A "bottle episode" is a term used when a TV show, usually in an attempt to save money on sets, keeps the action all in one place. Some of these episodes justify their singular setting by trapping the characters inside against their will while others incorporate more clever storytelling devices. Let's cover some of the most interesting and entertaining examples of a bottle episode in TV history with the following.

Mad About You - "The Conversation"

Sometimes, raising an infant might have parents feeling trapped in their own home (or even a singular location in their home) which is a topic explored in an episode from the sixth episode of the hit Paul Reiser TV show, Mad About You. Filmed in one single-shot take, "The Conversation" depicts Paul (Reiser) and Jamie Buchman (Helen Hunt) talking while they wait for their infant daughter to cry herself to sleep.

Breaking Bad - "Fly"

Considered by some to be one of the best Breaking Bad episodes and by others to be the worst, "Fly" earns its title from an insect that Walter White (Bryan Cranston) discovers making itself at home in the lab owned by Gus Fring (Giancarlo Esposito). Directed by Rian Johnson, the episode sees him and Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul), determined to save their jobs (and lives), spending an entire night struggling to rid the lab of the "contamination," while having heartfelt and complex discussions regarding the current state of their lives.

Seinfeld - "The Chinese Restaurant"

In an episode of one of the all-time best sitcoms that left some network executives confused from behind the scenes, Jerry (Jerry Seinfeld), George (Jason Alexander), and Elaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfuss) spend 20 minutes waiting to be seated for dinner before heading to the movies. Despite not featuring Michael Richards' Kramer, Season 2's subdued yet witty "The Chinese Restaurant" is one of the best Seinfeld episodes and one that most strongly defines the NBC comedy's schtick as a "show about nothing."

The West Wing - "Isaac And Ishmael"

One of the most powerful bottle episodes in TV history was a standalone from Aaron Sorkin's Emmy-winning political drama called "Isaac and Ishmael," which was broadcast before the official Season 3 premiere as a tribute to the victims of the tragedy on September 11, 2001. Described as a non-canonical play by the West Wing cast in a cold open where the actors directly address the audience, the episode is primarily set in the mess hall of the White House, which has been put on lockdown amid a terrorist attack, forcing some of those inside to investigate the matter and others to discuss it from a philosophical perspective with some visiting students.

Friends - "The One Where No One's Ready"

In Season 3's "The One Where No One's Ready," the Friends cast is hanging out when Ross shows up urging them to prepare to leave for an event. Depicted in real time and taking place almost entirely in Monica's living room, the episode proved popular enough to convince the producers to do at least one bottle episode per season for the remainder of the hit series' run.

The Twilight Zone - "Five Characters In Search Of An Exit"

Some of the most interesting stories told on horror anthology TV shows are bottle episodes but that is not the only reason why "Five Characters in Search of An Exit" is a shoo-in for one of the best Twilight Zone episodes. As the apt title suggests, the Rod Serling-penned Season 3 story, following a group of strangers trapped in a room with no windows or doors and no memory of how they got there, is a wickedly surreal mystery with a killer twist ending.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine - "The Box"

One of the best episodes of Brooklyn Nine-Nine, "The Box," sees Jake Peralta (Andy Samberg) and Captain Holt (Andre Braugher teaming up to see if they can get a dentist suspected of murder to give a confession before they are legally forced to release him from the interrogation room. Sterling K. Brown gives an Emmy-nominated performance in the Season 5 favorite as the stone-cold potential perp who forces Peralta to pull out every trick in the book to break.

Frasier - "My Coffee With Niles"

The Season 1 finale of Frasier (a spin-off show as good as its predecessor, Cheers) served as an homage to the 1981 dramedy, My Dinner with Andre. "My Coffee with Niles" takes place entirely during a cafe conversation between the title character (Kelsey Grammer) and his brother (David Hyde Pierce), during which they discuss happiness and Niles, for the first time, admits his feelings for Daphne (Jane Leeves).

Family Guy - "Brian & Stewie"

For its 150th show, Family Guy aired a bottle episode that stripped away its opening credits, musical score, the typical cutaway gags, and most of the characters. The entire plot of "Brian & Stewie" takes place inside a bank vault where the eponymous dog and baby (both voiced by creator Seth MacFarlane) find themselves accidentally locked inside for more than 24 hours.

Community - "Cooperative Calligraphy"

Likely responsible for teaching a generation of viewers about the concept of a bottle episode, one of the best episodes of Community, "Cooperative Calligraphy," is identified as such by Abed (Danny Pudi) in one of his signature meta moments. The Season 2 favorite sees the study group lock themselves in the study room for an entire night at the request of Annie (Alison Brie) to figure out who among them took her pen.

Parks And Recreation - "Leslie And Ron"

The seventh season of Parks and Recreation saw Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler) and Ron Swanson (Nick Offerman) on non-speaking terms for mysterious reasons until it was addressed and resolved in the season's fourth episode, aptly titled "Leslie and Ron." Locked in a room at the office by Ben (Adam Scott), the former coworkers are forced to talk through their feud, which we learn was caused by a sidelined Ron asking Leslie for a job to be closer to his old friends, only to be stood up.

Archer - "Vision Quest"

One of many examples of a bottle episode in which multiple characters find themselves trapped in an elevator comes from the sixth season of Archer. In "Vision Quest" much of the main cast of the animated spy comedy series get at each other's throats more than usual when they share a lift at ISIS that suddenly breaks down.

Kenan & Kel - "Freezer Burned"

Nickelodeon's Kenan & Kel aired a few episodes that saw the eponymous duo (played by All That cast members Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell) stuck in one place. One instance is Season 3's "Freezer Burned" in which Kel accidentally points a restaurant's restroom sign in the wrong direction, causing himself, Kenan, Kenan's family, and many others to become trapped in the freezer.

Grey's Anatomy - "The Room Where It Happens"

While all bottle episodes take place in one setting, not all are necessarily set during just one period of time. For instance, "The Room Where It Happens" from Season 13 of Grey's Anatomy takes place in a single operating room in which multiple characters recall their own memories of the most significant moments they have experienced there.

How I Met Your Mother - "The Limo"

Some TV shows get away with covering more ground than the typical bottle episode allows by keeping most of the action inside a mode of transportation. For instance, "The Limo" follows the How I Met Your Mother cast hopping between multiple New Year's Eve parties in a limousine driven by the recurring character Ranjit (Marshall Manesh), marking the beginning of his transition from taxi driving.

Hey Arnold! - "Das Subway"

Sometimes even a bottle episode set in a mode of transportation still sees the characters stuck in one place, like in the Season 1 Hey Arnold! episode, "Das Subway." Arnold and his friends decide to get home from the movie theater by taking the subway but end up sharing it with a bunch of stir-crazy passengers when it breaks down mid-trip.

Castle - "Cuffed"

Some bottle episodes manage to show scenes from outside the main setting by the use of flashbacks. That is how the Season 4 Castle episode, "Cuffed," explains how Richard Castle (Nathan Fillion) and Kate Beckett (Stana Katic) ended up handcuffed together and trapped in a small room where they struggle to retrace their steps.

Supernatural - "Baby"

Rarely do bottle episodes and road trip episodes crossover but Supernatural achieved it in its eleventh season with "Baby," which is named after Dean Winchester's (Jensen Ackles) beloved Impala. The entire story – following him and Sam (Jared Padalecki) on a demon-hunting journey – is entirely told from inside the car.

Drake & Josh - "Tree House"

In the fourth season of Drake & Josh, the titular pair of stepbrothers (played by Drake Bell and Josh Peck) must reconstruct a neighbor's tree house that they accidentally destroyed. Upon finishing it, they find themselves trapped inside, having forgotten to cut out an exit before putting up the final wall. Their sister, Megan (Miranda Cosgrove), refuses to help them find a way out, and, to make matters worse, two twin sisters are waiting to meet them at the movie theater.

The X-FIles - "How The Ghosts Stole Christmas"

"How the Ghosts Stole Christmas" is a fun holiday episode from the sixth season of one of the all-time best sci-fi TV shows, The X-Files. It sees FBI agents Fox Mulder (David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson) becoming trapped in a house haunted by the spirits of a dead couple (played by TV icons Ed Asner and Lily Tomlin) who want to prove to them how lonely the season can be.

Chicago Fire - "My Lucky Day"

The rescuers fall desperate for a rescue in a Season 9 episode of NBC's Chicago Fire ironically called "My Lucky Day." Firefighters Christopher Herrmann (David Eigenberg) and Joe Cruz (Joe Minoso) become cut off from outside communication when they and two others board a freight elevator that breaks down in the middle of a building fire.

Eureka - "H.O.U.S.E. Rules"

In the first season of the hit SyFy series Eureka, newly appointed sheriff Jack Carter (Colin Ferguson) considers leaving the small town of brilliant people after being blocked from investigating a crime. However, his A.I.-equipped smart house tries to convince him to stay by luring other locals into the home and locking them inside.

Leverage - "The Bottle Job"

The title of the Season 2 episode of Leverage, "The Bottle Job," has a triple meaning – one being that it is a bottle episode. The other meanings refer to Academy Award winner Timothy Hutton's character, Nate, taking up his drinking habit again, as well as the team's task to commit an elaborate con that would take weeks in only 90 minutes.

The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air - "Did The Earth Move For You?"

While there are many examples of bottle episodes used to help two characters mend their issues with one another by trapping them together, the Season 2 premiere of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air sees two characters grow apart as a result. In "Did the Earth Move for You?" the victims are Will Smith (Will Smith) and his new girlfriend, Kathleen (Tisha Campbell), who learn too much about each other after an earthquake leaves them trapped in the Banks' basement.

This Is Us - "The Waiting Room"

Most episodes of This Is Us jump back and forth between different time periods but Season 3's "The Waiting Room" takes place entirely in the modern day without any flashbacks. However, for what it lacks in appearances by Milo Ventimiglia as Jack, it makes up for it by keeping the Pearsons (and the audience) on their toes as they stay in a hospital waiting for the birth of Kate's baby.

MacGyver - "Phoenix Under Siege"

Before Die Hard, there was the Season 2 MacGyver episode, "Phoenix Under Siege," which boasts a few plot similarities. Mac (Richard Dean Anderson) and his grandfather, Harry Jackson (John Anderson), stop by the Phoenix Foundation to look for some tickets to a hockey game only to become trapped inside the building when it is invaded by terrorists.

Scrubs - "My Full Moon"

The Season 8 Scrubs episode, "My Full Moon," is a notable bottle episode as being one of the few times we see Turk (Donald Faison) and Elliot (Sarah Chalke) teaming up. They are left in charge of four interns at Sacred Heart on the night of a full moon, hence the title.

Teen Titans Go! - "Bottle Episode"

Never has a series taken the concept of a bottle episode as literally as the 29th show from the third season of Teen Titans Go! Aptly called "Bottle Episode," it sees the team of young superheroes struggling to figure out an escape when they become trapped in a large glass bottle.

Moonlighting - "Between A Yuk And A Hard Place"

Taking place months after the previous episode when Maddie (Cybill Shepherd) suffers a miscarriage, "Between A Yuk and a Hard Place" sees her and David (Bruce Willis) reunited when they become trapped in an elevator. At the end of the episode, it is revealed that Agnes (Allyce Beasley) and MacGillicudy (Jack Blessing) intentionally caused the elevator to break down, giving the couple a chance to work out their issues.

The Dead Zone - "Cabin Pressure"

In the second season of USA Network's series adaptation of Stephen King's The Dead Zone, Johnny Smith (Anthony Michael Hall) has a psychic vision that the plane he is currently traveling on is bound to crash. The episode is set entirely on a jet and is even depicted in real-time.

Black-ish - "Hope"

Creator Kenya Barris' ABC dramedy Black-ish was never afraid to address tough real-life topics and one of the most powerful examples is Season 2's "Hope." It takes place entirely in the Johnsons' living room as they watch a news report of a police brutality case, which prompts a difficult discussion regarding racial injustice.

That's My Bush! - "Trapped In A Small Environment"

From South Park creator Trey Parker and Matt Stone, Comedy Central's short-lived series That's My Bush poked fun at common sitcom cliches while also offering a humorous inside look at the then-current George W. Bush administration. It once took aim at the "trapped in a small environment" trope in an episode called "Trapped in a Small Environment," in which the president and his neighbor, Larry (John D'Aquino) get stuck in an elevator, giving them an opportunity to work through a feud.

Though television programming existed in various forms for more than a decade before the first situation comedies officially arrived in the late 1940s, the sitcom quickly became one of the most popular and duplicated genres for the next 80+ years. From stand-up comics to Hollywood icons, sitcoms are responsible for some of pop culture’s biggest stars, from Jerry Seinfeld to Jennifer Aniston to Dick Van Dyke to Lucille Ball, as well as some of the most memorable catchphrases.

Despite broadcast networks no longer championing sitcoms as much as in years past, with streaming services picking up the slack — Netflix is now more known for multi-camera sitcoms than any of the Big 4 — TV comedies will likely continue to keep audiences breathless with laughter for many more years to come. As such, CinemaBlend’s staff came together to celebrate and rank the 100 best sitcoms of all time, with the order stemming partially from our writers’ sharing scores for more than 200 different series, along with other contributing factors.

So sit back in your favorite recliner, grab an extra-large Squishee (or an ice-cold Duff, if you’re of age) and settle into the coziness, comfort, and occasional cringeworthiness of the best TV sitcoms of all time, according to CinemaBlend.

100. Bewitched

You know a show is a classic when even Marvel is drawing inspiration from it nearly 50 years after its end. The fantasy sitcom Bewitched worked its magic at CBS for eight seasons, partially due to the phenomenal comedic acting of Elizabeth Montgomery and Dick York, who was famously replaced by Dick Sargent due to York's worsening health issues. Add in an equally impressive ensemble cast including Agnes Moorehead, David White, and Paul Lynde (just to name a few), and it's no wonder Bewitched was a nose-twitching delight of a show that doesn't need supernatural abilities to be great.

99. Laverne and Shirley

Arguably the most successful Happy Days spinoff, as well as one of the best TV comedies of all time, Laverne & Shirley followed two best friends and bottle-cappers as they navigated life and everything it threw at them in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (later Burbank, California). Though similar in tone to its predecessor, this long-running sitcom relied more on the physical comedy talents masterfully pulled by stars Penny Marshall and Cindy Williams. And when it comes to iconic opening credits sequences, Laverne & Shirley was in a league of its own with all those shots of the fictional Shotz Brewery along with that classic theme.

98. Beavis And Butt-Head

No Beavis And Butt-Head fan will argue that the show isn’t dumb. Because it is. It really, really is, in each of its iterations. The two eponymous characters rank as two of the most unambiguously stupid protagonists to ever grace a TV screen, and every word they say is unadulterated idiocy. Ironically, though, that’s the genius of Mike Judge’s creation. The impossibly dumb leads allow for stories that no other sitcom can reasonably or responsibly touch with any degree of verisimilitude, while also permitting some outrageously weird takes on music videos (and social clips) across various eras.

97. Hogan's Heroes

War stories are often suited for prestige dramas, but Hogan's Heroes proved that a P.O.W. camp comedy could be just as awards-worthy. During its 168-episode run, Bob Crane's titular leader and his squad constantly thwarted Nazi enemies with fast-talking and constant hijinks (many of which were put into play by future game show legend Richard Dawson). Lasting as long as World War II did itself, Hogan's Heroes showcased how reflecting on past tragedies with humor can make for memorable art.

96. How I Met Your Mother

How I Met Your Mother may be higher on this list if not for fan opinions of the final season, but I would 100% say that it’s worth watching despite a lackluster ending. This show is about finding out how Josh Radnor’s Ted met his future wife, but it really thrives as a series about best friends. As Neil Patrick Harris’ Barney Stinson would say, this ensemble is legen–wait for it–dary, and those who check it out will definitely be invested in what the cast is doing now that the series is over.

95. Mork & Mindy

Today we all know what an immense talent Robin Williams was, and the absolutely wild places he could take comedy. Imagine not knowing any of that, and then turning on an early episode of Mork & Mindy, where he must have come across quite like somebody from another world, much like the character he played. Mork from Ork gave Williams the freedom to do almost anything on screen opposite Pam Dawber’s Mindy (and later Jonathan Winters), and it’s no surprise he took over Hollywood after four successful seasons.

94. The Adventures of Pete and Pete

Plenty of shows focus on the weirdness of suburbia, but Nickelodeon’s The Adventures of Pete & Pete still stands awkwardly as one of the best. As Older Pete (Michael Maronna) and Younger Pete (Danny Tamberelli) navigate the oddities of Wellsville, life lessons and warm memories are gifted to viewers by creators Will McRobb and Chris Viscardi. Pete & Pete delivers its homespun tales with a deep-seated love of ‘50s and ‘60s pop culture, and with one of the more impressive celebrity guest star rosters of kid-centric TV. Where else will you find REM’s Michael Stipe as a conspiratorial ice cream man?

93. black-ish

Watching Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross’ Andre and Rainbow Johnson raise their family amidst navigating various challenges in and around their largely white-populated neighborhood, all while still hanging onto their Black identities, makes for eight seasons of exceptional sitcom storytelling. While black-ish went on to launch two spinoffs, the original still stands as the cream of the crop, expertly balancing pointed social commentary and humor regarding a variety of topics, racial and otherwise. Plus, TV grandfather-dom looks great on Laurence Fishburne.

92. The Munsters

What happens when a family largely modeled after Universal’s Classic Monsters takes up residence in the middle of suburban America’s Mockingbird Heights? You get The Munsters, which slotted in nicely among other comedic offerings in the ‘60s while also satirizing sitcom tropes of the era. Although Fred Gwynne’s bumbling patriarch Herman was often the driving force behind the weekly shenanigans, Lily, Grandpa, Eddie and Marilyn (the only “normal” looking one) were all far more endearing than their monstrous counterparts, making The Munsters a great platform for chaotic, yet heartfelt entertainment.

91. Happy Endings

Best friends are always good sitcom fodder, as David Caspe’s Happy Endings proved for three seasons on ABC ahead of its fan-angering cancellation. Damon Wayans Jr.’s cucumber-cool Brad and Eliza Coupe’s A-type Jane are the group’s PDA-friendly couple, while her sister, Elisha Cuthbert’s confusion-prone Alex, is exes-ish with Zachary Knighton’s dorky-smooth Dave. The group is rounded out by Adam Pally’s schlubbo-sexual Max and Casey Wilson’s serial dater Penny. Perhaps the only sitcom whose leads share a fictional history as Real World vets, Happy Endings is as fun and fancy-free as romance-fueled sitcoms get.

90. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

Less than two years after Ellie Kemper played Erin Hannon for the last time on The Office, she sunshine-smiled her way through a bonkers show of her own with Netflix’s original Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. The series, which centered on former cult member Kimmy’s surreal and gung-ho acclimation to life in a “real” world she hadn’t lived in for years. One of the more unique shows from creators Tina Fey and Robert Carlock, Kimmy could have made this list just for turning the multi-talent Tituss Burgess into a small-screen regular. Extra kudos for the follow-up movie Kimmy vs the Reverend.

89. That '70s Show

Starring Topher Grace and running for eight seasons from 1998-2006, That ‘70s Show transports any generational audience who watches back to the late 1970s for the horned-up (and oh-so-slightly drugged-up) exploits of high school besties and their respective parents. The teens were played by actors who would go on to become bona fide stars, including Ashton Kutcher, Mila Kunis, Wilmer Valderrama, and Laura Prepon. The Circle in Eric’s basement was always reliable for big laughs, and though its final season suffered from cast exits, Netflix’s That ‘90s Show kept the good times going far more successfully than That ‘80s Show.

88. Extras

Ricky Gervais and Steven Merchant followed up on the smash success of The Office by crossing the ocean to HBO for the Hollywood-skewing riot Extras, which hinged on the fraught character trifecta of Gervais’ dispirited actor Andy, his god-awful agent Darren (Merchant) and his kind-hearted and oblivious actress BFF Maggie (Ashley Jensen). While only two seasons and a Christmas special, it’s a modern classic not only for its gloriously cornball faux sitcom When the Whistle Blows, but for bonkers celebrity cameos from Kate Winslet, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellan and more. Gervais also delivers an all-time Top 5 spit-take in one episode.

87. The Bernie Mac Show

The late Bernie Mac is still widely viewed as a comedy giant, and his eponymous family sitcom is a major reason for that. The Bernie Mac Show definitely isn’t the first comedy to be headlined by a stand-up, but it’s one of the few that so perfectly utilized the talents of its lead. Mac’s signature brand of no-nonsense humor is especially hilarious when he bounces off his A+ co-stars. But, overall, what makes this series one of the great modern Black sitcoms is its funny, warm and nuanced depiction of familial dynamics amongst African Americans.

86. Gilligan's Island

Before The Brady Bunch (but after The Red Skelton Show), screenwriter and producer Sherwood Schwartz launched 1964's smash-hit Gilligan's Island, and the fictional voyage was far more doomed than the show's. Starring Bob Denver and Alan Hale, the sitcom won over viewers with plots hinged on island inventions, unexpected visitors, dream sequences, and random items washing up ashore. While the show famously never hit one hundred episodes, its premise was beloved enough to spark several TV movies and the truly baffling Saturday morning cartoon spinoff Gilligan's Planet.

85. Mad About You

Chemistry is usually all it takes to keep a sitcom afloat, whether its shared by an ensemble (see: Friends) or tethered to a winning duo like Paul Reiser and Helen Hunt in Mad About You. It helps that both actors lent their movie-level wattage to the sitcom for eight seasons, exploring marriage and eventually parenthood in New York City. (Reiser previously co-starred in My Two Dads, to be sure.) But despite the parade of stellar comedic co-stars — Hank Azaria, Lisa Kudrow, Carol Burnett, and Mel Brooks? Come on! — it was Paul and Jamie keeping us invested. We were mad about them, and maybe a different kind of mad about Mabel.

84. Three's Company

Three’s Company is an interesting case-study in dated sitcom writing, as 90% of the jokes that prop up the show wouldn’t fly today. Almost every single line can be construed as sexual innuendo, and the plot twists of a given Three’s Company episode are so driven by silly miscommunications, the formula is basically cliche. However, John Ritter’s deep reservoir of charm, when combined with his incredible chemistry with the female roommates that came in and out of his orbit, made it an overall win, and one of the most memorable and breezy sitcoms of the 1970s and ‘80s.

83. Family Guy

What can be said about Family Guy that hasn’t already been said? While Seth MacFarlane’s first mega-hit doesn’t feel quite as crude as other late night animated fare these days, it quickly cemented itself as an envelope-pushing primetime entry thanks to its murderous baby, they hyper-perverse Quagmire, and the less said about Herbert, the better. The series made a meme-worthy artform out of cutaway gags, man vs. chicken fights and lowbrow pop culture spoofs. At this point, the Griffins are basically as widespread as the Simpsons, and Brian would certainly drink to that.

82. Malcolm In The Middle

Malcolm in the Middle was a key part of Fox’s Sunday comedy lineup for six of its seven seasons from 2000-2006. At the time, the Frankie Muniz-starring comedy was a rare example of a single-camera sitcom that eschewed a laugh track and had its lead regularly breaking the fourth wall. The family was known to deal with serious issues in the background of the shenanigans of the sibling trio, which helped the sitcom win seven Emmys. It was also Bryan Cranston’s breakout primetime TV role, proving he was a comedy legend years before dipping into drama for Breaking Bad.

81. The Facts Of Life

A spinoff of Diff’rent Strokes, The Facts of Life is one of the most successful TV offshoots that shares little with its predecessor, and for good reason. The coming-of-age sitcom explores adolescence in a way that neither its predecessor nor follow-up projects ever could, with a perfectly cast ensemble of young actresses led by the incomparable Charlotte Rae. This sitcom exists because of Rae’s previously stellar work, and her warmth and charm in the role of Mrs. Garrett helped make a family out of her girls, from Natalie to Tootie to Jo to Blair and the rest.

80. The Addams Family

Although The Addams Family started off as a single-panel New Yorker comic strip published from 1938 to 1964, it was the TV series premiering that same latter year which made the family a pop culture favorite. Watching Morticia, Gomez, Uncle Fester, Wednesday, Pugsley, Grandmama, Lurch and Thing freak people out with their macabre tastes and supernatural antics never got old, and without the popularity of this show, it’s doubtful these ghoulish characters would have returned in a variety of live-action and animated projects in later years.

79. My Name Is Earl

My Name Is Earl earned its way to sitcom greatness thanks to star Jason Lee’s all-in performance as Earl Hickey, as well as the great premise that sees Earl attempting to right the litany of past wrongs committed against seemingly everyone he’d ever met. (The concept also helps make it easy to drop in on any random episode without really needing to see what happened beforehand.) Ethan Suplee, Eddie Steeples and Jaime Pressley are equally brilliant in their respective roles, and we can still relate to Earl to this day anytime we struggle to keep our eyes open while taking a picture.

78. The Middle

Every once in awhile, a show sneaks it way into the zeitgeist and in our memories. The Middle, a show about a quirky middle-class family from the Midwest ran for nine years and hit home for a wide and nostalgic audience. It was a breath of fresh air and an honest take on class and what it was really like to grow up in, well, “the middle” of everything. Ironically, it was the ending of the show that stuck with most, but all good things must come to an end. 

77. Dave

This whole entry could be spent talking about how Dave is driven by the exceptional talent of David “Lil Dicky” Burd, who has a truly offbeat world perspective to go along with his legitimate gifts as a rapper. But that would be a disservice to Davionte "GaTa" Ganter, who proves over the course of the three seasons to be the NSFW series’ true heart. It gets funny and ridiculous, but it can also deliver a nice, solid gut punch courtesy of your investment in the characters’ plights for recognition.

76. Spin City

Arguably TV's least polarizing political sitcom, Spin City was a winning candidate for its six-season term in part due to co-creators Bill Lawrence and Gary David Goldberg. The latter also created Family Ties, and brought Michael J. Fox into the lead role here as well, with Charlie Sheen successfully taking over in Season 5 after Fox's medical-related exit Spin City is also a melting pot of TV excellence, boasting Connie Britton, Carla Gugino, Richard Kind, Alan Ruck and more greats filling out the NYC mayor’s office.

75. The Andy Griffith Show

One of the most iconic and wholesome sitcoms of the 20th century, The Andy Griffith Show gave audiences nearly 250 episodes with the residents of the fictional town of Mayberry, North Carolina, centering on local sheriff Andy Taylor, played with aw-shucks charm by Griffith. Characters like Barney Fife (Don Knotts), Gomer Pyle (Jim Nabors), Aunt Bee (Frances Bavier), and Opie (a young Ron Howard) made for plenty of the early highlights in sitcom history, both in black-and-white and color.

74. Family Matters

Airing for nine seasons from 1989-1997, Family Matters became a beloved sitcom for multiple generations regularly tuning into ABC’s TGIF lineup. The spinoff of Perfect Strangers followed the highs and lows of the Winslow family, with Die Hard vet Reginald VelJohnson becoming an iconic sitcom dad as Carl Winslow. Of course, Jaleel White’s Steve Urkel famously stole the spotlight as the nerd-tastic breakout star, sporting the signature “Did I do that?” catchphrase. Yes, he certainly did, if by “that” he meant annoying his unrequited love Laura or creating alternate versions of himself via sitcom science.

73. The Wonder Years

The Wonder Years aired from 1988-1993, but very fathfully recreated the late ‘60s and early ‘70s to invite audiences into the lives of the Arnold family. Starring Fred Savage in his breakout role (alongside fellow greats Dan Lauria, Alley Mills, and Danica McKellar), the coming-of-age comedy touched on Vietnam War politics, high school romance, deaths of loved ones, sibling rivalries and more, with Daniel Stern's narration a key source of its charm and emotional heft. From using Joe Cocker’s unforgettable “With a Little Help from My Friends” to its powerful-yet-unplanned finale, it’s no wonder that this classic eventually inspired a reboot.

72. The Flintstones

The Flintstones is arguably the first animated project to prove itself as much of a classic sitcom as anything in live-action. Premiering back in 1960 and running for six wildly successful seasons, the sitcom follows the titular family within a fictional and idealized version of the Stone Age. Its popularity kept it airing in syndication for decades,later inspiring spinoffs, live-action movies, TV specials, ice cream pops, and (of course) the most memorable vitamins down the medicine aisle.

