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Black TV Shows on DVD and Streaming See also Educational/Art Video

The Amos 'n Andy Show (1951-1953) Read more or order at Amazon.com

Based on the classic radio show, this sitcom ran on CBS from 1951 to 1953 and was notable for its all-black cast...a situation which would not be repeated for more than two decades. Alvin Childress was cab driver Amos, Spencer Williams his gullible pal Andy, and Tim Moore the conniving Kingfish. The shows are in public domain, and are now being reproduced - with widely varying degrees of quality and episodes available - by several different companies, which you'll find at the Amazon link.

Once reviled for perceived stereotypes - Bill Cosby worked with the NAACP to prevent it from entering syndication - the show has experienced a new appreciation and interpretation in recent years. In fact, it's even entered a new life as a theater production. For an interesting perspective on its history, I recommend the Museum of Broadcast Communications.

Also check out the film Anatomy of a Controversy, which is available on DVD or Amazon Streaming Video

The Bill Cosby Show (1969-1971) Read more or order at Amazon.com

Cosby played Chet Kincaid, the gym teacher at an urban high school whose good heart gets him into a lot of predicaments. Relying heavily on Cosby's inimitable sense of wit, this show found gentle humor in situations and relationships rather than in trotting out the usual black stereotypes...or laugh track. Guest performers included Henry Fonda, Cicely Tyson and Lou Gossett Jr. The music by Quincy Jones received an Emmy nomination.

The Flip Wilson Show - Volumes 1 & 2(1970) Read more or order at Amazon.com
The Flip Wilson Show - Volumes 3 & 4 (1970) Read more or order at Amazon.com

This comedy/variety show aired on NBC 1970-1974, and was an enormous hit. These shows hold up well even after more than 30 years and the guest stars are a Who's Who of the 1970's.

Sanford and Son - The Complete First Season (1972) Read more or order at Amazon.com
Sanford and Son - The Complete Second Season (1973) Read more or order at Amazon.com
Sanford and Son - The Complete Third Season (1974) Read more or order at Amazon.com
Sanford and Son - The Complete Fourth Season (1975) Read more or order at Amazon.com
Sanford and Son - The Complete Fifth Season (1976) Read more or order at Amazon.com
Sanford and Son - The Complete Sixth Season (1977) Read more or order at Amazon.com

Sanford and Son was the second TV series from Norman Lear and Bud Yorkin, who created the groundbreaking "All in the Family" the year before. "Sanford and Son" aired from 1972-1977 and was NBC's most popular prime-time series for four of its five seasons, earning four Emmy nominations and a Golden-Globe Award for Redd Foxx during its run.

Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids - The Ultimate Collection Read more or order at Amazon.com

Fat Albert and the Cosby kids aired from 1972 to 1984 and enjoyed one of the longest and most successful runs in Saturday morning cartoon history. Live action bumpers featuring Bill Cosby were set around animated episodes of Fat Albert and the Cosby kids, a series about a group of urban adolescents growing up in a Philadelphia neighborhood. The show was based on Cosby's 60's stand up comedy monologues about his childhood. The episodes revolved around the daily life lessons learned by Fat Albert and his friends. Topics ranged from social issues to personal introspection and were blended with humor and music.

That's My Mama (1974- 1975) Read more or order at Amazon.com

Clifton Davis plays Clifton Curtis, who inherited his father's D.C. barbershop. He's a successful business and ladies man, but still lives with his opinionated mother.

Good Times (1974-1979)
The Complete First Season (1974)
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The Complete Second Season (1975) Read more or order at Amazon.com
The Complete Third Season (1976) Read more or order at Amazon.com
The Complete Fourth Season (1977) Read more or order at Amazon.com

All in the Family begat Maude, which begat Good Times. It centered on the Evans' family (Florida, her husband James and their three children) who lived and thrived on the South Side of Chicago. Esther Rolle (Florida) has said that producers originally wanted to cater to the stereotype of the fatherless black household, but she insisted upon (and got!) a husband, played by John Amos. This was a solid and groundbreaking black family comedy in its earlier seasons, but unfortunately midway through its life it deteriorated into a parody, with too much emphasis on the J.J character (Jimmie Walker of "Dyn-o-mite" fame. More than one critic and scholar has likened this character to the stereotypical "Zip Coon.") Both Rolle and Amos had left the show by the fourth season.

