7 Classic Black TV Shows You Need to Binge Right Now

As somebody who’s Black, I’m happy that I grew up with a number of Black sitcoms.

Many of these programs aired on Fox, The WB, and UPN, which was great because I didn’t have cable as a child. This meant that I could enjoy most of my laughter for free every evening. Additionally, these shows often showcased characters that felt familiar to me.

Fortunately, quite a few of my preferred vintage series are available on Netflix at the moment. Here’s a list of 7 timeless Black TV shows that you can start streaming immediately, all thanks to your Netflix membership.

Martin

In a more casual and friendly manner: What’s up everyone? This film features Martin Lawrence, known from “Bad Boys,” in a role he had before teaming up with Mike Lowrey. The story revolves around a disc jockey character played by Lawrence who shares his life with his girlfriend, Gina (Tisha Campbell), and it portrays their everyday activities.

This show gains its legendary status not just from being somewhat dull, but rather through the diverse cast of characters, several of which were brilliantly portrayed by none other than Lawrence himself. Among them are Sheneneh, Roscoe, and my top pick, Dragonfly Jones.

Moreover, aside from the main figures, there were other notable personalities who frequently dropped by too, such as Bro Fo ‘Real, portrayed by the late Charlie Murphy, Reverend Leon Lonnie Love (played by David Alan Grier), and Bruh Man (“From the fifth floor”), played by Reginald Ballard.

In essence, shows such as “Seinfeld” and “Modern Family” primarily revolved around the predicaments they placed their characters in. However, in the case of “Martin”, it was the distinctive personalities of its characters that instigated these situations. This might appear a minor difference, but it’s significant. The humor in this series originated entirely from its characters, and we wouldn’t want it any other way.

Stream Martin on Netflix

The Hughleys

As a movie enthusiast who’s seen more films than years I’ve lived, I didn’t get to watch “The Jeffersons” in its original run – I mainly caught re-runs on Nick at Nite. However, growing up, I was glued to “The Hughleys”. This show shares a similar concept, following an inner-city family who make the leap to a suburban lifestyle, much like the Jeffersons did.

The sitcom features D.L. Hughley in the role of a prosperous vending machine salesman, alongside his on-screen spouse Elise Neal and their fictional children Ashley Monique Clark and Dee Jay Daniels. Much of the comedy revolves around Hughley’s character navigating the antics of his new neighbors, resulting in many amusing situations.

The aspect that truly captivated me in the show was the pair of friends portrayed by John Henton (from “Living Single,” another fantastic Black sitcom) who was a longtime friend of Hughley’s, and Eric Allan Kramer, who played Hughley’s new suburban buddy.

I too appreciate the character development in the series, where Hughley’s persona gradually adapts to his new surroundings. It’s a program that pays off if you persevere (given it changed networks during its original broadcast), but fortunately, you can now watch all four seasons, from start to finish, on Netflix.

Stream The Hughleys on Netflix

My Wife And Kids

Being a fervent admirer of the Wayans family’s films, I was thrilled when one of my beloved Wayans siblings, Damon, landed his own television series.

Similar to “The Hughleys,” this show focuses on a prosperous African American family residing in the suburbs, specifically Connecticut instead of Los Angeles for The Hughleys. What sets “My Wife and Kids” apart is that its main character frequently believes he holds more authority than he truly does.

Indeed, the title of the show is fitting since it’s actually the “wife” character (portrayed by Tisha Campbell) who holds the reins, given her savvy day-trading skills. Simultaneously, the children in the storyline each have unique characteristics, and I find Junior (George O. Gore II) particularly intriguing due to his dual nature: he can be quite a handful but also adorable with his passion for gangster rap.

In essence, the series titled “My Wife and Kids” possesses an unpretentious charm, making it a perfect choice for unwinding following a hard day’s work, ideal for a binge-watching session.

Stream My Wife and Kids on Netflix

The Jamie Foxx Show

Many people typically associate Jamie Foxx with his dramatic roles, such as in “Django Unchained,” which is understandable given its popularity. However, what might surprise some is that Jamie Foxx is also a talented comedian – this was actually how I first became familiar with him.

