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May 27, 2009 | | Comments 9

Racism, in Primetown, on The CW

crossposted at Momma, Here Come That Girl Again!

I actually meant to say this earlier and it slipped my mind. This whole pattern from the CW/UPN just goes to show why African Americans maybe need to develop more TV networks dedicated to the African American community. TVOne can’t do it all alone. And BET is now more or less minstrel shows.20. So when you think of black empowerment in terms of black businesses, or my dreams, a black Wall Steet (or at least a collection of companies on the level of the DOW Jones), you have to remember to include black-owned and operated media for a black audience.

You know what really pisses me off about this? The CW, and before that, UPN, built itself on black comedy. First, In the House, LL Cool J/Todd Smith’s initial sitcom. UPN bought the rights to it from NBC. But at least In the House ended with some sense of closure. But Half and Half, Girlfriends, and now Everybody Hates Chris and The Game are being ended abruptly in the middle of a plot line. I mean, does Lynn ever get it together? And Joan married? Maya adopting? And the Toni-replacement a mother? “Yes, more please.” Sorry. Not a regular viewer of Everybody Hates Chris, but the last episode I saw had him taking the GED because his teacher wanted to hold him back a year for all his tarties. Whatever becomes of him? And, so okay. Melanie and Derwin get married. I’m almost sure of it. Rick Fox and Tasha get back together. But what about Jason and Kellie Pitts, huh? What? The white girl can’t get no love? (Okay, so I’m not as open to interracial dating as popular culture kind of demands, but that’s neither here nor there.)

I know what you’re thinking, right? Aliens in America was cut after 2 seasons and it was a white sitcom. Tell you the truth, I actually liked the show. But, come on. One “counter-example” to a demonstrated pattern? What’s The CW gonna do when it loses viewers en masse? I’ll tell you. It’s gonna turn right back to urban comedy. And I hope this time, nobody watches.

We should all be reading and working in our communities, anyway.

And for the love of all that’s good and holy, will somebody please tell me who Mona (half of Half and Half) ended up with! ~ No1KState

“In just three years, The CW has become TV to talk about, with culturally current, quality programming,” Ostroff said in a statement. “We have a full slate of great programming to keep our viewers watching, chatting, texting and tweeting all next season.”

Maybe some viewers.

The other African American-targeted sitcom ‘Everybody Hates Chris’ won’t be returning in the fall either.

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About the Author: My primary interests are social linguistics, and social history, primarily African American history. When I go back to school for my Ph.D in history, oh trust, I'm not going to be sick forever, I'd really love to do my thesis on African and African American languages throughout American history to today. I'd compare, for instance, the earliest pidgins to slave dialect to post-bellum black dialect, say of the 1920s, to today's "Ebonics." And if I had to become even more specific, I concentrate on the lexicon and diction of black women. But, I have a really strong interest in anything sociological, including religion. I've actually applied to divinity school and would be accepted except my health keeps preventing me from finalizing the application process. Anything sociological also includes economics (at least enough to know if politicians are lying), anti-racist activism and race relations, politics, and education. I'm all about black empowerment and think reparations would be one of a number of steps in the process of racial harmony and justice. I care about the plight of the poor regardless of race/ethnicity. So basically, I'll try my best to keep you informed about the goings-on of the world. Don't be surprised in lengthy absenses. Don't be surprised by any particular post - I generally write about whatever interests me at the moment.

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  1. Rube The Gifted says:

    Yo None of them shows are even Touching “THE WIRE” which was the first and only to depict inner city culture in the most vivid form Everybody Hates Chris Was Dope but the rest were buffoonary in my opinion… o yeas SOMEBODIES on BET was ill 2!!!

  2. Amy Morris says:

    I always watch everybody hates chris…,

  3. Sarah Graham says:

    i watched Everybody Hates Chris and sometimes i find the lead actor a bit distracting.:`.

  4. Everybody Hates Chris is somewaht funny but there are times that this tv-series is plain boring-;’

  5. Great summary, bookmarked the blog in interest to read more!

  6. Everybody Hates Chris has a great cast and a leading character;~”

  7. Elise Pinder says:

    Hey there! I’d like to say that I really like your entire writing style and that so I’m going to check your blog often from now 🙂 Stay the best!

  8. Blaque Swan says:

    @ Elise – There’s an update here, http://herecomethatgirl.blogspot.com/2010/10/did-we-just-overcome-little-sitcom-game.html, at my home blog.

    Thanks for the compliment!
    In solidarity,
    Blaque Swan (formerly No1KState)

  9. Toby Kiah says:

    Is there all of us who knows anything about the content of the cure that’s being presented(at the same time as being a dozen of other pages). They wont give a clue on how to do it and want money from it. It sounds like a hoax to me, but please just tell me what there might be that gives that end result!

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