The Jeffersons (1975-1983)
The Complete First Season (1975)
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The Jeffersons - The Complete Second Season (1976) Read more or order at Amazon.com
The Jeffersons - The Complete Third Season (1977) Read more or order at Amazon.com
The Jeffersons - The Complete Fourth Season (1978) Read more or order at Amazon.com
The Jeffersons - The Complete Fifth Season (1979) Read more or order at Amazon.com

A spin-off of All in the Family, this show broke ground in several categories, including TV's first affluent black family (the Huxtables wouldn't arrive until nearly 10 years later) and the first mixed-race couple. Though broad, the humor explored and smashed stereotypes, and attracted large audiences during its run from 1975-1983.

What's Happening (1976-1979)
The Complete First Season
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The Complete Second Season (1977) Read more or order at Amazon.com

A funny, funky, late-70's comedy featuring high school pals Raj, Dwayne and Rerun, Raj's bratty little sister Dee, Shirley and Mama all struggling to grow in a lower middle-class black neighborhood.

The Richard Pryor Show - Boxed Set (1977) Read more or order at Amazon.com

Includes all 4 shows. Bonus 57-Minute The Richard Pryor Special ! The bonus DVD also includes outrageous bonus material: Rarely Seen 27-minute Richard Pryor Monologue, 42-Minute Roast Segment with Outtakes, DVD-Rom Scripts for Unfilmed Scenes including "Gay Nightmare" and "From Television City, Hollywood - Whitey for a Day".

Roots (1977) Read more or order at Amazon.com

Based on the book by Alex Haley, this miniseries is as fresh and exciting today as it was back in 1977. One of the many myths about African American history had been that blacks were unable to trace their roots; for example, though thousands of blacks fought in the American Revolution, the DAR didn't admit black members until one year after the nation's Bicentennial. Alex Haley exploded the myth by tracing his genealogy back to Kunta Kinte, an African slave brought here in the 18th century.

This special 25th Anniversary set includes commentary by executive producer David L. Wolper, and actors LeVar Burton, Cicely Tyson, Ed Asner, John Amos, Sandy Duncan, Leslie Uggams, Stan Winston and many others. Behind-the-scenes documentary: Remembering Roots. DVD-ROM features: Roots family tree and web site links

Roots: The Next Generations (1979) Read more or order at Amazon.com (In production with no specified release date as of 3/28/05)

Diff'rent Strokes (1978-1986)
The Complete First Season
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The Complete Second Season Read more or order at Amazon.com

I hesitate to include this as "black tv," but do because the show was a pop culture phenomenon from 1978-1986 - and is still widely parodied today! Two kids from Harlem are adopted by their mother's wealthy employer after the mother dies, taking them from rags to riches. The DVD includes Commentary by writer Fred Rubin; "A Look Back at Diff'rent Strokes featurette with all-new interviews from Todd Bridges, Conrad Bain, and Charlotte Rae; "Whatchoo Talkin' Bout?" featurette on Gary Coleman.

Gimme a Break - (1981-1987)
Season One (1981)
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"Nell Carter shines as Nellie Ruth "Nell" Harper, the role that twice earned her Emmy and Golden Globe Award nominations, and helped redefine the meaning of "family." Available for the first time ever on DVD, Gimme a Break! is the funny, hip and sometimes poignant portrayal of the Kanisky family: widowed Police Chief Carl; his three daughters Katie, Julie and Samantha; and their unflappable housekeeper-turned-surrogate mother (Carter). ..Featuring renowned guest stars such as Danny Glover ."

The Cosby Show - (1984-1992)
Season 1
Season 2

The Cosby Show , which dominated Thursday evenings from 1984 to 1992 turned out to be one of the biggest and longest running hits in American television history. The show revolved around the day-to-day situations faced by Cliff (Bill Cosby) and Claire Huxtable (Phylicia Rashad) and their five children. The Huxtables, an upper-middle-class family, were unlike any other African-American family previously seen on television. Their everyday adventures, which helped revive the situation comedy, centered around Sondra (Sabrina LeBeauf), their eldest daughter, Theo (Malcolm Jamal-Warner) their somewhat of an underachiever son, Denise (Lisa Bonet), their eccentric daughter, and the two younger siblings, Vanessa (Tempestt Bledsoe) and Ruby (Keisha Knight Pulliam.) Read an interesting analysis called Cosby Redux by Mark Anthony Neal in PopMatter.

