraid of investing and nurturing in shows that don't fit the proven success model (i.e mostly cop or lawyer shows). I believe Seinfeld did not take off until late in its 2nd season or early 3rd and might not have made it today.
Jul 24, 2011 10:48pm
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Hb31187

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8,534 posts
Jul 24, 2011 11:25 PM
I fucking hate Tyler Perry. Im black and cant stand him, have no idea why so many people of color are obsessed with him
Jul 24, 2011 11:25pm
R

raiderbuck

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Jul 24, 2011 11:34 PM
Tyler Perry probably makes more money producing/directing/acting in his shows/plays/movies than those shows did in the early 90s combined.

The difference between those shows and what Perry does lies with the target audience. TP shows cater to a more specific part of the black community. The church going black woman. I don't know too many black males who actually watch his shows on a regular basis (same for the movies). The shows of the 90s appealed to a larger audience. They were successful because they could relate to AA community issues (Living Single) and at the same time bring out crossover comedy with Steve Urkel.

I can only recall a few episodes of Family Matters where the show focused primarily on a "black issue." These shows were prime time on prime time networks, so you had to have that crossover appeal.


Edit...as an African American male, I don't really like TP. I get the jokes, my grandmother and aunts love him, but I find his act tiring.
Jul 24, 2011 11:34pm
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Scarlet_Buckeye

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Jul 25, 2011 8:06 AM
fiction;839770 wrote:

What is this guy doing these days? Anyone know?
Jul 25, 2011 8:06am
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hoops23

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15,696 posts
Jul 25, 2011 8:42 AM
Not too long ago you had "My Wife and Kids", "Everybody Hates Chris", and "The Bernie Mac Show"... All great shows, at least imo.
Jul 25, 2011 8:42am
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lets_go_devils

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Jul 25, 2011 9:13 AM
70's started it with shows like The Jeffersons, Good Times, What's Happenin, and Sanford & Son sticking out the most to me.

80's was The Cosby Show, A Different World, 227 & Family Matters.

90's had the most with most of them already mentioned.

2000-2010 gave us That's So Raven, House of Payne & a show starring the girl from Dr. Doolittle and a guy named Flex, that I can't even remember the title, where he's a former NBA player turned sportswriter/sportscaster.

Add to the list if you think of anything else.

Props to the guy that said Hangin with Mr. Cooper lol I used to love that show.
Jul 25, 2011 9:13am
S

Sonofanump

Jul 25, 2011 9:20 AM
Belly35;839794 wrote:I think we got our first color TV in the 70's

Epic!
Jul 25, 2011 9:20am
S

Sonofanump

Jul 25, 2011 9:21 AM
Hb31187;840286 wrote:...have no idea why so many people of color are obsessed with him

Which color?
Jul 25, 2011 9:21am
G

gut

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15,058 posts
Jul 25, 2011 10:38 AM
I think it's nearly impossible for a show that doesn't have crossover or broad market appeal to succeed on the major networks today. They've lost so much ad revenue because of the internet and stuff like netflix that good shows with mass appeal are getting cut. Boston Legal was a great show, and apparently it got the ax because it was more popular with the 49+ crowd which I guess isn't as profitable a demographic.
Jul 25, 2011 10:38am