black•ish is okay•ish: It’s No Cosby Show but I’ll Stick Around to Watch

Hi Meltingpot Readers,

Thanks to our robust Jewish community in Philadelphia, my kids’ school was closed today, so I allowed them to stay up to watch the premier episode of ABC’s black•ish last night. I have to admit, I too was really excited by all of the promos and advanced praise about the show. I mean really, it sounds like my life story…sort of. At least the part about a Black parent wanting his kids to feel connected to their Black roots, even though he’s raising them in a mostly White world. Honestly, what person of color can’t relate to that fear these days?

Meanwhile, my kids were just excited because finally there’s a sitcom with a family that kind of looks like ours. You know, they want their own Cosby Show. I want them to have one too. But, let’s begin with the fact that it’s airing at 9:30pm on Wednesday nights. Too late ABC for a family show. Can we fix that? And while all of the characters are super cute and nicely dressed and the funny race jokes were funny, it all felt a little too rushed and too silly. I want to laugh, but you gotta give me something to sink my teeth into besides one-liners. My kids felt the same way, and they’re only 10 and 13.

I’m going to keep watching because, like my kids, I’m ready to have a Cosby Show for the 21st century. I want my kids to see their lives reflected on the small screen. But if the writing doesn’t get a little smarter, I’m going to have to turn it off.

Did anybody else watch? What did you think? I’m so listening.

Peace!