227 - (1985-1990)
The Complete First Season Read more or order at Amazon.com

Marla Gibbs plays a sharp-witted housewife who finds herself mixed up in the lives of the eccentric fellow tenants in her apartment complex. She lives with her contractor husband, Lester (Hal Williams) and their 14-year-old daughter Brenda (Regina King.) Aired from 1985-1990.

Amen (1986-1991) Still waiting for a DVD release

Sherman Hemsley plays Deacon Frye, head of the First Community Church of Philadelphia, who is trying to keep everything in his church firmly under control. His new young assistant, Rev. Reuben Gregory (Clifton Davis) has some very different ideas of how do things. The parishoners, seeing that the best path probably lies between the two, play the two squabbling men off each other to keep things on a more or less even keel. Adding to the fray is the Deacon's daughter Thelma (Anna Maria Horsford) who gradually becomes attracted to the new Reverend. One of the most notable members of the cast is Jester Hairston as church elder Rolly Forbes. Hairston (1901-2000) was a composer (he originally wrote the song "Amen" for the movie "Lilies of the Field") , conductor, singer and actor with a long and busy career. Read more about him at the Internet Movie Database.

A Different World - (1987 - 1993)
Season 1
Season 2

"From the creators of the top-rated THE COSBY SHOW comes A DIFFERENT WORLD, a fresh funny situation comedy that follows the triumphs, trials, and tribulations of students of Hillman College. This half-hour spin off of the top rated THE COSBY SHOW, was the first ensemble situation comedy to immerse America in student life at a historically black college. Enjoying a successful 6-run season run on NBC, from 1987 to 1993, A DIFFERENT WORLD bas been widely honored for its sensitive, intelligent treatment of contemporary issues." It was originally a vehicle for Lisa Bonet, but she left the show after the first season.

Frank's Place (1987-88)

Frank Parish (Tim Reid) is a professor from Boston who inherits a New Orleans restaurant, and decides to try to run it. The show protrayed a wide variety of black characters from various socioeconomic backgrounds in realistic and sympathetic situations. Unfortunately, this series ended after only one season, largely due to a writer's strike. It's not available on DVD or VHS, and I'd be surprised if it ever is. However, if you're a die-hard fan, you can obtain it from video collectors who taped the program when it originally aired. Check the discussion board at the Internet Movie Database.

Family Matters (1989 - 1998) Amazon.com

This show was a spinoff of "Perfect Strangers." It featured the Winslows, a somewhat bland middle-class family, but really found its audience with the introduction of the nerdy next-door neighbor Steve Urkel (Jaleel White.)

Fresh Prince of Bel Air (1990 - 1996)
The Complete First Season (1990)
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The Complete Second Season (1991) Read more or order at Amazon.com
The Complete Third Season (1992) Read more or order at Amazon.com

Will Smith stars as a teenager from inner city Philadelphia who's sent to California to live in with his wealthy relatives in the hopes that they will "straighten him out and teach him some good old-fashioned values," but Will soon takes his rightful place as The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.

In Living Color (1990 - 1994)
Season 1 (1990)
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Season 2 (1991) Read more or order at Amazon.com
Season 3 (1992) Read more or order at Amazon.com
Season 4 (1993) Read more or order at Amazon.com
Season 5 (1994) Read more or order at Amazon.com

Created and produced by Keenan Ivory Wayans, the show featured comedy sketches, parodies, music and dance, and made stars of Damon Wayans, Jim Carey, David Allen Grier, Chris Rock and Jamie Foxx. Unfortunately, most of the funniest music parodies were cut, probably because Fox didn't secure the rights to the music.

Hangin' With Mr. Cooper (1992-1997, ABC) NOT YET RELEASED: The studio is currently not producing this title on DVD, but to be notified when it is available, enter your e-mail address at Amazon.com . You'll also be voting for this release; they'll let the studio know how many customers are waiting for this title.

