television

What would television be like for black girls everywhere without Moesha, Dion, Whitley Gilbert, Hilary Banks, Khadijah James or even Aunt Viv (the dark skinned one)? Looking back, these women became iconic staples that taught us that black girls could be bad and bourgeois, rock a head full of box braids, become high-powered attorneys or even run their own magazine. Yes, we have access to independently produced films and web series, but what if our favorite major (whiter) shows had black characters? What if, for once, we didn’t have to fight to present diversity on television without just being the comedic relief or being killed off/disappearing too early? If you thought "what if," you've come to the right place. If you didn’t wish that Bianca Lawson stayed as a permanent cast member on Buffy The Vampire Slayer, I’ve already lost you.Here are a few more that could’ve used a black lead female character: 1. Sex and the CityThe quintessential sitcom about women living and loving in the Big Apple!  But let’s be real, we all can't have the Carrie Bradshaw dream. This young white woman had a huge apartment in Manhattan and made money writing a column, but had enough money to brunch like every other episode and drink cosmopolitans? If you're reading this, it's 2017 and gentrification has gifted us nothing but high rent and $15 cosmos (after happy hour, of course). So now, your Carrie Bradshaw dream looks more like Khadijah James. While Carrie's coveted lifestyle isn’t the most realistic, it also would’ve been nice to have a Keisha instead of a Carrie who maybe lived in Bedstuy with a roommate and a dream.Plot twist: Big would be more like a Morris Chestnut, but unfortunately, just as toxic. 2. FriendsAs a pop culture and entertainment classic, for black people, this somewhat reminded you of your friend group, but not really. Every character was memorable in their own right. This show went on for 10 whole seasons with little melanin in sight! We grow attached to the romances, breakups and funny interludes that make the show a staple in any binge watching diet. Even as a big fan of Phoebe, I would trade Monica Geller or Phoebe (so every female character except Jennifer Aniston) for someone a little more...black! 3. Full HouseGrowing up, you probably didn't realize what all the fuss was about, but there is a reason this is your white friends' favorite family show. They were a big family in a nice neighborhood, with two funny uncles and a goofy best friend. During the late 80s, there were few black families on television. Other than Family Matters, iconic shows like Moesha or Sister, Sister didn't come along until the mid '90s and early 2000s. Even if there was a black character who lived next door to the Tanners, this would've made an impression. As much as we love Kimmy Gibler, I would trade her for a Nikki any day.4. Boy Meets World For context, we aren't talking about when Corey goes to college, when eventually, we do get that female black character. Let's start back when Corey was still trying to figure out how to win over Topanga. As one of the first, female, "weird" and even progressive characters,  we know that Topanga was a little ahead of her time. For young, nerdy/quirky black girls, we needed those kinds of characters that we, thankfully, see a lot more of now. And the reboot "Girl Meets World" could've definitely been saved if we gave a young black actress the chance.5. Pretty Little LiarsThis show has perfected the art of trolling those who decide to tune in. While we were all on the edge of our seat trying to figure out who the heck had enough time to elaborately ruin the main characters' lives, there are so many other questions we had. First, why didn't we keep Maya St. Germain? Bianca Lawson showed us what could've been! An LGBTQ, black female character! This was too good to be true. Once the relationship between Maya and Emily fizzled out, Maya dies. And just like that, another one bites the dust.But quite frankly, if we had to play "one of these has to go," it would be a tie between Aria and Hanna. Both storylines had potential, but think about either of those storylines with a black female character! Iconic and even a little messy, worthy of think pieces and conversation.6. Gilmore GirlsOK, let’s get a little creative with this one. So while you grow to love and get annoyed with Lorelai, is it too much of a stretch to say adding an adopted daughter in lieu of Rory is too much to ask? All you need is a little creativity. This adopted daughter, who also happens to be black, could actually be the daughter of a close friend (who is black) and mysteriously disappears. See what I did there! Creativity. Something like that would definitely shake up that little town in Connecticut, and maybe the reboot would’ve been just a little more interesting.7. CharmedIf you’re into supernatural bad ass women, this show was your second favorite after Buffy The Vampire Slayer. The Halliwell sisters are vanquishing demons and dealing with the throes of sisterhood. And yes, actually that does sound like the life of a black girl. After the death of one of the main characters named Prue, they could’ve easily given us a black female character! Maybe then, someone could’ve talked some sense into Phoebe about dating demons.8. Sabrina