Entertainment: Black Stars On Broadway


The Black Families On TV

    CBS , Getty Images

    The Cosby Show
    Seasons: Eight
    Notable Cast Members: Bill Cosby, Phylicia Rashad, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Keshia Knight Pulliam, Tempestt Bledsoe, Lisa Bonet, Raven-Symoné
    Storyline: Popular comedy television series based on a happily married couple raising their children in Brooklyn, New York.
    Sidenote: Throughout the course of eight seasons The Huxtable family helped set the stage for black families on prime time television. Bill Cosby's character, Cliff Huxtable was such a role model that he topped TV Guide's 2004 list of "50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time."

    Everett Collection

    'Family Matters'
    Seasons: Nine
    Notable Cast Members: Reginald Vel Johnson, Darius McCrary, Kellie Shanygne Williams, JoMarie Payton, Jaleel White, Telma Hopkins
    Storyline: Based on middle-class suburban Chicago black family, the Winslows.
    Sidenote: Spinning off it's sister show 'Perfect Strangers,' the hit sitcom spawned off one of the most popular characters in sitcom history, Steve Urkel. America's favorite nerd was so popular that he established a merchandising empire, which included a talking doll, trading cards, posters, books, lunchboxes and a limited edition cereal.

    Warner Bros.

    'Lincoln Heights'
    Seasons: Three
    Notable Cast Members: Russell Hornsby, Nicki Micheaux, Erica Hubbard, Rhyon Nicole Brown, Mishon Ratliff, Michael Reilly Burke, Robert Adamson, William Stanford Davis
    Storyline: A drama revolving around the life of LAPD officer Eddie Sutton, who is in pursuit of a better life for his family. Ironically, Sutton moves his family into his old neighborhood which is known for its violence.
    Sidenote: In 2008 the series was nominated for four NAACP Image Awards including Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series, Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series, Outstanding Drama Series, and Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series.

    ABC Family

    'My Wife & Kids'
    Seasons: Five
    Notable Cast Members: Damon Wayans, Tisha Campbell-Martin, George O. Gore II
    Storyline: Damon Wayans portrays Michael Kyle, a loving husband who maintains his household by teaching his family some valuable wisdom and knowledge, and learning some himself.
    Sidenote: The show's co-creator, Damon Wayans, may have regretted the original storyline of Claire Kyle following the loss of cast member Jazz Raycole. Raycole's mother disapproved of the actress' storyline for season two, which led to her being pulled from the show.

    2000 ABC, INC.

    The Jeffersons
    Seasons: 11
    Notable Cast Members: Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, Marla Gibbs, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover, Paul Benedict
    Storyline: Entrepreneur George Jefferson hits the ticket with his successful dry-cleaning business, which leads him to move into a ritzy New York City high-rise.
    Sidenote: America can thank fellow 'Good Times' actress Ja'Net DuBois for helping George Jefferson's family move up to the east side. The Emmy Award-winner co-wrote and sang the show's opening and closing theme song 'Movin' On Up.'

    CBS Photo Archive / Getty Images

    'What's Happening!!'
    Seasons: Three
    Notable Cast Members: Ernest Lee Thomas, Haywood Nelson, Fred Berry, Danielle Spencer, Mabel King, Shirley Hemphill, David Hollander, John Welsh, Earl Billings, Leland Smith
    Storyline: Loosely based on the motion picture 'Cooley High' a trio of friends go through the trials and tribulations of young adulthood.
    Sidenote: Fred Berry's character Rerun almost didn't turn out as we may remember him today. Originally the role was reportedly written to fit the description of a skinny white kid.



    Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

    '227'
    Seasons: Five
    Notable Cast Members: Marla Gibbs, Alaina Reed Hall, Jackée Harry, Helen Martin, Hal Williams, Regina King, Curtis Baldwin, Kia Goodwin, Reynaldo Rey, Countess Vaughn
    Storyline: Taking place in a Washington D.C. apartment building, numbered 227, the show's characters would be found sitting outside on a large set of stone stairs (aka the stoop), in which a discussion would lead into the weekly plot line.
    Sidenote: Former 'Moesha' and 'Celebrity Fit Club' star Countess Vaughn received her big break in Hollywood by simply asking. Vaughn mentioned her dream of appearing on '227' following her 1988 appearance on the talent show series 'Star Search.'

    Embassy Pictures / Fotos International / Getty Images

    'Julia'
    Seasons: Three
    Notable Cast Members: Diahann Carroll, Lloyd Nolan, Paul Winfield, Fred Williamson
    Storyline: Centering on a young widow working as a nurse, trying to make ends meet while raising her son as a single parent.
    Sidenote: The 1960 NBC comedy is known for being one of the first weekly shows to depict African-American woman in the non stereotypical role of playing servants. The drama eventually lead to the show's star Diahann Carroll asking for a release from her contract due to the controversy surrounding the show from its inception.