71. The Proud Family

The Proud Family was one of the standout shows of ABC’s One Saturday Morning programming block, walking the line between cartoony kids show and legitimate family drama quite well. Disney+’s more recent Louder And Prouder revival is evidence of that popularity and storytelling skills. Kyla Pratt’s Penny Proud is as relatable a TV teen as can be, and Sugar Mama (voiced by Family Matters’ Jo Marie Payton) is the kind of grandmother anyone would appreciate, sans bodyslams.

70. The Drew Carey Show

Long before he became host of The Price is Right, Drew Carey jumped from standup comedy to sitcom stardom with The Drew Carey Show, which ran for nine increasingly zany seasons from 1995-2004. The comedian starred as a fictionalized version of himself living in Ohio, working at a mundane job surrounded by a core group of friends with hijinks to spare. (Particularly during the A+ April Fool’s Day episodes.) This was the first big scripted TV role for cast members like Christa Miller, Diedrich Baker, Ryan Stiles, Craig Ferguson, and John Carroll Lynch. Hopefully fans can agree with the show on one thing: Cleveland Rocks!

69. Designing Women

If watching four sassy, professional ladies flourish, flounder, and tell it like it is sounds like something you can get behind, then look no further than Designing Women. The comedy starred the all-time great cast of Dixie Carter, Young Sheldon’s Annie Potts, Delta Burke and Hacks star Jean Smart as co-workers sharing their personal and professional trials and triumphs to side-splitting effect over several seasons. Even better, the show managed to work in a lot of social commentary that’s still relevant today, and no one has ever taken down bullies and bigots like Carter’s Julia Sugarbaker.

68. Night Court

Many sitcoms can be vehicles for a single great comedian to shine, but the strength of the original Night Court was its ensemble. (And that sax-y theme.) Harry Anderson played de facto leader Judge Harry Stone alongside John Laroquette, Markie Post, Richard Moll and more, and the jury of TV audiences gave the verdict of Night Court being guilty of hilarity. Despite the fact that the show’s format could seem as formulaic as real-life courtroom dockets, silliness often ensued, and fans were happy to watch these talents play off each other for an enviable nine-season run. Its popularity endures with Melissa Rauch’s 2023 revival.

67. The Honeymooners

TV shows have a way of changing the pop culture landscape by being quotable, and The Honeymooners is one of the earliest sitcoms whose influence is definitely still felt in that category, with “One of these days Alice…” and “To the moon!” persisting so many decades later. The all-time classic follows two New York City couples and the various shenanigans they get into, with Ralph and Alice famously played by Jackie Gleason and Audrey Meadows, respectively. And while the empty threats of domestic violence might be jarring for newcomers, The Honeymooners significantly set the stage for so many sitcoms to follow.

66. Raising Hope

Wacky isn’t always a word that comes up when discussing family sitcoms, but Raising Hope fits that description to a T. The Chance family is filled with more lovable and well-meaning weirdos than you’d think could possibly fit into half-hour eps, but they all have their odd (and potentially relatable) quirks. From dad Burt (who picks his nose by using all 10 fingers), to matriarch Maw Maw (who can frequently be found shirtless and/or braless and giving off old people smells), you’d be hard-pressed to land on an episode that doesn’t make you choke on your big dill pickle.

65. Fresh Off The Boat

Everyone loves a good family sitcom, and while Fresh Off the Boat is technically about the young, hip-hop-obsessed son within a Taiwanese-American family in Orlando, the real comedic meat of the show is his mom, Jessica (Constance Wu). We’ve never seen a mom like Jessica Huang before. Yes, she’s loving, but it’s an absurdly tough, uncompromising love that pushes her nice, America-loving husband and three sons to excel. She’s also fiercely competitive and not someone to mess with, which diners-and-dashers can attest to, and is a big reason why Fresh Off the Boat will always be watchable.

64. Everybody Hates Chris

Abbott Elementary fans can attest to Tyler James Williams’ comedic chops, but he first honed them from his younger Hollywood days as the star of Everybody Hates Chris. Created by Chris Rock (who narrates) and Ali LeRoi, the show is based on the stand-up legend’s teenage years, and finds ways of making everyday occurrences the most hilarious things in the world, often landing a wide-eyed Chris in trouble. From James’ impressive performance as a teenager to the rest of the cast (including a stellar Terry Crews’ dad mode), Everybody Hates Chris is a must-watch for comedy lovers of all ages.

63. Get Smart

Secret agent movies were big in the 1960s, so how could one go wrong with a spoof comedy series created by Mel Brooks and Buck Henry? Get Smart stars Don Adams’ Maxwell Smart (aka the bumbling CONTROL Agent 86) often teaming up with Barbara Feldon’s more-than-capable sidekick, Agent 99, to thwart the evil, if not entirely professional, efforts of the cabal KAOS. From the series’ iconic opening credits to Max’s shoe phone, Get Smart stands the test of time, with some great catchphrases to boot, including “MIssed it by that much,” and, “Would you believe…?”

62. Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23

We sometimes wonder how well creator Nahnatchka Khan’s Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23 would have fared if it lasted beyond its celebrated two-season run. And we wish we were given the chance to actually see that hypothetical third season for ourselves, as the 26 episodes we did get were spot on. Pairing Dreama Walker’s naive June with Krysten Ritter’s scheming Chloe made for an odd couple who knew how to have exciting adventures. Frequent appearances by an early-career Eric André and an always charming James Van Der Beek only made this ABC series all the sweeter.

61. Good Times

A quality sitcom spinoff can be a challenge. Repeat what worked on the original, or try to do something totally different? Good Times spun off from Maude (which itself was an All In The Family offshoot), and succeeded through carving out its own authentic niche centering around the hard-working and cash-strapped characters of Florida (Esther Rolle) and James Evans (John Amos). The two leads were excellent throughout, though Good Times eventually shifted its primary focus to Jimmie Walker, the sitcom’s breakout star who coined the phrase “Dynomite!” and rode that marketing freight train to global superstardom. A series that lives up to its name, and then some.

60. The Nanny

The Nanny has long been synonymous with its star Fran Drescher, who played the titular Nanny Fine throughout the show’s six-season run on CBS. Despite being a quintessential ‘90s sitcom, the show’s comedy still feels super fresh and contemporary, even if the pop culture references are dated. Descher is truly unbelievable as Fran, and The Nanny has one of the best TV theme songs of all time. And it’s a show that younger generations absolutely NEED to binge-watch, amidst the ongoing hope for fans to see more.

59. Archer

If Archer were merely an expertly crafted James Bond parody, we’d still love it. However, this long-running FX staple’s greatness comes from the lore-heavy, spy-fi universe that creator Adam Reed’s built atop the back of loving send-ups to the espionage subgenre. H. Jon Benjamin anchored an all-timer voice cast that delivered dialogue and performances as sharp as Lana’s switchblade. The show veered from staleness by aping different genres for Danger Island and other “Coma Seasons,” further widening the comedic field of play, and I can’t imagine anyone wouldn’t finger Archer as the wildest workplace sitcom to date. Phrasing, BOOM!

58. Happy Days

When one thinks of Happy Days, the first image that likely comes to mind is Henry Winkler’s Arthur "Fonzie" Fonzarelli giving a cool-as-hell thumb’s up. Though he was initially just a minor player, the leather-donning jukebox-smacking ladie’s man quickly became the show’s most popular character. But its picturesque version of the 1950s and 1960s is just as iconic, as is the entire Cunnhingham family (except maybe for the disappearing brother Chuck) and further ensemble, which spawned a whopping seven spinoffs. And if you don’t agree with all that, well, sit on it!

57. Martin

A couple of years before he became an action movie king in Bad Boys, Martin Lawrence created and starred in his own sitcom, which gave fans five seasons of over-the-top episodes. Lawrence’s Martin Payne is a loud, rambunctious, and highly opinionated Detroit disc jockey who constantly finds himself in all kinds of trouble both at work and at home with Tisha Campbell’s Gina. (A dynamic that shifted in the final season for BTS reasons.) Martin himself was fun, but his various other personas —Sheneneh Jenkins, Rosco, and Dragonfly Jones — gave the sitcom a fun and unique spin, foreshadowing Lawrence’s later career.

56. Living Single

Living Single is one of those sitcoms that thankfully managed to age well , premiering back in 1993 and following a group of friends residing together in a Brooklyn brownstone. With a killer cast including Queen Latifah (who also performed the outstanding theme song), Kim Coles, Kim Fields and Erika Alexander, Living Single’s formula succeeded ahead of Friends reaching more sensational heights, and the topic of influences there has made for many discussions. Regardless, the sitcom is a Black TV treasure, and boasts a trove of terrific musicians, athletes and comedians as guest stars, from Flip Wilson to Chaka Khan.

55. Will and Grace

Will & Grace might as well have also had Jack and Karen in the title as well, such was the strength of this foursome as they unsuccessfully dated and schmoozed their way to making LGBTQ+ history. The NBC Must See TV classic was an Emmy darling during its initial eight-season run, and its ongoing popularity beyond the “final” season inspired NBC to revive it for another two seasons. Which thankfully meant more from the bevy of guests and recurring stars that popped up over the years, from Matt Damon to Matt Bomer to Madonna.

54. Murphy Brown

Sure, Murphy Brown fulfilled the sitcom basics of starring a single, middle-aged working woman (whose eventual single-mom status shook up the status quo), being funny, and serving up great characters — Jim Dial, slugger — to support the Aretha Franklin-loving titular lead. Arguably most important, though, its its rare delivery of a flawed female main character (recovering alcoholic) who’s frequently irascible, dedicated to her job as a journalist, and unafraid to speak up in a male-heavy industry, giving audiences every reason to root for through every uproarious rant and unnecessary assistant change. There’s a reason Candice Bergen earned five Emmys from seven nominations for her work across ten seasons.

53. The Bob Newhart Show

Nobody can do deadpan humor quite like the eponymous star of The Bob Newhart Show. The beauty of this 1970s sitcom was that it allowed Bob Newhart to play off of those stand-up comedy strengths, acting as the straight man to his psychologist Bob Hartley’s many unique patients. Co-starring Suzanne Pleshette as Bob’s beloved wife Emily — the two made sitcom history together on his next sitcom as well — and Peter Bonerz and Bill Daily as his pals, The Bob Newhart Show remains exemplary for its character-driven laughs.

52. Sanford And Son

The laughs that Sanford and Son delivers from episode to episode are fairly unique compared to other sitcoms. Redd Foxx and Demond Wilson are perfectly cast as Fred and Lamont Sanford, respectively, playing off of each other in ways reminiscent of comedy duos in vaudeville and radio shows. The writers also deserve a lot of credit for effectively employing racial humor, considered edgy at that time, as well as for bringing in hilarious characters like “Aunt” Esther Anderson and Grady Wilson. But Foxx – who just oozes superior comedic timing – steals so many scenes with his energetic performances. “This is the big one!”

51. Superstore

All things consumerism considered, it’s almost surprising so few workplace comedies are anything like Superstore. For six seasons, viewers watched Amy (Oscar nominee America Ferrera), Jonah (Ben Feldman) and their wacky big box store co-workers readily getting into myriad insane scrapes and intriguingly complicated relationships, while trying to maintain order (or causing disorder) within the retail sphere. Superstore gives fans peak workplace sitcom, with innumerable sight gags for those watching closely, as well as a low-key, slow-burn mystery involving feet showing up all over the store. It’s a hilarious win-win that theoretically helps everyone see their jobs aren’t as bad as they could be.

50. The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air

Before the Men in Black and Bad Boys franchises and that Academy Award-winning role in King Richard, Will Smith veered away from his successful rap career to introduce viewers to…Will Smith…for The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Just saying its name instantly brings its classic theme song to mind.

Following a kid from West Philly sent off to live with his affluent uncle’s family in Bel-Air, this sitcom oozed ‘90s sitcom charm and hilarity, helping Will Smith expand his comedic talents opposite the great James Avery, Janet Hubert (for a spell) and more. From the Carlton dance to that classic “very special episode” where Will gets shot, Fresh Prince features plenty of justification for its continued success in syndication and streaming.

49. Family Ties

Eventually, Family Ties became known as “The Michael J. Fox Show,” and it was hard to avoid. Fox was a charismatic ball of energy who became a bona fide superstar during the run of the show, and even eclipsed famous guest stars such as Tom Hanks when they appeared.

But before Fox reached all-star status, Family Ties won over audiences as a warm, endearing, and relatable sitcom about liberal parents trying their best to raise their three kids – one of whom happened to be a briefcase-toting, card-carrying Republican. We all saw ourselves in at least one member of the Keaton family, and tuned in weekly to appreciate the ties that bound them all together.

48. Mr. Bean

Rowan Atkinson would have been amazing during the silent film era, but is thankfully a more modern talent, since we otherwise might never have known the childlike, frustration-spiked foibles of Mr. Bean. Co-created by the comedian’s Black Adder partners in hilarity, Ben Elton and Richard Curtis, Mr. Bean is an idiosyncratic sitcom in that its five-year stretch comprised 15 sporadically aired one-off episodes, as opposed to seasons, which inspired a pair of feature films, an animated series, and more pop culture greatness.

Atkinson brings his physical comedy mastery to a plethora of disaster-laden circumstances, from nonchalantly changing into a swimsuit to getting ready for the dentist while driving to being locked out of a hotel room and dozens of other awkward moments.

47. The Mick

Only two seasons of The Mick aired between January 2017 and April 2018, telling the story of a foul-mouthed dirtbag forced to be the guardian of her affluent niece and nephews, and all 37 episodes are send-you-doubled-over-off-your-couch hilarious. Which means a lot of people were sleeping on this brilliance when it aired, and we’re still sore about it.

Led by Kaitlin Olsen, the entire cast is spectacular (with a special hat tip to the brilliant Scott MacArthur as the oft-injured ne'er-do-well Jimmy), but what truly makes this show exceptional is its beyond-dark sensibilities and unwillingness to accept the idea of a “line” that can’t be crossed. The final scene of the series finale is actually a perfect ending in that sense, and we’re sure that more seasons would have pushed it higher up the rankings.

46. The Jeffersons

Norman Lear & Co.nailed it when they moved George, Louise and Lionel Jefferson from All in the Family to their own show. The Jeffersons is 30-minute comedy at its finest, offering an excellent premise, and an array of interesting stories built on it. Sherman Hemsley and Isabel Sanford are electric as George and Lousie, effortlessly conveying their on-screen marriage with warmth, humor and occasional contention, all while surrounded by a strong supporting cast.

There’s also the series’ impact on Black culture and the TV landscape as a whole. It’s one of the earliest shows to have depicted an upper class African American family – and the complexities of such a dynamic. We should all be grateful that these characters moved on up.

45. 30 Rock

If there were any doubts that Tina Fey could transport her magic touch from SNL to a scripted sitcom, 30 Rock proved them pointless. The show-within-a-show’s very first season won the Emmy for Outstanding Comedy Series, and scored nominations for Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin. (Both went on to win elsewhere in the NBC comedy’s seven-season run.)

The show is infinitely quotable, thanks in large part to Tracy Morgan and Jane Krakowski, and recruited standout part-time stars ranging from Matt Damon to David Schwrimmer to – of course – Steve “How do you do, fellow kids?” Buscemi. Plus, it imparted the following important lesson from Tracy Jordan: “Live every week like it’s Shark Week.” No SNL knowledge is needed to appreciate the sketch-skewing humor, but it’ll help.

44. Scrubs

Hospital dramas have become as commonplace as any TV offering, so having Scrubs around to follow its doctors, nurses and Sacred Heart staff through a comedic lens continues to be a welcome respite. Not to say Scrubs wasn’t without its emotional and poignant moments, since one could argue it functions nearly as well as a dramatic series when in that mode.

But the humor is where Scrubs’ gets surgical with it. Whether we were joining J.D. in his wild daydreams, or the crazy events unfolding between characters while treating patients, this show excelled at delivering the laughs. If only we could witness John C. McGinley’s Dr. Cox ranting at residents while a nameless Janitor pranks people within a real-life hospital. Additionally, J.D. and Turk are one of TV’s all-time best-buddy pairings.

43. Bob's Burgers

In all of sitcom family-dom, few clans are as relatable in their middle-class weirdness as the Belcher family that serves up the titular meals and good-time goofiness on Bob’s Burgers. The beloved series from creator Loren Bouchard has followed sitcom standards to a T while building up its hilarity-filled universe of Italian restaurateur rivals, handyman besties, and plenty of schoolchildren I’d much rather watch on TV than deal with at home. But it’s the Belchers that keep us coming back.

From H. Jon Benjamin’s expertly exasperated attempts to get by to Louise’s rebellious sadism to Tina’s butt fascination, Bob’s Burgers is as timeless as the hamburger itself, and isn’t afraid to mix sweetness into the juvenile hijinks. A must-watch for pun enthusiasts.

42. The Cosby Show

Decades after its debut on NBC, The Cosby Show remains a seminal piece of TV work. This sharp family comedy offers a warm look at a family (who just happened to be Black) and, while the Huxtables are quite pristine, they never feel unrelatable, except perhaps where sweaters are concerned. The impeccable ensemble boasts the likes of Phylicia Rashad, Malcolm-Jamal Warner and Keshia Knight Pulliam masterfully playing off the series’ titular star. Give the writing staff credit, too, for formulating some eternally classic episodes, like “Goodbye Mr. Fish” and “Happy Anniversary.”

Of course, the show’s legacy has been further evaluated due to Bill Cosby’s legal entanglements, and understandably so. That debate will surely continue, though what’s hard to deny is the sitcom’s game-changing position in the cultural lexicon.

41. Party Down

“Are we having fun yet?” The oft-used sarcastic throwback to Henry’s (Adam Scott) singular professional achievement is actually a pretty fitting way to sum up the careers of the motley crew of caterers on Party Down. The aspiring actors and writers who comprise the eponymous catering company would certainly rather be pursuing their passions than serving drinks and apps to their rich customers, but with each episode plunking them into a different bougie event, it was delightful to see the ridiculous and usually cringey situations they would get themselves into.

On top of a fabulous ensemble cast featuring the likes of Ken Marino, Jane Lynch, Lizzy Caplan and Martin Starr, Party Down featured A+ cameos at each catering function. That Steve Guttenberg episode? Chef’s kiss, or at least a caterer’s kiss.

40. The Boondocks

We may never get another animated series about American society as unabashedly insightful as The Boondocks, which was created by Aaron McGruder and based on his comic strip of the same name. Each episode provides a thoughtful examination of the Black experience, principally seen through the eyes of young intellectual Huey Freeman and his gangster-wannabe brother Riley (both voiced by Oscar/Emmy Award-winner Regina King), under the spotty guidance of their John Witherspoon-voiced Granddad.

Not only does McGruder's bold writing provide clever observations about everything from rap music to movie theater decorum, but the anime style continues to remain eye-popping and brilliantly utilized. Especially with the killer kung-fu sequences, which demonstrate a deep love for both the animation medium and the martial arts action genre.

39. Abbott Elementary

Arguably one of the best sitcoms currently airing, Abbott Elementary took the world by storm when it premiered in 2021, introducing the world to Quinta Brunson’s brilliance as Janine Teagues. The Black Lady Sketch Show vet created, writes, produces and stars in the show centering on a Philadelphia school’s staff, and her care and love for it is infectious.

Between Gregory and Janine’s will-they-won’t-they relationship, hilarious talking heads and well-established characters with silly interests (like Ava being a doomsday prepper), this show has all the hallmarks of classic mockumentaries. However, its setting at an elementary school and the unique chemistry the incredible cast has developed make this ABC comedy one that will undoubtedly stand the test of time. (And it won’t need a stool like Janine, amirite, Ava?)

38. The IT Crowd

As if Graham Linehan’s entertainment legacy wasn’t already assured by Father Ted, the man went and crafted another all-time Britcom with The IT Crowd. (Okay, Black Books, too.) The basic premise follows the lives of corporate climber Jen (Katherine Parkinson) and IT department slackers Roy (Chris O’Dowd) and Moss (Richard Ayoade). A classic workplace sitcom trio if there ever was one.

In execution, the 25-episode run was far more fun and unpredictable than the set-up. Skewering corporate culture and malfeasance, as well as all things personal and pop, The IT Crowd feels like a cheeky mix between Seinfeld and Spaced. Not to mention this being a great place to get a Matt Berry fix.

37. Community

It’s difficult to summarize what makes Community such an exceptional sitcom. Its meta awareness and deep love of pop culture is a key ingredient, executed principally through the genius character that is Danny Pudi’s Abed Nadir. But that’s an example of the phenomenal way the show balances the unique voices of its seven main characters – be it the confident idiocy of Donald Glover’s Troy Barnes, the extreme selfishness of Joel McHale’s Jeff Winger, or ridiculous uptightness of Alison Brie’s Annie Edison.

These characters planted in an environment of ever-growing weirdness that is Greendale Community College permits wild, creative, and clever single episode stories… but also not to be slept on are its effective emotional swings (Like I said, it’s really Dean-ficult to sum up!)

36. Modern Family

Modern Family was one of the first family sitcoms to eschew studio audience laughter for the single-camera format, and its massive success and influence was undeniable. Running for eleven seasons, the star-studded sitcom gave viewers a front seat to watching the blended Pritchett and Dunphy families grow up together.

But what makes Modern Family one of the best sitcoms ever is its relatability and ability to tap into all the emotions. There’s plenty to laugh at, thanks to hilarious deliveries from Ed O’Neill, Julie Bowen, Ty Burrell and others, and more episodes than can be poignant, whether it’s about love, sexuality, growing up, or plenty of other feelings to connect to.

35. Arrested Development

At the far end of the “wholesome sitcom family” spectrum is the Bluth clan responsible for the majority of the conning and downward spiraling on Arrested Development. (Ron Howard’s Narrator: “They really were.”) With too many A+ cast members to namecheck in one breath, the fourth wall-breaking comedy is technically about the legal troubles surrounding the family company following a major scandal, but it’s really about the family’s myriad other problems.

Let’s see, we have twin-fidelity, oedipal complexes galore, PTSD from both Army (Mother!) and loss of limb, rampant alcoholism, potentially incestuous foreplay, hair metal magic, and never-nudism, though that’s a corner of a snowflake atop the tallest mountain of comedic quirks. Come for the brilliant performances, stay for the smartest callback jokes on TV.

34. WKRP In Cincinnati

WKRP in Cincinnati is one of those shows that never seems to receive its flowers quite enough alongside others from the era. Airing for four seasons between 1978 and 1982, the comedy takes place at a struggling AM radio station in the heart of the Midwest, and boasts everything one would want in a sitcom: great jokes, iconic characters, and unforgettable TV moments.

Despite early schedule struggles, WKRP eventually found its footing on CBS, thanks to audiences loving the comedic stylings of Howard Hesseman’s Dr. Johnny Fever, Tim Reid’s Venus Flytrap, and Richard Sanders’ Les Nessman. It’s always been a hit with radio DJs, for good reason, and produced quite possibly the greatest Thanksgiving TV treat (that doesn’t have Charlie Brown in it) with “Turkeys Away.”

33. The Critic

In the wake of The Simpsons’ success, creators Al Jean and Mike Reiss shaped a cult classic with The Critic, focused on bitter film critic Jay Sherman, voiced with gusto by Jon Lovitz. The animated sitcom took after its spiritual cousin, offering up both heartfelt and cuttingly satirical gags, and bouncing from ABC to Fox only sharpened the show’s edge.

Keenly lampooning the world of show business, The Critic’s writers crafted A+ parodies of classic films, fake cinematic atrocities so bad they’re funny, and welcomed cameos from actual critics. Anyone wanting to see Siskel & Ebert in a fist fight need look no further. Two words aptly sum up how we feel about this series not lasting nearly as long as The Simpsons: “It stinks.”

32. Married...with Children

With Frank Sinatra’s “Love and Marriage” performance as its subversively optimistic theme song, Married with Children is the gleefully bawdy archetype for sitcoms about miserable people. Ed O’Neill’s misogyny-encrusted slopfest Al Bundy stiff-arms his way through life with affection-seeking wife Peg, blonde joke incarnate daughter Kelly, and lazy hornball son Bud. And Katey Sagal, Christina Applegate and David Faustino are the epitome of “the family you love to watch, but would hate to live with.”

As the live-action series that put Fox on the map, Married with Children has long been celebrated for its politically incorrect humor and cartoonishly offensive storylines, and it remains among the most offensive TV shows of all time. But it worked because the Bundy’s always came out worse than anyone else.

31. Gravity Falls

Gravity Falls’ offbeat sitcom greatness truly deserves recognition for a show that may be written off for being a Disney Channel original. Creator and cast member Alex Hirsch crafted a well-animated, off-kilter show that wins over younger viewers with its thrills, humor and heart, while also capturing older viewers with overarching mysteries, surprisingly deep lore, and barrages of callbacks, clues and pause-required animation details. (Long live Bill Cypher!)

At the center of all the madness is the perfectly realized Pines family — Grunkle Stan, Dipper and Mabel — and their friends and co-workers like Wendy, Soos and others. With two seasons and 40 episodes under its belt, Gravity Falls is a tight show that builds to a very satisfying conclusion, even if fans railed against its cancellation at the time.

30. Parks And Recreation

When Parks and Recreation premiered, SNL and UCB vet Amy Poehler was its biggest name, but the careers of co-stars such as Nick Offerman, Chris Pratt, Retta and Aubrey Plaza exploded in the years after. And it’s no surprise, since the NBC sitcom is where they were able to hone their characters distinct personalities for seven seasons.

Parks and Rec follows the misfit-lite group running Pawnee, Indiana’s parks department Indiana, and had little trouble getting into the wildest hijinks in each 30-minute runtime. The episode “Flu Season” delivers the goods in a nutshell, between Amy Poehler pretending she’s not sick, Chris Pratt’s physical comedy, and Nick Offerman perfectly portraying Ron Swanson’s disdain for government work. Parks and Rec is a quirky and lively show that deserves a spot in everyone’s lives.

29. Letterkenny

It's not often that a show can lean heavily on both the importance of morals and the notion of violence, but Letterkenny managed to strike an amazing balance between the two for twelve seasons. The Canadian sitcom is known for its amazingly paced banter and extensive wordplay and unique phrasings. As if the amazing comedic timing wasn't enough, one of the main themes continues to acknowledge the importance of standing up for what you believe in and striving to do good in the world. "If a friend asks for help, you help them."

Creator and star of the show, Jared Keeso, has also recently hit another comedic home run in the Letterkenny extended universe with the spinoff Shoresy.

28. The Mary Tyler Moore Show

Four years after winning TV audiences’ hearts for the last time on The Dick Van Dyke Show, Mary Tyler Moore struck further gold with her own titular sitcom, earning a spot high on the pyramid of inspirational female pop culture icons. For seven seasons, Moore’s Mary Richards worked diligently amidst other colorful characters in the MJM newsroom, such as Gavin McCleod’s snarky Murray, Ted Knight’s dimwitted Ted, and Ed Anser’s ever-stoic (and spinoff-bound) Lou Grant. Not to mention Betty White’s ego-puff Sue Ann.

Outside the office, some of the Emmy-amassing show’s best scenes featured Mary mixing it up with her neighbor buddies Rhoda and Phyllis, portrayed with respective pizazz by Valerie Harper and Cloris Leachman. “Chuckles Bites the Dust” and “The Last Show” are as good as sitcom TV gets.

27. Friends

“Best sitcom” conversations can’t happen without mentioning Friends once or a dozen times. As the epitome of Must-See TV in the 1990s and early aughts, the sitcom skyrocketed its six stars — Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox. Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry and David Schwimmer — to fame. Decades later, the reruns are ever-present on TV and streaming, and the gang’s catchphrases continue to resonate as new generations make their way through Central Perk’s doors..

You don’t even have to have been a regular viewer to have heard Ross’ infamous “Pivot!” shout, to have a favorite Chandler quote, or to take a side on the Ross and Rachel “we were on a break” debate. Such universal recognition is relatively rare for a show that’s been off the air for 20 years.

