One of the more popular new comedies to the ABC line up this year is Blackish, a show featuring an African American family and the father’s struggles to get his children to stay connected to their culture.
The show is one of the few on television to feature a predominantly African American cast, part of an effort by ABC to present shows that reflects the face of America.
Draven Katayama in his blog Loudly Silent wrote about what he gets out of show about African Americans.
I find that interesting since for a long time Hollywood has shied away from ethnic shows under the assumption that the general population would not be interested in watching.
That theory is being challenged this season by several shows featuring diverse casts, including at least two others with casts that are predominantly Asian American and Hispanic–Fresh Off the Boat & Cristela.
Cristela is set to debut Friday and Fresh Off the Boat will premier at a still to be announced date as a mid-season replacement. So far the ratings for Blackish have been strong, although the show dipped in ratings from its first to second week.
Read Loudly Silent and let us know if you think you can identify with some of what you see in Blackish.
Blackish airs Wednesday nights at 9:30 on ABC.