Network: ABC
Episodes: 176 (half-hour)
Seasons: Eight
TV show dates: September 24, 2014 — April 19, 2022
Series status: Ended
Performers include: Anthony Anderson, Tracee Ellis Ross, Yara Shahidi, Marcus Scribner, Miles Brown, Marsai Martin, Laurence Fishburne, Jeff Meacham, Jenifer Lewis, Peter Mackenzie, Deon Cole, August and Berlin Gross, and Katlyn Nichol.
TV show description:
This family sitcom revolves around an African-American family who are living the American dream — but that may be too much of a good thing for the family’s dad.
Andre ‘Dre’ Johnson (Anthony Anderson) considers himself the family patriarch. When he looks at his life, he sees a beautiful wife and four kids living happily in their colonial home in the suburbs. But when he looks a little closer, have the trappings of success brought too much assimilation for this black family? The world he sees has a much different lens than the one he would like his family to look through.
Rainbow (Tracee Ellis Ross) is an anesthesiologist and the bi-racial wife of Dre. He disagrees with some of her liberal viewpoints but they’re in agreement that they want to raise their kids in a better situation than what they had. Much to her husband’s wonderment, she believes their children can exist in a colorless society. She wants her husband to become the first black senior VP of his ad firm and she’s also looking forward to the salary increase that will follow.
At 15 years old, Zoey (Yara Shahidi) has everything going for her. She’s pretty, popular and super smart. However, she is dripping in privilege and unearned entitlement. Her idea of success is rooted in material things, rather than hard work.
Dre’s son is Andre Jr. (Marcus Scribner) but he asks to be called “Andy.” He also announces that, like his schoolmates, he wants a bar mitzvah for his 13th birthday. Trouble is, their family isn’t Jewish. When the boy says he wants to play for his school’s field hockey team instead of basketball, Dre wonders if he’d prefer Andre play basketball instead.
Diane (Marsai Martin) and Jack (Miles Brown) are the six-year-old twins. Jack is more of the sensitive type and idolizes his dad. Diane is gifted and talented and she thinks she has all the answers.
Dre’s father (Laurence Fishburne) is affectionately referred to as “Pops.” With an affinity for velour tracksuits and going to the racetrack, Pops can be a curmudgeon and takes every opportunity to offer his opinion on family issues.
Episode #176 — Homegoing
As Pops and Ruby prepare to move away, Dre and Bow consider if they should make a big life change as well. Grappling with this idea at work, Dre receives some unexpected advice from Simone Biles, who tells him to follow his heart. The Johnsons prepare for their goodbyes in the series finale.
First aired: April 19, 2022.
What do you think? Do you like the Black-ish TV show? Do you think it should have ended or been renewed for a ninth season?
Just watched the show and enjoyed it veery much. Can relate to the issue of wanting to fit in yet keeping true to one’s cultural identity. I’m not Black, but the push/pull and family situations are easy to identify with. A very lovable and funny family. Lawrence Fishbourne is great; I remember him as Cowboy Curtis back in the old PeeWee’s Playhouse days.
I am black and I refuse to even entertain a show titled “black-ish” now matter how good it is. We as African-Americans already struggle with trying to do away with stereotypes. This is absolutely reverse racism. If there was a show titled “White-Ish” all the black groups would boycott ABC. How can we as African-Americans condone such efforts by blacks in Hollywood who think they are doing the right thing for society. I like Anthongy Anderson, love Tracee Ross from Girlfriends and much respect to the venerable Laurence Fishburne. Why not give it a name that can appeal to those… Read more »
i’m octavion i 100% iagree with you on what you saying about hollywood and about abc
When a show named White-ish can be aired, citing all that is missionary and Caucasian, within a gated community, without creating social backlash, I will consider this mainstream. At this time however, it is pure reverse racism from the “oppressed” and “down-trodden”. ABC is wasting time as are the viewers of this show.
Blackish should be cancelled ! It disgusts me —a black father that’s soul purpose in life is to make his children more black ? Seriously? Only wanting his son to hang out with black friends and talking about “the struggle”. Someone please tell ABC it is 2014 !
