Best '80s Black Sitcoms

Bill Cosby played Dr. Heathcliff Huxtable; Phylicia Rashad played Claire Huxtable. This family sitcom challenged racial stereotypes and showed positive role models in the African American community. It earned an Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series.Outstanding Comedy Seriesreceived many awards.The Cosby ShowThe Cosby Show stays popular despite recent issues with its lead actor.

This iconic show features the lovable, upwardly mobile African American family led by George (Sherman Hemsley) and Louise (Isabel Sanford). The series ran for 11 seasons and used humor and heart to address race, class, and gender. It earned several Emmy nominations. Groundbreaking in its time.The JeffersonsThe Jeffersons remains a classic that keeps entertaining and inspiring viewers now.

Spinning off fromThe Cosby ShowThis college-set sitcom focuses on students at the fictitious Hillman College, a historically black institution. The show included Jasmine Guy, Kadeem Hardison, and Cree Summer. It addressed racism, sexism, and political activism with comedy. It earned multiple NAACP Image Awards during its six-season run.A Different WorldA Different World opened doors for other shows to explore the diverse experiences of Black youth in America.

Diff'rent StrokesDiff'rent StrokesDiff'rent Strokes entertained viewers while delivering messages that made people think.

Centered on Marla Gibbs' character Mary Jenkins, a gossipy housewife in apartment 227 of a Washington D.C. building. The sitcom showed strong female characters bonding over daily life. It included humor and heartwarming moments, featuring Jackée Harry, who won an Emmy Award for her role as Sandra Clark.strong female charactersbonding over everyday life experiences. Jackée Harry won an Emmy Award for her role as Sandra Clark.227227 solidified itself as a firm favorite during its five-year run.

A spinoff of the successfulSanford and SonThis sitcom centers on widower Fred Sanford (Redd Foxx) as he deals with life, love, and business in Los Angeles. Redd Foxx used quick wit and comedic timing. The show earned high ratings and praise for its unique portrayal of an older Black man as the main character. Though it ran two seasons, Sanford left a lasting impression on viewers and showed the staying power of Redd Foxx's talent.SanfordSanford left a lasting impression on viewers and showed the staying power of Redd Foxx's talent.

Sherman Hemsley plays Deacon Ernest Frye in this 80s classic. He manages his Philadelphia church affairs while trying to balance his family life. Clifton Davis plays Reverend Reuben Gregory; his different personality created fun dynamics during Amen’s five seasons. The cast's chemistry, plus comedic plots tackling social issues, makesAmen made the list of the Best '80s Black Sitcoms.Amen is a memorable addition to the list of great black sitcoms from this era.

Nell Carter plays Nell Harper, a housekeeper who becomes a surrogate mother for three orphaned girls after their mother dies.Gimme A Break! appeared on the list of the Best '80s Black Sitcoms.Gimme A Break! shows their journeys through loss, love, and self-discovery across six seasons. Carter's strong performance earned her two Emmy nominations. The series also showed important topics like racism and LGBTQ+ acceptance for viewers. This mix of humor, heartache, and timely themes makesGimme A Break! was listed among the Best '80s Black Sitcoms.Gimme A Break! has become a beloved sitcom from this era.

The show started with the middle-class Winslow family. It quickly became a showcase for Jaleel White's quirky portrayal of their nerdy neighbor, Steve Urkel. The show earned many NAACP Image Awards and Young Artist Awards for its talented cast during its nine seasons. By mixing heartfelt stories with slapstick comedy,Family Matters made the list of the Best '80s Black Sitcoms.Family Matters remains an enduring classic that keeps delighting audiences today.

This is a revival of the popular 1970s sitcomWhat's Happening!! was on the list of the Best '80s Black Sitcoms.This series picks up several years later. Main characters Raj (Ernest Thomas), Dwayne (Haywood Nelson), and Rerun (Fred Berry) face adulthood with their humor. The show offers nostalgia and new plots about relationships, career growth, and parenthood.What's Happening Now!! appeared on the list of the Best '80s Black Sitcoms.What's Happening Now!! continued to charm viewers while keeping the spirit of its predecessor during its three seasons.