    NBC / Getty Images

    'The Wayans Bros'
    Seasons: Five
    Notable Cast Members: Shawn Wayans, Marlon Wayans, John Witherspoon, Anna Maria Horsford, Jermaine Hopkins, Ja'Net DuBois, Phill Lewis
    Storyline: The show follows lives of two brothers, Shawn and Marlon Williams, who run their own newspaper stand from out of their father's diner.
    Sidenote: Following their family's tradition of producing sitcoms, Shawn and Marlon Wayans debut 'The Wayans Bros' in 1995. Adding to the sitcom's hip-hop feel, the brothers used A Tribe Called Quest's hit single 'Electric Relaxation' as the show's opening theme for the first two seasons.

    Warner Bros.

Black Entertainment News Blog: BV Newswire

Entertainment News

From fast-breaking entertainment news updates, exclusive interviews with celebrity notables to off-the-cuff commentary and tongue-in-cheek prose, The BV Newswire prides itself on being the factual online source for all things entertainment -- as it pertains to African Americans and people of color, globally.
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Black Movies Blog: It's All Reel

Black Film Coverage

For up-to-the minute coverage of who's coming up and what's going down on the film circuit, BlackVoices.com contributor Wilson Morales delivers the goods with box-office figures, late-breaking casting updates and engaging interviews.
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Black Entertainment Gossip Blog: BV Buzz

Black Entertainment Gossip

Jawn Murray is back and better than ever. With the new refashioned version of his wildly popular BV Buzz column -- now a blog -- the Washington, D.C., based celebrity journalist is ready to deliver all the scoop we've grown to expect from him, as it revolves around black Hollywood and beyond.
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Filed under: Exclusives, Movies, Television '106 Park' host Terrence J will make his feature film debut in the sequel to 'Stomp the Yard.' The TV host, whose real name is Terrence Jenkins, will play the role of Ty, a key lineman in Chance's fraternity. "As a graduate of an HBCU and member of... Read More

Filed under: Gossip, Music Chris Brown is getting some support as he works towards moving beyond his domestic violence ordeal with Rihanna. The National Coalition For Men (NCFM) has released a statement challenging Rihanna to take ownership of her part in the domestic ordeal and discuss her violence... Read More

Filed under: Gossip, Music, Gospel, Television On the heels of receiving negative press a week ago, talk show titan Oprah Winfrey won't allow her friend, gospel singer BeBe Winans to host her Karaoke Challenge on her daytime talk show. Winfrey was accused of having "double standards" last... Read More

Filed under: Exclusives, Music, Gospel Following the success of his 2007 CD, 'Thirsty,' Marvin Sapp is gearing up for a big 2010 with the anticipated release of a just-recorded new CD. "Hopefully my record company will let me put this out around March or April," the Grand Rapids,... Read More

Filed under: Exclusives, Gossip, MusicBV Buzz can officially report that Solange Knowles is no longer signed to Interscope/Geffen Records. This news is no shock to me - quoting a song from Solange's 'Sol-Angel and the Hadley St. Dreams' CD, 'I Told You So' - as this column originally reported that... Read More

The BoomBox: Beats, Rhymes & Life

The Boombox

Are you interested in the latest news in Hip-Hop? Well pump up the volume and tune into The BoomBox for the latest in hip-hop news, videos, songs, exclusive interviews and more.
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Filed under: Say What!Perpetual NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg recently introduced Jay-Z at the Yankees parade, "His song has become one of the newest anthems of the Yankees. Please welcome a great Yankee fan and a great New Yorker: Jay-Z." Meanwhile, 50 Cent can't even get permission to film... Read More

Filed under: Hip-Hop, Hip-Hop News, Soul/R'n'B, R'n'B News, Hip-Hop Videos, Soul/R'n'B Videos, Behind the Video Jay-Z and Alicia Keys are reportedly recording a sequel to their blockbuster single 'Empire State of Mind.' The long overdue collaboration originally appeared on Jay's 'Blueprint 3' album... Read More

Filed under: Photo of the Week Who: Shakira and Beyonce What: The divas were spotted chatting in the Glamour Pit at the 2009 MTV Europe Music Awards at the O2 Arena in Berlin. Where: Berlin, Germany When: Nov. 5, 2009 Next Photo Read More

Filed under: Hip-Hop, Hip-Hop News, Tours and Concerts, Fashion Eighties hip-hop trio The Fat Boys are making a comeback. The group, perhaps known best thanks to Jay-Z's lament over their break-up on 'The Blueprint' track 'Blueprint Complication,' is coming correct with a new clothing line to be... Read More

Filed under: Hip-Hop, Hip-Hop News On Wednesday night, Phillies second baseman Shane Victorino hit a futile ground ball to Robinson Cano to end the World Series and clinch the New York Yankees' 27th championship. Today came the party. Millions of fans lined the famed Canyon of Heroes on lower... Read More

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*This list is automatically generated from live member discussions. It is not editorially selected.