"Black" Tv shows and movies...Do they say a lot about the Black Community?

Recently I added TV one, Centric and MTV 2 to my cable package because I live in Lexington KY and there isn't a lot of culture or urban-ness, so I needed it, was feigning for it. Its nothing like seeing someone you can relate to, that's rarely the case in Lex. So adding these channels was for me to be in tune with my Blackness and to embrace it daily.
Upon watching the the shows aired on these channels, they made me think about my community, the Black community.
Most shows aired on all 3 channels are "Black" sitcom's in the 90's such as The Cosby Show, Martin, Living Single, The Steve Harvey Show and New York Undercover, etc.
Watching these shows not only make me miss tv from the 90's it also makes me raise a few questions about tv and the portrayal of African Americans. Every show listed above, Black ppl were successful, had careers and were determined to be something in life. Ex. Cliff (doctor) and Clair (lawyer), Martin(radio host/tv show host), Khadijah-owner of Flava (whole cast successful, maybe not Regine', lol), Steve-music teacher (Ced and Regina both successful) and New York Undercover (cops).
Today, there are reality tv shows that portray African Americans now such as Basketball Wives, The Real Housewives of Atlanta, Brandy and Ray J, etc, the list goes on...I cant forget Flava Flav and I Love New York...so my question is: Does Reality TV depict where African Americans are currently?
Also, there is only one Black person (Tyler Perry)making movies for African Americans...I see this as a problem...he can't speak for every Black person or family and many, if not most of his movies have the same plot.
This has left me wondering are "we" progressing, in a stand still or set back?

Comments

  1. C JaqisMarch 20, 2011 at 8:37 PM

    I feel you on this one. The problems is two-fold. What we support and what hollywood backs.... There are great black films and tv shows being produced, but like you said, Lexington gets nada. The same can be said overall, especially in film. I don't knock Tyler for what he's doing and I appreciate his body of work, but there are so many wealthy black entertainers that could pool their resources to start a distribution company. That would solve the problem of what hollywood backs, and then we as consumers would have more colorful options to support in ratings and at the box office. I'm just sayin... let me talk to the folks with money.. I have ideas for days...

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