26. The Office (UK)

We never would’ve met Steve Carell’s Michael Scott if there hadn’t been David Brent. Ricky Gerais and Stephen Merchant brought The Office to UK small screens in 2001 and, through two brief seasons and a Christmas special, introduced audiences everywhere to a new level of cringe in the form of this hilarious mockumentary series (one which kept its documentation scenarios realistic).

This dry and occasionally super-awkward comedy follows one branch of a paper company and its workers — played by Gervais, Martin Freeman, Mackenzie Crook, Lucy Davis and several other talented actors — as they attempt to get through each and every workday, dignity optional. It’s the simplicity of the show and the way the characters played off one another that made The Office a true gem.

25. Roseanne

Whether viewers are from the working class midwest or other parts of the country, Roseanne found a way to be relatable to so many. Through the sea of picture-perfect television families came the tidal wave that is the Conner family, who bickered, joked and suffered through enduring hard times. At the core of it all was a family raised by two parents, portrayed by Roseanne Barr and John Goodman, whose love remained strong throughout.

The Conners were never the idealized family everyone strives to be, but still feels like a mirror of what blue class households are really like. And despite the baffling retconned lottery season, and Barr’s off-screen controversy, Roseanne’s comfort-TV legacy remains as timeless as the family’s living room furniture.

24. The Dick Van Dyke Show

There are great workplace comedies and there are great domestic family comedies, but The Dick Van Dyke Show somehow stands out among the best ever in both capacities. From the moment Van Dyke goes barreling over that ottoman, you know you’re in for something special, as the star’s gifts for physical and verbal comedy are nearly unparalleled. He’s often not even the one delivering the best jokes, because his reaction to his legendary co-stars is the true punchline.

Speaking of, the show was very much a group effort, despite its single-star title. Conceived and written by co-star Carl Reiner, and co-starring the incomparable Mary Tyler Moore, Rose Marie, and Maury Amsterdam, all the pieces come together perfectly to make one of the most consistently high-quality sitcoms of all time.

23. What We Do In The Shadows

What We Do in the Shadows is a bonkers TV show that shouldn’t work, just like the vampires yelling “Bat!” shouldn’t work as a catchphrase, but it all absolutely does. The mockumentary, spunoff from the co-creators’ film of the same name, follows a group of ridiculous, socially out-of-touch bloodsuckers — save for energy vamp Colin Robinson and human familiar Guillermo — trying to prove their worth in Staten Island.

Despite how silly and NSFW the show is, movie-level prosthetics and visual effects help to elevate and add shocks to the narrative. The cast is truly outstanding, as it goes for any Matt Berry-infused cast, and WWDITS has earned as much awards recognition as any TV horror comedy. With murder and duplicitousness afoot, the series still hits all the sitcom benchmarks, including a fun neighbor (the mind-sapped Sean), a great theme song, and a bunch of A+ celebrity cameos.

22. The Office (U.S.)

Following the success of Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant’s brilliant U.K. series of the same name, Greg Daniels’ adaptation of The Office took the mockumentary style of its predecessor – along with some of the more amusing traits and dynamics of its characters – and set out to tell new stories with office workers in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

Whether it’s the hilarious standout ensemble of characters (led for most seasons by Steve Carell’s cringe-perfecting boss Michael Scott), the way it embraces the mundanity of office life, or how it follows years of these workers’ lives over years while squeezing every drop of humor along the way, The Office continues to be funny, relatable and — for many of us — a comfortable place to return to in the years since its fantastic 9-season run ended. Not to mention the timeless romances of Pam and Jim, Dwight and Angela, Phyllis and Bob Vance, Vance Refrigeration.

21. South Park

With more than 25 seasons and a growing number of one-off specials, South Park reigns supreme as a long-running pillar of TV satire. A look at the 20 best episodes from the series is an easy way to effectively understand just how relevant this series has been on so many levels, evolving from a Kenny-killing, catchphrase machine to a show with a lot more to say than T-shirt fodder.

What other TV series, much less animated comedy, has taken on major religious institutions, accused killers, wild dieting trends, controversial music superstars and world politics throughout its run? If others exist, they probably didn’t do it as well as South Park does, and there’s still no end in sight to the Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s pop culture phenomenon, even if the duo have understandably been less prolific animators in later years.

20. Brooklyn Nine-Nine

From some of the best TV cold opens – “I Want It That Way” sung by suspects, I mean, come on, it’s genius – to ongoing gags ike the annual heist, and “title of your sex tape” that make you laugh so hard your side hurts, Brooklyn Nine-Nine is a wild sitcom that is surprising in the best ways and absolutely irresistible as comfort comedy.

Led by Andy Samberg, Andre Braugher, Melissa Fumero, Stephanie Beatriz, Terry Crews and Joe Lo Truglio, this team of detectives quite literally never gets old, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine only got better in time as everyone grew comfortable in their roles and leaned into the silliness of their surroundings. Especially the all-time terrible cop duo of Hitchcock and Scully.

All around, what Dan Goor and Michael Schur created was so special, and as Jake Peralta would say “cool, cool, cool.”

19. Newhart

Bob Newhart struck TV gold a second time (not counting his stand-up appearances) with the endlessly cozy treasure Newhart, which centered on the comings and goings within the Stratford Inn in small-town Vermont. You know, the kind of small town where a man named Larry can have one brother named Darryl, and then also another brother named Darryl. It’s there where the star comedian and Mary Frann’s Dick and Joanna Loudon take over after a move from New York City, but their big-city know-how can’t quite compete with the quirkiness of their fellow residents.

Nothing ever gets old when it comes to watching the core cast — including Tom Poston, Julia Duffy and Peter Scolar — and the revolving door of recurring actors and guest stars bounce their energies off of Bob Newhart’s. And we’d be remiss not to give Newhart its flowers for shattering TV reality with its truly iconic finale twist.

18. All in the Family

All in the Family is arguably one of the most important TV series ever made, sitcom or otherwise, and shows don’t get the chance to change television if you’re not also good enough to stay on it in the first place. Not only was All in the Family successful enough to span eight seasons, but it also spawned five spinoffs. Despite the fact that the show’s primary character Archie Bunker was specifically designed to be the most bigoted person you know, it somehow all works so incredibly well. You love him even while you hate him, which is a testament to the abilities of creator Norman Lear and star Carroll O’Connor.

Dealing with, and poking fun at, topics that had been seen as taboo to even address previously, All in the Family courted its share of controversy and certainly ruffled some feathers. But that’s just further proof that it left an indelible and influential mark upon audiences everywhere.

17. Frasier

For a TV spinoff to be anywhere near as popular as its parent show is a huge accomplishment, and NBC’s Frasier pulled off just such a transition following Cheers’ conclusion. To be sure, it was plainly great to see Kelsey Grammer’s Frasier Crane taking center stage after all those stool-sat years as an ensemble character. However, it’s unlikely the sitcom would have been nearly as successful without the supporting cast of David Hyde Pierce’s Niles, Jane Leeves’ Daphne, Peri Gilpin’s Roz and John Mahoney’s Martin.

These five characters’ unique personalities and the dynamics they share with one another make them one of the best sitcom casts of all time, and we’ll throw Eddie a bone there as well. Let’s not gloss over the intelligent writing Frasier consistently delivered, which was part of the show’s 37 Emmy wins over its eleven years on the air. Its continued popularity even sparked the Parmaount+ revival of the same name.

16. Taxi

Speaking to Taxi’s greatness takes little beyond listing the murderer’s row of talent yukking it up for five seasons at the Sunshine Cab Company: Judd Hirsch, Danny DeVito, Marilu Henner, Andy Kaufman, Tony Danza, Jeff Conaway, Christopher Lloyd, and Carol Kane. Theoretically, these actors could have struck gold with any TV narrative, but the New York setting provided the comedically ideal edge and neuroses that earned the show 18 Emmys and millions of fans. (Not that Kaufman’s Latka Gravas was a local.) Not to mention the quartet of sitcom royalty in creators James L. Brooks, Stan Daniels, David Davis, and Ed Weinberger.

Despite such over-the-top personalities, Taxi excels at grounded and heartfelt storytelling as much as broader humor, never shying away from the characters’ relatable struggles or the hot-button issues of the time. Extra points for its appearances from future Cheers stars Ted Danson, Rhea Perlman and George Wendt.

15. The Golden Girls

The Golden Girls is excellent enough to convince audiences that spending your twilight years in a shared living space with your mother and two roommates is a blueprint for endless laughs, when that might not match up with reality. It’s a credit to the stellar cast comprising Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan, and Estelle Getty. Queens, one and all. Amidst all the drama, the endless insults thrown around, and the cheesecake, the foursome’s friendship really shines through in this show.

It’s indeed that friendship that causes the gals to get into some absolutely wild adventures. Who can forget the time Rose nearly ended the Cold War with the Soviets with a letter? Not every narrative goes quite so big as that, even if Blanche plays up her romances as such, but it’s always a helluva fun ride.

14. Curb Your Enthusiasm

After Seinfeld concluded its historic run in the late ‘90s, series co-creator Larry David could have ridden off into the sunset atop a horse made from residual checks. Instead, the stickler for human behavior not only created true sitcom brilliance, but also broke new ground for HBO and self-deprecating celeb cameos.

Curb Your Enthusiasm — far more than a pretty, pretty, pretty good show — never failed to inspire laughs and shocks in equal order, following David’s over-the-top fictionalized version of himself (think George Costanza on shame-eliminating steroids), facing so many provocatively awkward situations with a vast array of friends, colleagues, contemporaries, and eventual enemies. (R.I.P. Richard Lewis and Bob Einstein.) The largely improvised show found new ways to be both relevant and funny across 24 years and 12 seasons, a task that’s easier said (and avoided) than done. And it also delivered an all-timer of a finale, poking fun at Seinfeld’s polarizing conclusion.

13. The Larry Sanders Show

As host of the fictional late night talk show The Larry Sanders Show, Garry Shandling implores his audience to stay tuned, ordering them, “No flipping!” It was an easy command to obey when it came to HBO’s The Larry Sanders Show, still one of the bravest, funniest, and most insightful programs that happily sinks its teeth into the Hollywood hand that feeds.

Larry is just an exaggerated caricature of Garry Shandling, who let all of his own neurosis and anxieties fly out of the mouth of his insecure comedic television personality who desperately wanted to be liked by his chosen industry. And the show got a lot of mileage out of real-life celebrities appearing and poking fun at their public personas. (David Duchovny for the win.) But it’s the supporting cast – led by the late Rip Torn and the wonderful Jeffrey Tambor – that elevates Larry Sanders to legendary status. There’ll never be another as biting and satirical as this.

12. Spaced

Simon Pegg and Nick Frost’s long history with director Edgar Wright includes the so-called Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz and The World's End). Before that, though, they rocked the sitcom landscape with the UK gem Spaced. A relatable premise is vital to a good sitcom, and it was so easy to fall in love with pro slacker Tim (Pegg) and the uber-dramatic Daisy (Jessica Stevenson) while shrewdly securing their affordable apartment under the watchful eye of Julia Deaken’s landlady Marsha.

In addition to watching Tim and Daisy maintain their ruse of being a “professional couple” while figuring out the whole adulting thing, Spaced — one of Simon Pegg’s best projects — packed in endless horror movie references, video game easter eggs, and more pop culture love. (The pantomime gun fight is everything.) It also featured a supporting cast of hilariously exaggerated characters that will NOT have you wanting to “skip to the end.”

11. The Good Place

Sitcoms are, by design, often stagnant, with the same characters facing similar situations week after week. If the jokes land, everything works, but if not, well… Then along came The Good Place to throw those preconceptions out the window. If creator Michael Schur had just repeated Season 1’s twisty premise for five seasons, it would have still been good, but The Good Place achieved true greatness with its storytelling.

Fronted by Kristen Bell and Ted Danson in top-tier fashion, The Good Place takes massive risks with its afterlife-set narrative, changing elements from one season to the next. The house of (God) cards would have tumbled down had it not all worked as infallibly as the big man himself, but it never even wavered. Indeed, The Good Place is simply forking unbelievable from beginning to end, buttressed by fully realized characters portrayed by co-leads William Jackson Harper, Jameela Jamil, Manny Jacinto, and D’Arcy Carden. Stream the show for everyone now, Janet. Janet..?

10. Fawlty Towers

As part of Monty Python’s sextet of comedy masterminds, John Cleese had already conquered the world of sketch comedy and film, so the next obvious move was to craft a largely perfect sitcom with then-wife Connie Booth, and Fawlty Towers was just such perfection across twelve increasingly fraught.

Set within the non-existing titular hotel in Torquay, Cleese’s Basil Fawlty suffers the existence of everyone around him, especially Prunella Scales’ Sybil, his oft-demanding wife, and the language issues of Andrew Sachs’ Manuel, the establishment’s Spanish waiter. Booth’s chambermaid Polly gets slightly less irritation for being regularly competent. A hotel owner who hates his clientele is in the high-concept echelon, and the series offered up an eternally memorable selection of frequent and one-time guests, as well as builders, inspectors and others whose actions bring Basil’s blood pressure to a proper boil.

Similar to other classic ‘70s and ‘80s sitcoms, Fawlty Towers has been both celebrated and derided for its politically incorrect humor. It's perhaps exemplified best by the series’ marquee episode “The Germans,” and is something Cleese intends to replicate with the revival series he’s creating with daughter Camilla.

9. Cheers

Locations can mean everything to a sitcom. Memorable shows are set in places to which we want to return, from Mel’s Diner to the Dunder Mifflin offices to, of course, the bar from Cheers – where everybody knows your name. Audiences became such regulars to the comfortable sitcom, we practically expected to hear our own names shouted out, a la Norm, when we turned the program on.

The familiarity and welcomeness of Cheers kept us tuning in, even as some of the cast rotated. We all invested heavily in the “will they or won’t they” relationship of barkeep Sam Malone (Ted Danson) and waitress Diane Chambers (Shelley Long), but stuck around when Diane was replaced by Rebecca (Kirstie Alley); and Southern simpleton Woody (Woody Harrelson) was embraced after first filling in for the departed Coach (Nicholas Colasanto). Not that anyone could ever replace Cliff Clavin.

Television hasn’t been the same since Cheers closed its doors, with Frasier going a completely different spinoff route, and I’m not sure another show can be set in a bar, and reach the high bar set by this program.

8. The Simpsons

I think there’s an argument to be made that The Simpsons should have a place on any top 100 list when it comes to describing the best television, regardless of what additional parameters there may be. Part of the allure of this series, as it heads toward 800 episodes, is that there’s not really anything it hasn’t done at this point. There’s a Simpsons episode for whatever mood readers are feeling that day, though it may take a bit of research to figure out which one that is. 

What I love most about The Simpsons is how the series has evolved with time and how the show has modernized the characters with the times while still retaining the core elements that audiences loved about them. Sure, seeing Homer Simpson send memes to Lisa on a smartphone can feel a bit jarring sometimes, but it’s also 100% on-brand for the patriarch and definitely less weird in the modern day to younger audiences compared to if he was still using a rotary phone. Plus, if you prefer the old stuff, it’s all available to stream on Disney+

7. I Love Lucy

For the majority of TV’s existence as an entertainment platform, sitcoms have been synonymous with Lucille Ball, who achieved icon status several times over during her run as Lucy Ricardo in I Love Lucy (and other incarnations and later series). The series remains a blueprint reference for sitcom-crafting, and was revolutionary at the time for not only its star, but for her real-life husband Desi Arnaz portraying her faux hubby Ricky, and more.

While I Love Lucy could occasionally pull an emotional heartstring or two, its strength was comedy, and Ball maximized that concept throughout its run. Lucy and Ricky are as loud and wild a TV couple as can be, especially opposite their slightly more subdued neighbors Fred and Ethel Mertz. From Lucy’s efforts to get into Ricky’s shows to her attempts to hock Vitameatavegamin to her and Ethel’s conveyor belt struggles, the show regularly produced unforgettable sequences.

I Love Lucy is also revolutionary for women in television, with Ball helping pave the way for so many other amazing female actresses to lead their own successful shows, even if struggles are still real on that front. No need for further ‘splanation: I Love Lucy is TV gold.

6. Schitt's Creek

Schitt’s Creek didn’t truly hit the mainstream until its final season, but when people found it, its popularity exploded and its legacy was cemented. Created by father-son duo Dan and Eugene Levy, the comedy centers on a rich family who loses all their money, with the titular town as their silver lining. Annie Murphy and Catherine O’Hara co-star alongside the Levys in this most hilarious fish out of water story.

Seeing these four totally out of their element within the less-than-chic town is an easy way in for viewers. But the hooks that keep people watching are Catherine O’Hara’s ridiculous fake accent, Dan Levy’s sassy one-liners, Annie Murphy’s over-the-top everything as Alexis, Eugene Levy’s brilliant straight-man reactions, and the heartfelt growth this family goes through as they learn to love each other and the town they now call home.

Since the show became a sensation, lines like “Ew David!” have entered the everyday lexicon, and impersonations of Moira and Alexis can be seen frequently on social media. Schitt’s Creek shined bright when it was on — remember the network Pop? — and since then it’s cemented itself as a permanent part of the zeitgeist.

5. It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia

Rarely does a piece of pop culture offer up a character who constantly proves themself to be unendingly vile, self-consumed, aloof, destructive and terrible for society. But a combination of those words describes literally every single character who speaks in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Of course, the biggest and most hilarious offenders are the central Paddy’s Pub gang made up of possible serial killer Dennis (Glenn Howerton), his slightly less evil Bird…e… sister Dee, the sexually fluid approval-seeking Mac (Rob McElhenny), glue-eating connoisseur and janitor Charlie (Charlie Day) and the shockingly demented and depraved Frank (Danny DeVito).

No stone goes unturned when it comes to shocking viewers with how low these characters will go to achieve even the most meaningless iota of recognition or selfish pleasure. There’s racially charged (and socially questionable) takes on Lethal Weapon and The Wiz, exploiting all manner of substance and behavior addictions, satirical jabs at gun control, welfare, sexual assault, and much more. Its unsanitary hilarity is cherished among fans who have watched it live on longer than any other TV comedy in history, with no end in sight. (Except for Danny DeVito’s bare one, that is.)

4. King Of The Hill

Animation isn’t often a medium for classic sitcoms, but Mike Judge’s King of the Hill delivered on all fronts by settling audiences into the everyday life of the Hill family. Hank, Peggy, Bobby, and an assortment of other Arlen standouts kept viewers rolling and clamoring for more Southern-fried hilarity during its 13-season stretch. (And more is on the way thanks to Hulu’s revival.)

King of the Hill tackles issues while poking fun at them in ways that most viewers can probably relate to — from the stresses of the workplace to the terror of puberty to the awkwardness of family — adding a layer of realism to the two-dimensional characters’ world. To that end, Judge’s series is also atypical for adhering to realism throughout, as opposed to going off the cartoonish deep end for laughs (outside of dream sequences, that is).

Judge’s Hank and Kathy Najimy’s Peggy, along with Brittany Murphy’s Luanne and Pamela Adlon’s Bobby, provide a lot of the show’s heart and soul with their struggles and not-always-brilliant reactions to those struggles. But it always helps to have friends around like the hapless good’n Bill, the conspiracy-obsessed Dale and the mush-mouthed Boomhauer.

3. Seinfeld

It’s joked that Seinfeld is “a show about nothing,” and that’s a fair surface-only assessment. The NBC hit provides no lasting messages or morals, and it focuses the majority of its creative energy on eccentric minutiae of everyday life – be it waiting forever for a table at a restaurant or getting in disputes with cashiers over proper change. Characters don’t grow or change — save for temporary shrinkage and mustache-growing — and there’s no reach for deep themes. They’re not even nice people.

And yet, it’s utterly brilliant, timeless, and endlessly rewatchable.

Jerry, George, Kramer and Elaine each have their own unique and hilarious personalities strengthened by the actors’ performances, which in turn drives hilarious stories that unlock the real magic of the show: the way everything intertwines. Kramer golfing on the beach is its own weird gag, but also perfectly sets up George being called into action to rescue a beached whale after previously lying about being a marine biologist. Just about every sitcom since the early 1990s has tried to capture some of the magic of the nine-season series, but there is only one Seinfeld. (A notion that Newman would applaud.)

2. Veep

Veep was the [censored] creation of Armando Iannucci, the mastermind known for The Thick of It and Alan Partridge’s various incarnations, and HBO’s political workplace comedy is dripping with just as much satire and [censored] as anything graced by his Midas touch before or after. It’s one of the fastest and foulest sitcoms to date, with a jokes-per-minute rate that rivals other rapid-paced greats like The Simpsons and Arrested Development, and a [censored]-per-minute rate that is second to none.

As it goes with the best of the best, Veep boasts and expansive ensemble of uppermost geniuses, as led by Emmy magnet Julie Louis-Dreyfus’ Vice President (and then some) Selina Meyer, whose struggles to remain a boss in Washington D.C. means absolute hell for the masses of aides, pundits, strategists, etc. in her orbit. That applies most to her body man and extra appendage Gary, played with aplomb by Tony Hale.

Every Veep co-star brings something perfect to the table, from Anna Chlumsky’s rage suppression as Amy to Matt Walsh’s common sense suppression as Mike; from Reid Scott’s smarm-oozing Dan to Timothy Simons’ arbitrary naysayer Jonah. And we’d just as easily watch spinoffs centered on Kevin Dunn’s Ben and Gary Cole’s Kent, as well as Sam Richardson’s go-getter Richard Splett.

1. BoJack Horseman

One of the best animated TV shows of all time, Netflix’s BoJack Horseman took the adult-toon formula and evolved it into six seasons of one of TV history’s most unique offerings that — at least in CinemaBlend’s perspective — is the sitcom GOAT. Will Arnett is perfect voicing the tragic title character, a past-his-prime ‘90s sitcom star and substance abuser, and he’s bolstered by a who’s who of talented actors portrayed well-written characters, including fan-favorites Diane Nguyen (Alison Brie) and Mr. Peanutbutter (Paul F. Tompkins).

After establishing its sitcom formula in its earliest wordplay-embracing seasons, Bojack Horseman begins getting experimental with its format in phenomenal ways, such as with Season 3’s “Fish Out of Water,” a thought-provoking underwater story with no dialogue, or Season 5’s “Big Churro,” a full-length Bojack eulogy following a big character death.

There are certainly laughs to be had, for sure — big, hearty, consistent, gut-shredding, animalistic laughs throughout all six seasons — but don’t be surprised if you end up shedding a tear or suffering an existential crisis or two along the way as well. The show-within-a-show Horsin’ Around probably wouldn’t have made it onto this list, but BoJack Horseman itself is a Triple Crown winner of the highest order.

Most media consumers are likely aware of the fact that Hollywood is currently in an age that’s dominated by reboots, revivals and sequels. As a result, a number of notable IPs, for better or worse, have been expanded upon in recent years. Much of the TV/movie-loving public seems to have mixed feelings about this influx of nostalgia. And that extends to creatives working in the industry, as many have complained about the trend. Kenya Barris – the creator of black-ish – has a completely different take, though, and, while I respect his viewpoint, I honestly can’t agree with him. 

The 50-year-old super producer has been involved with a number of remakes over the past several years. The Witches (2020), Cheaper by the Dozen (2022) and White Men Can’t Jump (2023) are among his credits. Of course, he’s also dabbled in original titles, including the aforementioned ABC sitcom as well as films like You People and The Underdoggs. He mentioned that while sharing his love of remakes with People and explaining why he’s so high on them: 

The Girls Trip writer’s rationale seems to be that the well from which original ideas are pulled is running a bit dry right now. In all fairness, coming up with an idea that’s truly fresh can be difficult. Not only that, but it’s hard for such fare to thrive in this climate, though one could partially attribute that to the glut of franchise revamps on the big and small screens. Kenya Barris also had the following to say: 

While I absolutely believe there’s value in taking a pre-existing property and updating it, Hollywood has definitely been overdoing it at this point. There are currently so many remakes hitting the market these days that the novelty that used to accompany them has long worn off. Yes, some good TV revamps have been released in the past several years, including One Day at a Time (2017), Perry Mason (2020) and Shōgun (2024). I’d argue, however, that productions such as those are merely drops in an ocean flooded by lackluster reboots. 

Additionally, if these past few years have proven anything, it’s that there are plenty of creatives in the entertainment space who have great original ideas. Yellowjackets, Ted Lasso, The Bear, Succession and Atlanta are just a few of the amazing and fresh TV series that have premiered in the last decade. Kenya Barris himself has even managed to produce some original ideas that have made an impact. While somewhat similar to The Cosby Show in some respects, black-ish is among the best Black sitcoms of the past 20 years. I was particularly taken with the animated special he produced with Kid Cudi, Entergalactic, which should be a TV series by this point. 

Kenya Barris is reportedly attached to two remakes at the moment, and to say that they’re massive titles would be an understatement. He’s reportedly linked to reimaginings of The Wizard of Oz and It’s a Wonderful Life, per Variety. So, right now, one gets the impression that Barris plans to stay in the remake business, which is definitely his right as a creative. I just hope the market doesn’t continue to become flooded with IPs to the point that they drown out original creations.

All seven seasons of Black-ish are available to stream with a Hulu subscription, and Netflix subscribers should check out Entergalactic.

It is one of the most classic TV formulas there is: on most shows centered mostly around a particular family, the husband is an overzealous, absent-minded, scheming ignoramus and the wife is the one who holds the relationship together by bringing her spouse down to earth… and even to justice. The following are some of the most iconic TV wives who have earned a special place in our hearts for never backing down from reminding the men in their lives who the boss really is.

Debra Barone (Everybody Loves Raymond)

The show may be called Everybody Loves Raymond, but the titular sports writer (played by comedian Ray Romano) was seen constantly sparring with his wife, Debra Barone (two-time Emmy winner Patricia Heaton), over his frequent immaturity and ill-advised decisions. At least they could bond over their mutual dysfunctional relationship with Ray’s parents (played by Peter Boyle and Doris Roberts)

Jill Taylor (Home Improvement)

Home Improvement has a double meaning, referring to the attempts of Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor (Tim Allen) to keep up the morale in his household, as well as maintain it with repairs and renovations. Either of those attempts has been known to prove disastrous on many occasions, as Tim’s wife (and the Taylor home’s main voice of reason), Jill (Patricia Richardson), is quick to point out to him.

Carla Turk (Scrubs)

In the second episode of Scrubs, surgeon Christopher Turk (Donald Faison) and registered nurse Carla Espinosa (Judy Reyes) start a relationship that leads to marriage in Season 3. It’s a mostly idyllic romance that does come with its conflicts, which are predominantly related to Turk’s friendship with J.D. (Zach Braff) — one of the most iconic pop culture bromances — which often teeters toward something deeper.

Cheryl Mabel (According To Jim)

One of the greatest mysteries in sitcom history is how Jim Mabel (Jim Belushi) manages to stay married to Cheryl (Courtney Thorne-Smith) for so long, or at all for that matter, in According to Jim. The mother of three is constantly forced to contend with the contractor’s countless lies and schemes and severely one-sided philosophies on gender dynamics.

Angie Lopez (George Lopez)

Between George Lopez’s titular blue-collar worker (played by comedian and co-creator George Lopez) and his wife, Angie (Constance Marie), she could be considered the more naive of the two, but is definitely far more level-headed. Not to mention, Angie is way out of her husband’s league in terms of looks, if we are being honest.

Claire Dunphy (Modern Family)

None of the relationships on Modern Family are necessarily perfect, but Claire (Julie Bowen) and Phil Dunphy (Ty Burrell) really could not be more different in terms of temperament. She is easily the one who wears the pants in the household and has to bring her slightly dim-witted husband down to earth time and time again.

Louise Jefferson (The Jeffersons)

One of the things that makes The Jeffersons a spin-off as good as its parent series, All in the Family, is the conflict-heavy, yet loving, dynamic of its titular couple. There are very few things that do not get George Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley) burning with rage, but that is where his wife, Louise (a.k.a. "Weezy), played by Isabel Sanford, comes in to calm him down.

