However, the more Black sitcoms are introduced, the more the quality seems to drop. Instead of introducing Black comedies with substance that deal with deeper topics, networks continue to release more campy Black sitcoms like Eve and Homeboys in Outer Spacewhich feels more like a desperate attempt to replicate a successful business model.
Coleman said, “It’s more about quantity than quality of effort [networks] to make money and make money. Of course, when the trend went away, they left the Black movies behind, and it’s been over a decade since we’ve seen anything like that.
Now, to be fair, no all in these sitcoms are good, surface-level comedies that filter out the messy parts of the Black experience. There are, of course, A Different World, which gives viewers a taste of Greek life at a historically Black college, explores controversial topics and introduces layered characters like the fabulous Whitley Gilbert. Then there Live Singleswhich discusses the value of maintaining deep and meaningful friendships as a Black young adult.