The Teenage Witch While we are on the subject of supernatural,  this TV show was the perfect mashup of not-so-serious drama and humor. Sabrina Spellman, her sardonic cat and wacky aunts were perpetual lessons on life, love and family. If any show deserved a reboot with a major twist, it was Sabrina The Teenage Witch. This show could've easily resurfaced with a solid black supporting actress or a new, blacker witch protagonist! At this point, we've pretty much acknowledged that black girls are indeed magic. Overall, the sci-fi scene on major television networks needs more magical, black characters that aren't vampires.9. Lizzie McGuireDisney channel fans, do you remember the glory days? The days when we got excited to watch everything and black girls could see the future (thanks, Raven). Lizzie McGuire was one of those shows that had all the dramatic themes of what being a teenager was like, and to their credit, we did have a little diversity (her friend, Miranda, was a POC and Gordo was Jewish). But as a fan of Hilary Duff, and the show, this series had a huge opportunity to set the pace when it came to casting diverse actors! I mean, at the very least, giving Kate a black BFF would have sufficed.10. Gossip GirlOh, the drama! As much as you got annoyed at these flagrantly rich bunch of upper east side kids, going to the best preparatory schools and finding their way into the coolest parties, it wasn’t all champagne and macarons. And what’s even more aggravating is that the black character(s) consistently showing up each season were either part of Blair Waldorf’s goon squad, or a storyline that eventually came to an end. Again, a bad and bourgeois black character would've fit the bill.11. GIRLSSo nobody finds it odd that these characters live in Brooklyn, but there are hardly any black people? Let’s start with incorporating more extras with some melanin so that the “borough” they live in actually reflects real life. At this point, it might be a stretch to ask Lena Dunham to write in a black character, but I mean, I wouldn’t have minded a black female character who sarcastically checks Hannah’s white privilege.Even if we can't dial back time, just as easily as you can put together an article about how our favorite shows can seamlessly champion representation, more directors and writers should be thinking about how sitcoms and popular series will impact their audience. For any black girl who grew up in predominantly white neighborhoods, or was just learning to love herself, seeing how black female characters on screen worked it out in each episode was what we needed, and still do....

Survivor’s Remorse is an acclaimed STARZ Original Series centered around a professional basketball player and his family. Although the male leads are the center of the plot lines, anyone who’s watched the stories unfold has probably noticed how the black women on the cast steal the show. They are diverse, outspoken, confident and successful. They are loving, stubborn and complex. And in a time when characters are often reduced to stereotypes and tokens in order to claim diversity, the women of Survivor’s Remorse embody it.The plot centers around Cam Calloway, played by Jessie T. Usher, a pro basketball player who is learning how to balance his new life in Atlanta with his past and the people he loves from Boston that are along for the ride. It’s a story of growth, love and the sometimes-harsh realities of fame.From the very first season, we get to know Cam Calloway’s sister M-Chuck, his mom Cassie Calloway, and Missy Vaughn, his cousin Reggie’s wife. And, before we know it, these women quickly steal the show from the leading men. They are strong, witty and caring. More importantly, something they all demonstrate is the ability to control their own narratives. Despite the circumstances they’ve been thrust into or had to rise from, they’ve remained true to themselves and what they want. And that’s the ultimate quality of a star character.Let’s take a look at Cam’s older sister - M-Chuck (played by the talented Erica Ash). She starts off season one wanting to take over PR for Cam, somehow saving the day for him when a sticky situation arises and someone wants to blackmail Cam for a good deed. Although she doesn’t take the most traditional approach to handling the situation, she gets it handled. She’s like the Olivia Pope of the Calloways, always looking out for her family.M-Chuck never shies away from her identity — even when, as a lesbian, she is discriminated against in a church the Calloways are checking out in their new home of Atlanta. Rather than hide who she is, she stands up in the face of close-minded people. And although it’s a sensitive topic, M-Chuck’s character faces it head-on and has the support of her family along the way. It’s a major moment for representing family, black love and standing up for what’s right, and the women of Survivor’s Remorse are leading the charge in those conversations.Cassie Calloway (the legendary Tichina Arnold), the mom behind these two talented, intelligent lead characters, is a showstopper as well. Although she isn’t always wrapped with a bow and her language can come off brash and her methods harsh, her intentions are clear. She’s a relatable character, putting in the tough love and unfiltered