March 2002 Diary : A Week in Black Television

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Diary - A Week in Black Television Sunday, Dec 9, 2001 by Christelle D. Football, football, football, I mean I luv it and all but after a while enough is ENOUGH. After about an hour I decide that it was time to find some other television entertainment that a cocoa-complicated sista such as myself could relate to… only there was none. Apparently, nobody thinks that people want to see a Black show BEFORE the sun goes down. Luckily though, at 6:30 it was time for the “Proud Family” on the Disney. Channel. From the beginning I could see my own family (and those of many of my friends) reflected in the show. It was one of the most real portrayals of a Black family I've seen…especially for a cartoon. While still paying homage to the fact that it IS a Black Family (lol, I got a kick out of the last scene which ghetto-fabulous Dijonay saunters down the street with PLENTY of hip-action -especially for a 12 year-old), it managed to steer clear of using a lot of annoying stereotypes (I love it that Penny and her mother speak proper English!) The show is also great for the 'rents if they feel inclined to catch it, because it explores the adult's lives as well as the kids (forcing us to see things from THEIR point-of view). Sugamama reminds her son (married with kids) that she can still embarrass him and its fun to watch Penny's mom drag her husband to a day-spa with her. They are eerily accurate in how they portray the parent-child relationship as well as relationships between girls and guys at a young age. Penny Proud may only be 12 but I find myself FULLY able to relate to her dilemmas. It's a show I can watch with my brothers as well as my mom and definitely shows that a Black Family with all its quirks and comedy is as normal as any other. Well later tonight comes UPN's black comedy line-up of Steve Harvey and Men, Women and Dogs, but right now, girlfriend gotta go do her homework. Much love! XOXOXO Chrissy Monday, Dec 10, 2001 by Lauren Mondays are thought by many to be the worst day of the week; it seems as though the weekend is eons away, and all that is in sight is the fact that the following days will be filled only with the torturous routine of school or work. It is for this reason that I watch UPN's famous Monday night comedy line-up. Here I am, after a long day of teachers, coaches, and homework, and I am definitely ready for some relief. First, at 8:00 is “The Hughleys” which is about a Black family who must deal with the transition to a suburban, largely white neighborhood. Needless to say, hilarity ensues. The show's strength comes in its attempt to portray a reality of the Black family that goes counter to the dead-beat dad/drug addicted mother stereotype. The father has a steady job and, despite his shortcomings, does his best to provide as much as he can for his family. The mother, who does not work, has a strong identity of her own, and uses that identity to promote high standards in her children and to support her husband. The children are simply typical adolescents- neither has any children of their own, and neither does drugs, although both cause their fair share of trouble. The show is funny, but its comical cynicism and its harshness are not enough to rid me of my Monday-night stress. Enter UPN's second line of defense- “One-on One.” In “One-on-One,” Flex Anderson portrays a single father who tries to juggle his teenage daughter, his career, and his love-life. Today, he must find a way to teach his daughter that, despite his own actions, being a "mac" is the wrong way to deal with pain. Despite its designation as a situation comedy, I have found that the show tends to deal with extremely serious issues. In fact, the funniest part of the show today, is when one of Brianna's (Flex's daughter) male friends who is pining after her and who has just experienced rejection, stands on the roof of the apartment building dressed like Lenny Kravitz singing his own rendition of "American Woman". In the end, Brianna learns that the senseless fun which results from high passion, low emotion relationships is not all it's cracked up to be. A lesson well learned, and a reality well portrayed. As if that wasn't enough, the next show on UPN is “The Parkers.” The show is silly at best, but it does have its funny moments. Despite its droll appearance, it too portrays an aspect of Black life which has gone overlooked by the industry for far too long. In the show, Nikki, a single mother who is attempting to get her college education along with her daughter, must learn to see her daughter, Kim in a context outside of the home. She now has the opportunity to see what her daughter is like in public, away from authority, and she must learn to reason with her on a more adult level. At the same time, she must cope with her own shortcomings, and her love for one of the Professors school, who also happens to live in her apartment building. This show, which is more slap-stick in nature, provides a few good laughs which cannot be ignored. It is, however, in my opinion, lacking much of the substance of the other two shows, The Hughleys and One-on-One. But perhaps this is what the producers intend. Finally, my favorite show comes on. "Girlfriends" is for me an oasis. It deals with real issues, and it doesn't take itself too seriously. The show is based around four Black women who deal simply with daily life. They are a lawyer, a secretary, a realtor, and a poor student. Most importantly, however, they are friends. It seems that all too often, Black women are portrayed in the context of the men they are with. They are either wives who hate the women with whom their husbands have affairs, or jealous girlfriends who must fight off other women. Rarely do we see a show which portrays