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: "All of Us" Gets The Axe!

The word is out! After three seasons, the plug has been pulled on CW11's "All of Us"


Today, CW announced there Fall season line-up and it does not include the Will and Jada Pinkett-Smith produced sitcom. Meanwhile, "Girlfriends", "Everybody Hates Chris" and "The Game" all have made the cut.

"All of Us", starring Duane Martin, Lisa Raye, Tony Rock, Terri J. Vaughnn and Elise Neal, a loosely based story on the lives of Will and Jada, premiered on UPN back in September 2003. In it's third seasons not only was the show moved to CW but Elise Neal's character, Tia, was removed from the show with hopes this new format could boost ratings. Seems this was not the case.

So what will come of Black Monday? Will there be a new black sitcom added to the Monday lineup? Or is this CW11's first step towards crashing Black Monday nights all together?

Word has it there will be three new dramas, "Gossip Girl", "Reaper", and "Wild at Heart" and a couple of new shows, "Online Nation" and "CW Now" added to the Fall line-up. (None of these sound black if you ask me.) "Online Nation" is said to be an "AFV" meets digital media show where the focus is youtube videos vs. home videos. And "CW Now" is an entertainment news piece similar to that of "ET" or "Access Hollywood".

All I have to say is.....it's about time! "The Game" better get their shit plot together. They just might be next!

Black Monday: 'Games' People Play

Did anyone see the 1 hour season finale of CW11's "The Game" last night? As most know, I am not a fan of this show and was hoping this would be the end. But seeing how the show was created by Girlfriend's creator, Mara Brock Akil and being backed by executive producer, Kelsey Grammar, I doubt this show will be going anywhere, anytime soon.


Recently I've noticed how dead beat sitcoms seem to get the chance to stay on the air long enough for the writers to get it right. Normally this was not the case. Remember when a sitcom would be cut mid-season if it could barely produce a chuckle much less ratings. Now it seems television shows with big name producers and/or creators of other hit shows tend to get a season or two to work out the kinks.

Last night Derwin (Pooch Hall) finally cheated on Melany ((Tia Mowry). How many people didnt see this coming? After all, this show is about pro-athletes and their relationships with their wives/girlfriends. And if nothing else, real life current events always shows us of how athletes can't always resist the panties being thrown their way. So of course the writers couldn't resist but to make our lead couple the focus of infidelity.


While I don't have a problem with the topic, I didnt like the way the story was being developed over the course of this season. In fact, it all came together for me at the end when Melany finds out and no sooner is she about to give Derwin back his engagement ring does Beyonce's "Irreplaceable" chime in. And then it all clicked. The writers built this whole storyline around the success of one track. I see you Mara, but I am not mad. I get a lot of writing inspiration through music so I certainly can respect the technique.

Now never say that I am not able to give credit when it is due. CW11's "All of Us" was actually quite humorous last night. I mean it actually made me laugh. And that says a lot considering the first few seasons of this show I could barely stay awake. The scene where Neesee (Lisa Raye) and Robert (Duane Martin) are mistaken for Jay-Z and Beyonce at a wedding they have crashed had me in stitches. And as if being mistaken for the music power couple wasn't enough, they are asked to perform when they continue to deceive the guests in order to feed off their buffet.

It was their performance of Beyonce's "Crazy In Love" that had me cracking up as Neesee booty shaked across the tables while Robert rapped ala Jay-Z.

I still have mixed feelings about this show but can see improvements. I am not sold just yet on the storyline of Neesee's quest to have a second child fathered by Robert. But at least they are able to spice it up a little with funny sub-plots such as this one.

'All of Us' Hate "All of Us"

I think it's safe to assume that 'all of us' hate CW11's "All of Us"!

Now in it's fourth season, "All of Us" is what I like to call the intermission between "Everybody Hates Chris" and "Girlfriends". Take my advice! Use this 30 minute break to get a refill on your favorite beverage, seconds on dinner, surf the other networks (but remember to come back for "Girlfriends") to see what else is on or get on the phone with a buddy and chat it up for a half. Basically do anything besides giving this show your time let alone your rating!

Since day 1, I disliked this show even with the original cast including Elise Neal. No offense Will and Jada but if this sitcom truly is based on a page out of your lives then I must say...not everything makes good TV. I don't know where to start with this show because there is so much. But because I dont plan on going anywhere and this show dont seem to be either. I am going to take this show apart week by week. Until they get it right or off the air!



This week I will tackle the obvious. The writing. Now far be it from me to bash anybody's TV writing ability when I myself don't have shit on the air. But if this show is any indication of how talented one needs to be to write for TV then HELL! I should have jumped on this career at the age of 12. Because that is exactly who I feel this show should be catered to with it's weekly focus on Bobby Jr.(Khamani Griffin). At times I feel like I might as well be watching "That's So Raven" or "Hannah Montana". Yeah..this show is very pre-teen Disney!

Every week Bobby Jr. has an issue. Last night he cheated, last week he didnt want to move out with his mother, before that he wanted to cheerlead instead of playing football...what next!?!



Trust me..I get it! Bobby Jr. is the nucleus of the story. Without him the storyline wouldn't work. Neesee (Lisa Raye) and Robert (Duane Martin) would most likely have very little, if any, interaction. And it's their interaction that I am sure the writers/creator of this show think is what we the viewers like or want to see. NOT!!!! Let me help you guys out here. If your goal is to give us the equivalent of a love teaser similar to say Ross and Rachel on "Friends".....don't! Ross and Rachel were interesting....these two are not. So here's my suggestion on what you should do:

1. Hire me as a writer. (You had to see that one coming!)
2. Change the title to "All About Bobby Jr." and air on the Disney Channel.
3. Cancel the damn show.

"All of Us"...definitely Black Monday: The Bad!