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Then & Now: Black TV Shows We Loved & Love

It’s always dope to turn on your TV and see a sea of black and brown faces on your screen. Black television shows have been making a comeback in a major way in recent years. After our favorites had their final seasons (Living Single, Martin, A Different World, Fresh Prince, Girlfriends shall we contine?) ratchet tv took over for a moment. And as much as I love ratchet reality TV, I have to say I’m loving the recent wave of black TV. Here’s a few we love, from the past and present. 

Then – Moesha, Now – Insecure

I like to think of Issa’s character on Insecure the mature version of Moesha. We grew up watching Moesha battle tackle the ups and downs of teenage life and all that comes with along with it, much like we’re currently tuning in to watch Issa confront adulthood head on. With Moesha we watched as she was introduced to things like teen pregnancy and drug use while with Issa we’re seeing infidelity and balancing relationships and work. Both shows focus on a black woman as the main character, stumbling and finding her way through life. Those who could relate to Moesha back in the late 90’s find ourselves impatiently waiting for the next season of Insecure to drop!

Then – Martin, Now – Real Husbands of Hollywood

I don’t want to compare the two but here we are. Two black comedy shows with black male comedians at the focus. Where Kevin Hart on RHOH has taken the opportunity to play on our current obsession with reality TV to create a show that “follows” the lives of married celebrities in Hollywood, Martin put a comedic spin on the real life reality of living, dating, and loving as a black couple in Detroit. While each show is hilarious and different in their own respect, the black casts and the non stop laughs are reasons why we love them both.

Then – Eve, Now – Being Mary Jane

Who else remembers this early 2000’s show that starred the rapper Eve? Though it was short lived, this sitcom features the same struggle that so many women find themselves facing and the same struggle we tune in week after week to watch Mary Jane tackle: A thriving career and a work in progress love life. Both shows focus on success black women who are a force to be reckoned with in their careers. Shelly (played by Eve) is a fashion designer and boutique owner while Mary Jane (Gabrielle Union) is a powerhouse media personality. The shows take us into the dynamics of being single, black women bosses and the interesting love life that sometimes comes along with it.

Now if we could just get a modern day Girlfriends and A Different World we’d be set!

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