protection that many of our own parents have demonstrated. But one of the most impressive characteristics of Cassie is the confidence she has to fulfill her own wants and needs as well. She’s not portrayed as the hopeless background character only there to support her family. She demands the space to grow, learn and experience things as a woman within these storylines. As we learn more and more about her character, it’s clear what shaped Cassie to be this way. And it’s with that depth that she becomes one of the most complex and compelling characters on the show.And even outside of Cam’s immediate family are women who demand to be seen and heard as well. Missy Vaughn (expertly played by Teyonah Parris) has to find balance as a character raised in a very different background as her husband, Reggie (Cam’s cousin and best friend). She was raised in a “well-off” family, and although the show could pit her as a spoiled brat in comparison to the difficult upbringing of the Calloways, they don’t. She’s always hustling, business-minded and caring. She gets the final sign-off on her husband’s deal for Cam’s first shoe endorsement and she helps the family transition into the world of having money in a way that isn’t condescending or stereotypical. Missy Vaughn balances traditional Southern belle with revolutionary — she’s not only a supportive family member, but she’s an accomplished person in her own right. So you might be pulled into Survivor’s Remorse for the family drama, for the idea of a show focused around a pro hoops player or even because LeBron James is the executive producer — but you’ll keep watching because these women are complex, powerful and compelling. They are the true stars of the show. The new season of Survivor’s Remorse premieres this Sunday, only on STARZ and on the STARZ App. Catch the trailer below: This post is brought to you in collaboration with...

Motherhood is not one path. It’s a journey, and it’s complex. It can’t be defined by any step-by-step manual and no two stories are alike. It’s easy to look at different women and to ignore their circumstances and judge their methods, but it’s much harder to be faced with tough situations and have to navigate them not only for yourself but for your children. But Cassie Calloway, Cam and M-Chuck’s mother on Survivor’s Remorse, manages to embody the reality of motherhood in a way that’s not often represented on TV.Our mothers are real. They are not background characters nor side stories in our lives — and that’s well-represented by Cassie. From the beginning of the first season, we see Cassie’s pride in her son and her willingness to enrich the community around her. She gives away the family’s old belongings to the neighborhood before the family makes the move from Boston to Atlanta — even when some of those belongings later lead to Cam getting into a bit of trouble. Like many of our moms, Cassie isn’t perfect in her actions. But her intentions are pure.As the seasons pass and we learn more about the Calloway family, more of Cassie’s quirks are explained. She’s not a perfect mom or a media-friendly mom — but then again neither are most of ours. Early on Cassie gets in trouble for her comments on whooping her kids when they were younger, which raises an important conversation around parenting and punishment that often happens with the cultural and generational shift that’s happened between our parents’ time and ours.One thing that Survivor’s Remorse doesn’t shy away from is nuance, and Cassie is one of the strongest examples of this. She’s never afraid to laugh, to use a sharp tongue when she needs to and to do whatever she thinks is necessary in order to protect her children.We even get to see Cam and M-Chuck, her adult children, struggle with the “Because I said so” reasoning that Cassie has given throughout their lives. And when push comes to shove and they question her enough for her to share the reasoning behind some of her parenting techniques, they are forced to meet the harsh reality of what their loving mother has been through in life.For many of us, until hardships arise, it’s hard to remember that our mothers are humans first and moms second. But Cassie Calloway represents that well — even when she has to check her children and remind them that there are many things they’ll never understand about being a mother in the circumstances she endured.When the Calloways suffer from a family tragedy later on in the show, we see Cassie struggle with the real human emotions of loss. In our lives, there are times when our seemingly strong mothers break down — and although it can be startling and scary, it’s real. Watching Cassie experience those emotions feels like seeing your own mother struggle. It’s hard to watch, but easy to relate to.So if you’re looking for authentic representations of motherhood in television, let go of the picture-perfect archetypes in sitcoms and second-tier characters in other dramas. Tichina Arnold portrays Cassie Calloway in such a believable way you’ll want to call your mom and thank her for everything she’s done for you — and forgive her for her mistakes, too. The new season of Survivor’s Remorse premieres this Sunday only on STARZ and on the STARZ App. Catch the trailer below: This post is brought to you in collaboration with...