Marge Simpson (The Simpsons)

Arguably, the ultimate example of a TV wife forced to put up with an infantile husband just might be Marge, voiced by Julie Kavner on The Simpsons. The amount of mishaps and outright disasters that Homer (Dan Castellaneta) is directly responsible for is astounding and the fact that Matt Groening’s cultural phenomenon is the longest-running animated program of all time does not lessen this aspect of the couple’s relationship.

Skyler White (Breaking Bad)

Out of all the characters in the Breaking Bad universe — including even cold-blooded murderers like Gus Fring (Giancarlo Esposito) — Skyler White (Emmy winner Anna Gunn) is one of the most hated among fans, which we find baffling. One might assume that audiences would have more sympathy for a woman after she discovers that her husband, Walter (Bryan Cranston) is a criminal, even if some of her subsequent decisions are certainly not ideal either.

Gina Waters-Payne (Martin)

In one of the best Tisha Campbell TV shows, Martin, the actor plays Gina Waters — the girlfriend-turned-wife of the title character, played by comedian Martin Lawrence. The businesswoman was always the radio and TV personality’s strongest supporter, but would also be the first to bring him back down to earth when need be.

Peggy Bundy (Married… With Children)

Admittedly, Katey Segal's Married... with Children character, Peggy Bundy, is, just about, the quintessential example of the ditzy sitcom wife. However, even she had a wit that made her a perfect match for her husband, Al (Ed O'Neill), and his cynical, insulting manner.

Carrie Heffernan (The King of Queens)

Doug (Kevin James) and Carrie Heffernan (Leah Remini) from The King of Queens are the kind of couple who bring out the best in each other by seeing past their respective shortcomings. That being said, Carrie would never shy away from pointing out when her mail carrier husband's shortcomings got the best of him.

Lily Munster (The Munsters)

The vampiric Lily (Yvonne DeCarlo) spends so much time on The Munsters snapping at her husband, Herman (Fred Gwynne), for his bumbling antics, it practically becomes one of her most essential characteristics. Of course, in Herman's defense, he does have a second-hand brain.

Alice Kramden (The Honeymooners)

The main selling point of The Honeymooners was Ralph Kramden (Jackie Gleason) and his get-rich-quick schemes, something his wife, Alice (Audrey Meadows) always tries to warn him about. The bus driver would typically ignore her advice and go through with his plans, only to learn that he should have listened to her in the first place.

Trudy Proud (The Proud Family)

We have a fun idea for a game someone could play while watching either classic episodes of The Proud Family or Disney+’s reboot, The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder. The goal is to tally how many times Trudy Proud (Paula Jai Parker) calls out “Oscar!” when her husband (voiced by Tommy Davidson) makes an overzealous judgment or misbehaves in general on the animated series.

Amy Farrah Fowler (The Big Bang Theory)

When Mayim Bialik joined The Big Bang Theory cast as Amy Farrah Fowler, she bore many similarities to her love interest-turned-husband — the monotone and rudely forward Sheldon Cooper (Jim Parsons). However, further down the road — and after becoming friends with Penny (Kaley Cuoco) and Bernadette (Melissa Rauch) — she becomes the voice of reason in their relationship and, ultimately, makes him a better person.

Audrey Bingham (Rules Of Engagement)

Patrick Warburton's Jeff Bingham claimed to be the one who knew all the eponymous Rules of Engagement in this CBS sitcom. Of course, his wife, Audrey (Megyn Price) was truly the more level-headed and sensible one between them.

Kitty Forman (That '70s Show)

The often forcibly optimistic Kitty Forman (Debra Jo Rupp) usually tries to ignore or downplay the cynicism and overt rudeness that Red (Kurtwood Smith) directs toward her or the rest of the That ’70s Show cast. However, she has been known to totally fly off the handle and leave her normally outspoken husband speechless and history would certainly repeat itself in the Netflix sequel series, That ‘90s Show.

Rainbow Johnson (Black-ish)

On Black-ish, Anthony Anderson’s Andre “Dre” Johnson is certainly the more strict parent than his wife, Rainbow (Tracee Ellis Ross) to their five children. This is among the reasons why Rainbow often boldly plays offense with her husband, in addition to when she believes his actions or ideas are completely absurd.

Jamie Buchman (Mad About You)

The title of Mad About You has two meanings. Not only does it refer to how madly in love with each other Paul (Paul Reiser) and Jamie Buchman (Helen Hunt) are, but it also references how, literally, "mad" they tend to get at each other — especially Jamie for her husband's typically innocent mistakes.

Lois Griffin (Family Guy)

Peter Griffin (voiced by Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane) is lazy, infantile, and problematic to a cartoonish degree (which, admittedly, is fitting, given that he is a cartoon). Of course, this leaves his wife, Lois (Alex Borstein), to hold things together, which often involves doing her best to keep Peter from making an even bigger fool of himself.

Estelle Costanza (Seinfeld)

It becomes clear how George Costanza (Jason Alexander) turned out to be the most neurotic of all the Seinfeld characters when you meet his parents. All Frank (Jerry Stiller) and Estelle (Estelle Harris) do is keep each other in check — or, more accurately, heinously scold each other — but most might agree that Frank often deserves it more.

Jordan Sullivan (Scrubs)

In reality, Jordan Sullivan (Christa Miller) is never actually married to Dr. Perry Cox (John C. McGinley) during the duration of Scrubs because it is learned they divorced before Season 1. However, the bulk of their post-marriage, romantic relationship could be described as an intense quarrel of dry, mean-spirited sarcastic wit that makes them a perfect match for one another.

Lois (Malcolm In The Middle)

Hal — Bryan Cranston’s role in Malcolm in the Middle — is an undeniably loving and devoted father, but he is also an accident-prone nervous nelly. So, it is a good thing that he and their four (and later five) sons have Lois (Jane Kaczmarek) to keep things afloat, if not with a little tough love.

Jay Kyle (My Wife And Kids)

Even the best TV wives have their shortcomings, such as Janet “Jay” Kyle (Tisha Campbell) from My Wife and Kids, who was always quick to put on the defense whenever her family criticized her naiveté. Well, two can play that game and Jay is a fierce participant, especially when her husband, Michael (co-creator Damon Wayans), lets his childish ego run wild or takes his strict parenting style too far. 

Beth Smith (Rick And Morty)

Much like her scientist father, Rick Sanchez (formerly voiced by co-creator Justin Roiland and replaced by Ian Cardoni), Beth Smith (Sarah Charlke) is smart and independent, but also brutally honest when it comes to criticizing her loved ones. As far as we are concerned, these qualities make her a perfect match for Jerry (Chris Parnell), who is often in need of being told when he has made, or is about to make, a huge, potentially life-threatening mistake.

Wilma Flintstone (The Flintstones)

The qualities that make Wilma Flintstone (originally voiced by Jane Vander Pyl in the early 1950s and 1960s) one of the all-time greatest TV wives are, essentially, the same qualities that earn Alice Kramden the same honor. Fans have been saying for decades that The Flintstones is, essentially, a pre-historic, animated reimagining of The Honeymooners — complete with her constant badgering of Fred (most notably played by Alan Reed) for his half-baked schemes.

Claire Huxtable (The Cosby Show)

At the time The Cosby Show was the most popular series on TV in the mid-to-late ‘80s and early ‘90s, the Huxtables were seen as having the ideal family dynamic, with parents Cliff (Bill Cosby) and Claire (Phylicia Rashad) typically knowing the right thing to say to their kids when in need. That being said, the many times Cliff would, instead, resort to facetiousness and tomfoolery was often shut down or rebuffed by Claire as soon as she had the chance.

Penny Hofstadter (The Big Bang Theory)

Between the two main romantic leads of The Big Bang Theory, experimental physicist Leonard Hofstadter (Johnny Galecki) is clearly the more book-smart one. However, his eventual wife, Penny (Kaley Cuoco), is definitely the one with the street smarts, which she uses to help him realize whenever he may have made a miscalculation.

Molly Flynn (Mike & Molly)

Mike Biggs (Billy Gardell) from Mike & Molly is, just about, one of the smartest, kindest, and most level-headed TV husbands in sitcom history. Of course, that does not mean the Chicago police officer is never prone to a flub, and his wife, Molly (Academy Award nominee Melissa McCarthy), is always quick to call him out.

Judy Miller (Still Standing)

Bill (Mark Addy) and Judy Miller (Jami Gertz) from CBS’ Still Standing are among the few TV couples who both indulge in crazy schemes, sometimes in collaboration. However, Judy typically only joins in on her husband’s plans in an effort to make them more efficient after pointing out their flaws and absurdities.

Wanda McCullough (The Bernie Mac Show)

On The Bernie Mac Show, when the titular comedian (starring as himself) is made the guardian of his nephew and two nieces, he has no parental instincts to latch onto outside his own industrial strength opinions. Luckily, his wife, Wanda McCullough (Kellita Smith), provided more suitable, nurturing guidance for the children and her boisterous husband in check with her unmatchable sass.

With how many doting and reserved TV wives there have been, it always refreshing to see a strong, independent woman telling her husband like it is.

Moms always deserve more credit than they get, and that goes for the wonderful matriarchs who have graced our television screens over the years. Characters like Carol Brady and Clair Huxtable are names that easily come to mind when thinking about the best TV moms, but there are so many more that deserve to be mentioned.

Sometimes mothers make mistakes despite trying their best. Others show their love in more unconventional ways, and some just seem to always get outshined by other members of their family. For one reason or another, below are some fantastic TV moms who never got enough credit.

Ruth Fisher (Six Feet Under)

Ruth Fisher’s whole life changed when her husband was killed in a car accident in the Six Feet Under series premiere. Not only was she tasked with continuing to run her family’s funeral home business, and come to terms with her own guilt, loneliness and identity, she had to help guide her grown children through their own grief. Ruth (Frances Conroy) wasn’t perfect — no issue on the HBO drama was black-and-white — but there was no question that she had put her children’s needs first for her whole life. 

Beth Pearson (This Is Us) 

When your mother-in-law is the indomitable Rebecca Pearson, it’s pretty easy to get overshadowed as a mom, and that’s precisely why Beth Pearson (Susan Kelechi Watson) on This Is Us never got enough credit. Her husband Randall was definitely a good partner, but Beth was the real MVP of the parenting dynamic duo, often able to anticipate her family’s emotions and sniff out any scheming going on with their three daughters. She even became a mother figure to many more by opening her own dance studio. 

Sarah Braverman (Parenthood) 

Parenthood gave viewers plenty of different family dynamics to dissect, and Kristina Braverman was tough to beat as a mother, going so far as to open up a charter school for children with special needs. So it's no wonder that her sister-in-law, former wild child Sarah Braverman (Lauren Graham), was never given much credit. Sarah struggled to raise Amber and Drew as a single mother, and boy did they not make it easy on her. She may not have always had all the answers, but she loved her kids first, and in the end they figured it out together. 

Rainbow Johnson (black-ish) 

Rainbow Johnson (Tracee Ellis Johnson) on black-ish deserves all the flowers, serving as the model of a successful working mom. Rainbow juggled being a doctor and raising five children, whom she respected as individuals. She put their problems ahead of her own to make sure they had a better life than she did as a kid. 

Lorelai Gilmore (Gilmore Girls) 

Lorelai Gilmore’s daughter Rory could always count on her mom for a snappy joke or pop culture reference, but Lorelai (Lauren Graham) certainly didn’t have it easy. Her relationship with her own parents was strained after getting pregnant at just 16 years old, making it all the more impressive when she made a life for her and Rory in Stars Hollow. She struggled at times to be patient with her own daughter’s mistakes, but she wasn’t too proud to accept her parents’ help when it benefited Rory. 

Marge Simpson (The Simpsons) 

Would the Simpson family even survive without Marge? Easily the most underappreciated of the family of five, Marge never got any help from Homer over the decades, as she raised three extremely different and never-aging children. In fact, Homer was more of a fourth child in that equation, and still Marge loved her husband and her kids. I don’t think there’s a person in the world who could blame her for the occasional frustrated grunt. 

Michonne (The Walking Dead) 

Despite her own trauma of losing a child in the walker outbreak, The Walking Dead’s Michonne (Danai Gurira) adopted Carl and Judith as her own (before going on have her own child with Rick Grimes), and she never hesitated to put her own life at risk to save them. 

Penelope Alvarez (One Day at a Time) 

Despite being a war veteran struggling with her own PTSD and depression, Penelope Alvarez (Justina Machado) was always able to give her children the attention they needed on One Day at a Time. She made the time, even while working as a nurse and living with her traditional Cuban mother. 

Morticia Addams (The Addams Family) 

Morticia Addams (portrayed in the 1964 sitcom The Addams Family by Carolyn Jones) was the epitome of unconventional, but was there ever a TV mom who encouraged her children to be themselves more than her? Never bending to the expectations and societal norms of those around her, Morticia was always loyal to and protective of her family, if not a bit macabre. 

Jane Villanueva (Jane the Virgin) 

Talk about life taking you in unexpected directions! Gina Rodriguez’s Jane Villanueva on Jane the Virgin had her own matriarchs to thank for being able to figure things out when she got pregnant by accidental artificial insemination. Such grace in the most unique of situations. 

Claire Dunphy (Modern Family) 

Nobody said you had to have everything together in order to be a good mom. Claire Dunphy (Julie Bowen) of Modern Family often struggled with how to approach the myriad hurdles of her blended and extended family, but fans found her relatable, and she deserved a lot more credit than she got. 

Gemma Teller Morrow (Sons of Anarchy) 

The characters in the world of Sons of Anarchy all knew one thing: Don’t mess with Gemma Teller Morrow (Katey Sagal) or her family, including any of the members of SAMCRO. Gemma was willing to kill or die for her son Jax, and boy did she prove it.  

Laurel Park (The Summer I Turned Pretty) 

Often the less-fun mom in comparison to her BFF Susannah, Laurel Park (Jackie Chung) was undoubtedly more responsible of the two in the book-to-screen adaptation of The Summer I Turned Pretty. Even when grief drove her and Susannah’s kids to make some pretty bad decisions, she handled the teens with understanding and grace. 

Skyler White (Breaking Bad) 

Boy did people give Skyler White (Anna Gunn) grief during Breaking Bad’s run on AMC. Sure, she was complicit in some of Walter White’s money laundering, but it’s not like she was left with much of a choice. Always doing what she thought was best for her family, she was fiercely protective of her kids — even when that meant standing up to her husband when he was at his most dangerous. 

Peggy Bundy (Married… With Children) 

Peggy Bundy (Katey Sagal) had a lot of qualities you might not look for in a good TV mom on Married… with Children. She was lazy, obsessed with the television and didn’t exactly set the best example for the kids. She still deserves more credit than she gets, though, because she was unapologetically herself and nurturing in her own way. 

Roseanne Conner (Roseanne) 

Roseanne Conner (Roseanne Barr) wasn’t perfect on her self-titled sitcom, but what family is? Her and Dan’s struggles to make ends meet while still wanting more for their kids was what made her relatable to so many. Her blunt and brutal honesty was what made her so funny.  

Chilli Heeler (Bluey) 

Chilli, better known as “Mum” to the Bluey viewing audience, definitely doesn’t get as much credit in the fun department as Bluey and Bingo’s dad Bandit, but somebody’s got to remember to pack the goggles, towels and sunscreen for a day at the pool, right? Chilli takes care of a lot of the “boring” stuff, which apparently is not just a thing for human moms. 

Harriette Winslow (Family Matters)  

Harriette Winslow (played by Jo Marie Payton until the middle of the final season) may not get brought up in the “Best TV Moms” conversation all that often, but she definitely should. If for no other reason, she kept her patience with Family Matters fan favorite Steve Urkel a lot longer than many would have. 

Linda Belcher (Bob’s Burgers) 

Sometimes when it comes to moms and their eccentric families, it’s hard to understand how they fit in. That’s not the case with Linda Belcher on Bob’s Burgers, who may be the matriarch, but she’s as big a mess as any of them, and I mean that in the best way. Linda is wild and funny while still being incredibly loving and supportive. 

Jean Weir (Freaks and Geeks) 

Helping your children navigate their formative years is not an easy task, and Jean Weir (Becky Ann Baker) on Freaks and Geeks definitely had her work cut out for her with her polar-opposite kiddos Lindsay and Sam. While her efforts were hit-and-miss, she wanted to connect with them so badly, and you just had to appreciate her goofy, sometimes-overbearing personality. 

Rebecca Donaldson Katsopolis (Full House) 

Of course Rebecca Donaldson (aka “Aunt Becky”) would go on to have twins with “Uncle Jesse” Katsopolis, but Lori Loughlin’s character on Full House was earning mom points years before that, as she gave motherly advice to Michelle, Stephanie and especially DJ after their own mom’s passing. The importance of her role to them can’t be overstated. 

Jessica Huang (Fresh Off The Boat) 

Jessica Huang (Constance Wu) may be the queen to her kids’ pawns in the chess game of life, but the high expectations the Fresh Off the Boat matriarch set for her children just showed how much she believed in them. She was firm but devoted, and sometimes we forget those tough moms have just as much love to give. 

Carol Foster-Lambert (Step By Step) 

Anybody who successfully blends families the way the Fosters and Lamberts did on Step by Step deserves some major mom snaps, especially given the spectrum of personalities Carol Foster-Lambert’s children and stepchildren exhibited. There were growing pains, of course, but it couldn’t have worked without the endless love and support of Suzanne Somers’ character. 

Jane Chapman (Big Little Lies) 

Given the trauma that Jane Chapman endured on Big Little Lies, there’s no wondering why she’s slow to trust people, or why she’s so protective of her son Ziggy. Never as perky or interesting or seemingly perfect as the other moms around her, her strength to survive and provide for Ziggy shouldn’t go unheralded. 

Kitty Forman (That ‘70s Show) 

We all know that one mom who unofficially adopts all of her kids’ friends as her own, and on That ‘70s Show, it was Eric and Laurie’s mother Kitty Forman (Debra Jo Rupp). It speaks volumes that everybody always felt at home there, despite her husband Red’s eternally grouchy disposition. She may not get enough credit as a great TV mom, but she’s unrivaled in infectious laughter. 

Carmela Soprano (The Sopranos) 

All moms have a lot on their plates, and let's face it: Parenting is just plain hard. So Edie Falco's Carmela Soprano on The Sopranos probably deserves some extra credit for also being married to a mob boss. Even if she didn't deserve it, I'd give it to her anyway.

Annie Marks (Good Girls) 

Good Girls shows just how far moms will go when they’re desperate to provide for their children. Mae Whitman played young single mother Annie Marks, but despite Annie's dangerous lifestyle, she prioritized her child and was a beacon of support during an emotional coming out story. 

Christy Jolene Plunkett (Mom) 

A special shoutout to the moms who are figuring it out after not having a particularly good role model themselves. This was the case for Christy (Anna Faris) on Mom, who always did her best as she faced her own struggles with sobriety and the complex relationship with her mom Bonnie. 

Amy Sosa (Superstore) 

Amy Sosa’s kids may not have been the central focus of Superstore, but America Ferrera’s character gave a voice to many mothers out there through her storyline about having to return to work after 48 hours because the store didn’t offer maternity leave. 

Cindy Walsh (Beverly Hills, 90210) 

Good role models seemed to be severely lacking on Beverly Hills 90210, so that should have made Cindy Walsh (Carol Potter) stand out more as one of TV’s greatest moms. She kept Brandon and Brenda grounded, while providing support as needed to their friends. Cindy put her own pain aside, only rarely showing that she, too, had struggled with the move from Minnesota to the sunny West Coast. 

Samantha Stephens (Bewitched) 

It can’t be easy being a witch living in a non-magical world, but that’s the reality Elizabeth Montgomery’s Samantha Stephens was faced with on Bewitched. Both of her and Darrin’s children also had the nose-twitching powers, and while it’s debatable whether those abilities were best kept under wraps or not, it’s obvious that Samantha just wanted to keep her husband happy and do what was best for the kids. 

Sam Fox (Better Things) 

Loosely based on Pamela Adlon’s own life as a single mom of three daughters, Better Things’ Sam Fox was the perfect combination of protective but not overbearing. She was willing to lay down the law, but the lines of communication were always open for honest conversations about real — and sometimes tough — issues. 

Nora Walker (Brothers & Sisters) 

Nora Walker (Sally Field) isn't often mentioned in the same sentence as TV mom icons like June Cleaver or Clair Huxtable, but she should be. In the wake of her cheating husband's death, Nora didn't have just her own problems to deal with, but she took on those of her grown children as well. In addition to being graceful, honest and loving through all the ups and downs, Nora knew how to keep the wine flowing too.

This is really just a handful of TV moms who don't get enough credit, because if we're being honest, can we ever really show too much appreciation for the women who doled out life lessons from the television screen? I didn't think so. 

Modern-day sitcoms have truly stood out as some of the best, but the ones solely focusing on families and their dynamics have always been my favorite. And you want to know which show reigned as supreme for several years? Modern Family. The series, which ran from 2009 to 2020, gave us great stories, an excellent Modern Family cast, and plenty of guest stars on Modern Family who became big shots afterward. 

But now that Modern Family has come to a close, I’m sure plenty of fans out there are looking for the next best thing to watch after binging through all those seasons. Well, get excited, because we have plenty of options for shows like Modern Family that are available to watch now. 

Schitt’s Creek (2015 – 2020)

First up on this list is Schitt’s Creek. This series follows the Rose family, who have always lived a life of luxury. But one day, that life is taken away from them, and now all they are left with is this little town they bought as a joke years before, which is called ‘Schitt’s Creek.’

There’s a reason why Schitt’s Creek was such a huge hit when it was first released and only continued to grow in popularity as time went on. 

Not only is the Schitt’s Creek cast incredibly talented and filled to the brim with excellent acting, but the story is unlike anything else and so much fun. I could rewatch Schitt’s Creek and never get bored by the end of it. 

Stream Schitt’s Creek on Hulu.

Black-ish (2014 – 2022)

This series ran from 2014 to 2022 and was a huge hit. Black-ish, starring Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross, tells the story of an upper-class Black American family where the children are raised in a white neighborhood, and it delves into the the patriarch's personal struggles to feel connected to his culture. 

The series talks about many societal issues regarding race, sexuality, etc. The show was so successful that two spinoffs were created from it – grown-ish and mixed-ish. While the show ended in 2020, it’s still relevant three years later and probably will be for some time. 

Stream Black-ish on Hulu.

The Simpsons (1989 – Present)

I mean, you can’t get better than The Simpsons. The iconic animated series has run since the late 1980s for 30+ seasons and follows the daily lives of the Simpson family, usually through the hilarious situations they get into, whether it be Homer at work, Bart at school or any other family member.

I just began watching some of the earlier episodes of The Simpsons after seeing many of its later seasons. While some of the episodes from later on can be less than spectacular, there is still so much good television from this show. I can understand why it became the legend it is now. There’s comedy and so much heart within the first few seasons. Trust me, for fans of a family sitcom, you’ll laugh your butt off. 

Stream The Simpsons on Disney+. 

Fresh Off The Boat (2015 – 2020)

Created by Nahnatchka Khan, Fresh Off the Boat is a sitcom based on the Eddie Huang autobiography of the same name and details the story of a Taiwanese-American family adapting to life in Florida in the 1990s. 

Like Black-ish, this series focuses on several societal issues that are talked about consistently, such as immigration, fitting in at school and so much more. It’s certainly one of Randall Park’s best shows, but the rest of the Fresh Off the Boat cast is super talented, too. Also, the series ran for six seasons, so you have a nice long binge ahead of you. 

Stream Fresh Off The Boat on Hulu.

Single Parents (2018 – 2019)

While this series was short-lived, it’s perfect for Modern Family fans. Single Parents is exactly as the title would describe – it follows the stories of single parents who must raise their children alone in a constantly evolving world. 

I will never forgive ABC for canceling this show after two seasons because there was a lot of growth potential. Not only was the cast honestly perfect, with stars such as Leighton Meester, Jake Choi and more, but the stories weren’t seen very often in family sitcoms because it was focused on one parent rather than a whole family unit. Give it a chance if you can. 

Stream Single Parents on Hulu.

Arrested Development (2003 – 2018)

Originally running from 2003 to 2006, and then returning for Seasons 4 and 5 on Netflix in 2013 and 2018/2019, Arrested Development is a great sitcom to watch if you love Modern Family. Starring Jason Bateman, the series is like Schitt’s Creek, in that we follow the Bluths, a family who once had wealth, but it had all but vanished. Even so, the Bluths continue to try and live wealthy lifestyles – which ends chaotically. 

There’s a lot to love about Arrested Development. The family is utterly dysfunctional, which makes for hilarious comedy, but the Arrested Development cast makes everything work so well with their talent and comedic timing. It's such a great show for Modern Family fans -- and a little crazier too.

Stream Arrested Development on Netflix.

This Is Us (2016 – 2022)

This Is Us ran on NBC from 2016 to 2022, and it detailed the story of Randall, Kate and Kevin, three siblings who grew up together. Now, they live in different areas of the country, and their stories always connect and lead them back home, no matter how far. 

While I don’t classify This Is Us as a comedy because it gets very deep very quickly, I would say it’s perfect for fans of Modern Family because the family unit is very much there, and these siblings, no matter what, still find ways to be there for each other in their darkest hours. Not only that, but the This Is Us cast is spectacular. 

Stream This Is Us on Hulu.

Malcolm In The Middle (2000 – 2006)

Malcolm in the Middle was a huge sitcom that detailed the story of a dysfunctional middle-class family and mainly starred Frankie Muniz as Malcolm, a child prodigy in the family who was always running into hilarious situations with his siblings and the world around him. 

Malcolm in the Middle was an excellent sitcom and went on to win several awards, including seven Emmy Awards. You can also check out a pre-Breaking Bad Bryan Cranston in his funniest role ever – one that he truly rocks. And if Cranston makes a revival of the series, I’m all in.

Stream Malcolm in the Middle on Hulu.

The Middle (2009 – 2017)

The Middle ran for nine seasons and is a great sitcom starring Patricia Heaton and Neil Flynn. In Indiana, the show follows a lower-middle-class family living their lives day by day and how they constantly get into hilarious situations. 

The series was a massive hit for ABC and was a part of the same time Modern Family was released. The cast is full of exciting characters with different personalities, making it enjoyable and entertaining. 

Stream The Middle on Peacock.

One Day At A Time (2017 – 2020)

Last, but not least, we have One Day at a Time. This series acts as a reboot of the 1970s TV series of the same name, and follows a Latino family living in L.A. It focuses on an Army veteran who is trying to run her household and keep a roof over her children’s heads while also dealing with PTSD at the same time. 

I seriously love One Day at a Time. Not only is it a great Latinx TV show to watch because of the representation, but the amount of topics that are discussed, from mental health to sexism to immigration, are astounding to watch. The cast is also great, and that includes a great Rita Moreno role as part of the show.

Stream One Day at a Time on Netflix.

There are so many great shows like Modern Family out there, and these are just scraping the surface. But hopefully now you might have an idea of some great series’ to check out when you have the chance. 

Anthony Anderson has been one of Hollywood’s busiest actors for some time now, and it honestly feels like he’s never been without some kind of acting gig. As a result of his steady stream of work, he’s entertained audiences for nearly three decades now. In recent years, he delighted TV watchers with his role as Andre “Dre” Johnson on ABC’s black-ish, which he co-led for eight seasons. And after signing off alongside Tracee Ellis Ross and the cast, Anderson joined the Law & Order revival for one season and reprised his role as Kevin Bernard. His stints on both series may be over, but the comedian doesn’t seem set on resting. As it turns out, Anderson has landed not one, but two new shows!

Anthony Anderson Is Teaming Up With Another Comic For A Truly Tasty Series

Die-hard foodies are sure to get a kick out of the new production Anthony Anderson is cooking up with A&E. The network announced in a press release that it’s joined forces with Anderson for Kings of BBQ, a ten-episode, unscripted series. And if that weren’t exciting enough, the show will also see fellow comedian Cedric the Entertainer star alongside Anderson. The show will follow the two stars as they attempt to get their business, AC Barbecue, off the ground. In their attempt to do so, they’ll travel across the United States in order to learn the culinary tricks of the trade. Anderson released a statement on the series and seems excited to be embarking on this new journey: 

Seriously, I don’t know about you, but I’m getting hungry just thinking about all of the delectable dishes that the black-ish alum and the Neighborhood veteran will get to try. The show is set to have one-hour episodes, and I can’t help but be curious about what the comics will learn from the various pitmasters they’ll encounter during their travels. Of course, when Anthony Anderson isn’t licking his fingers from the flavorful, sauce-covered food, he’ll be working on another acting gig. 