the dynamics of friendship between women. As it nears 10:00, I find my mind wondering to the five hours of homework that I have yet to complete, and the four days which remain until I can sleep in. No, this night of comedy has not eased my stress, but it has made me think. It has forced me to look into situations which might be realities for some. It has forced me to see the comedy in many situations, and for that I am grateful. For this reason, I can finish my popcorn and go to my room without a scowl on my face. Well done UPN!!! Wednesday, Dec 13, 2001 by Lauren Today, for the first time, I had the pleasure of experiencing a new comedy on Fox called the Bernie Mac Show. I must admit that I expected that the show would be hilarious, especially since Mac is one of the Kings of Comedy. It is also for this reason that I was slightly worried when my eight year-old brother came to watch the show with me. All my premonitions about the show turned out to be COMPLETELY wrong. From what I could gather, the show is about Mac who plays (what else?), a busy, married comedian. He is now adjusting to life as a parent as he seems to have been forced to take in his sister's three children aged 13, 8 and 5. Mac must learn how to think like a family man, and herein lies the comedy. In this episode, 8 year-old Jordan, longs to buy a telescope, but Mac refuses to spend the money. Jordan decides then to take matters into his own control and precedes to use Mac's money to but the generic brand of his asthma medication, subsequently pocketing the rest and then using it to buy the telescope. Mac then goes into a room which seems to be a den, and which serves the same purpose as MTV's Real World confessional, and vents his extreme frustration to all of America, promising to deal accordingly and decidedly with Jordan. If by "deal accordingly" he meant "do the worse possible thing", then he was certainly successful. Mac matter-of-factly banishes Jordan to his room, and then panics when the boy turns up missing. As a result, Vanessa, 13 is more cynical than ever, Bryanna, 5 is even more confused than usual, and Wanda, Mac's wife, thinks, once again that her husband is scum. All of this made for a, shall we say, interesting ride around the city, but, unfortunately, it did not lead them any closer to Jordan's whereabouts. Needless to say, the ride home was excruciating, movement was seen on Mac's roof. Found! Mac soon found out that Jordan bought the telescope not to view the heavens, but rather to try to get a glimpse of the place he once called home, where lay his friends and memory of his mother. Fortunately, in the end, we see that Bernie Mac actually does have a heart. He went back into his den to address America again, but, midway through his speech about the moral of the story, Vanessa peaks into the room, thanks him for finding Jordan, and disappears to Mac's surprise. And with that, I could just see a tiny bit of Mac's hard-nosed "Mi casa es mi casa" mentality chip off and fall away. Honestly, the show surpassed all of my expectations. It was riddled with aspects of the infamous "Black exploitation", and yet it cleverly managed to mask these aspects behind a beautiful house and a nice SUV. The only tragedy is that The Bernie Mac show is the only largely popular modern "Black" TV show which is to be found on TV tonight, at least in this area (Washington DC metro area). Unfortunate, yes- but at least the show is funny! ER 12/13/01 By Brittany Weaver's new lesbian girlfriend is hispanic and the new med student is black to replace Benton, dontcha just love diversity in mass media! A guest on the show tonight is a homeless black man with a ridiculous gold front tooth. Maybe I'm just being hypersensitive, he isn't ignorant he just looks like it. But white people watching the show don't think that. I don't know why they do those kinds of things. It's that whole Bojangles-thing; the over able dumb black guy. Not to mention the big homeless black woman. Although I guess some homeless people are rude and obnoxious no matter their race. Oh well, media is owned by the majority, what can you do...Is the judge ruling over Benton's custody case black? No, he just looked like it in that one shot. I wonder what kind of difference that would make in the chemistry between actors? There would be a greater dynamic between him, Benton, and Roger. People would draw conclusions about the judgment though, like favoritism crap and stuff. Great ending shot composition. I love the "ghosting" of his reflection on the doors of the operating room. This was one of the better episodes I've seen. I'm so glad Benton got custody of Reese. I remember back when Reese was born and Benton was so happy to have a son and then having to go through the hearing tests and the sign language...It was so hard on him. Roger didn't go through that. Roger never had to be told that the boy he thought was his biological son wasn't. I would've flipped out if Roger had been granted custody, or even if Benton consented to large visitation rights for Roger. He doesn't have to be so cold towards Roger though, he loves Reese too. I wonder if Cleo and Roger and Reese are leaving the show as well. Reese has been there since he was a baby. Cleo and Benton both have jobs away from County Hospital. But they're just about to move with each other to a better place for their commute. And if Cleo, Benton, and Reese are gone, what point is there for Roger to stay? Especially after Carla's death? Benton better come back to make guest appearances, you can't just eave America with that. Reese is the son Benton "had" with Carla, Carla married Roger and he legally adopted Reese, Carla died in a car accident and now Roger is fighting for custody with Benton because they've had so many problems with pickups, and whose house Reese sleeps at, etc.