The previous season of Survivor’s Remorse left us with a lot of unfinished business. (If you aren’t caught up, now’s the time to pause and finish those last few episodes on the STARZ App.  Spoilers ahead!) The past is constantly reminding the Calloways about where they came from and who they are, but some particularly harsh truths came to light at the end of Season 3. Cassie has always been the strong, capable mother who raised both Cam (Jessie T. Usher) and M-Chuck (Erica Ash) — but the curiosity about their fathers has been eating at the siblings for some time. Last season we found out through a very moving, brutally honest monologue from Tichina Arnold that M-Chuck is a child of rape. At the same time, her brother Cam was planning to visit his father in prison. We even see Reggie (RonReaco Lee), their loveable cousin and close friend, reconnect with his since-sober father. There are a lot of complicated relationships left hanging in the balance, and season 4 will see us confront these head on. This season promises to see our feelings about each character are sure to grow this season as we dive deeper into their take a closer look at the histories and personalities of each of the show’s stars. Strong storylines led by the incredible women on the show have been a big component of Something that each previous episode.  of Survivor’s Remorse has given us is a series of strong storylines led by the incredible women on the show. This is something you can expect to continue for season 4four. We’ll see M-Chuck live and cope with the harsh reality of her conception., Wand we’ll also watch Cassie continue to balance being a loyal mother and an independent adult capable of having love and a life beyond just being the family figure — including her growing relationship with Chen (Robert Wu). Allison (Meagan Tandy) is a relatively new character in the family, but can we expect to see her and Cam grow and continue to nurture their relationship? Or will life in the spotlight prove to be too much for them?Missy (Teyonah Parris) and Reggie will have their own obstacles to tackle, including family secrets and staying on top of the growing business that is Cam’s career. And what’s next for Cam — who brought everyone we’ve grown to love into this delicate place of balancing their past and their now very prosperous present? We can expect to see him learn more about what it means to be a public figure who still values his personal life — and all the trials and tribulations that come along with that.Guest stars this season will include DJ Khaled (as an MRI technician), Vanessa Bell Calloway, Isaiah Washington and Neal McDonough.Before you hop back into this new season of twists and turns, check out the season 4 trailer below!This post is brought to you in collaboration with...