Following The End Of Black-ish, Anthony Anderson Is Reteaming With ABC For Another Comedy

It didn’t take all that long for the 52-year-old Barbershop alum to return to his old stomping grounds at the alphabet network. He’s reportedly collaborating with the entertainment conglomerate on another single-camera comedy pilot called Public Defenders. Per Deadline, the workplace romp centers on a quartet of inexperienced public defenders who seek to effectively represent their defendants while dealing with the legal shenanigans that ensue as a result. 

The Transformers alum won’t be playing one of these wet-behind-the-ears legal eagles. He’ll take on the role of the group’s boss, Marshall. The trade describes the character as a seasoned law official, who’s recently become the deputy-in-charge. With that, he believes it’s his duty to assist his deputies in ultimately becoming defense attorneys and isn’t afraid to show a bit of tough love to move them along. Anthony Anderson also serves as an EP on the show alongside Randalll Einhorn, who’s widely known for his contributions to The Office and more recently, Abbott Elementary. Einhorn will reportedly direct the pilot as well, and he’s definitely a fitting choice for what sounds like an old-fashioned workplace comedy.

Needless to say, Anthony Anderson is going to have his hands full for the foreseeable future, and you honestly love to see the star remain booked and busy. Here’s hoping that both shows manage to make an impression on viewers. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go order some barbecue from a nearby take-out spot. 

Be sure to keep your eyes on CinemaBlend’s 2023 TV schedule so that you’ll know when you can expect to see these shows. Those who love the comedian can also stream all eight seasons of black-ish using a Hulu subscription, while Peacock subscription holders can check him out in Law & Order.

The popular Black-ish franchise is going strong! Although the flagship show ended after eight seasons earlier this year, it launched the spinoff Grown-ish, and the short-lived prequel series Mixed-ish, and there was even a spinoff called Old-ish in development for a bit. The core Johnson family is sprinkled in throughout these shows, thus connecting the universe, but one character outside of the family who also appears across multiple shows is Deon Cole’s eccentric and popular Charlie Telphy. Many fans are waiting for Charlie’s own spinoff, and not only did he give us an update, he gave us some hilarious potential titles.

I recently spoke with Cole about his new stand-up special Charleen’s Boy on Netflix. When the idea of a Charlie spinoff came up, he said this:

Perfect! If you watch the show, you know that these are some solid options. Charlie is a college professor in Grown-ish and works at the high-profile advertising firm Stevens & Lido in Black-ish. Despite all of this, he is rather childish with wavering levels of competence, making Work-ish a fitting title. One look in his eyes and you’ll see where Crazy-ish comes from, so even though there’s no traction on a spinoff, if it ever comes to fruition, we have options. 

Despite the cast of Black-ish bidding the show an emotional farewell, Deon Cole has plenty going on outside of the ish universe. He’s been nominated for two Emmys as an accomplished television writer, he starred in Netflix’s The Harder They Fall (which is rumored to have a sequel on the way), and he has a substantial following as a stand-up comedian, which brings us to Charleen’s Boy. The new Netflix special is great, and as the comedian revealed to us, it serves as a touching tribute to his late mother, which is why it departs from his trademark stand-up special titling that usually riffs on his name. 

You can watch Charleen’s Boy on Netflix right now! The streamer is crushing it with original comedy specials, as the platform also released stand-up superstar Gabriel Iglesias’ record-breaking Stadium Fluffy just last month. If stand-up isn’t your jam, not to worry, as there are a slew of new Netflix TV shows and Netflix movies popping up throughout the rest of the year. 

Abbott Elementary has built its reputation on being a workplace comedy that appeals to viewers across different demographics. The hit sitcom came on the heels of other shows addressing social issues, including race. It has masterfully tackled certain issues without making them a major deal, which was done purposefully by Quinta Brunson. With the show currently in Season 2, Brunson delved into her approach to race on network TV and how Anthony Anderson's black-ish helped pave the way for her show.

The Abbott Elementary creator spoke about her approach to the subject during her interview with The New Yorker. The topic came up after the series premiered in the wake of race-centric ABC sitcoms like black-ish and Fresh Off the Boat. Brunson was asked if the network wanted the issue to be included in the teacher comedy. The comedic actress wasn’t phased as she had already produced two projects for Warner Bros. Television. She mentioned she knew her voice and style before Abbott even came to be. Despite race not being a dominant factor in the sitcom, Brunson revealed she was grateful to black-ish for tackling the issue, so she doesn’t have to. She said:

It appears that Anthony Anderson's family sitcom cleared the way for the ABC workplace comedy to just be funny. Abbott tackles social issues without overwhelming the viewers, but black-ish made it a mission to reflect being Black in predominantly white spaces. The former gets to present Black characters without always addressing issues of race. The Emmy winner mentioned the Alphabet Network did support her decision despite a minor bump about a specific month:

Focusing on the school’s faculty and staff instead of social issues has been a winning formula for the series. Brunson revealed that the lack of hard-hitting issues was a conscious decision not only by her but ABC as well. An ABC executive revealed to Brunson that the TV network was shifting away from race-centric sitcoms after black-ish’s emotional series finale. It appears the network is looking to make diverse shows where race isn’t at the forefront.

Things have worked out for Brunson and the workplace comedy, scoring many awards, including two Emmys. Along with garnering critical acclaim, it has viewers talking. It has also scored major ratings for ABC, and the series creator has landed an overall deal with Warner Bros.

Abbott Elementary is currently airing its second season on ABC every Wednesday at 9 p.m. EST. If you’ve missed any new episodes, just get a Hulu subscription to catch up on Season 2 and rewatch Season 1 while you’re there. Don’t forget to check out other 2022 TV premiere dates after watching the ABC sitcom.

In this golden age of television, there are so many amazing shows out there, from huge fantasy series like Game of Thrones to the greatest dramas ever, like Breaking Bad. And, today, I’m going to focus on some fantastic shows that are all led by talented Black actors and actresses. 

I’m talking classics like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, to some of the latest and greatest, such as Atlanta. If you’re looking for some amazing TV shows led by Black actors, be sure to check out this list, as all of this will surely entertain you for plenty of hours. 

Insecure 

First up, we have the HBO original series, Insecure. Starring Issa Rae, Insecure is a modern day comedy, following two young Black women through their every-day triumphs and tribulations, from trying to find a new job to relationships of all types, and to heavier topics such as race. 

Insecure is honestly such a great series. From the first moment I watched it, I was captivated so much by Issa Rae’s performance that I was looking forward to whatever Rae had coming up next. The show offers hilarious moments and heartfelt/serious topics that truly make it one of the best comedies on TV in a long time. The show ended in 2021 with five great seasons to watch, so be sure to check it out.

Stream Insecure on HBO Max.

Abbott Elementary 

One of the most recent entries on this list is Abbott Elementary. Filmed in a mockumentary style, this comedy series is set in Philadelphia and follows a group of teachers who work in an underfunded school , where it’s rare that a teacher ends up staying for more than a year. However, these certain teachers are trying to really change the game, and make the lives of their students that much easier and give them a proper education. 

The series actually won several awards at the 2022 Primetime Emmys, and features several amazing performances that are certainly deserving of every award they have won. What really makes Abbot Elementary stand out amongst the rest is its writing, because it is so funny – which is proven even more since Quinta Brunson, one of the stars of the series, also won an Emmy for her writing for the show. 

Stream Abbott Elementary on Hulu.

Diff’rent Strokes

“Whatcha’ talkin’ ‘bout, Willis?”

I’m sure at some point in your life you have heard that phrase - Diff’rent Strokes is actually where it’s from! This iconic sitcom series follows a Manhattan family who has plenty of wealth, but when their African-American housekeeper passes away, they decide to adopt her children. 

The series, which ran for eight seasons, was a huge success and had fans tuning in constantly. While it was primarily a comedy, Diff’rent Strokes wasn’t afraid to dive deep into some serious topics with special episodes often centered things like racism, drug use, sexual abuse, and more. The series made Gary Coleman a household name, and is one that surely can’t be missed. 

Stream Diff’rent Strokes on Tubi.

Black-ish (And It’s Spinoffs)

If you want to talk about a very popular recent series, check out black-ish. This show, starring Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross, follows an upper-class African-American family through their personal lives and the trials they face as African-Americans - but with more than enough funny situations. 

While I’m definitely okay with shows ending, I’m always going to be sad that black-ish ended with Season 8. There’s just something about this family that makes it feel so homey, from watching the children grow up and move on to their own lives, to learning to deal with the outside world. There are two spin-off series that should be watched, mixed-ish and grown-ish, each having their own stories that overlap with the mother show, but the original is the best in my eyes. 

Stream Black-ish on Hulu.

Them 

If you want a horror show featuring Black-led actors, be sure to check out Them. This Amazon Prime original follows a Black family in 1953 as they move from North Carolina to a predominantly white neighborhood in Los Angeles. But as time goes on, the dark secrets of their new home start to reveal themselves, both from behind closed doors and from their mysterious neighbors. 

Whatever you think this series is going to be about, subvert those expectations, because I can assure you, you are going to be shocked at the twists and turns that occur. The Them cast is astoundingly great and the set design is also really well-done. It’s certainly one of the best horror shows on Amazon, and one you should check out. 

Stream Them on Amazon Prime. 

The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air

“In West Philadelphia, born and raised.”

You know the rest of the song. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air follows Will, a kid from Philadelphia who gets into a fight, and his mama got scared, so she sent him off to Bel-Air to live with his uncle so he could get straightened out. Of course, Will causes hijinks wherever he goes. 

Man, I grew up on this show. I still remember getting up at the ass-crack of dawn before school so I could see reruns before I’d have to run to the bus, because I loved watching Will Smith, Alfonso Ribeiro and everyone else rock their roles in this show. From the jokes and relationships, to even Will's character development over six seasons, it was stellar. With the dramatic reimagining, Bel-Air, on Peacock, which is getting a Season 2, now is the best time to re-watch the original to get a sense for these characters. 

Stream The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air on HBO Max.

Atlanta  

Now, this is a great one. Atlanta, created by and starring Donald Glover, features the story of Earn, a young Black man who is trying to pave his own path in life through helping out his cousin, Alfred, in the music business, all while trying to maintain his personal life in the city of Atlanta. 

Atlanta is a brilliant dramedy, and honestly one of FX’s best shows. Its take on comedy is subtle but hilarious, and it has some truly amazing episodes that challenge how you view the world, and what people go through. The series is ending after Season 4, which has premiered, so be sure to check it out. It’s certainly one of the best Black-led TV shows on right now. 

Stream Atlanta on Hulu.

Lovecraft Country

In this HBO original, Lovecraft Country is based on the novel of the same name, and takes place in a town that is inhabited by creatures that were famously in the novels of famous sci-fi horror writer, H.P. Lovecraft. Enter Atticus Freeman, a young Black man who is traveling across the United States in the 1950s in search of his father, and this in turn leads him to face said monsters and have to find a way out of these horrors alive. 

I am never going to forgive HBO for canceling this show after one season. They could give me all the House of the Dragons seasons I want or make me excited even more for The Last of Us series coming out in 2023, but it was an atrocity that this beautiful show was canceled. It had a stellar cast, and some freaking amazing visual effects that made the monsters look real and terrifying. It should have at least gotten a Season 2. I’m going to remain bitter about it for the rest of my days – you have to check this out. 

Stream Lovecraft Country on HBO Max.

Living Single 

Another classic Black-led sitcom, Living Single, takes place in Brooklyn, New York, and follows the lives of male and female roommates as they grow through their careers, goals, and most importantly, relationships, creating craziness along the way. 

Living Single aired for five seasons, where viewers enjoyed the comedic adventures of the characters. Queen Latifah starred in Living Single, and it really set her career off, showing just how funny she is. Also, the opening theme for this show is a bop and a half. Just pump that into my veins for some instant serotonin. 

Stream Living Single on Hulu.

Family Matters 

“Did I do that?” is the classic phrase uttered by Steve Urkel, a famous character from Family Matters. This hit sitcom ran from 1989-1998, and follows the Winslows, a pretty normal family that often gets dragged into crazy adventures, usually at the hand of Urkel himself, their next-door neighbor. 

While I would spend mornings watching The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, I’d spend the evenings watching Family Matters, and to be honest, I love this show just as much. While I do love the family, there’s just something about Urkel that speaks volumes to me. He’s a smart kid with crazy inventions, but at the end of the day, even if he can be a little bit annoying, all he wants is friendship and companionship, and he evolves over time. It also helps that he’s freaking hilarious. 

Stream Family Matters on HBO Max.

Sister, Sister

You want to talk about a classic 1990s show, this is for sure one of them. Sister, Sister stars real-life twins, Tia and Tamera Mowry. For years, neither of them knew the other existed, until they are suddenly reunited in their teenage years, and try to make up for lost time. 

While Sister, Sister was also before my time, I gave the show a try because I love the Mowry sisters in the Twitches series on Disney Channel. Once I watched it, I understood why these two became such big stars. Their chemistry is unbeatable and there’s always something you have to love about sisters learning to live with each other and grow as humans. 

Stream Sister, Sister on Netflix.

The Underground Railroad

Next up, we have the Amazon original series, The Underground Railroad. In this brilliant story based on the real-life Underground Railroad, this show asks, “what if the Underground Railroad was an actual railroad instead of just a series of safe houses, routes and helpful humans?” This is what happens when our main character, Cora, decides to hop on this train that is supposed to free her from the chains of slavery. 

While this isn’t a long-running series and is a miniseries, this show is just outstanding. While it tells a compelling fantasy story about a fictional railroad, it also pays tribute to all the struggles that slaves had to go through back then just to obtain their freedom, and does it in a brilliant way. Thuso Mbedu, who was a part of the The Woman King cast in 2022, is amazing in her lead role, and knocks it out of the park. 

Stream The Underground Railroad on Amazon Prime.

Watchmen 

Starring Regina King, Watchmen is a brilliant HBO series based on the comic of the same name. The show is set in an alternate universe where white supremacy is even more rampant in America, and now, it’s up to vigilantes and other heroes to somehow stop the crime that is rapidly spreading across Tulsa, Oklahoma. 

While Watchmen doesn’t look like it’ll be getting a Season 2 anytime soon, it’s such a fantastic series. Nominated for several Primetime Emmy Awards, Watchmen deserves every ounce of praise it has gotten, from its story to its character design to its acting, specifically Regina King in the lead role. Every amazing episode is so carefully crafted that you’ll be wanting more. 

Stream Watchmen on HBO Max.

Key & Peele

If you want an amazing sketch comedy show, check out Key & Peele. This Comedy Central series, starring Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele, follows these two hilarious actors through several different iconic sketches, all of which will surely make you laugh. 

It’s always funny for me to revisit this show, as these two have truly taken off since it premiered. Key has expanded his movie and TV catalogue and Peele has gone on to write and direct some amazing movies and TV shows, with his most recent 2022 release, Nope, receiving critical acclaim. However, I always like to return to this show, because they truly were one of the best comedy pairings out there, and you’ll definitely be holding your side from laughing after watching one episode. 

Stream Key & Peele on Hulu.

All American 

Next up, we have All American, a popular CW show that just wrapped up its fourth season. In this series, a premiere football player is recruited to play for Beverly Hills high, and he not only has to prove himself on the field, but to everyone who thinks he isn’t worth the effort. 

As someone who loves football and a great fish out of water story, All American has everything you could want, from a serious storyline that dives into high school and societal issues, to thrilling sports sequences that make you feel like you’re watching a real-life football game. The show isn’t for everyone, but I think it’s worth a shot. The fifth season for the show is set to come out in October 2022, so now is the time to watch it.

Stream All American on Netflix.

How To Get Away With Murder

If you want a thriller that will have you putting on your thinking caps, you need to check out How To Get Away With Murder. Starring Viola Davis, this iconic series follows a group of law students, as well as their professor, who end up getting caught up in a murder investigation. But as more secrets are revealed, their lives get turned upside down even more. 

Let me start off by saying that Viola Davis is extraordinary in this role – which makes sense considering she won an Emmy Award for her performance in the show. While she’s only gotten more popular, I love her in this role and wish they had continued on with it, but it was smart to end it after six seasons. 

Stream How To Get Away With Murder on Netflix.

Everybody Hates Chris

Everybody Hates Chris is a sitcom that is based on the life of comedian and actor Chris Rock and his life as a teenager in the 1980s in New York, chronicling how he feels that “everybody” hates him, and trying to survive in his crazy family. 

While the show didn’t run for super long compared to some of the others on this list - it only ran from 2005-2009 - I have a special place in my heart for Everybody Hates Chris, and that’s mainly because of the great acting from Tyler James Williams. While he’s gone on to do other impressive things, I loved him in this show and sitcom is truly where he shines. Now, if a reunion happened, then I’d be a happy camper. 

Stream Everybody Hates Chris on Peacock.

Empire 

Last but not least, we have Empire. This popular drama starring Terrence Howard, Taraji P. Henson, and plenty of other amazing talent, is centered around Empire Entertainment, a fictional music company where the main players are constantly up in arms about who is going to control it, and how one man’s decision is going to change the face of the company forever. 

Empire was a huge success for Fox, receiving plenty of praise for its acting, soundtrack, and amazing story. Running for six seasons and 102 episodes, Empire captured the hearts of the audience and left them wanting more after every episode. 

Stream Empire on Hulu.

There are many more amazing shows other than these, but hopefully if you’re looking for some brilliant Black-led television shows, you now know where to start. 

When you think of the best shows to binge on Netflix, I’m sure plenty come to mind. With new and upcoming original shows from the 2026 TV schedule, as well as a massive catalog of go-to favorites, there’s no shortage of series to check out as you lose hours (and possibly days) to an intense marathon.

With a Netflix subscription, you can check out originals like Stranger Things, Black Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen, and Bridgerton, but you also have access to classics like Sex and the City, Home Improvement, and Breaking Bad. Here are a couple dozen of the best shows to binge on Netflix.

Something Very Bad Is Going To Happen (2026)

Netflix has been home to some great horror shows over the years, and the streamer kept that tradition alive in March 2026 with the debut of Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen. The eight-episode miniseries created by Haley Z. Boston (and produced by the Duffer Brothers) stars Camila Morrone and Adam DiMarco as a couple getting ready to tie the knot and all the madness that comes with it. However, it’s not just pre-wedding jitters and emotions they’re forced to deal with, as some deep-seated trauma, curses, and a sadistic killer are making things all the more complicated.

• Stream Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen on Netflix.

Sex And The City (1998 - 2004)

One of the most decorated HBO originals, and a show that changed the face of TV in the late ‘90s and early 2000s, Sex and the City is a fun, thrilling, and racy exploration of love, lust, personalities, and the sex lives of New Yorkers. With unforgettable characters like Carrie Bradshaw, Samantha Jones, Miranda Hobbes, and Charlotte York (not to mention all the random stars who appeared on the show), and a certain punchiness and attitude, this one still holds up nearly 30 years later.

• Stream Sex and the City on Netflix.

Home Improvement (1991 - 999)

One of the best ‘90s sitcoms, Home Improvement, is one of those shows you can just watch and watch and watch without getting bored. From Tim Allen’s “Tool Man” Taylor coming up with some over-the-top scheme to get the most out of his power tools to Wilson giving sage advice without showing his face to Al being the best friend and co-host in TV history, there’s just so much to love here. With the entire series streaming on Netflix, you can watch all 660+ grunts from this iconic series.

• Stream Home Improvement on Netflix.

Love On The Spectrum (2022 - Present)

Often considered the anthithesis of reality dating, Love on the Spectrum has spent the past few years following people on the autism spectrum as they look for love and meaningful relationships. While it does have some of the standard traits of the genre, this thoughtful and eye-opening dating show takes a much different and more heartfelt approach to the world of dating.

• Stream Love on the Spectrum on Netflix.

St. Denis Medical (2024 - Present)

There has been no shortage of great medical shows over the years, including comedies like St. Denis Medical. The hit NBC sitcom, which was renewed for a third season earlier this year, follows the doctors and nurses at the St. Denis Regional Medical Center as they try to keep their patients alive and their own mental states intact. Yet another example of NBC finding success with the mockumentary style.

• Stream St. Denis Medical on Netflix.

The TikTok Killer (2026)

When it comes to streamers with great true crime offerings, Netflix is one of the best. Earlier this year, the platform dropped The TikTok Killer, a two-part docuseries about the disappearance of Esther Estepa and her mother’s quest to get to the bottom of the mystery. This one takes some twists and turns along the way, especially as you learn more about José Jurado Montilla, a “friend” of the missing woman.

• Stream The TikTok Killer on Netflix.

Booba (2014 - Present)

When my kids were young, we used to watch so much Booba, an animated show about a little furry creature getting in all kinds of mischief in a variety of different places. What makes this so great, besides Booba trying to make sense of the world around him, is the fact that it’s presented entirely with no dialogue. It’s just pure physical comedy that viewers of all ages can understand.

• Stream Booba on Netflix.

The Night Agent (2023 - Present)

Based on Matthew Quick’s novel of the same name, The Night Agent follows FBI agent Peter Sutherland (Gabriel Basso) as he attempts to root out a mole deep in the United States government. With all kinds of twists and turns, intense action, and some powerful drama along the way, this increasingly popular Netflix original does a little bit of everything.

• Stream The Night Agent on Netflix.

Formula 1: Drive To Survive (2019 - Present)

With Brad Pitt’s F1 movie getting a Best Picture nomination and Formula 1 races coming to IMAX this year, it’s safe to say the sport is more popular than ever before. If you’ve been wanting to get into the action but don’t know the major players, rules, or ins and outs of the competitive league, Formula 1: Drive to Survive is a great place to start. Now in its eighth season, this docuseries is like a crash course on everything you need to know.

• Stream Formula 1: Drive to Survive on Netflix.

The West Wing (1999 - 2006)

Though not every episode is a certified banger (it’s kind of hard to pull that off with 20+ episodes each season), The West Wing is, by and large, one of the best political dramas to ever grace the small screen. Full of Aaron Sorkin’s signature walk-and-talks, outstanding performances from the likes of Martin Sheen, Bradley Whitford, and Rob Lowe, and so many great stories, this long-running series about the inner workings of the White House is superb.

• Stream The West Wing on Netflix.

Master Of None (2015 - 2021)

A decade before going off and making his directorial debut with last year’s Good Fortune, Aziz Ansari gave the world Master of None, a funny and surprisingly poignant dramedy series about love, friendship, and finding yourself. Primarily following a struggling actor in New York (though the third season made a massive shift), the series highlights the good, the bad, and the ugly of relationships, aspirations, and food.

• Stream Master of None on Netflix.

American Manhunt (2023 - 2025)

The American Manhunt collection of docuseries, released by Netflix over the past few years, takes some of the biggest moments in modern history and dissects them so you get practically every aspect of the story. From the Boston Marathon Bombing to the O.J. Simpson trial to the mission to find and kill Osama Bin Laden, this intense and engaging series is riveting to say the least.

• Stream American Manhunt: The Boston Marathon Bomber on Netflix.
• Stream American Manhunt: O.J. Simpson on Netflix.
• Stream American Manhunt: Osama Bin Laden on Netflix.

Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model (2026)

Featuring a chilling Tyra Banks, several hours of intense storytelling, and a breakdown of some of the biggest moments of early 2000s reality TV, Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model exposes everything that made the show a cultural phenomenon more than 20 years ago. Split into three episodes, this one leaves no stone unturned.

• Stream Reality Check: Inside America’s Next Top Model on Netflix.

Black-ish (2014 - 2022)

Often considered one of the best sitcoms of all time, black-ish was one of those shows that found the perfect combination of comedy and social awareness, and created an all-timer in the process. Following an upper-middle-class Black family as they navigate modern life in a well-off neighborhood, black-ish wasn’t afraid to be bold or conversational with its exploration of race, class, and humanity in the modern world.

• Stream black-ish on Netflix.

WWE: Unreal (2025 - Present)

WWE has countless documentaries that go behind the scenes of the company’s weekly shows, monthly premium live events, and biggest moments. So, why do you need another? Well, WWE: Unreal goes places and tells stories that those other documentaries would only dream of going. Old-school wrestling fans may decry this for exposing the business, but honestly, it feels like WWE has started a new form of kayfabe here.

• Stream WWE: Unreal on Netflix.

Mr. McMahon (2024)

Few wrestling documentaries come close to the scope and scale of Mr. McMahon, Netflix’s multi-episode exploration of the life, legacy, and various scandals that former WWE Chairman Vince McMahon has endured over the years. Whether you’re a wrestling fan or not, this is something you won’t want to miss.

• Stream Mr. McMahon on Netflix.

Just A Dash (2019 - Present)

Though his character from The Bear wouldn’t be the best person to work with, Matty Matheson is one hell of a chef. He shows that in his hilarious and appetizing cooking show, Just a Dash. If you’ve never watched the tatted-up, foul-mouthed, and outrageously entertaining chef and restaurateur talk about food, then you should check out Just a Dash.

• Stream Just a Dash on Netflix.

Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials (2026)

There are so many great mystery shows available on Netflix, and I guess we should add Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials to that list. Released in early 2026, this engaging and enticing limited series about a prank gone wrong will leave you guessing at every turn (and immediately pressing play when each episode ends).

• Stream Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials on Netflix.

The Tiny Chef Show (2022)

Though The Tiny Chef Show is technically kid-centric programming, this delightful, charming, and entertaining animated series has something for the whole family. One of the most unique cooking shows, this Nickelodeon program is just so great with its adorable main character, that wild voice, and an attention to detail that goes unmatched. Just try watching this without a smile.

• Stream The Tiny Chef Show on Netflix.

My Next Guest Needs No Introduction With David Letterman (2018 - Present)

A few years after leaving CBS and The Late Show, David Letterman kicked off what would later become an extensive series of interviews on Netflix. My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman has seen the former late-night host catch up with everyone from Tina Fey to Kanye West and Robert Downey Jr. to Ryan Reynolds and quite a few others. These in-depth, insightful, and hilarious interviews make the time just fly by.

• Stream My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman on Netflix.

Death By Lightning (2025)

If you’re all about big “what ifs” in American history, then Netflix’s historical limited series, Death by Lightning, is the show you’ve been waiting for. Starring Michael Shannon as James A. Garfield, the series follows the 20th President of the United States from his election in 1880 until his death less than a year later.

• Stream Death By Lightning on Netflix.

Arrested Development (2003 - 2006, 2013 - 2019)

In the mood for a show about one of the craziest sitcom families? How about one known for celebrities playing exaggerated versions of themselves? Oh, what about characters we love to hate? Well, if you answered one of those questions with a “Yes,” then you’re in for a real treat because Arrested Development is still streaming on Netflix.

Stream Arrested Development on Netflix.

I Think You Should Leave (2019 - Present)

An extended I Think You Should Leave marathon probably isn’t the best thing for anyone’s mental health, but everyone who loves this show enough to watch an entire season in one go knows the risk. Tim Robinson’s off-the-wall, uncomfortable, and utterly hilarious comedy series is honestly one of the best sketch shows you can watch anywhere right now.

• Stream I Think You Should Leave on Netflix.

Trailer Park Boys (2001 - Present)

It’s not a wholesome show, it’s not meant for kids, and it’s what some would consider low-brow, but Trailer Park Boys is one of the funniest series streaming on Netflix right now. With 12 seasons, multiple movies, and quite a few specials available on Netflix, you can get lost spending hours in Sunnyvale Trailer Park with Ricky, Julian, Bubbles, and everyone’s favorite trailer park supervisor, Mr. Lahey!

• Stream Trailer Park Boys on Netflix.

The UnXplained (2019 - Present)

Though every season of this addictive documentary series isn’t streaming on Netflix, you can spend a good amount of time diving into all kinds of mysteries with William Shatner on The UnXplained. With two seasons available to stream, you can learn about subterranean civilizations, strange technology, unbreakable codes, mysterious monsters, and more.

