Remember family television? The Brady Bunch, The Cosby Show, Family Matters, George Lopez, and Everybody Hates Chris? It seems that lately, the idea of the family comedy has all but disappeared, save for Modern Family.
These shows have been replaced with competitive cooking shows, reality television and talent competitions. Finding a single show which will keep every age range in the family entertained and satisfied has grown increasingly difficult.
But ABC is revamping family television and here are three shows to watch:
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Black-ish — series premiere Wednesday, September 24 at 9:30/8:30 Central
The new fall comedy Black-ish follows a black family living in a predominantly white upper-middle class neighborhood. Andre Johnson (Anthony Anderson) has four children, a loving wife (Tracee Ellis Ross), and a critical father (Laurence Fishburne). Andre and his wife have successfully given their kids more than either of them ever had during their upbringings. Yet, with the lack of other equally successful families of color in his kids’ lives, Andre worries that they will lose connection with their black heritage. Upon finding out that his son, Andre Jr., prefers to be called Andy by school friends, wants a bar mitzvah, and likes to play field hockey, Andre sets off on a quest to preserve his own definition of black cultural identity for all of the children. The show is reminiscent of The Bernie Mac Show (2000-2006) and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990-1996), and it offers a modern twist on The Cosby Show (1984-1992).
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Cristela — series premiere Friday, October 10 at 8:30/7:30 Central
Another comedy coming out this fall is Cristela, which focuses on Mexican-American part-time law student Cristela, in her sixth year of law school and about to land an unpaid internship at a prestigious law firm. The show feels similar to George Lopez (2002-2007). Cristela’s living with her sister, brother-in-law and their children and is trying to balance her own dreams with her working class Mexican-American family’s expectations of her. There’s also the presence of her traditional and overbearing Latina mother, always there to add her criticism and occasional word of encouragement. Cristela is a funny Latina who knows how to crack a joke while slowly climbing the ladder of success. She wants it all, and she won’t stop until she reaches her goals, even if it takes longer than anticipated.
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Fresh Off The Boat — coming in 2015
Fresh Off The Boat is a family comedy based on Eddie Huang’s memoir of the same name. The sitcom follows Huang’s Taiwanese family in the 1990s as they move from Washington, D.C., to Orlando, Florida, where his father, Louis, is opening a steak house and pursuing the American Dream. Louis’ wife, Jessica, is supportive of her husband but, as Huang’s voice-over puts it, Louis’ American Dream is Jessica’s nightmare. The show is similar in narrative style to Everybody Hates Chris (2005-2009). Eddie and his brothers Evan and Emery struggle with assimilation as first-generation Taiwanese-American boys. Eddie wants to hold on to his Taiwanese culture, but also wants to embrace American customs. As Eddie and his brothers stumble through boyhood and his parents hold tight to the American Dream, the first Asian-American family sitcom to air in 20 years emerges with high hopes, humor and Huang’s candid narration of his own unique upbringing.
It’s obvious that ABC is trying to appeal to families and minorities simultaneously. Whether this is minority representation done right is still up in the air, but ABC should be commended. The purposeful casting of entire families of color, rather than the token main character or supporting actor, is definitely a step in the right direction. This is not to say that these shows will come off without a hitch. There will undoubtedly be stumbling blocks and learning opportunities as they put out their first seasons. What weaves these shows together is not just racial and ethnic diversity, but the idea of expanding on the American Dream. A dream built not only on surviving, but on absolutely thriving, with love, support, hard work and family at the center of it all.