We are always looking to media to see accurate representations of ourselves, our blackness, and not just a trope or stereotype depicted for entertainment.Cartoons and television shows in the 90s and early 2000s, in particular, were treasures for anyone who was in their adolescence at that time, or at least old enough to appreciate it, even for black people, though our faces were not as represented as they may appear today.Black parents in many of these programs were shown as lawyers, doctors, college educators, entrepreneurs, politicians or simply moms and dads who worked odd jobs and graveyard shifts to provide for their children.Whether moms and dads or mother and father-figures, here are 13 black parents in 90s and early 2000s shows and cartoons that worked tirelessly so that their kids could live as carefree as their white peers.1. Lisa Landry & Ray Campbell (Sister, Sister)Occupations: Fashion designer and limousine service ownerSkills: Morphing their lives together and making personal sacrifices so that Tia and Tamera can build the twin bond they never knew they needed.Though Tia and Tamera were not their biological children, they loved them both conditionally and even respected their wishes to learn about their birth parents. 2. Philip & Vivian Banks (The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air)Occupations: Judge and educator turned homemakerSkills: Beating Will and his cousins to the punch with their never-ending shenanigans. Uncle Phil and Aunt Viv took in a wisecracking and mischievous nephew so that he could have a better life and raised him as their own. The feels. 3. Oscar & Trudy Proud (The Proud Family)Occupations: Snack foods owner and veterinarianSkills: Embarrassing Penny almost on a daily basis and bailing her out of trouble at the same time.At the end of each day, Oscar and Trudy always gave the best pep talks. 4. Frank & Dee Mitchell (Moesha)Occupations: Businessman and high school principalSkills: Making enough money to feed their children and their friends that never seemed to ever go home, and Dee treating Moesha like the daughter she never had despite the fact that Moesha and Miles were her step-children.5. Randy and Lucy Carmichael (Rugrats)Occupations: TV Show Writer and Harvard-graduated pediatricianSkills: Raising four children to become overachievers like themselves and change the narrative for black families as Susie's Carmichael's parents6. Martin and Mrs. Johanssen (Hey Arnold)Occupations: Businessman/Vietnam war vet and checkout clerk at neighborhood marketSkills: Reminding Gerald and his siblings that money doesn't grow on trees and pinching pennies so that our favorite high afro storyteller can ride bikes around the city carelessly with his friends.7. Andrew and Michele Landon (Daria)Occupations: Inventor of the folding coffee cup and Senior Vice President of "US World"Skills: Dealing with the pressures of going from VP to stay-at-home mom and the strain of their marriage while trying to push Jodie, who was already a real-life version of the black Barbie doll that was skilled in every trade, to attend an elite predominantly white college when she prefers to enroll at an HBCU.8. Harold and Mrs. Van Zandt (Degrassi)Occupations: Lawyer and stay-at-home motherSkills: Being strict disciplinarians but comforting Liberty in her time of grief and being present at moments of despair and supporting her when she became pregnant as a teen.9. Bernie and Wanda McCullough (The Bernie Mac Show)Occupations: Actor/Comedian and vice president for AT&TSkills: Raising their three nieces and nephews unexpectedly while Bernie's drug-addicted sister seeks rehabilitation being the firm rod they never had but always needed.10. Victor and Tanya Baxter (That's So Raven)Occupations: Chef/restaurant owner and educatorSkills: Demonstrating a very affectionate and fun relationship to Raven and Cory whilst helping them to navigate through young adulthood and to appreciate the more important aspects of life.11. Andre and Vanessa Walker (Cousin Skeeter)Occupations: Record producer and lawyerSkills: Mistaken Skeeter as a good influence on Bobby when in fact he was the influence of their many misadventures but taking in Skeeter and raising him like a son. 12. Sergeant Major Alvin Moore (Boy Meets World)Occupation: Sergeant in the United States Army and a recruiter for the ROTC programSkills: Taking care of Angela as a single father and seen trying to make up for lost time with his daughter.13. Floyd Henderson (Smart Guy)Occupation: Owner of Floyd Henderson Contracting Co.Skills: Dealing with the many hijinks of his children as a single father after the sudden death of his wife.Black moms and dads in these shows were always about their business. Though these family dynamics were accurate for most, it also reflected the strain long hours away from home could have on the families at times and debunked any myths that black love is scarce or that black fathers are not involved in their children's lives.These shows depicted black parents, like many of our own that don't get enough credit, who worked hard so that kids like Tia and Tamera, Moesha and Miles, Penny and Gerald could live carefreely.So I guess all that is left to say is "thank you, mom and...

Last week, the massive kid-fan base of the popular Disney Channel cartoon, Doc McStuffins learned how to properly prepare for an earthquake in an episode titled "The Emergency Plan." The episode, depicting parents who happened to be an interracial lesbian couple, is the latest effort on the part of The Disney Channel to show more diverse and inclusive narratives. The married couple was voiced by real life lesbians Wanda Sykes and Portia de Rossi. Sykes, whose kids are fans of the popular show, spoke about the importance of the narrative in the following interview with Disney Television Animation News."I always envision Doc McStuffins as a show about what it means to accept everyone as part of our communities," said the show's executive producer Chris Nee in a GLAAD blog post. "As part of a two-mom family, I’m proud to have an episode that reflects my son's world, and shows everyone that love is love in McStuffinsville."...

