We used to have the tightest BLACK sitcoms...what the heck happened???

Agreed 100%. I really didn't see the chemisty between Crews and Atkins at all. I mean, there were some funny moments, but boy were they few and far in between!! I think they are both great actors, but for this sitcom, nope!

You are right, all those shows you named are on TVONE and that's where most of my energies are spent. I think House of Payne is pretty funny, but the plots and episodes are SO unrealistic man!!

I agree, I thought last night when I was watching the show, WHO, is exactly writing this material? There were so many one liner references to current events (Tiger Woods for instance) that did not "fit" what they were talking about.

Overall, a great cast, but the writing and the laugh tracks have got to go. I don't see this show lasting long!!

I agree with you. I think the problem with black sitcoms started back when UPN began. Then escalated when the WB and UPN combined. Most of The Black shows that are out are the same type of shows. In the 90's it was more variety, better writers, better actors and actresses. Everyone learned from Fox that black sitcoms can equal success.

TBS is now trying to enter the sitcom market. I like Terry Crews but i do not see him carrying a show same for Essence. Essence has always played young roles (people under 25) so it is hard seeing her as a mother (even though she is almost 40). She also doesn't have (what i think) is needed to carry a show (I've seen a little of Half and Half, which was an OK show).

Most of the top Black sitcoms have been canceled even though they had good ratings so i don't know what gives or is going through these executives minds.

yeah I agree don't forget about Kenan and kel! that was a tight show aswell, but yeah that martin, fresh prince, jamie fox and wayne bros were pretty good shows personally the only reason why the current shows aren't good because they aren't funny.. Terry crews is funny but idk if he can carry the show or not since he is the only good thing about the show personally in my eyes I am seeing it because hes in it. TBS should bring in the chapelle show and they would get instant ratings for that.

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I don't get it either. The fact that the people that are making these shows like HoP, MtP, AWTY, grew up watching these great black sitcoms yet all they can come up is with these stuff (not that many whites shows are doing any better). I love Terry Crews in EHC and his axe commercials. I've watch Essence since she was one of Vanessa's friend on the Cosbys, on Smart Guy and loved her in Half & Half. They have Telma Hopkins from Family Matters and Half & Hlaf, and even Keesha Sharp from Girlfriends. You have all this great talent and its wasted on this show. I only caught the last 10 mins of maybe the 1st or 2nd episode but within seconds I was already tired of the laugh track. I don't expect every show to come out to be great but we haven't had a good black sitcom since what...EBHC?? And I'm sorry but could TBS get off of Tyler Perry's d*ck, yes I'm glad he made it to where he is but its just getting sad now. I think another point is with shows like The Cosby, Family Matters, Fresh Prince it was so focus on them being black. I think these TBS shows are trying go for one demographic obviously black but how many blacks watch this, I don't and maybe the younger crowd (under 20) does because I'm 25 and I find this stuff garbage. Anyways I've bit*hed enough, I hope someone changes the cookie cutter black/white show. Why hasn't there been a show where there were just as many blacks and whites on the show together. If its a white show they have what 1 black, hispanic, asian(when's the last time you saw an asian?!). And on a black show its always one 'token' white person. Cosby had all colors.

We're in the eye of a sh_tacane ~Mr.Lahey

I'm watching the first episode of this show now and it hasn't been bad at all. But, as I stated before. These kinds of shows are held to a different standard than shows like those.

P.S. They should really kill the laugh track though. It's not needed.

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IT'S ONLY A MOVIE SHUT YOUR DAMN PLOT HOLES!!!

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Personally for me I believe Crews is not the best actor and is more suited for certain roles that includes the character he played on "Everybody Hates Chris" which he did brilliantly. In the role he is currently playing on this series it really exposes his limited acting ability because he has very little versatility. That's one flaw with the series another is what everyone has mentioned, the chemistry and he looks so much older then her! Atkins and Crews look more like father and daughter when standing together, they have absolutely no romantic chemistry. It's also a bit confusing seeing him call Hopkins his mom when they look like they can be the same age (although I am aware she's 20 years his senior).

Most series from the good days starred actual successful and hysterically funny comedians, Jamie Foxx, Martin, The Cosby Show, The Parker's, The Jefferson's, Good Times (Jimmie Walker was a stand up comic) the list goes on. Many of these series were being co-written by them as well. The new shows on TBS must not see that in order for a show to be funny you can't use writers with very little experience (which is what I see from their credits) and actors that are not actual comedians or have very little comedic appeal. Crews was funny in EHC because he played a role that relatable and funny without trying to hard but this character is just to suburban and incredibly annoying.

Also can someone tell me why the fake audience keeps clapping whenever Ice Cube walks through the door? I can't bring myself to watch more then two episodes so idk if they stopped it but having the clap track for when he walks in and there is none for the main cast makes him seem very narcissistic. I'm positive he ordered it to be done.

When I pulled my hamstring I went to a misogynist ~ Brittany -glee