• Stream The UnXplained on Netflix.

Seinfeld (1989 - 1998)

Long described as “a show about nothing,” Seinfeld remains one of the best sitcoms of all time more than 25 years after its final episode ran on NBC. This show has come and gone from Netflix multiple times over the years, so now’s the perfect time to watch all nine seasons for the first time in a while or the first time entirely. And with each episode being 20 minutes long, you’ll blow through the best Seinfeld jokes in no time.

• Stream Seinfeld on Netflix.

The Great British Baking Show (2010 - Present)

There are so many great cooking shows on Netflix right now, but The Great British Baking Show is in a league of its own. There are culinary disasters, triumphs, and so many unforgettable moments involving contestants, judges, and hosts alike. If you’re looking for a low-key and wholesome way to spend a few hours, this is the way to go.

• Stream The Great British Baking Show on Netflix.

One Piece (2023 - Present)

Are you ready to be King of the Pirates? One Piece is the long-awaited adaptation of the legendary manga of the same name. The show follows Monkey D. Luffy as he assembles a crew in order to sail the sea and find the legendary One Piece, a treasure unlike anything else left by one of the greatest pirates of all time. In doing so, he would become King of the Pirates.

• Stream One Piece on Netflix.

Stranger Things (2016 - 2025)

Stranger Things, or the Duffer brothers' love letter to all things ‘80s, has all the makings of a show you can lose yourself in if you’re not careful. With five seasons filled with sci-fi horror, a large ensemble cast featuring some of the best actors, and a gripping story about a group of friends trying to avert disaster in their small Indiana town, there’s a lot to enjoy here. Now that the entire series has come to an end, it’s a good time to go back and see how it all started.

• Stream Stranger Things on Netflix.

Breaking Bad (2008 - 2013)

There are few shows that changed the trajectory of a lead actor’s career more so than what Breaking Bad did for series lead, Bryan Cranston. Over the course of the show’s five seasons, Cranston’s Walter White transforms himself from an unassuming high school chemistry teacher to a notorious drug lord known simply as “Heisenberg.” Also, if you love Breaking Bad, you should check out Better Call Saul, a prequel that tells the rise – and fall – of Saul Goodman, who is Walter White’s lawyer in the show.

• Stream Breaking Bad on Netflix.
• Also try: Better Call Saul

Ozark (2017 - 2022)

If you’re looking for a series that will truly blow your mind from the first episode, check out Ozark. This series tells the tale of a financial advisor who has to move from Chicago to the Missouri Ozarks when he gets caught up in the drug business and is forced to launder money so his family doesn’t get hurt.

• Stream Ozark on Netflix.

Wednesday (2022 - Present)

Wednesday has become one of the biggest shows on Netflix, even surpassing the records that Stranger Things once had for the most hours streamed in one week. And honestly, it's for good reason. Jenna Ortega is fantastic in the lead role, and the rest of the Wednesday cast is full of stars.

• Stream Wednesday on Netflix.

Nobody Wants This (2024 – Present)

Starring Kristen Bell and Adam Brody, Nobody Wants This is the romantic comedy series that you can easily binge in one afternoon. The series is the hilarious tale of two opposites: a woman who is agnostic, as well as a sex and dating podcaster, and a rabbi who somehow captures her heart. With a third season coming to Netflix at some point in 2026, you’ll probably want to start watching this sooner rather than later.

• Stream Nobody Wants This on Netflix.

Beef (2023 - Present)

A24 rarely ever misses, and Beef is just the perfect example of one of the best A24 TV shows. This Netflix original series starring Ali Wong and Steven Yeun is a comedy-drama that tells the story of two strangers who cross paths thanks to their mutual road rage at each other. But one thing leads to another, and this random meeting leads to a feud that changes both of their lives forever, and not in the best way.

The show itself won several Primetime Emmy Awards in 2024, including the Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie, as well as Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series.

• Stream Beef on Netflix.

You (2018 - 2025)

Ever wonder what it’s like if someone is obsessively in love with you? That’s just part of what You is about. This popular series follows the life of Joe Goldberg, a seemingly normal man with a hankering for love… and the willingness to kill those who get in his way.

• Stream You on Netflix.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013 – 2021)

I truly consider Brooklyn Nine-Nine one of the last best workplace sitcoms because it’s just so good. The series follows a group of police officers, detectives, and more at a fictional police precinct in New York City, and tells the story of all their personal and professional lives. The series is led by Andy Samberg, and the Brooklyn Nine-Nine cast is just as hilarious as its star.

• Stream Brooklyn Nine-Nine on Netflix.

Bridgerton (2020 - Present)

With four seasons to watch, the Netflix original series Bridgerton has all the makings of a binge-worthy show. With an outstanding and diverse cast, an engaging story about families in England’s Regency era seeking love, fortune, and power, and a clever way of incorporating modern music and culture into a long-ago period, the show is a fascinating addition to the Netflix library. Now we’re just waiting to see what’s in store with Season 5.

• Stream Bridgerton on Netflix.

Adolescence (2025)

Hailing from Britain, Adolescence is the kind of psychological drama that only comes once every few years and takes the world by storm. The series mainly follows a 13-year-old schoolboy who is arrested after a girl in his school is killed. This series has won major awards (Emmys, Golden Globes, Critics' Choice Awards, The Actors, etc.), so why not join in on the craze and see what all the fuss is about?

• Stream Adolescence on Netflix.

The Crown (2016 - 2023)

With so many characters coming in and out of Buckingham Palace (and 10 Downing Street) over the course of each of The Crown’s six seasons, there’s a lot to keep track of, but it pays off handsomely. From the final days of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II taking over the throne up to the late 1980s, Peter Morgan’s tireless efforts to unfold the drama of the royal family make for one of the most engaging and enchanting shows of the modern era.

• Stream The Crown on Netflix.

The Queen’s Gambit (2020)

Few limited series grabbed hold of the Netflix subscriber base more than The Queen’s Gambit in late 2020. Seriously, the story of a young chess prodigy with all sorts of personal demons and struggles to overcome, told over seven episodes, is a masterpiece in television drama. From the early days of Beth Harmon (Anya Taylor-Joy) learning to play chess in an orphanage’s basement to the show’s fulfilling ending, The Queen’s Gambit is perfect from start to finish.

• Stream The Queen’s Gambit on Netflix.

Black Mirror (2011 - Present)

There are few shows as fun or terrifying as the sci-fi anthology series Black Mirror. Over the course of the seven available seasons on Netflix, you can watch characters face a reality in which the advancement of technology and the ease it brings to their lives can also be their downfall. And Netflix has announced that Black Mirror Season 8 is on the way, though we’re still left in the dark when it comes to the release date.

• Stream Black Mirror on Netflix.

Peaky Blinders (2013 - 2022) 

If you’re looking for a gangster epic that will surely hold your attention, Peaky Blinders is the way to go. This popular British series takes place not that long after World War I, and focuses on the Peaky Blinders gang (hence the title), and all the trials and tribulations of their criminal organization and the enemies they’ve made along the way. After you finish the series, make sure to watch Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, the new movie that continues the drama…

• Stream Peaky Blinders on Netflix.

Mike Flanagan’s Horror TV Shows 

If, for some reason, you haven’t seen any of Mike Flanagan’s horror miniseries on Netflix, you need to check them out now. The Haunting of Hill House, released in 2018, follows a family returning to their childhood home after a traumatic experience. The Haunting of Bly Manor is about a young woman working as a nanny and discovering strange happenings in their home. Midnight Mass focuses on a remote island and its peculiar priest, who seems to be bringing horror to its residents.

• Stream The Haunting of Hill House on Netflix.
• Stream The Haunting of Bly Manor on Netflix.
• Stream Midnight Mass on Netflix.
• Stream The Midnight Club on Netflix.
• Stream The Fall of the House of Usher on Netflix.

Squid Game (2021 - 2025)

You’d have to have lived under a rock not to have heard about Squid Game when it first came out. It became the most popular Netflix series ever, and tells the story of contestants in South Korea who are low on luck and need money, and decide to join a game show in the middle of nowhere for the chance to win cash so their debts can be repaid.

• Stream Squid Game on Netflix.

Baby Reindeer (2024)

Winner of several awards, including the 2025 Golden Globe Award for Best Limited Series, Anthology Series or TV Motion Picture, Baby Reindeer is the thrilling dark comedy that you’ll be unable to stop watching from the very beginning. Based on the life of the creator, Richard Gadd, the series follows the story of an amateur comedian and how his life is changed forever when a stalker begins to harass him.

• Stream Baby Reindeer on Netflix.

With new shows premiering and classics being added all the time, make sure to keep checking back as this binge-worthy list continues to grow throughout the year.

Audiences have pretty much watched black-ish star Yara Shahidi grow up before their eyes, from her early film roles and work on the ABC sitcom to her lead role in the spinoff grown-ish. With the OG show in the franchise having premiered in 2014, it's safe to say that Shahidi has played fashionable eldest Johnson child Zoey for some time now. Since the Anthony Anderson-led show aired it series finale earlier this year, the rising star has been building on her career as an adult in Hollywood. As she goes from child to adult star, the actress is reflecting on growing up in the industry as a young Black woman.

The grown-ish lead delved into the subject of growing up in today’s world on the heels of directing an episode of the Disney+ docuseries Growing Up, a docuseries produced and created by The Marvels’ Brie Larson. While speaking about the gig in an interview with Yahoo!, Yara Shahidi expressed gratitude for the safety she felt during her time as a child actress on the ABC series:                        

The experiences that child stars have can definitely vary from one another, and it seems like the Imagine That star was protected by her parents during her time on television. Of course, she also had her black-ish parents, Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross, to school her on the business and prepare her for the future. The 22-year-old star's recent moves prove she is prepared for life in Hollywood beyond the world of network television.

While she felt protected by her family and others, Yara Shahidi knew that growing up as a young Black actress in Hollywood was a unique experience. She became more aware of her situation as she started doing interviews with certain publications. Apparently, Shahidi felt her extensive vocabulary was used against her to paint her in an unflattering light:

Being yourself can be a difficult thing when you're a public figure. In the case of Yara Shahidi, it really shouldn't be too surprising at this point to learn that she has an extensive vocabulary. After all, she graduated from Harvard University with a double major in social and African American studies. So there should be no denying that she's a true intellect.

The actress' situation is something that seemed to draw her to Growing Up. The upcoming streaming series will profile 11 young people across its 10 episodes. The show will document each young person’s coming-of-age experience through their unique qualities while facing adversity in the world around them. It should be an insightful show and a shining addition to Yara Shahidi's growing resume.

The star has other projects on the way, including her role as Tinker Bell in the Disney+ live-action remake Peter Pan & Wendy. She’ll also appear in the upcoming Apple TV+ anthology series Extrapolations in an undisclosed role. It's great to see the black-ish star branching out and making her own mark on the entertainment industry. But what's even sweeter is that as time goes on, her path could serve as an inspiration to other young Black women looking to follow in her footsteps.

Growing Up will premiere on September 8 as part of the Disney+ Day lineup in September. In the meantime, viewers can watch Yara Shahidi on the fifth season of grown-ish alongside her on-screen brother, Marcus Scribner, when the show premieres new episodes on Freeform on Wednesdays at 10 pm EST as part of the 2022 TV schedule. You can also catch up on every season of the college comedy by getting a Hulu subscription.  

Anthony Anderson has had an eventful year on the small screen in 2022, with the end of black-ish on ABC after eight seasons as well as his return to NBC to reprise his role as Detective Kevin Bernard on the Law & Order revival. To the surprise of fans, he ultimately left the revival after just one season, and the actor has opened up about how playing the detective again helped as he processed the end of black-ish.

The final episodes of black-ish actually were still airing when Law & Order returned for Season 21 in February, so Anthony Anderson was still delivering laughs on ABC while investigating crimes as Detective Bernard over on NBC. Now, more than a month after both black-ish and Law & Order Season 21 wrapped on their respective networks, the actor explained his decision to keep busy with more L&O right away, telling Variety:

Jumping from black-ish to Law & Order wasn’t exactly staying in the same genre, but it did qualify as leaving one longtime character behind and stepping back into the shoes of another character he’d played as a series regular. He’d previously explained why returning to Law & Order was a “no-brainer” for him, and L&O fans can attest to the fact that his performance as Bernard in Season 21 felt like Bernard back in the original run of the series, and he didn’t lose his dramatic edge after eight seasons of comedy.

In fact, it came as a surprise when the news broke that Anderson wasn’t going to return for Season 22. He joined in with celebrating the renewal once NBC announced that it (along with Law & Order: Organized Crime) would be joining SVU in the lineup for the 2022-2023 TV season. His L&O co-star Odelya Halevi has opened up about the experience of working with him in Season 21 as a returning star, but the show must go on.

Sam Waterston has been confirmed to return and make L&O history, while the show has already added Supergirl alum Mehcad Brooks to fill the vacancy left by Anderson. As for black-ish… well, the show closed on an emotional final scene complete with a Stevie Wonder song, which hopefully will help fans as well as the stars move forward. Plus, the grown-ish spinoff is still going strong, with the fifth season set to premiere in the 2022 TV schedule in late July.

You can also revisit black-ish streaming with a Hulu subscription now, and relive Anthony Anderson’s first and only revival season of Law & Order streaming with a Peacock subscription. Only time will tell if and when he'll return to network television, but between black-ish and L&O, he has proved that he can tackle both comedy and drama on television, so hopefully he won't be gone from the airwaves for too long.

Anthony Anderson is saying a lot of goodbyes this year. In addition to his exit from Law & Order and the end of his ABC sitcom black-ish after eight seasons, he and his wife of 22 years ended their marriage. While divorce proceedings can often turn ugly as former couples decide who gets what, and where each party is going to live, the actor and Alvina Anderson seem to be moving steadily forward, with the decision to sell their multimillion-dollar home and help his ex secure her own place.

Anthony Anderson married Alvina in September 1999, and they share two grown children — Nathan, 22, and Kyra, 26 — which eliminates custody debates. When Alvina filed for divorce, she requested that the property attained during their marriage be divided between them, as well as spousal support, and it looks like the actor has agreed. According to court documents obtained by The Blast, the Andersons have agreed to list their 3,342 square-foot home in Los Angeles on June 30, splitting the money earned in the sale:

The Blast reports that the 6-bedroom, 5-bathroom house could be worth upwards of $2.3 million, which would hopefully leave each party with a sizable-enough sum to start fresh elsewhere. Furthermore, Anthony Anderson has agreed to co-sign a 12-month lease on a new residence for his ex-wife while negotiations continue. The actor will also pay spousal support at an amount that will be determined by his current income.

Anthony Anderson’s income is likely going through some changes, of course, as two of his major jobs just came to an end. He said “goodbye-ish” to his role as TV dad Dre Johnson on black-ish, as that series finale aired April 19. (All eight seasons are available to stream with a Hulu subscription.) While we’ve known for a year that Season 8 would be the sitcom’s last, Anderson’s other departure was far more surprising. 

After just one season of reprising the role of Detective Kevin Bernard on Law & Order’s revival, the actor announced he would not be returning for Season 22. When he originally signed on for Season 21, it was reported that he had planned to return for just one season to help with the relaunch. However, in the cliffhanger-eschewing season finale, there was no indication that Anthony Anderson would be bowing out, or that Detective Frank Cosgrove (Jeffrey Donovan) would be in need of a new partner. 

In fact, Anthony Anderson celebrated the news of Law & Order’s renewal for a 22nd season with a since-deleted Instagram post that said, “Detective Kevin Bernard is right back ya’ with the whole squad,” complete with congratulations to his “fellow castmates.” 

It’s unknown what made the actor (presumably) change his mind about returning to the bifurcated drama or if the events in his personal life had any part in his decision. Alvina Anderson previously filed for divorce in 2015, citing irreconcilable differences. In January 2017, however, the couple apparently reconciled and the divorce papers were rescinded.

We’ll keep an eye on what’s next for Anthony Anderson, and in the meantime be sure to check out our 2022 TV Schedule to see what premieres are coming soon!

The 2010s and 2020s birthed a Black sitcom renaissance after experiencing a drought in the late 2000s. The aughts gave audiences classic shows like My Wife and Kids, The Bernie Mac Show, Girlfriends, and Everybody Hates Chris. In recent years, Black-led comedies have not only replenished the genre but subverted and evolved it. Since then, Black sitcoms have provided laughs, WTF moments, and commentary on the Black experience.

Now, here are some of the most influential Black comedies to hit the airwaves over the last decade.

black-ish

Billed as a successor to the classic sitcom, The Cosby Show, black-ish focused on an upper-middle-class Black family living in the Los Angeles suburbs (not a brownstone in New York). The sitcom centered on the daily lives of married couple Andre and Rainbow Johnson (played masterfully by Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross) and their family.

While family served as the show’s core, most episodes dealt with the Johnsons’ interactions in a predominantly white society. Dre, Bow, and their children dealt with daily culture clashes – either at work or school. The outside world was nothing compared to having multiple generations living under one roof with different ideologies and views.

grown-ish

As a spinoff of black-ish, grown-ish centered on one of the Johnson kids going off to college (a la Denise Huxtable and A Different World except at a PWI). The coming-of-age comedy centered on eldest daughter Zoey’s exploits into young adulthood.

Being at university served as the perfect backdrop to watch the eldest Johnson child grow into her womanhood, including multiple relationships and floating in and out of academia. But the show’s true focus was showcasing personal, professional, societal, and academic issues through a Gen Z lens. With Zoey having graduated, the black-ish connection lives on withJohnson eldest son, Junior, taking over for Season 5.

Atlanta

Being the brainchild of Donald Glover, Atlanta explored the dark (sometimes, outlandish) nature of the Southern city and its music scene. The surrealist comedy highlighted Earn’s quest to make his cousin, Paper Boi, a success in the fickle music industry.

With the Southern metropolis as the backdrop, the show has evolved since premiering in 2016. The comedy shone best when providing a Black perspective on mainstream culture and thought-provoking takes on African American topics. The core four – Earn, Paper Boi, Van, and Darius – served as the show’s emotional center through their varying dynamics.

Insecure

After years of making premium content on YouTube, Insecure allowed Issa Rae to jump from the web to cable television. The hit web series-turned-HBO comedy examined the exploits of Issa Dee as she navigated life in her thirties.

The flawed Issa Dee character put the spotlight on awkward Black women. Viewers got to see her everyday interactions across different life avenues. Issa’s evolution from unfocused to stable was remarkable, but the comedy’s true core was its relationships. While significant others and families fleshed out the characters, it was the female friendships, especially Issa and Molly Carter’s, that made the series beloved. All this culminated in the series becoming weekly water cooler talk.

The Carmichael Show

Jerrod Carmichael’s family life made for great fodder on his NBC sitcom, The Carmichael Show. The family sitcom followed a fictionalized version of the stand-up comedian’s everyday life.

Viewers got to observe Carmichael, his fiancée, and his family deal with numerous issues. The series saw the young couple’s progressive lens and his parents’ conservative views clash constantly over issues within Black American culture. It did so with humor and finesse. Unfortunately, the comedy ended after three seasons.

The Last O.G.

More than any show on this list, The Last O.G. was built on culture shock from a distinct perspective. Tracy Morgan’s television comeback saw him become former convict Tray Baker, as he tried to reconnect with his family and society after an extended prison bid.

Tray fought to regain his past glory as he struggled to reacclimate to society. The comedy allowed Morgan to go all in, giving an unhinged and silly performance. Viewers got to see Tray's progress throughout the series as he grew closer to his children.

South Side

Before Abbott Elementary took television by storm, South Side put a unique spin on workplace comedies. The buddy comedy follows two BFF furniture delivery men, Simon and Kareme, striving for success through unsuccessful get-quick-rich schemes.

In highlighting Southside Chicago, the show provides off-beat and silly humor while offering a different take on the area’s Black citizens. The series offers subtle social and workplace commentary through outrageous scenarios and employee dynamics. It also has an ensemble filled with rising and well-known talent letting the laughs and cultural nods fly (like The Office and Superstore).

Chewing Gum

What happens when you have a play centered on a sexually repressed Black woman leaving the nest for the first time? You get Channel 4’s Chewing Gum. As Michaela Coel’s breakthrough project, the British slice-of-life comedy explored the hilarious exploits of 20-something shop assistant Tracey Gordon.

Viewers got to see Tracey Gordon’s daily life - work, friends, and family. Much like Insecure, Gordon’s evolution saw her learn more about the world and herself. All while tackling young adulthood and delving into topics like religion and sexuality with humor. Unfortunately, viewers didn’t get to witness Gordon’s story for long, as the comedy ended after two seasons.

Dear White People

Turning a hit indie film into a TV series could be a hard transition, but Dear White People managed to do so without compromising the premise. The Netflix comedy followed the 2014 film by exploring the lives of Black students at a predominately white university.

Unlike some series based on movies, the college comedy expanded on the original film’s concept by leaning into more character development and plotlines with character-dedicated episodes. The co-ed comedy highlighted issues like micro aggressions, sexuality, and the transition to full-fledged adulthood. The show never lost its bite despite mixing original film actors with new ones.

Unfortunately, some of these shows closed shop recently, with black-ish and Insecure airing their finales this year and in 2021, respectively. Soon, another will join the list, with Atlanta's fourth and final season airing later this year.

There’s no need to fret, though, as newer sitcoms have arrived to fill the void. There are series like The Wonder Years reboot, Grand Crew, and Abbott Elementary ruling network TV. On the streaming side, there are Netflix’s The Upshaws and BET+’s The First Wives Club reimagining. If you want to see what other Black-led comedies are premiering this year, you can check out our 2022 TV schedule.

Every time a new show arrives on TV or any one of the various streaming services like Hulu and HBO Max, something has to get cut to make room for the new growth. It has happened before and will continue to happen as long as the medium is alive or until the lights finally go out. And 2022 is no different, as some of the biggest shows of the past decade (or longer) like Better Call Saul, Peaky Blinders, and The Walking Dead Season 11 will all air their final episodes at some point this year.

Below is a rather comprehensive list of all the TV shows that are ending or cancelled in 2022. There’s a lot to go over here, so let’s get started before another show is giving the axe or added to the list of titles leaving Netflix.

4400

The CW’s reboot of 4400, which followed a group of people who suddenly return after going missing with no memory of what happened, was one of the numerous series cancelled in May 2022. The show only lasted one season after premiering in October 2021.

A Discovery Of Witches

In December 2021, Digital Spy reported that the third and final season of the popular romantic drama A Discovery of Witches starring Matthew Goode and Teresa Palmer would start up January 7, 2022. The series, which debuted in the UK in 2018 can be watched in its entirety on the AMC+ streaming platform.

Animal Kingdom

In April 2022, TNT finally announced the release date of the sixth and final season of the drama series Animal Kingdom, which is set to kick off Sunday, June 19, bringing an end to the epic saga of the Cody crime family.

Archive 81

Fans of the supernatural horror series Archive 81 were in for a shocker when Netflix announced the show, which was based on the podcast of the same name, would not be returning for a second season.

Arthur

The PBS Kids series Arthur, which is based on the collection of children’s books of the same name, has been releasing new episodes on a fairly consistent basis since September 1996. That run ends in 2022 when the show’s 25th and final season debuts, per the New York Times. However, PBS is leaving the door open for more Arthur content in the future.

After Life

The Ricky Gervais black comedy series After Life has called Netflix home its entire run dating back to March 2019, but that comes to an end when the third and final set of episodes debuted on the streaming service on January 14, 2022. The show’s final season was confirmed by the Netflix UK & Ireland Twitter account in December 2021.

Atlanta

Although it’s not one of the shows that got the ax, Donald Glover’s beloved FX series, Atlanta, will be ending its run following the release of the fourth and final season, which is slated to premiere at some point in fall 2022.

B Positive 

The Thomas Middleditch- and Annaleigh Ashford-starring CBS sitcom, B Positive, never really took off with audiences throughout its two-season run, which resulted in the network pulling the plug after the Season 2 finale in May 2015.

Batwoman

Gotham lost one of its protectors in April 2022 when The CW announced that Batwoman would not be returning for a fourth season, making the Season 3 finale also the final episode.

Better Call Saul

Since 2015, Vince Gilligan’s Better Call Saul has been one of the best shows, not just on AMC but TV in general. But everything must come to an end at some point, and that time has come for the the Bob Odenkirk-led dark comedy series. Better Call Saul Season 6 debuted April 18, 2022.

Better Things

The FX comedy series Better Things will come to an end when the show’s fifth and final season premiered on February 28, 2022. The series, which followed single mother and working actress Sam Fox (Pamela Adlon, who also co-created the show alongside Louis C.K.) first debuted back in September 2016, and was called a “frank and funny look at womanhood” in the CinemaBlend review.

The Big Leap

The Fox musical comedy-drama, The Big Leap, which followed a group of people who put it all on the line in a reality dance competition, won’t be returning for more episodes after Fox cancelled the series following one season, in March 2022.

Black-ish

Kenya Barris’ successful and influential comedy series black-ish kicked off its eighth and final season on ABC on January 4, 2022, starting the final chapter in the story of sitcom that has spawned multiple spinoffs and received numerous awards over the years including a Golden Globe, a Primetime Emmy, and more than two dozen NAACP Image Awards.

Black Market With Michael K. Williams

The Vice TV docuseries Black Market with Michael K. Williams will come to an end after its second and final season premiered January 10, 2022 on the network, per Variety. The series, which originally premiered back in 2016, was forced to come to an end following the shocking and untimely death of host Michael K. Williams in September 2021.

Bull

The popular CBS legal drama series, Bull, which centered on Michael Weatherly’s tenacious psychologist and jury expert, is not returning for a seventh season, though it got a chance to wrap things up with a two-part series finale in May 2022.

Charmed

After four seasons, The CW cancelled the Charmed reboot series in May 2022, alongside several other of the network’s notable shows.

Claws

The final episode of the TNT dramedy series Claws will air its final episode when Season 4 concluded February 6, 2022, a little less than five years after it debuted on the cable network. The fourth and final season of the hit series was announced back in October 2019, per Deadline, and premiered in December 2021.

Cooking With Paris

Just a few months after it made its Netflix debut in August 2021, Cooking with Paris was cancelled by the streaming service. The Paris Hilton-led cooking program, which featured a number of guest stars and hilarious culinary situations, was not renewed for a second season, per Deadline.

Dead To Me

After three seasons, the Linda Cardellini and Christina Applegate-led dark comedy Dead to Me came to an end on Netflix. The finale, which offered closure, aired in November 2022.

The Dr. Oz Show

The Dr. Oz Show, the daytime talk series hosted by Dr. Mehmet Oz ended after 13 seasons and nearly 1,700 episodes on January 14, 2022. The talk show ended its run after Oz announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania, per Variety.

Dynasty

The 2017 revival of Dynasty was another series that was cancelled by The CW in May 2022, bringing an end to the show’s five-season run that was just four episodes away from hitting the 100-episode mark.

The Ellen DeGeneres Show

The Ellen DeGeneres Show will complete its historic daytime run when the syndicated talk show completes its 19th and final season at some point in 2022. The announcement to end things came from DeGeneres herself in 2021, when she said she needed something new to challenge her.

Endeavour

After nearly a decade on the airwaves, the British detective series Endeavour will finally come to an end following the conclusion of its ninth and final season, according to TV Line.  

The Endgame

The Morena Baccarin and Ryan Michelle Bathé-led The Endgame joined the list of cancelled NBC shows in May 2022, according to Variety, bringing an end to the drama series after just one season on the network.

The Expanse

After six seasons (and two different homes), the popular sci-fi series The Expanse aired its final episode on January 14, 2022, on Amazon a little less than six years to the date of its debut on SyFy. 

The Good Fight

The Paramount+ (and CBS All Access before that) legal drama The Good Fight will come to an end following the conclusion of its sixth season, which premiered in September 2022.

Good Sam

In May 2022, CBS pulled the plug on the freshman medical drama series, Good Sam, that saw Jason Isaacs and Sophia Bush play a father-daughter doctor duo. According to Deadline, the series was the lowest-rated scripted program on CBS in the 2021-2022 season.