Would this ever be approached as whitish ? What would we be saying if a white father only wanted his son to have white friends ? There would be riots ! This show further divides society.
Watched the second episode. It was outrageous. The show started with the son master bating. WHY ??? Not funny at all. Then it later progressed to questions about sexual positions. How can I watch this show with my kids when I have to explain segments that belong on late night cable channels. Won’t be watching anymore. This could be a good show but they have turned a lot of people off already.
Responding to D. Good point D. The second episode was a bit risque (sp) . Sounds like you’re a responsibe parent. More parents should take an interest in what their kids watch. If you were an avid Roseanne watcher like I was, you might recall the episode when DJ was master bating as well and he was having problems hiding the fact that he was “excitable” while at school. Dan (father) told him to put a book in front of it. My point is, believe me, it’s not the first time that the subject of “the talk” has been tackled… Read more »
And another thing….. As for the title, It certainly got my attention! Made me want to watch to see what it was about. Certainly as black woman there was no way that I was NOT going to watch to see what it was about. And like I said in a previous post, I loved it! Now I’ll tell you what would’ve been insulting to me behind the title Blackish; the stereotypical, head shaking, finger waving, cursing, fighting, baby mama, womanizing male, weed smoking type of characters that the world expects to see when characterizing black folks. Now that would’ve been… Read more »
So what about a new show called “White as White” or “White-ish” or “Lilly White?”
Any racism there? Sure hope not folks!
What a stupid name and topic for a TV show!
Humans can be such ignorant hypocrites!
I have actually watched both episodes so far and I love, love, love it already. Just watched the second episode which I dvr’d and I gotta tell ya; I laughed till I cried, then I rewinded and laughed till I cried all over again!!! I think a lot of people (with open minds), should just watch this show without expecting to be insulted or without looking for something to criticize it for, they might just like it too, (if they’re honest). But then again,….it is a step up from the normal tv show these days. I mean, it actually has… Read more »
I am in total agreement with you about the Shows name and it’s content. Initially, I was apprehensive because the title was obviously offensive if you viewed it through those “traditional” lenses. As a product of the sixties era America, I expected the ” shuckin n jiven” that so many shows depicted about our race. So believe me when I tell you I had to rearrange my thinking and approach. The writing I thought was excellent in describing what it looks like for a younger generation to be so far removed from identifying people based on race.( what a great… Read more »
AMEN!!!
Deelee,
I completely agree with all of your comments. I think the show is funny and refreshing and people need to stop holding on to these stereotypical views. It’s sad to say that the show may actually have better views and possibly be more successfully if it had a different name and a white cast. smh
i igree with you 100%
First, Hate the name of this show.
Second, ABC should be ashamed
Third, Why is it OK for blacks to have shows like this and if a white family tried this they would be called racist.
Know they think it was OK to do this show but think they could have had a better name for the show.
Maybe because whites have the rest of the shows on TV. CSI all versions, How I Met Your Mother, Big Bang Theory… Etc. Don’t be greedy there’s hundreds of channels of “white” shows, yet you choose to bash this one? Don’t watch it and move on.
I did not like the idea from the time the concept was described and before it ever aired. After it aired, I thought it was even worse than I imagined. I do not think the show or Anthony Anderson (especially) is funny. I also think that the show has a racist bent AND, before anyone starts yelling, I’m Black. I feel strongly that the title and the show are horrible ideas. I’ll never watch another episode…EVER!
THIS IS HORRIBLE!! THE MOST REVERSE RACIST SHOW EVER. ABC SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF.
Hated the show.
I thought it was cute. It has the potential to be hilarious with the right material. With the wrong stuff it might get cheesy. Planning on keeping up with the episodes.
Was looking forward to this show. However really did not find it entertaining at all. Will give it a chance next week, but not impressed so far.
I like Anthony Anderson, Tracee Ellis Ross and Laurence Fishburne and will try to remember to watch. If it is funny, then I will be a loyal fan.