Throwback Thursday: Black Sass for Dat....

There are few sitcoms I can watch time and time again and laugh as if it were the first time I was viewing it:



"The Jeffersons"is a perfect example.

What I liked the most about this show was all the sass and snaps between George (Sherman Hemsley) and Florence (Marla Gibbs). This love/hate relationship was classic.

I have to admit, I miss that kind of bantering in black sitcoms. You just dont find that level of 'black' wit in sitcoms today. I think the last time I can remember a relationship on TV coming close to this would be Martin and Pam on "Martin".



Martin Lawrence and Tischina Arnold definitely gave us a modern day George and Florence in the 90's.


The writers of Living Single also did a good job at giving us a classic love/hate duo with Max (Erika Alexander) and Kyle (Terence T.C. Carson). These two took snapping to a whole other level but something was lost when the love in their love/hate became physical.

So while I am sure many of shows tried to capture the true essence of this "black sass", in my opinion, none have really come close to "The Jeffersons".

Let me know your thoughts. Has there been a love/hate relationship to date that matches that of a George and Flo?

You can watch reruns of The Jeffersons on TVLand and Living Single on Oxygen . Currently there are no airings of reruns of Martin. Check your local listings for schedules.

Black Monday: The Good!

So yesterday was what I like to call "Black Monday". CW11 gives us two primtime hours of nothing but good straight-up black humor. But is it all good?

Everybody Hates Chris was very good last night. The writing on this show can be hilarious but I have a friend who beleives the show is too over the top at times. For example, a teacher (Orlando Jones) coming to your home in the hood to give you an exam. How likely was that to happen back in the 80's? Well, maybe not. But the areas where the show is relatable is what makes this show a must see. For example, Rochelle's (Tichina Arnold) wardrobe is always on point! Everytime I see her I immediately get flash-BLACKS! (You read correctly...that was not a typo.)



Girlfriends last night was one of my all time favorite episodes! And I hate to admit it but I dont miss Toni (Jill Marie Jones) at all. At first I didn't think the show was going to last without the sassy one but I was wrong. The switch to 3 'girls' was as seemless as when Destiny's Child decided to ditch their fourth becoming the modern day Supremes.



Siderbar: Speaking of The Supremes...check out today's Black Watch!

Anyhoo...

Last night, my favorite character on the show, Maya, (Golden Brooks) suspects her newfound neighbor, Alicia (China Shavers), is being beat by her husband Ray (Carl Anythony Payne). But while her 'friends' dismiss her suspicions it turns out something was "going on up in the Haciendas"! The show ends with the battered wife turning to Maya and Darnell (Khalil Kain) for help after repeatedly denying and hiding the truth. So what happens now? If my TV Predictable Radar (TVPR) is correct, I sense the battered wife will take up residency with the couple until she can get back on her feet. But during this time, I foresee some sexual tension brewing when Darnell and Alicia end up living under the same roof. What yall think?



In closing, let me just say that this episode of Girlfriends embodied everything I hope to achieve while writing my script. Mixing humor with serious issues such as domestic violence is not easy. And I paid attention closely yesterday as the show transitioned us the audience back and forth from seriousness to laughter. All I can say is...well done.

Stay tuned later as I dish on Black Monday: The Bad!