The Black Family Portrayed On TV
'227'
Seasons: Five
Notable Cast Members: Marla Gibbs, Alaina Reed Hall, Jackée Harry, Helen Martin, Hal Williams, Regina King, Curtis Baldwin, Kia Goodwin, Reynaldo Rey, Countess Vaughn
Storyline: Taking place in a Washington D.C. apartment building, numbered 227, the show's characters would be found sitting outside on a large set of stone stairs (aka the stoop), in which a discussion would lead into the weekly plot line.
Sidenote: Former 'Moesha' and 'Celebrity Fit Club' star Countess Vaughn received her big break in Hollywood by simply asking. Vaughn mentioned her dream of appearing on '227' following her 1988 appearance on the talent show series 'Star Search.'
The Black Family Portrayed On TV
'My Wife & Kids'
Seasons: Five
Notable Cast Members: Damon Wayans, Jennifer Freeman, Tisha Campbell-Martin, George O. Gore II
Storyline: Damon Wayans portrays Michael Kyle, a loving husband who maintains his household by teaching his family some valuable wisdom and knowledge, and learning some himself.
Sidenote: The show's co-creator, Damon Wayans, may have regretted the original storyline of Claire Kyle following the loss of cast member Jazz Raycole. Raycole's mother disapproved of the actress' storyline for season two, which led to her being pulled from the show.
The Black Family Portrayed On TV
'Good Times'
Seasons: Six
Notable Cast Members: John Amos, Esther Rolle, Jimmie Walker, Bern Nadette Stanis, Ralph Carter, Ja'net DuBois, Janet Jackson
Storyline: The quintessential sitcom depicting the trials and tribulations of a poor, black living family in the Chicago projects.
Sidenote: Produced by Norman Lear, 'Good Times' was a spin-off of 'Maude,' which was also a spin-off of 'All in the Family.' Ironically, Florida Evans (Esther Rolle) was a maid for Maude Findaley (Bea Arthur of 'Maude'), who was the cousin of Edith Bunker on 'All in the Family.' George and Louise Jefferson (of 'The Jeffersons') was neighbor of The Bunkers, before moving on up to the east side.
The Black Family Portrayed On TV
The Cosby Show
Seasons: Eight
Notable Cast Members: Bill Cosby, Phylicia Rashad, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Keshia Knight Pulliam, Tempestt Bledsoe, Lisa Bonet, Raven-Symoné
Storyline: Popular comedy television series based on a happily married couple raising their children in Brooklyn, New York.
Sidenote: Throughout the course of eight seasons The Huxtable family helped set the stage for black families on prime time television. Bill Cosby's character, Cliff Huxtable was such a role model that he topped TV Guide's 2004 list of "50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time."
The Black Family Portrayed On TV
'Family Matters'
Seasons: Nine
Notable Cast Members: Reginald Vel Johnson, Darius McCrary, Kellie Shanygne Williams, JoMarie Payton, Jaleel White, Telma Hopkins
Storyline: Based on middle-class suburban Chicago black family, the Winslows.
Sidenote: Spinning off it's sister show 'Perfect Strangers,' the hit sitcom spawned off one of the most popular characters in sitcom history, Steve Urkel. America's favorite nerd was so popular that he established a merchandising empire, which included a talking doll, trading cards, posters, books, lunchboxes and a limited edition cereal.
The Black Family Portrayed On TV
'Lincoln Heights'
Seasons: Three
Notable Cast Members: Russell Hornsby, Nicki Micheaux, Erica Hubbard, Rhyon Nicole Brown, Mishon Ratliff, Michael Reilly Burke, Robert Adamson, William Stanford Davis
Storyline: A drama revolving around the life of LAPD officer Eddie Sutton, who is in pursuit of a better life for his family. Ironically, Sutton moves his family into his old neighborhood which is known for its violence.
Sidenote: In 2008 the series was nominated for four NAACP Image Awards including Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series, Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series, Outstanding Drama Series, and Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series.
The Black Family Portrayed On TV
'Soul Food'
Seasons: Five
Notable Cast Members: Nicole Ari Parker, Vanessa A. Williams, Malinda Williams, Rockmond Dunbar, Darrin Dewitt Henson, Aaron Meeks, Boris Kodjoe
Storyline: The critically-acclaimed series follows the triumphs, struggles and rivalries of a tight-knit family residing in Chicago.
Sidenote: Based on the 1997 flick produced by Kenneth 'Babyface' Edmonds and Tracey Edmonds, 'Soul Food: The Series' premiered on Showtime in June of 2000. Following in the vein of the original storyline, the series picked up five months later from the film's storyline.
The Black Family Portrayed On TV
'Everybody Hates Chris'
Seasons: Four
Notable Cast Members: Tyler James Williams, Terry Crews, Tichina Arnold, Tequan Richmond, Imani Hakim, Vincent Martella
Storyline: Emmy Award-winning funnyman Chris Rock narrates viewers through a the life a 13-year-old teenager growing up in Brooklyn, New York -- loosely based on his Bedford Stuyvesant upbringing.
Sidenote: Chris Rock's involvement with the show and a massive marketing campaign helped push the series to being the highest rating for a comedy premiere on UPN. After some scheduling shuffling, the popular series now airs on The CW network on Fridays.
The Black Family Portrayed On TV
The Jeffersons
Seasons: 11
Notable Cast Members: Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, Marla Gibbs, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover, Paul Benedict
Storyline: Entrepreneur George Jefferson hits the ticket with his successful dry-cleaning business, which leads him to move into a ritzy New York City high-rise.
Sidenote: America can thank fellow 'Good Times' actress Ja'Net DuBois for helping George Jefferson's family move up to the east side. The Emmy Award-winner co-wrote and sang the show's opening and closing theme song 'Movin' On Up.'
The Black Family Portrayed On TV
'What's Happening!!'
Seasons: Three
Notable Cast Members: Ernest Lee Thomas, Haywood Nelson, Fred Berry, Danielle Spencer, Mabel King, Shirley Hemphill, David Hollander, John Welsh, Earl Billings, Leland Smith
Storyline: Loosely based on the motion picture 'Cooley High' a trio of friends go through the trials and tribulations of young adulthood.
Sidenote: Fred Berry's character Rerun almost didn't turn out as we may remember him today. Originally the role was reportedly written to fit the description of a skinny white kid.
The Black Family Portrayed On TV