Mark Curry starred as Mark Cooper, a former NBA basketball player who moved back to his hometown to become a coach at his old high school. The ensemble cast included his old friend Robin Dumars (Dawn Lewis), a music teacher, the sexy Vanessa Russell (Holly Robinson Peete) Mark's cousin, Geneva Lee (Saundra Quarterman), and her daughter, Nicole (Raven-Symone) and the formidable principal, P.J. Moore (Nell Carter.)

Living Single (1993-1998)
Season One
Read more or order at Amazon.com

"When it appeared on the Fox TV network in 1993, Living Single was one of the first sitcoms to portray the everyday doings of a group of African America friends living ordinary American lives. It also pretty much launched the acting career of rap artist Queen Latifah (who performed its theme song) before she moved onto a thriving profession as a movie star. The format was nothing new, but it quickly became a hit and ran for five successful seasons. The setting was the office of urban-lifestyle Flavor magazine, where Khadijah James (Latifah) was editor, and the New York apartment Khadijah shared with roommates Synclaire (Kim Coles) and Regine (Kim Fields). There were frequent drop-ins by Khadijah's friend Maxine (Erika Alexander) and the duo of bickering best-friends from the apartment upstairs Kyle (Terrence T.C. Carson) and Overton (John Henton). "

Sister, Sister (1993 - 1999) Read more or order at Amazon.com

"Sister, Sister is a half-hour comedy series which chronicles the adventures of a reunited set of identical twins, Tia Landry and Tamera Campbell (played by real-life identical twins Tia and Tamera Mowry). The teens live with their adoptive parents, conservative businessman Ray Campbell (Tim Reid) and brassy, outspoken Lisa Landry (Jackee Harry) in the suburbs of Detroit. Together, this unconventional blended family is learning lessons in life, laughter and love."

Martin Lawrence - You So Crazy (1994) Read more or order at Amazon.com

HBO stand-up comedy special.

The Wayans Brothers - The Complete First Season (1995) Read more or order at Amazon.com

Shawn and Marlon Williams play a mismatched pair of brothers sharing,a one-bedroom brownstone in New York City. Aired 1995-1999

Malcolm & Eddie (1996 - 2000) Read more or order at Amazon.com

"Malcolm McGee is a responsible and sensible 20-something who ends up sharing a Kansas City apartment and a business venture with relentlessly enthusiastic tow truck owner Eddie Sherman. A fast talker with outlandish frenetic energy, the schemes of Eddie always seems to get the two into hot water. But no matter what the situation, these opposites always end up bailing each other out even if they drive each other crazy. When the guys unexpectedly became recipients of a considerable sum of money, Malcolm and Eddie decided to buy not only the old Irish pub below their apartment, but the entire building, including the garage, as an investment. As new bar owners, the guys gave the place a facelift by turning it into a sports bar and renaming it McGees. As Malcolm manages McGees and Eddie tries to bolster his fledging one-man/one-truck towing operation into a fleet, success for these two could be as simple as staying out of trouble. Starring Malcolm-Jamal Warner (best known as Theo from The Cosby Show)and Eddie Griffin (Undercover Brother, John Q)."

Chris Rock - Bring the Pain (1996) Read more or order at Amazon.com

Stand-up, plus Exclusive Chris Rock interview by Nelson George; "No Sex" music video; "Champagne" music video; "Bad Phone Sex" animated video

The Chris Rock Show Seasons 1 & 2 (1997) Read more or order at Amazon.com

Chris Rock's ground-breaking, Emmy Award-winning comedy series. Unrated, uncensored, uninhibited 17 episodes of one of America's finest comic minds.

Best of the Chris Rock Show (1997) Read more or order at Amazon.com

59 minutes of skits and parodies.

Best of the Chris Rock Show - Volume 2 (1997) Read more or order at Amazon.com

Chris Rock makes cutting edge comedy look easy! 88 minutes of sketches and parodies from Season 2.

Chris Rock - Bigger and Blacker (1999) Read more or order at Amazon.com

HBO special filmed at the Apollo Theater featuring Rock's riotously funny stand-up.