Grace and Frankie

Grace and Frankie, the long-running Netflix comedy series starring Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin as two women who become friends when their husbands announce they are in love with one another, came to an end with its seventh season. The first crop of episodes premiered in August 2021 with the second following on April 29, 2022.

His Dark Materials

The fantasy drama series His Dark Materials (BBC One in The U.K.; HBO in The U.S.) will be back for a third and final season in December 2022

How We Roll

Not even two months after Pete Holmes’ bowling-centric CBS comedy series, How We Roll, made its debut, the network decided to give the show the ax in May 2022, according to Deadline.

I Know What You Did Last Summer

The Prime Video series I Know What You Did Last Summer, the remake series of the 1997 teen slasher of the same name, won’t receive a second season after Amazon decided to give the series the axe in January 2022, according to Deadline.

In The Dark

The fourth and final season of The CW’s police procedural series, In the Dark, will premiere on the popular network on June 6, 2022, per Deadline.

Kenan

Kenan Thompson may be the longest-running Saturday Night Live cast member, but his return to the world of sitcoms will be short-lived, as NBC cancelled his Kenan series following two seasons, in May 2022, according to Variety.

Kevin Can F**K Himself

The AMC dark comedy series Kevin Can F**K Himself starring Annie Murphy concluded its brief, two-season run in 2022.

Killing Eve

Killing Eve Season 4 premiered February 27, 2022 on BBC America, started the final set of episodes following the complicated lives of intelligence agent Eve Polastri (Sandra Oh) and skilled assassin Villanelle (Jodie Comer). The eight-episode final season was announced in 2021, per The Hollywood Reporter.

Legacies

When the Legacies Season 4 finale aired on June 16, 2022, it was also the final episode for The CW’s fantasy drama series, which was among the numerous shows cancelled by the network in May 2022.

Legends Of Tomorrow

The Arrowverse got a little smaller in April 2022, when it was announced that Legends of Tomorrow would not be returning for an eighth season on The CW, bringing an end to the long-running and popular superhero series.

Locke And Key

The Netflix fantasy horror series Locke & Key will came to an end in August 202 when the show’s third and final season premiered on the streaming service.

Love, Victor

In February 2022 it was announced that Hulu’s romantic comedy-drama series, Love, Victor, would be coming to an end following the conclusion of the show’s third season, which premiered on June 15, 2022.

Made For Love

The Cristin Milioti-led tech dramedy Made for Love was cancelled by HBO Max after two seasons in June 2022, according to EW.

Magnum, P.I.

Fans of the Magnum P.I. reboot series on CBS will have to find another way to spend their Friday nights, as the long-running action crime drama was cancelled just days after the Season 4 finale in May 2022, per Deadline.

Maury

After 30 seasons and more than 3,600 episodes, the daytime talk show Maury aired its final episode in May 2022, just a few months after host Maury Povich announced he would be retiring.

Mr. Mayor

Ted Danson’s NBC sitcom Mr. Mayor, which followed a former ad executive played by the beloved actor as he ran and became the mayor of Los Angeles, was cancelled by NBC in May 2022, per The Hollywood Reporter, bringing an end to its two-season run.

Naomi

The superhero drama series, Naomi, was another show cancelled by The CW in May 2022, a decision that was announced just days after the Season 1 finale aired.

New Amsterdam

The popular medical drama series, New Amsterdam, was cancelled by NBC in March 2022, but the show starring Ryan Eggold as a medical director who comes up with a revolutionary way of caring for patients will return for a fifth and final season, per Deadline.

Nick Cannon

In March 2022 it was announced that another daytime talk show would be closing up shop, as Nick Cannon was cancelled after just one season on TV.

Ordinary Joe

The NBC drama series Ordinary Joe, which debuted in September 2021, was cancelled by the network in March 2022, according to Variety. 

Ozark

The popular crime drama series Ozark, which has been one of the best shows on Netflix since its 2017 debut, ended things with a two-part, 14-episode final season in 2022. The first part of Ozark Season 4 premiered January 21, 2022, with the second half following in April.

Peaky Blinders

The worldwide sensation that is Peaky Blinders will completed its run with the sixth and final season in April 2022. But it’s not the end of the road for Steven Knight’s crime drama as a film adaptation is set to enter production in 2023.

Queen Sugar

Ava DuVernay’s OWN drama series Queen Sugar is another show that will end things in 2022. In November 2021, Deadline reported that the series, which debuted in 2016, wrapped up in November 2022.

Raised By Wolves

The science-fiction series Raised By Wolves, created by Ridley Scott, David W. Zucker, and Aaron Guzikowski, was cancelled by HBO Max in June 2022, according to Variety. The series, which debuted in 2020 on the streaming service, completed its second and final season in March 2022.

Roswell, New Mexico

When Roswell, New Mexico Season 4 starts up on The CW in June 2022, it will be the final set of episodes for The CW’s sci-fi drama series, which was cancelled alongside several other scripted programs in May 2022.

Search Party

The HBO Max dark comedy series Search Party returned for a fifth and final season on January 7, 2022, bringing an end to the Alia Shawkat-led show that originally started out on TBS back in 2016. 

This Is Us

One of the most successful runs on broadcast TV in recent memory will come to an end with the conclusion of This Is Us Season 6, which officially got underway January 4, 2022 on NBC. 

The Walking Dead

Perhaps the biggest TV show that came to an end in 2022, The Walking Dead concluded its 11-season run on AMC. The decision to bring the long-running series to a close was first announced in 2020, when it was revealed that the supercharged season would consist of 24 episodes.

United States Of Al

Just one week before United States of Al Season 2 was set to conclude on CBS, the Chuck Lorre-produced sitcom was cancelled by the network, according to EW.

TV Shows Expected To Be Ending In 2022

There are several other TV shows that are expected to be ending in 2022 but don’t have a release date or window at this point. Take a look at some of those series down below.

Family Reunion
Happy Valley
Hilda
Kid Cosmic
Motherland: Fort Salem
The Owl House
Wu-Tang: An American Saga

Although all of these shows will be coming to an end at some point in 2022, there are still of plenty of new and returning series coming out throughout the year. If you want to stay in the know check out CinemaBlend's list of all the 2022 TV premiere dates.

Spoilers ahead for the series finale of black-ish, called “Homecoming.” Read at your own risk!

It’s the end of an era. ABC’s popular comedy black-ish has come to a close after eight seasons. The final episode was as emotional as could be expected, and Anthony Anderson and the cast took to social media before and after it aired. So you better get your tissues out because they can hit anyone in their feels.

In the finale, Anthony Anderson’s Dre and Tracee Ellis Ross’ Bow made the decision to move out of their family home in Sherman Oaks after 17 years. Ahead of the finale, the official black-ish Twitter acount posted a black and white photo of the cast and that it’s the “end of an era.” And it’s hard to believe that after eight years, we have to say goodbye to the Johnson family:

It’s always an emotional time when a series comes to an end, especially when the cast is pretty close to each other. The messages poured in surrounding the black-ish finale. Anthony Anderson wrote a lengthy and sweet message on Instagram to his fans, costars, and crew about what the show means to him and everyone, especially when it comes to African American representation:

Last month, Anderson had an on-brand message to prepare himself and fans for the impending finale. It was less sentimental but still proved how much the show means to him and that he is still joking around even with the finale. 

Tracee Ellis Ross mirrored her co-star, although her message on Instagram was much longer, separately thanking people involved in black-ish, including those who stuck it out for eight years. She reflected on her time on the series, noting that it’s “been an honor to be a part of a show that has changed TV.”

Yara Shahidi, who portrays Zoey Johnson on both black-ish and spinoff grown-ish, posted videos and pictures from behind the scenes and on-screen, and quoted her on-screen father, thanking him for "creating spaces” to grow and thrive over the years on Instagram:

Shahidi’s on-screen brother Marcus Scribner, who portrayed Junior, posted multiple photos (including some adorable throwbacks) and reflected on the series as well as what was in store for the finale:

And last but certainly not least, Grandma Johnson herself, Jenifer Lewis, took a bit of a different approach. In a video that she posted to Instagram, she sang a tune to get her feelings out about black-ish while also promoting her upcoming Showtime series, I Love That for You, premiering on April 29:

Although black-ish is now done, that doesn’t mean that we still can’t expect the cast to get together, including reprising their roles. Following the big casting change at the end of the grown-ish’s Season 4 finale with several cast departures, Marcus Scribner is set to join Yara Shahidi in the fifth season of the Freeform hit.

Moreover, if a black-ish star were to join Anthony Anderson in the Law & Order revival, Anderson would want it to be on-screen daughter Marsai Martin, strictly for the fact that Marsai’s Diane was not the nicest of the Johnson kids. So it would be pretty hilarious. 

Tuesday nights will definitely not be the same without black-ish, but luckily the series is streaming in full with a Hulu subscription if you ever want to get your fix. Freeform’s Grown-ish will be back for Season 5, with Zoey and Junior reuniting.

Warning! The following contains spoilers for the black-ish series finale, called “Homegoing.” Read at your own risk!

One of ABC’s greatest sitcoms, black-ish, aired its series finale, putting a cap on an acclaimed 8-season run. The show sent the Johnsons to a new neighborhood (after a wonderful scene between Dre and Bow), but not before the whole family sent their home out in high fashion with a New Orleans-style funeral procession that included much of the show’s cast and crew. It also featured the iconic Stevie Wonder song “As,” which surely got the tears flowing for fans as they had to say goodbye.

Showrunner Courtney Lilly spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about the black-ish series finale and the reason for the song choice. Lilly gave some credit to HBO for the decision and said the inspiration came from the way the network’s programs close out shows:

“As” is a song about love and a promise to love someone unconditionally. It certainly matched the vibe of the closing scene for the Johnsons, as the entire cast of characters danced in the streets and celebrated the family moving from the home and into a new neighborhood. 

It was an elaborate ending, but when it comes to series finales and the legacy that black-ish leaves behind, I think it’s fair to say that it earned it. (You can revisit the series streaming with a Hulu subscription.) You can’t beat going out on a Stevie Wonder song, which really made the moment that much more emotional and meaningful, and also made me want to watch some music documentaries about Stevie Wonder. 

black-ish is over at ABC, but fans can still enjoy the stars on Freeform’s grown-ish, which will return for Season 5. Crime drama fans likely know that Anthony Anderson reprised his role in the Law & Order revival, and Hulu was at one point developing an old-ish spinoff with Laurence Fishburne and Jenifer Lewis, though creator Kenya Barris mentioned to THR that he hasn’t heard much more about that happening. Given the show’s impact, it's entirely possible that more spinoffs could happen, and hopefully more finales with awesome songs as well. 

Those already missing black-ish can stream the series on Hulu or on Disney+. I’m sure more than a few will do just that while coping with the loss of such a great series that will be live on via streaming long after the series finale. 

As black-ish hurdles toward its series finale, the fans and cast are looking back at the ABC comedy's eight-season run. Anthony Anderson has already kicked off the final farewell with an on-brand message for loyal viewers. Now, his TV wife, Tracee Ellis Ross, is getting refletive as the series nears its end. She gave some insight into what it was like filming the final episode, particularly shooting her final scene with her TV husband.

As the ABC comedy prepares for its conclusion, Tracee Ellis Ross is feeling joy and pride in being able to leave audiences with a great show. As Andre Johnson’s other half, Ross' Bow Johnson serves as a level-headed co-pilot and foil to her husband’s selfish ways. Of course, there have been times when the TV couple both participated in the same madcap activities. Having shared so many good times with Anthony Anderson, it's no surprise to hear that Ross got emotional when working on the last scene between the two of them, which was also on their final day of filming:

It's nice to know that in their last scene as co-stars, the two actors were able to share a moment solely between their two characters. It sounds like the perfect way for the black-ish co-stars to end their run together after playing house for eight seasons. Interestingly, the actress didn't specify if the TV couple’s final moment will be the final scene of the series. So we'll just have to wait to find out that tidbit.

Tracee Ellis Ross also revealed to People that her emotions spread to her TV children as well. Before filming her last scene with Anthony Anderson, the Girlfriends alum recalled giving herself “permission to cry” as much as she wanted to while constantly hugging her young co-stars. It got to the point where Anderson (who has returned to Law and Order) humorously called her for getting so emotional.

Of course, the co-stars weren’t always so emotionally bonded. Anthony Anderson recalled his TV wife hating him for more than a decade after he made a joke at her expense during an award show in 2005. It even carried over into a guest appearance on Tracee Ellis Ross’ former sitcom Reed Between the Lines and earlier seasons of black-ish. But now, the co-stars are clearly parting ways on good terms after years of bringing out the best in each other as performers. While it’s bittersweet to see them go, Anderson and Ross will go down as one of TV's most beloved couples, who also managed to lead one of the most successful Black sitcoms in decades.

It’s only a matter of weeks before viewers have to say goodbye to the Johnsons. The black-ish series finale has been set and will air on Apr. 19 at 9 pm EST on ABC. Its penultimate episode is next up on Apr. 12 at that same time. To see what other finales are coming up this spring, you can check out CinemaBlend's 2022 TV schedule.

Having kept audiences warm-hearted and laughing since 2014, ABC’s black-ish is one of many beloved TV shows coming to an end in 2022, with Season 8 being its swan song.  While this season was unfortunately shorter than those in the past, the eps feel that much more important with the final episode just around the corner. ABC has finally revealed exactly when the big finale will air, along with those of other big shows like Grey’s Anatomy, and Andre and Bow will be leaving us sooner than one might think. 

With its most recent episode setting up Pops and Ruby's imminent exit that was at one point meant to set up the spinoff old-ish, black-ish is now set for its final two episodes, and the series finale will be airing on Tuesday, April 19, at 9:30 p.m. ET, according to Deadline. I know some fans out there no doubt thought the show would be airing into May and wrapping up alongside the network’s other big season finales, but there just aren’t enough episodes for that to happen. 

At this point, black-ish’s series finale hasn’t yet revealed its title, nor its general synopsis, so we’re not entirely sure how Kenya Barris & Co. will set the story up to close out. But you can bet there will be laughs, tears, probably some judgy eyebrow work from Anthony Anderson, and Tracee Ellis-Ross being a queen as always. While that last installment will unfortunately only be a normal-length half-hour, it will be immediately followed by a finale special that will feature the cast and crew reflecting on the past eight seasons and saying goodbye to a classic TV family.

ABC has plenty of new and returning shows hitting the 2022 premiere schedule later in the year, but there are a bunch of other shows beyond black-ish that need to wrap up their current seasons first. One of those shows is the medical drama Grey’s Anatomy, which has kept viewers on edge each year over star and executive producer Ellen Pompeo’s deciding to call it quits or stick it out as Meredith Grey for another season. We do already know that Season 19 is coming, and it looks like Season 18 will be wrapping up in a big and special way. 

Both Grey’s Anatomy and its lead-in drama Station 19 were granted two-hour season finales, with the firehouse series’ conclusion airing a week earlier than the Grey’s finale. What’s more, ABC’s 2021-2022 TV season basically ends with the medical drama’s capper, as it will be the last finale to air, with a slot set for Thursday, May 26. Will that be the episode that sets up some kind of Minnesota-set spinoff, or will the story find a way to bring Meredith back to Seattle for good? Or could both situations happen somehow?

Check out the full lineup of season finales for ABC below!

Tuesday, April 12

• Abbott Elementary Season 1 Finale - 9:00 p.m. ET

Tuesday, April 19

• black-ish Series Finale - 9:00 p.m. ET

Sunday, May 15

• The Rookie Season 4 Finale - 10:00 p.m. ET

Monday, May 16

• The Good Doctor Season 5 Finale - 10:00 p.m. ET

Wednesday, May 18

• The Goldbergs Season 9 Finale - 8:00 p.m. ET
• The Wonder Years Season 1 Finale - 8:30 p.m. ET
• The Conners Season 4 Finale - 9:00 p.m. ET
• Home Economics Season 2 Finale - 9:30 p.m. ET
• A Million Little Things Season 4 Finale - 10:00 p.m. ET

Thursday, May 19

• Station 19 Season 5 Finale - 8:00 p.m. ET
• Big Sky Season 2 Finale - 10:00 p.m. ET

Thursday, May 26

• Grey's Anatomy Season 18 Finale - 8:00 p.m. ET

It should be quite an exciting May for just about everything airing on ABC, but before that month even arrives, fans can look forward to one final farewell from black-ish on Tuesday, April 19, even if it's hard for Anthony Anderson to go through with it.

It’s always sad to hear when a couple doesn’t work out, particularly when two people have spent a significant portion of their lives together. Anthony Anderson, who rejoined the Law & Order cast for the revival of the franchise’s flagship series, and his wife Alvina Anderson are reportedly ending their marriage after 22 years together. Alvina filed paperwork last week to divorce the Law & Order actor, five years after the two had previously reconciled.

Documents obtained by People show that Alvina Anderson cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split from her high school sweetheart, whom she married in September 1999. She is seeking spousal support and asking Anthony Anderson to pay her attorney fees. She has also requested that property attained during their marriage be divided between them, and the documents list a separate request for other property:

This is the second time Alvina Anderson has filed for divorce from the black-ish star. In 2015 she also had cited irreconcilable differences and requested spousal support. In January 2017, however, the couple apparently reconciled and the divorce papers were rescinded. Anthony Anderson and his wife share two children, Nathan, 22, and Kyra, 26. 

With the couple tying the knot at the end of the 20th century, it means that Alvina Anderson was already married to Anthony back in some of his earlier roles — even some you may possibly have forgotten about. His brief-but-hilarious appearance in the 2004 stoner comedy Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle is notable, and who could forget the security guard Terry Nolan, who was always in the wrong place at the wrong time, in the 2000 hit Big Momma's House?

The actor can currently be seen as the star of the hit ABC sitcom black-ish, which is in the  midst of its eighth and final season. He also recently rejoined Law & Order when the OG series returned after an 11-year hiatus for Season 21. Anderson plays Detective Kevin Bernard — a role he originally held from 2008-2010 — and after eight seasons of portraying Dre Johnson on black-ish, Anderson explained his decision to rejoin the NBC bifurcated series as wanting to “have a little fun in the dramatic space for a little while.”

We’re sad to hear about the end of this longtime couple’s marriage. Hopefully the proceedings go as smoothly as possible so that the former couple and their grown children can all begin the healing process.

Anthony Anderson can be seen on black-ish at 9:30 p.m. ET Tuesdays on ABC, as well as on Law & Order, which will return Thursday, April 7, from a short hiatus. The crime procedural airs at 8 p.m. ET on NBC. Also be sure to check out our 2022 TV schedule to see what new and returning shows are premiering soon.

This year has seen a fair number of comedies ending their respective TV runs, as HBO's Insecure already said farewell with its surprising conclusion, with black-ish and Atlanta preparing to end this year as well. Fans have known for a while now that the ABC comedy is coming to an end, and even though viewers will continue to get new episodes until the finale's airing, Anthony Anderson wanted the show’s devoted fanbase to know the Johnson family is thinking about them.

The black-ish star took to Instagram to get viewers to prepare for the comedy’s impending finale. Of course, saying goodbye to the Johnsons will be hard to do, but Anderson wants everyone to be celebrating the final episodes, rather than reveling in sadness that they're almost gone. In keeping with the ish universe's positive mindset, Anthony Anderson put up an on-brand message to the show’s dedicated viewers.

It was the perfect way to keep the comedy’s branding alive even as the series winds down to its finale. Anthony Anderson wanted fans to know he feels the way they do. Playing one of television’s favorite dads for eight seasons is a hard thing to let go of, as his message implied. It appeared the TV dad isn’t quite ready to say farewell to his TV family.

The wording of “goodbye-ish” felt final, yet open at the same time. Of course, Season 8 will be the final time viewers see the Johnson family in their current capacity. On the other hand, that doesn’t mean the TV family won’t continue to live on in some form, as the spinoff grown-ish was renewed for a fifth season. Audiences will continue following the life of Yara Shahidi’s Zoey with black-ish alum Marcus Scribner joining the Freeform comedy after the original series ends, and who's to say there won't be more spinoffs in the future?

Despite the sadness associated with black-ish’s ending, Anthony Anderson has moved on to his next big gig quickly, as he boarded the Law and Order revival. After switching from comedy to drama, Anderson still wanted to keep the black-ish train going even there, though, as he’d like to see TV daughter Marsai Martin on the crime drama revival to answer for all the underhanded dealings of Diane Johnson. So, keeping the connection to his TV family is still important to him. 

That was a far cry from the show’s beginning, as TV wife Tracee Ellis Ross has hilariously claimed she didn’t like the actor for years after a particularly embarrassing incident hosting the 2005 Vibe Awards. Luckily, the television husband-and-wife duo are on excellent terms now as they prepare to say goodbye to the long-running sitcom.

Fortunately, it will still be a minute before audiences will have to say ado to the Johnson family as black-ish will return on March 22 to start airing its final episodes. The ABC comedy has already cemented itself as one of the best Black sitcoms of the last 20 years. To see what other shows will be ending this year, check out our 2022 television schedule.

Starting off his career in big-time musicals and moving on into blockbusters and popular TV shows, Daveed Diggs has truly become such a shining light in Hollywood, not only as an actor but as a producer, a singer, and more. 

From his time in Hamilton to his own TV series to his voice roles, Daveed Diggs has taken over and popped up in more things than you may have seen. If you’re looking for some of his best work, be sure to check out some of these picks, as these are the best Daveed Diggs movies and TV shows that you can stream (or rent) right now.  

Hamilton (Disney+)

Are you going to throw away your shot? Dive into the world of Hamilton, a high-stakes musical adventure mixed in with some awesome choreography and songs all about the life of Alexander Hamilton, one of the founding fathers of America, all created by Lin-Manuel Miranda. 

Hamilton is truly a work of art, as someone who loves musicals, and Daveed Diggs is a part of that. Playing Thomas Jefferson in the original Hamilton cast opened so many doors for Diggs, as it showed just how much talent this man had not only musically-wise but with his acting ability. I swear, I could sing “What’d I Miss?” for hours on end. The musical itself is so much fun, with a catchy soundtrack you’ll never be able to get out of your head. And soon enough after your millionth viewing, you’ll be up and dancing just as much as everyone else. 

Stream Hamilton on Disney+. 

Velvet Buzzsaw (Netflix)

Velvet Buzzsaw is a satirical horror movie that not only has the scares, but the laughs as well. In this fun film, Velvet Buzzsaw shows what the art world does when there are paintings left unclaimed from a dead body after they are discovered. But as you would predict, these paintings aren’t exactly normal - and because of that, these collectors begin to see what happens when greed takes over.

This horror film is honestly so underrated and I wish it got more hype than it did. Daveed Diggs stars as Damrish, an up and coming artist who gets tangled up in all of the madness, and honestly, people should put Diggs in more thrillers! He was so good in this and, with it mixed in with some comedy, it really shines a light on his acting ability. Plus, the rest of the cast is a lot of fun as well. 

Stream Velvet Buzzsaw on Netflix. 

The Get-Down (Netflix)

Get transported back to the '70s and '80s with this awesome Netflix original show that was cancelled far too soon. The Get-Down bounces back and forth between the 1990s and the past, telling the story of Ezekiel, a young Black man living in the Bronx who wants to make a name for himself and create music. This is his story, from the beginning to where he is now, and how he got there. 

The Get-Down is so good, and was honestly such a great place for Daveed Diggs to show his talent. Diggs actually portrayed the adult Ezekiel in many of the flash forward scenes at his concerts, and it really showed off his rapping skills in each of his moments. The show itself is also just a trip too for those who love music and period pieces. You really do feel like you are back in the seventies and eighties with the way the music is, how the people speak, and the outfits they wear. It’s truly one of a kind.

Stream The Get-Down on Netflix. 

Undone (Amazon Prime)

If you want to watch a brilliantly animated show for adults, check out Undone. This Amazon original series follows Alma, a young woman who has been down on her luck for some time after her father has passed, when suddenly, she gets into a car crash. Upon waking up, she discovers that she is able to somehow use time to her advantage - meaning she's able to time travel. How? She doesn’t know. But what she does know is that she’s going to use this strange ability she has been gifted to find out the truth behind what happened to her father. 

Undone is a fantastic show. Daveed Diggs voices Tunde, Alma’s boss, and provides just that extra amount of fun voice work that he does to make his character the perfect addition to this already stellar production. However, the story of Undone is really what carries it. It’s provoking and enriching and keeps you hooked from episode one. It’s also just brilliantly animated. The animation almost feels lifelike, in a way. 

Stream Undone on Amazon Prime. 

Soul (Disney+)

Pixar has certainly been bringing in the stars for their films for so long, and Soul was not an exception to this case. In this Academy Award-winning movie, Soul follows Joe, a seemingly ordinary man with a dream to become a professional jazz musician and travel the world, but when it looks like he finally has his shot, his life is possibly cut short after an accident. Now, it’s up to him to try and make it back to his world so he can fulfill his life’s purpose. 

Soul isn’t just a movie - it’s an experience. Every person, whether it be a child or an adult, needs to watch Soul at least once. Daveed Diggs has a great voice role in it - playing Joe’s neighbor frenemy for a little bit in the film, creating a fun interaction between the two only Diggs could really do, but the Soul cast in general is full of stars and the story is phenomenal. It shows that you really don’t need to have a purpose in life as long as you’re just living - and that’s the beauty of it all. Seriously, watch this movie if you haven’t. 

Stream Soul on Disney+. 

Black-ish (Hulu)

When you think of some of the most recent sitcoms that have really exploded in popularity, I bet black-ish is one of them that pops up. In this popular TV show, black-ish follows an upper-class family of African Americans, living their lives day to day and learning to move on past issues that arise, whether that be personal, social, or more. But through and through, they’re a family. 

Daveed Diggs played Johan Johnson, who was the younger brother of Rainbow Johnson, one of the main characters, appearing for several episodes, and some of his interactions not only with his sister but everyone else are some of the best. Diggs just has this great comedic timing that makes me want to watch him in shows like this and he does such a great job. black-ish itself is worth the hype just to watch the whole series. With two spinoffs, you can see that it was super good, so give it a shot if you haven’t already. 

Stream Black-ish on Hulu. 

Central Park (Apple TV+)

Daveed Diggs has that awesome voice, which means he is literally the perfect choice for a show like Central Park. In this Apple TV+ original series, Central Park is centered around the legendary park of the same name, and how a group of people are trying to come together to save it from investors who are trying to take away its greenery and replace it with shopping stores and other investments. 

I know that the premise might not sound like anything crazy interesting on its own, but trust me, Central Park is such a fantastic series. Daveed Diggs plays Helen, an older woman who has dreams of being rich and honestly, his voice is perfect for this and he has some of the funniest one-liners. The music in this is also so damn catchy. I can’t tell you how often I have found myself humming along to it and wishing I was in the animation. It’s so good. It hails from the creators of Bob’s Burgers, so you know it’ll be good. 

Stream Central Park on Apple TV+. 

Snowpiercer (HBO Max)

If you want a seriously cool post-apocalyptic series, watch Snowpiercer. This series based off the movie of the same name follows the remaining members of humanity when a huge, globally massive ice age blew through Earth. Now, they ride around the planet in a seemingly never-ending train so they aren’t killed by the temperatures that are outside. 

Y'all, Snowpiercer is so good. Daveed Diggs stars in this TNT series alongside Jennifer Connelly and oh my God, I don’t think I’ve been this entertained by television since The Witcher came out on Netflix. As someone who really adores this type of TV, they knock it out of the park, mainly with the two leads, as they have such compelling chemistry and amazing moments that it makes you want to keep watching. With a Season 3 already ordered and on the way, watch Snowpiercer as soon as possible, as you won’t want to miss this. 

Stream Snowpiercer on HBO Max. 

Blindspotting (Amazon Rental)

If you’re looking for a more serious piece that Daveed Diggs stars in, check out Blindspotting. In this drama movie, an African-American man who is trying to get through the rest of his probation ends up becoming a witness in a murder, watching someone else get shot. As the scene he witnessed starts to weigh in on his mind, he starts to re-examine his life - including his friendships. 

Don’t get me wrong, Blindspotting isn’t all drama. There are moments of comedy that really only Daveed Diggs and Rafael Casal could pull off that make this movie feel a little lighter. However, Blindspotting is an excellent movie that discusses not only the implications of race relations in the workforce but in everyday life. The movie actually ended up getting a spinoff on Starz which is also really good, and you should definitely check out, even if Daveed Diggs doesn't star in that one. However, he does produce it. 

