005 - Can Black Shows Stay On TV…Please?
Would it be dramatic for me to say that Hollywood hates Black TV?
Obviously, I’m dragging it a bit, but there’s some truth to what I’m saying for sure. I love supporting Black shows and I always will, but transparently I am always scared to get attached because I don’t know if the network will renew the series and or cancel the series abruptly.. Within the past few years, there have been so many Black shows canceled and taken away from us prematurely. As of recently, networks are getting a little crafty with their verbiage regarding canceling shows. They’re sugarcoating it with phrases like, “___ has been renewed for its final season.” Basically saying, “Yeah, we renewed your lil show for one more season, but ain’t no more coming after this.” Although I am glad certain shows do get a renewal, I still selfishly want all Black shows to last as long as these other shows *side-eyes* that are currently out. But that’s just wishful thinking, and It shouldn’t be. I hate to be that “woke” Black guy but why can’t we expect our show to last as long as other series…hmm…let me get off that soapbox.
As disappointed as I am to see these shows getting canceled, as a viewer, I do appreciate the fact that at least some shows are getting the heads-up for their final season. Typically, finale episodes of a series are left on a cliffhanger in hopes that the show will be renewed and can pick up on that storyline. If the show is not renewed, viewers (like myself) are left heartbroken because we never get to know the conclusion of that cliffhanger. So, as a viewer, I do like the fact that if a show is renewed for a final season, I have the opportunity to prepare my emotions knowing there will be nothing after that.
If we take a look back to early 2024, it was announced that Issa Rae’s HBO Max series Rap Sh!t was canceled after just two seasons. When I heard this news, I almost dropped to my knees!! I’m still hurt about this cancellation, not gonna lie. In my opinion, not only was season two miles better than season one, but season two left us on such a cliffhanger, I just knew season three was gonna be that much better. Speaking of Issa Rae, if you look even further back to 2022, it was announced that her reality show—also on HBO Max—Sweet Life: Los Angeles was canceled after two seasons. This, again, was surprising because not only did viewership from season one to season two increase, but the series was also a fresh idea. This show followed a group of friends chasing their dreams, working in their respective fields, and figuring out life as 20-somethings. It was inspiring to a lot of people, not just myself, so it was hard to see a show like this taken away after just two seasons.
Kerry Washington had her Hulu series Unprisoned canceled abruptly after two seasons. Again, this series was a fresh idea, and I was excited to see the storyline develop in future seasons, but Hulu said, “Nahh.” Netflix’s All American: Homecoming was also canceled after three seasons, and many other Black shows like NBC’s Grand Crew, Apple TV’s Swagger, Netflix’s The Get Down, Amazon’s Riches, and countless others didn’t even get a chance to see past a second season.
Speaking of Amazon, Prime’s original series Harlem, starring Meagan Good, released its third and final season this week. This news was a shock to fans, viewers, and even the cast. In an interview with The Breakfast Club, the cast mentioned they were sad to hear this was the final season and felt like their characters had so many more stories to tell. Despite this, they were happy to be able to wrap up the final season properly. Late last year, it was announced that Peacock’s original series Bel-Air was picked up for a fourth season, but despite its strong ratings for the network, it was also announced that this would be its final season. While there hasn’t been much press about this yet, I’m sure the cast is just as sad. If we’re being honest, though, even though I am disappointed to see both series come to a conclusion, it’s rare in this day and age to see a Black show get renewed for a second season. So both Harlem and Bel-Air should be proud of themselves for making it to a third and fourth season, respectively.
Overall, I want Black shows to stay on TV as long as their white counterparts, and that’s just the truth. Also—and I’m gonna ruffle some feathers with this one—I want my Black folks to support these Black shows so we can continue to keep them on television.
Here’s a list of Black shows I’m currently watching and hoping to get renewed for future seasons:
How To Die Alone (Hulu)
Reasonable Doubt (Hulu)
The Upshaws (Netflix)
Poppa’s House (Paramount+)
Cross (Amazon Prime)
Abbott Elementary (Hulu)
What are some of your Black show suggestions? Let me know so I can support!
As always, thank you for listening—or reading—my yap session and tuning into this AusThought. To keep up with all things Aus, follow me on all platforms @austunreid.
Talk soon,
Austun