Chris Rock - Never Scared. (2004) Read more or order at Amazon.com

Fourth HBO special. Includes 15 minutes of additional concert footage and Chris Rock's first solo comedy speical, "Chris Rock: Big Ass Jokes" (1993)

 

Jamie Foxx Show - The Complete First Season (1996) Read more or order at Amazon.com

Foxx plays an aspiring actor who works in his aunt and uncle's Hollywood hotel while awaiting his big break. Aired 1996-2001.

Jamie Foxx: The Foxx Boxx Collection Read more or order at Amazon.com

This hilarious box set includes 3 DVDs: Unleashed, I Might Need Security and the Never-Before-Released DVD, Foxx in the Foxxhole (Jamie Foxx's HBO Special). It's a great opportunity to watch the star develop.

BET Journeys in Black: Jamie Foxx (2001) Read more or order at Amazon.com

This versatile actor comedian has taken the entertainment business by storm. His irreverent brand of comedy was launched on the popular 90's variety show "In Living Color" where he "rocked your world" as Wanda the masseuse. From television and film to stand-up, Jamie Foxx has proven that he is truly an entertainment renaissance man. He starred in his own television sitcom "The Jamie Foxx Show" and has appeared in over a dozen major motion pictures including Ali, The Players Club and Any Given Sunday. BET's Journeys In Black gives you a glimpse into the life of Jamie Foxx, one of the most popular and hard working entertainers of our time.

BET Journeys in Black: Master P (2001) Read more or order at Amazon.com

Take an inside look at the rapper/CEO/business mastermind from his days in the housing projects of New Orleans to corporate CEO .

BET Journeys in Black: Johnnie Cochran(2001) Read more or order at Amazon.com

Johnnie Cochran began his career as a deputy attorney for the criminal division of the city of Los Angeles, and went on to start his own practice where he took on civil rights and criminal cases against the Los Angeles Police Department. Cochran is probably best known, however for representing high profile clients such as O.J. Simpson, Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, and Snoop Dogg. This volume of BET's JOURNEYS IN BLACK provides an up-close look at this brilliant legal mind.

BET Journeys in Black: Al Sharpton(2001) Read more or order at Amazon.com

Often ridiculed and criticized, but never ignored, Harlem, New York native Al Sharpton has become a modern media fixture when it comes to issues of civil rights. His brash style was developed in his early days as a child preacher. That same style has evolved into a controversial public image which has allowed him to become a figure of political influence in New York City, and a representative of civil rights on a wider scale.

BET Journeys in Black: Russell Simmons (2001) Read more or order at Amazon.com

Visionary entrepreneur Russell Simmons is largely credited with helping to bring hip-hop from its roots in the world of DJs, MC, graffiti, and breakdancing on the New York underground to a whole new level that would allow it to be both a major cultural force and a lucrative industry. Along the way, Simmons himself made his fortune by creating business and entertainment entities Def Jam Records, Def Comedy Jam, Def Poetry Jam, and Phat Pharm clothing.

BET Journeys in Black: CeCe Winans (2001) Read more or order at Amazon.com

There are singers and then, there's CeCe Winans. CeCe not only possesses an awesome vocal talent, but more importantly, she exudes an overwhelming warmth and a genuine affection for her fans that separates her from many celebrities. Her fans have returned the love with a staggering array of accolades. CeCe has collected six Grammies, ten Dove Awards, five Stellar Awards, several gold and platinum albums, a host of Top Ten R&B hits and eight #1 contemporary Christian music singles.

BET Journeys in Black: Luther Vandross (2001) Read more or order at Amazon.com

Luther Vandross' sound has virtually been the soundtrack of R&B over the past 20 years. The veteran R&B singer first realized his love of music as a youngster going to the legendary Apollo Theater in his native Harlem, N.Y. He listened to the radio constantly and developed a love for the classic soul of the sixties and seventies. Since then Luther has gone on to develop a smooth classic soul sound that is his alone, when you hear one of his songs there is no question that the voice behind the music is Luther.