Indeed, it’s true that he was a notable actor on “In Living Color,” but what truly captivated me about Jamie Foxx was his own self-hosted show on the WB network.

The show centers around the character portrayed by Foxx, Jamie King, who aspires to become a singer. To support himself financially, he’s employed at his aunt and uncle’s hotel.

Primarily, the series revolves around Foxx flirting with the desk clerk Fancy (Garcelle Beauvais), teasing the uptight accountant Braxton (Christopher B. Duncan). Yet, it’s the intricate relationships among them that make the show captivating, as a significant portion of it unfolds within the hotel setting. This is a rather humorous series, one that I believe doesn’t receive enough recognition these days.

Stream The Jamie Foxx Show on Netflix

The Parkers

In high school, the Parkers made me believe that college would be an incredibly enjoyable experience… and it mostly was. Starring Mo’Nique, whose chilling portrayal in Precious continues to amaze me despite her warm role on The Parkers, and Countess Vaughn as her daughter, The Parkers is heartwarmingly wholesome at its core.

The narrative revolves around a devoted mother (Mo’Nique), who’s long been deprived of higher education due to parental responsibilities, now having the chance to pursue it. Much of the humor stems from her quirky and affectionate daughter (Vaughn) disliking the fact that her mom’s college time is no longer solely hers.

Similar to many other shows on this list, it’s the ensemble cast that truly stands out in this show, with the dynamic between Mo’Nique’s character and Professor Stanley Oglevee (Dorien Wilson) being particularly captivating. Initially, Professor Oglevee is rather harsh towards Nikki, but as the series progresses, he softens towards her, and witnessing their developing romance is one of the most enjoyable aspects of the show.

Additionally, given its connection to Moesha (where Yvette Wilson was a cast member on both series), it seems as though it delves into a more substantial narrative, which adds to the enjoyment.

Stream The Parkers on Netflix

Chappelle’s Show

Instead of referring to “The GOAT” (Greatest Of All Time), you could say: For me, among all the sketch comedy shows that have ever been made, none can top “Chappelle’s Show.” While many younger audiences might prefer “Key & Peele,” I still believe that “Chappelle’s Show” stands out as the absolute best.

Here, Chappelle’s unique comedy style shines through, with stand-up performances interspersed among his frequently over-the-top sketches.

Some of these comedy segments have left a lasting impression on me; specifically, the Charlie Murphy’s True Hollywood Stories skits. Whenever I re-watch them, I frequently catch myself repeating some of the jokes verbatim, whether it’s about skins or blouses.

If you’re a certain age, casually dropping these lines can make someone laugh heartily and imitate characters from the series. For instance, I find myself breaking into my Tyrone Biggums character more often than is advisable. We have access to two seasons of the show on Netflix, but unfortunately, we don’t get the abridged third season. Skipping it might actually be beneficial.

Stream Chappelle’s Show on Netflix

The Bernie Mac Show

To wrap things up, let’s discuss “The Bernie Mac Show”, now available on Netflix. This is one of my favorite shows from the early 2000s. In this series, the comedian Bernie Mac plays a role where he takes care of his sister’s three kids while she is in rehab.

Among all comedians, Bernie Mac stands out as a personal favorite due to his sharp and at times forceful wit. This style of humor, particularly when paired with his wife (Kellita Smith) on screen, creates some truly memorable moments. From the cast of children he’s raising, my absolute favorite is Vanessa (Camille Winbrush), as she’s the one who consistently challenges Bernie Mac’s authority.

What’s particularly notable about the series is when Mac breaks the fourth wall, speaking directly to the audience about the events unfolding on the show. Many of these instances are humorous, but some are poignant as well, suggesting that his nieces and nephews are positively influencing him.

It’s a wonderful show, and I’m happy that it’s newly been added to the platform.

Stream The Bernie Mac Show on Netflix

Here’s a fun fact: Seven iconic Black television series are available right now on Netflix! Keep checking back for updates on even more exciting content you can stream.

2025-01-30 02:08