Originally by Ranker TVList RulesVote up the most influential TV shows with strong black audiences - all genres and from all time periods
This list contains TV shows Black people love, whether the shows are current or from the past or contain an all-African-American or only partly Black cast - from any genre. From sitcoms to dramas to reality shows, these are the shows African-Americans love. Vote your favorites up.
The lack of Black television shows of any genre has been consistently noted, but as the 21st century rolls on, the state of African-American television shows signs of improvement. Television has come a long way from The Cosby Show, which is often considered a breakthrough moment in African-American TV. Today, all-Black sitcoms, reality shows, and dramas are more readily available, from reruns of classics, including Martin and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, to current shows, such as Empire and Basketball Wives.
Of course, TV shows African-Americans love don’t just include those with all-Black casts or those specifically aimed at the demographic. In fact, Nielsen ratings from 2012 show that a few series Black people love are also enjoyed by all demographics. Examples include NCIS and 60 Minutes.
What are your favorite African-American TV shows? Which shows are most loved by Black people? Are they classics, such as The Jeffersons or Living Single? Or are they just entertaining TV, including Modern Family or South Park? Whether the shows portray life in the African-American community or provide an engaging viewer experience, these TV shows African-Americans love keep viewers returning to their television sets.
1
2,940503The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
Will Smith, James AveryPremiered: 1990
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2,575509Martin
Martin Lawrence, Tisha Campbell-MartinPremiered: 1992
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1,701337The Bernie Mac Show
Bernie Mac, Kellita SmithPremiered: 2001
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2,048382Everybody Hates Chris
Terry Crews, Tichina ArnoldPremiered: 2005
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1,664337The Proud Family
Kyla Pratt, Tommy DavidsonPremiered: 2001
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1,214231Good Times
BernNadette Stanis, Ralph CarterPremiered: 1974
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1,507345Living Single
Queen Latifah, Kim ColesPremiered: 1993
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1,736415A Different World
Lisa Bonet, Kadeem HardisonPremiered: 1987
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1,163224In Living Color
Keenen Ivory Wayans, Jim CarreyPremiered: 1990
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1,892394My Wife and Kids
Damon Wayans, Tisha Campbell-MartinPremiered: 2001
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892168Sanford and Son
Redd Foxx, Demond WilsonPremiered: 1972
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900159Family Matters
Reginald VelJohnson, Jaleel WhitePremiered: 1989
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1,593367Black-ish
Anthony Anderson, Tracee Ellis RossPremiered: 2014
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953200The Jeffersons
Isabel Sanford, Sherman HemsleyPremiered: 1975
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1,940498The Boondocks
Regina King, John WitherspoonPremiered: 2005
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1,687460The Cosby Show
Bill Cosby, Phylicia RashadPremiered: 1984
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1,370372Girlfriends
Tracee Ellis Ross, Golden BrooksPremiered: 2000
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700147The Jamie Foxx Show
Jamie Foxx, Garrett MorrisPremiered: 1996
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1,075218Sister, Sister
Tia Mowry-Hardrict, Tamera Mowry-HousleyPremiered: 1994
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771166Moesha
Brandy Norwood, William Allen YoungPremiered: 1996
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1,641396Power
Omari Hardwick, Naturi NaughtonPremiered: 2014
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1,093285Insecure
Issa Rae, Jay EllisPremiered: 2016
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1,113292Chappelle's Show
Dave Chappelle, Donnell RawlingsPremiered: 2003
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46889The Wayans Bros.
Shawn Wayans, Marlon WayansPremiered: 1995
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858239Atlanta
Donald Glover, Brian Tyree HenryPremiered: 2016
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