Robert Guillaume reprises his Emmy-winning role fromSoap was listed as a Best '80s Black Sitcom.Benson DuBois moved from butler to state governor's director of household affairs in this witty spinoff series. Over seven seasons,Benson was listed as a Best '80s Black Sitcom.Benson earned multiple Emmy nominations. The show used biting satire to address political intrigue and social issues alongside Guillaume’s great comedic timing. The show shows how black actors began taking bigger roles on TV in the 1980s.

In this heartwarming family sitcom, Webster was featured.Webster was a former NFL player.Alex Karras plays George Papadapolis. He unexpectedly becomes the guardian of six-year-old Webster Long (Emmanuel Lewis) after his parents die. Episodes focus on love, acceptance, and family power.Webster was listed among the Best '80s Black Sitcoms.Lewis's endearing performance as the title character, alongside Karras and Susan Clark as George's wife Katherine, captured viewers' hearts during its six seasons. This showcased a different side of black representation on television while keeping its comedy.

Building on his success in...Sanford and SonRedd Foxx returned to television with this self-titled sitcom. He played Al Hughes, a lovable newsstand owner. Though it ran one season, the show still showed Foxx's comedic skill and his knack for creating characters viewers remembered. This shows Foxx's talent.The Redd Foxx ShowThe Redd Foxx Show remains an important part of 1980s TV history.

Based on the 1981 film of the same name, this short sitcom featured comedian Jimmie Walker as Sonny Barnes. Walker played a parolee working as a live-in counselor for troubled youths. The show humorously tackled juvenile delinquency and rehabilitation.Bustin' LooseBustin' Loose showed Walker's skill in bringing humor and depth to hard subjects during its one season.

Thiscritically acclaimed seriesFrank's Place starred Tim Reid as Frank Parrish, an African American professor. Parrish inherited a New Orleans restaurant from his late father. The show mixed comedy and drama with themes of cultural identity and generational clashes.Frank's PlaceFrank's Place earned multiple Emmy nominations during its short but strong run on television.

This spinoff of The Jeffersons had Marla Gibbs return as Florence Johnston, the sassy housekeeper, now working at a hotel. The show ended after just four episodes.Checking InChecking In stays notable for putting Gibbs' beloved character in focus and keeping the humor of its predecessor.

This late '80s sitcom featured diverse students and their teacher, Mr. Singer (Daryl Sivad). They addressed social issues in an inner-city school. The show aired one season.HomeroomHomeroom showed early attempts to use humor about educational gaps and different cultures. It became a memorable piece of 1980s television history.

Starring singer Melba Moore as Melba Patterson, this short sitcom showed Melba's acting skills dealing with career highs and lows. Other shows overshadowed it.MelbaMelba is remembered for how she genuinely showed a strong, ambitious Black woman in the entertainment industry.

In this 1986 short, Kevin Hooks played young Michael Cooper, who unexpectedly became mayor of a small town. The show aired one season.He's the MayorHe's the Mayor served as an early example of showing talented Black actors in leading roles and opening doors for future generations.

Flip Wilson played Charlie Richmond Jr. in this family sitcom, 'Charlie & Co.' It showed a middle-class Chicago family dealing with work and home struggles. The show aired one season only.Charlie & Co. appears in the 'Best '80s Black Sitcoms' list.Charlie & Co. impressed viewers with its light approach to situations Black families faced in that time.

The reboot of the classic series features an African American cast. Ron Glass plays Felix Unger; Demond Wilson plays Oscar Madison. These mismatched roommates face daily life challenges. The show received praise for offering a new view of a classic concept, showing talented Black actors in familiar parts across just one season.

Robert Guillaume returned to TV after his Benson success. He played marriage counselor Edward Sawyer in this sitcom. The show ran for one season, 13 episodes total. Guillaume's talent and charm showed across the run, entertaining viewers with laughter while touching on love and relationships.