In the past year, I have become an avid watcher of the STARZ series Power.  I am not the quick on the draw viewer, the kind that sits around on Saturday night watching so they can immediately post unsolicited spoilers and piss off all their Facebook friends.  I am the broke graduate student, siphoning cable from a father of a friend who likely has no idea I have access to his Xfinity account, type of viewer.  I tend to roll over on Sunday mornings, login to Mr. Johnson’s online account and catch up with what’s happened in the world of Power. I also was not an early fan of the show. It wasn’t until three seasons had gone by that I took a moment to check out what the hype was all about.  This delay in viewing has more to do with the time at which I gained access to Mr. Johnson’s Xfinity than anything else.I didn’t expect to be drawn into the show so quickly but found the show to be captivating. I developed a slight disdain for Ghost somewhere near the end of season one and the mid-point of season 2, which actually drove me to continue watching simply because I wanted to see what happened to him.  I don’t actually know when this potentially irrational hate for James St. Patrick developed because I binge watched the show over the course of a weekend and lost track of which events occurred at what point in the series and the timeline of my disdain is actually irrelevant. The point is, I was hooked.  I went into a full on Power rabbit hole, watching several episodes twice, some even three times.  I liked it so much that I went as far as purchasing the first season on iTunes and have played old episodes during various Wi-Fi inaccessible moments in my life.These have included road trips, visits to my grandma’s house, and even while sitting on the porch drinking rum and playing with my Air BnB host’s dog, Chulie, on a spring break trip to Cuba.The image of this well to do Black family living in the laps of luxury was appealing, even if they had made their way up the socioeconomic ladder through less than savory means.  The show was well written, the plot was well developed, and the characters were nuanced and interesting.  After finding a show I could really get into, I waited in anticipation for season 4 to drop.  I was so gassed that I woke up and made breakfast for my Sunday morning viewing. There may or may not have been a $6 bottle of André champagne used to make mimosas in celebration of the return of the show. Judge your mama. I was excited. The season started off and I was as engaged as I had been for the previous three but as the fourth installment of the show has progressed, the realization that the writers of Power have lost all chill has slowly began to turn me away.  By the loss of chill, I’m specifically referencing the introduction of the gratuitous violence, which seems to now serve as high points in the show.  From Tommy running over the Latin corner boy to the unnecessarily gruesome death of Charlie Murphy whose mutilated body is left sprawled under the image of a lynched black man swinging from exercise equipment, the show has taken a slight turn which is kinda gross and definitely unnecessarily gory and I don’t think I’m with it.  I get it, on a show like Power; violence is necessary at some points.  It is a show detailing the affairs of people involved in an illicit drug trade and the obstacles tied to being involved in the drug world, which at times means a character or two has to get murked.  I get that.  I’m cool with that. When they shot Milan, I got it.  When Tommy choked Holly out, I understood how this pushed the story line along.Full disclosure, I hated Holly more than I dislike Ghost so the scene where she got capped was met with low-level cheering.  I’m not saying that I am or am not trash for cheering during the scene or that my excitement wasn’t a bit problematic, just letting you know how it went down in apartment 933.  But the gruesomeness of this season has left me feeling some kinda way, mostly squeamish. Instead of complementing the narrative, violence has become a central element driving the plot.  When Julio was having his tattoo peeled off by the ex-gang affiliate, I had to push my computer screen away and even still the desperate screams were haunting.  I have felt more sad than entertained during multiple points in the season. I’ve discussed my angst with several friends, some of whom agree the writers of Power have lost their chill.  Others have told me the writers are just trying to show the people “that real street sh*t” and I’m tripping.  This could very well be true.  Maybe I am in the minority and “the people” are living for this wanton overly graphic violence.  Perhaps I am becoming too sensitive in my old age and “real street sh*t” as depicted by TV characters has lost some of its dewy glow.  There is also the possibility that at some point I lost my status as one of “the people”.  Or maybe the writers of Power are doing the most and should go to the nearest corner store and purchase a family sized bag of chill to share amongst themselves because their creative musings are currently stressing me...