BET Journeys in Black: Patti LaBelle (2001) Read more or order at Amazon.com

Truly one of the most the most prolific singers in the history of recorded music, Patti LaBelle's career is still going strong after five decades. From the 1960s with Patti LaBelle and the Blue Belles, the seventies with LaBelle and from the eighties to the present as the premiere female Soul singer, Patti has set the bar too high for most to reach. Her uninhibited stage performances are legendary; when she performs live she gives the audience her all. BET's Journeys In Black Presents Patti LaBelle in all her glory, featuring performance footage, interviews and testimonials from Whitney Houston, Whoopi Goldberg, former President Bill Clinton and more.

BET Journeys in Black: Kirk Franklin (2001) Read more or order at Amazon.com

Musical original Kirk Franklin carved his own niche in the world of gospel music by adding elements of hip-hip to traditional choir arrangements with his groups The Family, God's Property, and The Nu Nation.

BET Journeys in Black: Minister Louis Farrakahn (2001) Read more or order at Amazon.com

To some, Louis Farrakahn is a leader and spiritual guide. To others, he is a dangerous disseminator of misinformation. No one, however, can deny the passion he brings to his speeches or the power he has to bring his followers together. This volume of BET's JOURNEYS IN BLACK presents an in-depth interview with the controversial leader of the Nation of Islam in which he discusses the factors which have shaped his life.

Girlfriends - (2000 - 2008) The Complete First Season Read more or order at Amazon.com

Follows the lives and loves of four professional women and their friends. The show aired on UPN until that network merged with the WB to form the CW. Stars Tracee Ellis Ross (Joan Clayton) Golden Brooks (Maya Wilkes) Persia White (Lynn Searcy) and Jill Marie Jones (Toni Childs.)

Platinum Comedy Series - Dave Chappelle - Killin' Them Softly (2000) Read more or order at Amazon.com

HBO stand-up comedy special.

Chappelle's Show - Season 1 (2003) Read more or order at Amazon.com

All 12 uncensored and unblurred episodes with commentary on 5 from creators David Chappelle and Neal Brennan. Deleted scene/gag reel (30 mins.) "Ask a Black Dude with Paul Mooney" featurette (20 mins.)

Chappelle's Show - Season 2 (2003) Read more or order at Amazon.com

Chappelle's Show - The Lost Episodes (Uncensored) (2003) Read more or order at Amazon.com

Viewing this DVD (which is basically just 3 episodes - 68 minutes) helped me understand why Chappelle had grown unhappy with the show, and the fact that it was released to milk a few more dollars out of the Chappelle Phenomenon helped me understand why he was disgruntled with network greed. Unless you need it to complete the Chappelle's Show collection, I recommend you rent or borrow this one and donate the money you save to your favorite charity.

The Corner (HBO Miniseries) 2000 Read more or order at Amazon.com

THE CORNER presents the world of Fayette Street using real names and real events. The miniseries tells the true story of men, women and children living amid the open-air drug markets of West Baltimore. It chronicles a year in the lives of 15-year-old DeAndre McCullogh, his mother Fran Boyd, and his father Gary McCullogh, as well as other addicts and low-level drug dealers caught up in the twin-engine economy of heroin and cocaine. HBO(R) original Miniseries 6 one-hour episodes

Soul Food - The Complete First Season (2001) Read more or order at Amazon.com

SOUL FOOD: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON follows the lives of Teri Joseph (Parker), the oldest sister and a successful lawyer who is overwhelmed by her own success, Maxine (Vanessa Williams), the middle sister who is a stay-at-home mom aching for something more, and Bird (Malinda Williams), the youngest sister and hairdresser who is married to an ex-con who can't seem to get away from his past. All in all a fairly typical American family with issues just like everyone else: they bicker over small problems, and then pull together when confronted by a big crisis which they must work together to overcome. Aired 2000-2004 on BET.

The Bernie Mac Show - (2001-06) Amazon.com

The main character, Bernie Mac (as himself), takes in his sister's 3 children when she enters rehab. He uses "tough love" to try to lead them on the straight and narrow...but of course that's never as easy as it sounds.

My Wife and Kids - (2001 - 2005) Amazon.com

Created by the star, Damon Wayans, this series featured a middle class family in the suburbs of Stamford, Connecticut.

