I grew up on Good Times, the Jeffersons, and Different Strokes

[Melodybe]

The Heat of the Night, Webster, The Cosby Show, Different World, the Fresh Prince of Bel Air, the list goes on and on.

Believe it or not those shows changed America, they opened our eyes and made us a better more accepting country.

If you think for a second that the majority of white Americans are going to just turn their backs on the black race you are wrong.

Any poll that says that a majority of repus are happy with Bush's handling of Katrina, is full of it.

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. Along with the Jeffersons, "All in the Family" since it spun off from

there.

You'll notice we still have a lot of ground to cover in getting more shows that feature other people who aern't lily white. And it's only 2005.

------------------------------------------------------
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[texpatriot2004]

2. He may be a moron but I'm not. n/t

[Melodybe]

3. All in the Family is a favorite show of mine now thanks to Nic at Nite

but I only have a few memories of it from my childhood, but the others were in sindication on my local tv.

Yes, America does still have some work to get the rainbow of our diversity on TV, but we are getting better.

[DanCa]

22. The First Season of Barney Miller and Chico and the Man were Cool

I thought the first season of Barney Milley was pretty ethnically diversed. People mourned when Jack Soo passed away, I felt bad when Chano AL mangua left.

[buff2]

4. 3's Company

That show was the best. Oh and Sanford and Son. Period.

[JuniperLea]

6. Redd Foxx rules!

Loved that show... that theme tune gets stuck in my ear whenever I hear it too.

[patdem]

9. When I was a kid-12 or so, my dad had a record by Redd Foxx..and it

was da bomb! That was in the early 60's...He and Mom's Mably were GREAT. When I was home alone I would sneak the records on my record player...This was when I was still holding my tounge and saying "mommy and daddy are ducking behind the door'..LOL!

[JuniperLea]

5. I'm still waiting for a real slice of Americana

That portrays equal numbers of Blacks and Whites... and an equal number of very cool people in each group... and an equal number of assholes in each group. That is my perspective on people in general. No matter where you want to draw social lines, Black, White, Jewish, Hispanic, Asian, Pacific Islander... there are equal numbers of really cool people in each group and equal numbers of assholes.

What I really want to see is a program that has people of all colors and there is no mention of color. That is my world. I don't discuss "blackness and whiteness" with my Black friends and neighbors. We discuss the usual... how stupid and dangerous Bush is, how high gas prices are, who needs a job, who just had a birthday...

[blonndee]

7. I think ER is pretty diverse, with very little "racial" discussions. n/t

[Beaver Tail]

11. Welcome Back Kotter was your show

[JuniperLea]

14. Sweat Hogs!

Damn, I loved that show:)

[bleedingheart]

8. sadly the Katrina disaster has brought out all the closet racists

in my community...

I live in what used to be a democratic stronghold and the white people I have heard have said some very ugly things....so I hate to say this ...I think there is still a lot more work to do..

[Beaver Tail]

10. I also remember

Sanford and Son
Different Strokes
Amen
Welcome Back Kotter
The Flip Wilson Show

But there is still more work to be done

[nini]

12. uh.. that's quite a generalization

This may be one of the most naive posts I've ever seen here. Those shows did not teach some Americans how to treat minorities with respect and as equals. Those shows with Black casts may have entertained them but when it came to 'living' with minorities there are still plenty of people who just can't accept them. Sad, but true


they may say they weren't racist because they watched those shows, but it ultimately comes down how Blacks are TREATED in real life. Big difference.

[mzteris]

13. you're so - like - yesterday

:)

Now it's Sister Sister and That's so Raven........

Actually, I have a problem with many of the old "black shows" - as they tend to show AA's in the whole shuck and jive type of role.

I never really cared for Fresh Prince either as I thought it was too overtly "free sex" (I had a teenage daughter at the time so maybe that was why.)

The Cosby show was pretty good but there was still a disconnect with much of "Black America". People liked the COSBY's, of course, they were well-off *doctors*..... (this goes back to class.)

Do you remember FAME? I liked that one, too. And what was the one about the kids as Howard University? That had multidimensional characters. (Too many shows are like the SMURFS - a personality for each character - except - only ONE Female to epitomize ALL femaledom.)

[freeplessinseattle]

18. yes, that whole "movin' on up" theme song annoyed me

seemed pretty racist to me even at a young age.

[tedoll78]

15. My favorite sitcome of all time: SOAP.

"This is the story of two sisters.."

[Lisa0825]

17. I LOVED SOAP!!!

I was too young to catch some of the humor, and I'm actually surprised my mom let me watch, since it was pretty racy. But I guess she assumed the racy parts would go over my head!LOL

[Lisa0825]

16. Mixed feelings....

While those shows could be pretty sterotypical, I do think that it got the country "used to" seeing blacks on TV, and opened people up a bit... TV can be the wedge to pry open issues. For example, Will and Grace and Queer Eye. Those shows have really broken ground in raising acceptance of homosexuality. I know some conservative women who really did 180s after falling for the Queer Eye guys bigtime.

I am hoping for a simailar eye-opening if Commander in Chief does well. It could get the issue of a woman president out there in the mainstream, being discussed.

As for current "black shows," I LOVE Girlfriends, Raven, and My Wife and Kids. I wish more shows were more diverse, rather than predominantly one race, but I'll watch any "color" of show as long as it's a good show.

I like how the character of Deacon on King of Queens' race is rarely ever mentioned. I think I have only seen 2 episodes where it was a subject.

[NuttyFluffers]

19. i get your jist. black america is still america, first and foremost.

whether there are people who like it or not, it is literally inconceivable to imagine america without african americans and their contributions to it. too much of america just wouldn't be. and tv sitcoms, in all their flaws, is just a minute facet of all that was offered; which is probably why you used this example (even though it is turning into something proto-controversial, against your intent i'm feeling). their blood, sweat, tears, and soul went into this country and it is every bit theirs as it is others.

the disgusting part of it all is this consistent view of "other" perpetuated upon one of the earliest groups assisting to found and nurture this nation. it is shameful that new groups feel compelled to try to find themselves on some sort of sick pecking order between the dichotomy of black and white (read: WASP) america. it is a sick and long tradition of america trying to cut off its nose to spite (or "gentrify" in this case) its face, and we shouldn't excuse or tolerate it anymore. when the chips are down they are my people as i am theirs and we must stand together or we all fall apart.

[DanCa]

20. We need another Murphy Brown

Aldon the painter and Jim Dial ruled..

[DanCa]

21. I still like Fonzie tho

Specially the Fonz vs officer Kirk episodes.