1. Positive Black Family Sitcoms: Where did they go?

2. Highlights History of Black men and women in television Stereotypes
Portrayals of the Black Family
Popular Black sitcoms
The Cosby Show
Sitcoms after The Cosby Show
The effects on children
Discussion Questions

3. The History of Black men and women in television
In the early years of primetime television Blacks were often seen in roles in Black situation comedies.
Black situation comedies are programs that focus on gags, physical movements, and one-liners. These comedies are embedded with stereotypes that play off Blackness to create humor.
Even though early situation comedies stereotyped Black men and women the presence of Blacks in these comedies was seen as a big thing because African American viewers were able to see themselves on screen.

4. Stereotypes
The Sambo Black men on primetime television were often characterized to be child-like, lazy, a clown, crook, and always ready to perform.
This portrayal was seen often in shows such as Amos ‘n’ Andy and Goodtimes

5. The Sapphire
One of the roles that were available for Black women was the sapphire. The sapphire was a woman that was loud, very opinionated, and was not taken serious.
The Mammy
The mammy was the most common role played by Black women. The mammy always appeared to be a heavy set black woman who was always happy, took care of the kids, and loved her white family.

6. Portrayal of the Black Family
In the beginning of Black situation comedies the black family wasn’t visible.
Shows such as Leave It to Beaver promoted the idea that the white family structure was pure and wholesome.
Slowly but surely the presence of a nuclear black family on primetime television came about.

7. Popular Black Sitcoms The Beulah Show Idealized dream of a housekeeper
Reinforced the notion of a African American women comfortable living with her white family
Beulah was happy and unaware of her children but took care of someone else’s
Beulah Show

8. Julia (1968-1971) Good Times (1974-1979) Single mother raising her son
Family oriented, integrated environment
Breath of fresh air
Good Times ( )
1st written without a husband/father
1st time to show a black family with a mother and father
Greatest potential- inner-city, solid family, real world issues relevant to African Americans.
Downfall- elevated JJ’s role (buffoon, sambo)

9. Roots(1977)
Power of family
Showed black people being like any other immigrant
Family saga
Frank’s Place( )
Diverse images of black people
To real for Americans, white America can’t handle the reality
killed by ratings

10. The Cosby Show New image of Black families in America
Represents everybody’s fantasies
Nuclear family
Emphasis on the family dynamic
Ideal American family

11. Black Family Sitcoms after The Cosby Show
The Fresh Prince of Bell Air,
Sister, Sister,
Family Matters,
Parenthood ,
Moesha,
My Wife and Kids,
Everybody Hates Chris, 2005-present

12. The effects on children
So with all this history behind Black Sitcoms and
the number of family sitcoms that have come and
gone how does this effect children in today’s
society?
misrepresentation or lack of information can harm a child’s social development.
Can promote negative views of one’s self or another group.
If a child can not see themselves on television they tend to except another groups worldview.

13. Effects continued….
The Social Cognitive theory is “the idea that people learn through interacting with and observing each other”.- Albert Bandura
Today the two of most popular Black family sitcoms is The Cleveland Show and Tyler Perry’s House of Payne. Many critics have claimed that these shows reinforce old situation comedy buffoonery. Some also say that the families in these shows do not exhibit what they believe to be the Black family.

14. of Payne //
“Images of minority groups that the cognitions and emotions that the majority of white Americans develop about people of color arise significantly from mass media”- Entman and Rojecki

15. Discussion Questions
Do you agree with the criticisms from Spike Lee about Tyler Perry ‘s show ?
Are you familiar with the shows that were discussed?
Do you agree with Entman and Rojecki that white Americans develop attitudes towards people of color through mass media?
Do you think that black sitcoms can have an affect on a child’s perception of the black family dynamics?
Did this presentation change your perspective of how you viewed Black family sitcoms?