Def Poetry - Season 1 (2002) Read more or order at Amazon.com
Def Poetry - Season 2 (2003) Read more or order at Amazon.com
Def Poetry - Seasons 1 & 2 (2002) Read more or order at Amazon.com
Def Poetry - Season 3 (2002) Read more or order at Amazon.com
Def Poetry - Season 4 (2004) Read more or order at Amazon.com

Produced by Russell Simmons and hosted by Mos Def, this groundbreaking HBO series presents poetry for the hip-hop generation, performed before live audiences.

Best of the Steve Harvey Show - Volume 1 (2003) Read more or order at Amazon.com

This collector's DVD features the five highest-rated episodes of "The Steve Harvey Show," starring Steve Harvey and "Cedric The Entertainer" Harvey is Steve Hightower, former '70s R&B star who lands a music-teacher gig at a tough urban high school with the help of coach Cedric Robinson (Cedric). Aired 1996-2002.

That's So Raven - Supernaturally Stylish (2003) Read more or order at Amazon.com
That's So Raven - Makeover Madness (2004) Read more or order at Amazon.com

"Like a cross between Moesha and Sabrina the Teenage Witch ,That's So Raven centers around a typical teen... with a secret. Raven (former Cosby kid Raven-Symoné) is a high-spirited high school girl who can see the future. In the popular Disney Channel comedy, she's joined by friends Chelsea (Anneliese van der Pol) and Eddie (Orlando Brown), parents Tonya (T'Keyah Crystal Keymáh) and Victor (Rondell Sheridan), and younger brother Corey (Kyle Massey). Drawn from the first two seasons, Supernaturally Stylish features three episodes: "That's So Not Raven," "If I Only Had a Job," and "He's Got the Power." In the latter, Eddie develops psychic abilities after a comet passes over the city. Along the way, he gets the girl--Haylie Duff, sister of Lizzie McGuire 's Hilary--then just as promptly loses her when his powers desert him. This handy collection also includes a never-before-seen episode featuring Raven's favorite band, Boys in Motion. "

Cedric the Entertainer Presents - The Complete Series (2004) Read more or order at Amazon.com

This show offered sharp sketch comedy at its best, and I loved the versatile ensemble cast. But like so many innovative shows, the time slot was switched so frequently that it never built a following. The 22 episodes here include 6 that were never aired. Aired 2002-2003

NBA Shaq TV (aka Shaquille) 2005 Read more or order at Amazon.com

"Shaquille Gets Real. This unique 6-episode DVD takes an exclusive inside look at the day-to-day of the NBA's big man with a big heart and even a bigger sense of humor, Shaquille O'Neal. Follow him both on and off the basketball court during his first season with the Miami Heat. Go behind the scenes and hang with Shaq, his teammates, his friends, and his family. "

Boondocks - The Complete First Season ( 2005) ||| The Complete Second Season (2007)

This animated comedy series is based on Aaron McGruder's award-winning comic strip. It follows the misadventures of Huey, a ten-year old African-American boy who is the cartoon's angry voice of reason and self-styled revolutionary.

Everybody Hates Chris - (2005 - 2009) The Complete Series at Amazon.com

"Inspired by his childhood experiences, comedian Chris Rock narrates the hilarious, touching story of a teenager growing up as the eldest of children in Brooklyn, New York during the early 1980s."

The Game (2006 - 2009) Read more or order at Amazon.com

Created by Myra Brock Akil, this was a spin-off of the UPN/CW series Girlfriends. "Being the wife or girlfriend of a pro-football player might sound like a glamorous and stress-free existence, but Melanie Barnett (Tia Mowry) is about to discover the truth. Melanie’s boyfriend, Derwin, is the new third-string wide receiver for the San Diego Sabers. While Derwin worries about the plays on the field, Melanie learns about the power plays that NFL wives use to get their men the best agents, managers, endorsements, merchandising deals and even the “in” charity. As she deals with egos, groupies and image consultants, Melanie is finding out how “the game” is played among the women behind the athletes."

Key and Peele (2011 - 2015, 5 seasons) Amazon.com

Featuring Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele, this is code-switching sketch comedy at its finest!

http://creativefolk.com/blackhistory/blacktv.html