Rent Blindspotting on Amazon. 

Wonder (Amazon Rental)

Last but not least, we have Wonder. If you want a heartwarming story that’ll probably make you cry, this is the one. Born with facial deformities and home-schooled for some time, Wonder is all about August, a young boy with big dreams who wishes to see the world. But first, he has to tackle the biggest challenge yet - actually going to public school, specifically, the fifth grade, for the first time ever. 

Wonder is one of those movies where I know that if I need something to make me happy, I’m going to watch it. Daveed Diggs plays Mr. Browne, one of the many teachers at the school that is trying to make sure that Auggie (August) is treated correctly, and he’s absolutely wonderful in this movie, especially his interactions with Jacob Tremblay’s character, Auggie. Truly, this film is one of a kind and deserves the love it has gotten, and if you haven’t seen it, check it out now. 

Rent Wonder on Amazon. 

With Daveed Diggs already signed on for so much, including being a part of The Little Mermaid live-action production, I’m sure it’ll only be a matter of time before we see him again in something that’s truly outstanding. Now, if you don’t mind me, I’m going to go and sing “What’d I Miss?” again. 

For seven seasons, Black-ish has been a beloved television staple for viewers. The comedy’s success has been due in part to the amazing dynamic between Anthony Anderson and his celebrated TV wife, Tracee Ellis Ross. The two co-stars made viewers believe their on-screen romance, and they also have a warm relationship off camera. But according to Anderson, that wasn’t always the case. Apparently, Ellis Ross had initially disliked him for years, and the actor recently revealed why that was the case.

It’s weird to think that Tracee Ellis Ross and Anthony Anderson weren’t cool at some point in time, given how close they seem to be now. But as many people know, it's not unusual for there to be friction between stars. Before starring together, Anderson and Ross were running around the same Hollywood circles yet, as it turns out, a public appearance caused the former to be somewhat lukewarm about her future TV hubby. Anderson explained:

Most would probably agree that that was probably the wrong move, especially if your co-host isn’t in on the joke. So one can kind of see why the Girlfriends alum felt slighted at the time. Apparently, that incident impacted subsequent interactions between the Law and Order star and his future screen partner for years. In the same interview with Parade, Anthony Anderson revealed how it affected one particular instance in which they worked together prior to Black-ish:

I think fans, and ABC, are glad that the two were able to move past that. Because the co-stars were able to work out their differences, they've become one of television’s most beloved sitcom couples. Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross truly push each other to be the best, which has led to multiple award nominations --from Emmys to Golden Globes. So it's going to be bittersweet to watch them close out the  the series and move on to other work (like Anderson's Law and Order revival).

Though viewers will have to say goodbye to Dre, Bow and the rest of the Johnsons, the Kenya Barris-created Black-ish is sure to go out with a bang. The road to the series finale begins when the eighth season premieres on January 4 at 9:30 pm EST on ABC. And be sure to check out CinemaBlend's 2022 winter and spring schedule for more on other shows dropping in the new year.

As a child star proving her stuff, a leading woman taking command of the silver screen, a rising television star with her own series, or a versatile voice actress, Yara Shahidi has demonstrated her talents many times over, and she's still very early into her career. Over the past decade-plus, the hard-working actress has showcased her skills in a variety of projects. If you're a fan of hers, you'll want to make sure you're familiar with her notable work. Here's what you should check out if you like the grown-ish and black-ish star, including The Sun Is Also a Star! 

The Sun Is Also A Star (2019)

Outside of her acclaimed performance in ABC's black-ish (which we'll discuss in more detail in just a bit) and Freeform's ongoing spin-off series, grown-ish, Yara Shahidi's most notable star turn came from 2019's YA adaptation, The Sun Is Also a Star, which is based on the novel of the same name by Nicola Yoon. Centered around a hard-luck young woman who doesn't believe in love and the hopeless romantic, played by Charles Melton, who can't help but fall head-over-heels for this ultimately emotionally unavailable woman after one magical starry night, Shahidi proved herself as a leading woman, commanding the screen with gentle confidence while also demonstrating her emotional vulnerability and her bright sense of humor. While the movie itself received mixed reviews upon release, her exceptional lead performance was considered a highlight; it should demonstrate a promising career for the up-and-coming star — on screens both big and small. 

Imagine That (2009)

In her first movie performance, as well as her first starring role, Yara Shahidi lit up the screen extra bright in 2009's Imagine That, an Eddie Murphy vehicle that found the A-list funnyman taking on the humorous lead role of an overworked financial executive who finds some unexpected solutions to his work woes in his daughter's vibrant imagination. While the movie itself resulted in middling reviews and an underwhelming box office, the child star performance from Shahidi was unquestionably a find. Even with her inexperience in mind, the debuting actress brought a great deal of spunk and enthusiasm to the screen, resulting in a portrayal that was often impressive in its strength and heart. While it would ultimately take a few more projects later down the road for Hollywood to catch wise, Imagine That was, at its best, a sparkling indicator of what Shahidi would bring to the screen. 

Black-ish (2014 - Present)

While Yara Shahidi was proving her skills in a number of projects prior to her time on ABC's celebrated dramedy series, black-ish, it was this show and this performance in particular that solidified the rising actress' star presence. Her standout work as Zoey Johnson was a clear favorite in this talented ensemble, resulting in her own spin-off series, grown-ish, that only continued to showcase her leading talents. Certainly, black-ish was a major turning point for the TV star. 

Butter (2011)

Shortly after her lead performance in 2009's Imagine That, Yara Shahidi returned to the big screen with 2011's overzealous, overcooked Butter. While the small-town farce didn't prove to be a critical or commercial success, the performances were widely considered to be the movie's best asset, and Shahidi's good-natured supporting turn wasn't an exception. While it might've been overlooked in favor of star performances from Hugh Jackman and Olivia Wilde, her bright-eyed work was considered another early indicator of her rising success. It was easy to see how much presence she brought to the forefront, even with a fairly limited role. 

The First Family (2012 - 2013)

Prior to her time in black-ish, Yara Shahidi was notably seen in the main cast of the political sitcom, The First Family, in the role of first daughter Chloe Johnson. Though she was only seen in the show's first season, it was easy to see why she would excel as she did in the years to follow, as this performance remained yet another early indicator of her dynamic screen presence, even from a young age. 

Fearless (2020)

In addition to her promising live-action career, Yara Shahidi has been proving herself to be a reliable talent as a voice actress. One such example is Netflix's Fearless, an animated family comedy that saw Shahidi lending her voice to the role of Melanie, a tough-to-crack babysitter who finds herself in over her head with a superhero baby. The premise does owe a great deal to Pixar's Jack-Jack Attack, admittedly, but Shahidi's work is among this streaming title's highlights.

PAW Patrol: The Movie (2021)

Additionally and most recently, Yara Shahidi was heard in Paramount's PAW Patrol: The Movie, August's big-screen puppy-tastic adventure that's based on the wildly popular children's animated series of the same name. In this year's feature-length continuation, the voice actress lent her pipes to the role of Kendra Wilson, a happy-go-lucky scientist and inventor who creates a device that's used for naughty purposes by our dastardly mayor. As one of several celebs credited to the cartoon, including Tyler Perry and Kim Kardashian West, Shahidi brings a great deal of plucky charm to this voice performance, allowing the bespectacled character to feel both engaging and sweet-natured, even when she finds herself quite flustered by the dangers that are set to befall her once-safe Adventure City.

Trollhunters/3Below (2016 - 2019)

Additionally, perhaps Yara Shahidi's most notable voice acting can be seen (or, more accurately, heard) in Netflix's Trollhunters and its continuation, 3Below. In the role of Darci, an enthusiastic fellow student at the local high school and a close friend to our main characters, Shahidi became a familiar presence in this popular fantasy animated series. While it's not the voice work that she might one day be remembered for, it's easily among her most prominent and high-profile performances to date. Certainly, at this time, it's one of her most long-running.

Other TV Appearances

In addition to the performances mentioned earlier in this piece, it's also worth highlighting a few other notable parts from Yara Shahidi's early and expanding career. As we noted at the top, Shahidi currently stars in Freeform's grown-ish, which remains her biggest starring role to date. She can also be seen in In the Motherhood, The Fosters, and Scandal in recurring parts. Moreover, outside of TV, Shahidi has a big leading role in Disney+'s Peter Pan & Wendy as Tinker Bell. Suffice to say, Shahidi has quite a career ahead of her. This is only the beginning.

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Will Smith’s “dad bod” reveal has inspired plenty of other men (famous and not) to post their quarantine-molded bodies online, which eventually birthed a social media challenge that has seen many of these men taking their fitness into their hands. One of the latest celebs to jump on the “dad bod’ bandwagon is black-ish star Anthony Anderson, and the sitcom dad threw himself into Will Smith’s challenge with a striking pose.

Anthony Anderson took to his Instagram to post a photo of himself taking on the same pose as Will Smith, and the black-ish vet even chose to give the Bad Boys for Life star and other participants a shout-out with his boisterous caption. Anderson decided to take the challenge a step further by setting up progress parameters. Check out the sitcom dad’s funny-yet-inspiring photo montage below:

With the “dad bod” challenge, Will Smith become an inspiration for millions of out-of-shape men to show off their untoned physiques with the promise of doing a better job in the physical fitness department. And while Smith has been known to fluctuate his weight somewhat for various roles, Anderson made waves years ago when black-ish was starting up, losing nearly 50 lbs. and redefining his look. So this challenge should feel quite familiar to him in some ways.

As with most fitness goals, Anthony Anderson needed and wanted a timeline and some boundaries, and it's always fun to have a fitness buddy(s) when trying to get healthier and into shape. Falling in line with the black-ish star’s brand of humor, the post showed one can be appropriately silly even when it comes to serious topics, and once again proved Anderson isn’t afraid to put himself out there in any way. The actor's funny response to Smith's challenge reached the masses in a completely different way, as revealed by Anderson in another post a few days later:

As previously mentioned, Anthony Anderson hasn’t been the only Hollywood star to accept Will Smith’s “dad bod” challenge. Fellow comedic actor Marlon Wayans took to Instagram to show off his quarantine body, and got quite honest about his quarantine weight gain, having marked his progression weeks before the challenge. Wayans gave followers an update on his progress a few days later with a mirror selfie, giving fans another look at how successful this challenge has been for some.

The “dad bod” challenge has certainly sparked discussions over men and body image. Oftentimes, only women’s body image issues are covered, with men’s bodies often treated as an afterthought or ignored completely. Will Smith, Anthony Anderson, Marlon Wayans and others moved the body positivity movement toward the male species, which is especially significant for Black men, as our health is oftentimes not prioritized. As such, it’s nice to see men embracing their various body types and shapes while aiming for a healthier lifestyle and outlook.

Will Smith and Anthony Anderson can serve as inspirations for others while widening the body positivity discussion. Anderson might have more motivation as his ABC sitcom was renewed for its eighth and final season. Either way, it’s nice to see even celebrities admitting to gaining pandemic weight and wanting better for themselves.

Well, it’s happened. This TV season we’re losing CBS’ Mom (which just wrapped its run) and the long-running Last Man Standing (which wraps shortly). The tide will not be stymied next season, either, as the call was made to end longtime comedy black-ish on ABC after Season 8 as well. Kenya Barris revealed the news, also noting there is one bit of good news for fans who want to see the series wrap in a positive way.

First and foremost, black-ish will be going out on its own terms. The series is “cancelled” after Season 8 but it didn’t get axed by the network right now. Instead it will get the chance to wrap its storyline during the 2021-2022 TV season. Kenya Barris, who created the series, shared the news on Instagram, making sure to note the show has actually been renewed for Season 8. It’s just that Season 8 will also be the end. (I’m still of the opinion that’s ultimately a cancellation, just better than an abrupt one, but to each his or her own.) Per Barris:

The showrunner went on to talk about the Tracee Ellis Ross and Anthony Anderson starrer and how the series changed his life. black-ish was notable for creating culturally relevant TV moments, one of which only later made it to Hulu. It also helped Kenya Barris to move on to the next part of his career, which ultimately meant shifting to streaming at Netflix for #BlackAF. Barris also shared his feelings about getting to work on network television, noting,

You can see the full post, which also includes some touching interviews with Tracee Ellis Ross and more, below.

Ultimately, we're at a weird crossroads in the TV landscape. Cable and network subscribers still exist, but even the networks are increasingly sending their content to streaming platforms such as Peacock and Paramount Plus. Meanwhile, Netflix, Hulu, Disney+ and other streaming-only platforms are still jockeying for positions and eyeing each others' subscribers. There's so much TV content out there it's unbelievable, but it also means that audiences are watching at their own pace and appointment viewing is falling by the wayside, something I very much miss. I mean, remember when we all watched the Lost finale at once?

As for black-ish, the show had a great run and even produced spinoffs. Eight seasons is nothing to scoff at and is more than most comedies get and knowing that Season 8 will be the last should give the writers a great path to giving fans closure and wrapping on a high note. As for what Kenya Barris and the cast do next, we'll keep you updated.

As television heads into one of the more chaotic finale seasons in recent memory, with the pandemic having caused all kinds of delays and scheduling issues, audiences are as unsure as ever about the future of some of our favorite shows. While there are never any hard and fast rules when it comes to how TV networks and streaming services go about ordering renewals and announcing cancellations, it's somewhat rare to go into the month of May with so many major TV series' fates still up in the air.

Decisions for most, if not all, of the shows below will likely be made in the near future, with ABC having just recently made the call to renew The Good Doctor, while NBC announced second seasons for Young Rock and Kenan. So let's take a look at all of the biggest TV series that are still waiting to learn if they're renewed or cancelled. Note that all the shows here either debuted in the fall or at the start of the midseason, so anything that premiered more recently than that has not been included. (UPDATE: Since the initial publication of this story, many of the shows listed have received word on what the future is like, and those fates have been reflected next to the titles below.)

*The Conners - ABC (Update: Renewed On 5/14) *

As much of a TV staple as the Conner family is, going back to Roseanne's glory days, The Conners has faced some noteworthy growing pains in Season 3. The sitcom hit multiple new series lows in viewership and the key age demographic as the weeks have gone by, and all despite facing few COVID-related delays. That said, The Conners puts up good delayed-viewing numbers, so fans can probably be optimistic that a Season 4 order is on the way to bring more hilarity and emotional family drama to the table. And to the living room, and pretty much everywhere with this fam. One great sign: the cast is reportedly working out new contracts, so expect big news soon.

9-1-1 (Fox)

Now in the back half of Season 4, Fox's 9-1-1 remains one of TV's most wackadoo action-dramas, with its all-star cast surviving some truly intimidating odds. And while the show's average viewership has dipped this season, that dip hasn't been so debilitating, especially not with the solid DVR numbers it still earns on a weekly basis. So if Season 5 doesn't happen, I doubt even Bobby and Athena could handle the fan protests that would follow, even if Angela Bassett can handle anything.

The Unicorn - CBS (Update: Cancelled On 5/15)

Having capped its second season at just 13 episodes due to COVID-related production delays, the Walton Goggins-starring comedy The Unicorn has been awaiting a renewal or cancellation update from CBS since it ended back on March 18. Though it's unfortunate that Season 2's highest-rated and most-watched episodes still didn't match up with Season 1's lowest-rated and least-watched episodes, The Unicorn still often managed to beat out nearly all other network offerings on Thursday nights, save for Grey's Anatomy and Station 19, so unless CBS has other plans for that time slot, Wade will likely return for more widower foibles in a third season.

black-ish - ABC (Update: Renewed For Final Season On 5/14)

After initially gearing fans up for Season 7 with its pair of election-geared special episodes, black-ish started off strongly enough when it returned in October, but in April 2021 alone, the long-running sitcom dipped below 2 million live viewers for the first time ever. That's not a brag-worthy accomplishment, and one could easily argue that black-ish's stats could be slightly larger if there weren't so many randomly slotted off-weeks between new episodes, which is a problem that many broadcast network shows suffered. Given its prior success, and the fact that spinoffs are always being considered, I'd be surprised if black-ish was cancelled, but said surprise would likely wear off fairly quickly.

The Masked Singer (Fox)

Along with its more poorly rated spinoff The Masked Dancer, The Masked Singer has yet to receive any official updates from Fox about whether it'll get renewed for Season 6 or if it's actually a cancellation in disguise. However, the competition series is easily one of Fox's biggest hits, and even though Season 5's averages definitely aren't matching up to those from previous seasons, it could continue to slowly hemorrhage viewers for quite a while before it actually stopped being one of Fox's biggest hits. So expect a renewal for this one.

The Rookie - ABC (Update: Renewed On 5/14)

The Rookie enjoyed a ratings boon when pandemic lockdowns started in March 2020, but those rises have long since faded, and the ABC crime drama has regularly drawn fewer than 4 million viewers throughout Season 3 as a follow-up to American Idol. That said, those numbers aren't so dismal all around, and The Rookie consistently tops Sunday night programming from NBC and Fox. Plus, keeping Nathan Fillion on TV should be a law at this point, especially with Emily Deschanel in the mix, so even though it'll take some strange storytelling to keep the title relevant, expect ABC to renew The Rookie for at least one more season. (Hopefully the co-creator's new Netflix show isn't a sign of any bad news.)

SEAL Team - CBS (Update: Renewed On 5/15, Moving To Paramount+)

With a shorter episode count than years past, thanks to a delayed start, SEAL Team isn't doing quite as strongly as it has in years past, which is par for the course across the board, though its drooping demo rating is probably more worrisome than the viewership drop. And SEAL Team has also been the victim of a painfully sporadic schedule, with new episodes rarely airing more than two weeks in a row before each hiatus. Star David Boreanaz is fighting for CBS to order up Season 5, and the fanbase is behind him, but it's not entirely clear what will happen.

Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist (NBC)

Much like one of the musical numbers in Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist can go from one extreme to the next, Jane Levy's tuneful NBC dramedy started off Season 2 with a series-high viewership of 3.01 million viewers, and the numbers stayed above 2 million up through its midseason finale in February. After that, though, Zoey's has bounced from 1.18 million to 1.43 million viewers upon shifting to Sunday-night airings, and those numbers are not the kind that one displays optimistically while walking into renewal conversations.

The Goldbergs - ABC (Update: Renewed On 5/14)

For eight seasons now, The Goldbergs has given audiences a plethora of 1980s-soaked storylines, parodies, references and more, and while there are no doubt fans who would love to see the show make it through the '90s and beyond, that likely won't happen, considering the younger generation of actors can't exactly stop time. And they can't exactly force audiences to be as big as they were in the earlier seasons, either, with the current season marking the first time The Goldbergs averaged below a 1.0 demo rating for live airings. With the viewership regularly falling below 4 million per episode, ABC may decide to find another series to anchor its Wednesday night lineup.

9-1-1: Lone Star (Fox)

It's hard to deny the power of an ensemble cast led by the likes of Rob Lowe and Gina Torres, and 9-1-1: Lone Star continues to complement its star power with wild action sequences. For the most part, fans are continuing to tune in, with Season 2 earning slightly fewer viewer on average (at least when not counting the post-NFL series premiere's heightened stats). While it's true 9-1-1: Lone Star did hit series lows in both total viewership and the 18-49 demo, it's still beating out most non-Fox programming on Monday evenings, save for The Voice, so probably expect to hear some renewal news soon.

Grey's Anatomy - ABC (Update: Renewed On 5/10)

On the one hand, it feel ludicrous to suspect that ABC might not renew Grey's Anatomy, considering it's been renewed for 16 seasons already. But on the other hand, this seasons' Meredith-with-COVID storyline has allowed showrunner Krista Vernoff to bring back a bunch of long-absent stars for cameos, including Patrick Dempsey, which absolutely feels like a final-season move by the creative team. While it remains a ratings winner on Thursday nights, Grey's Anatomy may indeed inspire a more amicable cancellation unless Ellen Pompeo & Co. agree that it makes sense to come back for more.

Manifest (NBC)

Most network dramas that get tagged with being called "the next Lost" tend to crash and burn rather quickly, but Manifest has delivered three seasons of callings-centric mysteries so far. While its live ratings aren't what they were in Season 1, and it gets regularly topped by the two Law & Order spinoffs that follow, Manifest puts forth remarkably consistent ratings at times, maintaining a core viewership that does occasionally over-deliver. So unless it's extremely expensive to produce, or unless stars Melissa Roxburgh, Athena Karkanis, and Josh Dallas decide to all leave after the Season 3 finale, I'm guessing NBC will non-mysteriously renew the supernaturally tinged drama for Season 4.

Good Girls (NBC)

As much as I could watch Retta, Mae Whitman and Christina Hendricks winning at life on Good Girls until everyone gets thrown in jail, I'm hesitant to think that NBC will continue renewing the Sunday night drama. It's hard to deny Good Girls' statistical consistency, but when it's only reaching 1.5 million people, it's also hard to fully celebrate that consistency. Still, I guess it is beating out Fox's animated fare, as well as The CW's lineup, and its own lead-in show Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist. (Eesh.) So while I'm not expecting a big renewal to be imminent, I'm hoping for it all the same.

A Million Little Things - ABC (Update: Renewed On 5/14)

If emotional baggage added physical weight to something, ABC's A Million Little Things would likely weigh a million little pounds, and while that kept viewers hooked for the ride through the first two seasons, Season 3 is facing some growing pains with audience numbers. Five of its last seven episodes dipped below the 3-million-viewers mark, with the episode "Redefine" clocking a series-low 0.3 demo rating. It'd be easier to be confident about Season 4's chances if A Million Little Things was a critical darling for ABC, but since that's not really applicable here, the remainder of the season probably needs to crush harder than ever to convince the network to renew.

Prodigal Son - Fox (Update: Cancelled On 5/10)

At the risk of sounding like a broken record (played backwards while chanting weird shit), Prodigal Son has faced something of a reverse trend in Season 2. Whereas no Season 1 episodes dipped below 3 million live viewers, no Season 2 episode has brought in more than 2.5 million viewers on Tuesday nights. (Plus, Prodigal Son only hit a 1.0 demo rating with its first two episodes before that dipped.) However, the Tom Payne and Michael Sheen crime drama does have a vocal fanbase, and they tend to help the show double its initial numbers when DVR stats are tallied.

All Rise - CBS (Update: Cancelled On 5/15)

While CBS execs usually tend to announce their drama and comedy renewals in bulk, this year has understandably been slightly different. Still, though, one would have expected the network to have made a decision by now for Simone Missick's courtroom drama All Rise, whose first season was among the most-watched new shows of the year. Similar to how it's gone for other shows listed here, All Rise's current season appears unable to reach the lowest viewership of the previous season, and that viewership dipped to new lows in April 2021. Perhaps it would fare better away from Monday nights in the future, but CBS will have to renew it for Season in order to test that out.

Call Me Kat (Fox)

As the first big TV follow-up for The Big Bang Theory star Mayim Bialik, Fox's ensemble-led multi-cam sitcom Call Me Kat wasn't a complete departure for the actress. Unfortunately, the promising premiere numbers quickly dipped, and even with DVR numbers added to the mix, Call Me Kat regularly failed to reach the benchmark 1.0 demo rating that usually serves as a renewal/cancellation litmus test these days. Of course, with Last Man Standing ending with Season 9, cancelling Call Me Kat would leave Fox with only The Moodys in terms of live-action comedies. If the network soon announces 3 new non-animated projects going into development, it's probably bad news for Bialik, unless one of them is a Blossom revival.

Station 19 - ABC (Update: Renewed On 5/10)

Similarly to the crossover-friendly Grey's Anatomy, Station 19 is one of the biggest scripted shows ABC has going for it, though it obviously has a ways to go before catching up with the medical drama in terms of seasons. By and large, Station 19 is consistent with viewership stats, though Season 4 has seen dips in the key demo that delayed-viewing tallies can only help so much. Still, there are pretty much zero reasons to think ABC will set fire to Station 19 with a cancellation.

Hopefully audiences won't have to wait too long before hearing updates from all the applicable networks mentioned above, and hopefully all the good news we're looking for will be part of that news. Oh, and that the shows that do end up getting cancelled aren't immediately replaced by cheap and awful substitutions.

Laurence Fishburne has had quite the storied career. Starting out young at the age of 14 in the movie Cornbread, Earl and Me and even lying about his age so he could star in 1979’s Apocalypse Now, Laurence Fishburne movies and TV shows have pretty much been around for almost 50 years now. And while he’s come a long way from 1982’s Death Wish II to The Matrix, he’s always had that cool, yet somewhat ferocious performance lurking underneath the calm.

I really love doing these kinds of lists where I highlight black actors and actresses like Forest Whitaker, Viola Davis, and Octavia Spencer. But I found this list particularly difficult because of just how many films and TV shows I’ve loved Laurence Fishburne in over the years. For example, I grew up watching him as Cowboy Curtis on Pee-Wee’s Playhouse, and I even love him in bit parts like his role as Max Daniels in A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors. He even makes for a great Perry White in Man of Steel. But enough of the roles that didn’t make this list, and on with the ones that did! Oh, and minor spoilers up ahead.

12. Deep Cover (Russell Stevens Jr.)

You want to know a really cool movie? Deep Cover. Deep Cover is a really cool movie. Starring Laurence Fishburne (known back then as “Larry” Fishburne) as a police officer who fits the profile of a drug dealer so he pretends to be one, Deep Cover is a great follow-up performance to his role in 1991’s Boyz n the Hood.

Laurence Fishburne is so great in the role since he pulls off being a cop and a drug dealer so effectively. If this were a movie where he just had to play a cop, or one where he just had to play a drug dealer, it would still be convincing either way. Now that’s talent.

11. John Wick: Chapter 2 (The Bowery King)

Pairing The Matrix’s Keanu Reeves again with Laurence Fishburne was a match made in heaven. In this ultraviolent follow-up to the magnificent first film, Laurence Fishburne plays the Bowery King, a homeless man who actually rules the streets by keeping a close eye on what’s going on on the ground level. I mean, come on now, the role has Laurence Fishburne lovingly talking to pigeons. What more could you possibly want?

What I love about this role is that Fishburne takes the cockiness that he’s always exuding in all of his roles, and transposes it to a character in rags who looks like he would be the least important character in a movie, but ends up being one of the most important. It takes a lot to make a king out of a vagabond, but Laurence Fishburne manages to pull it off deftly.

10. Mission: Impossible 3 (Theodore Brassel)

I’m just going to put it out there—and don’t get mad—but J.J. Abrams Mission: Impossible 3 is the best movie in the franchise. I think some of that is in small part to Laurence Fishburne’s role as IMF director, Theodore Brassel, which effectively makes him Ethan Hunt’s boss.

And Laurence Fishburne plays a fantastic boss, as even the calmest reprimand from him still sounds utterly devastating. Also, because of the tangled web that this movie weaves, we spend a large portion of the film believing that Fishburne’s character is a mole. And -- SPOILER ALERT -- he walks the line so convincingly in the role that you come to believe that he could be working with the enemy, even though it turns out to not be true in the end.

9. Apocalypse Now (Tyrone “Mr. Clean” Miller)

Apocalypse Now is my favorite movie of all time, so I’m a bit biased. But nothing can take away from Laurence Fishburne’s performance as Tyrone “Mr. Clean” Miller, which was a part that he was only 14 at the time when shooting started, but ended up being 17 by the time the film was completed.

Tyrone is way too young to be in Vietnam, and you get a sense of dread throughout the movie since you like his character for having so much energy and youth. But when he dies on the boat and you hear his mother talking to him over a recording, it’s probably the hardest part of the movie to watch, which is saying a lot for a film that has a number of unsettling moments to sit through.

8. Event Horizon (Captain Miller)

You know, if a sentient space ship came back from the farthest reaches of space and I had to explore it, I would want Laurence Fishburne as my captain, too. That’s because Captain Miller will do anything for his crew—even sacrifice his own life—as long as it means some of his people get to see their families again.

Paul W. S. Anderson’s Event Horizon is a pretty scary film, and Laurence Fishburne is perfect as Captain Miller, as he plays calm in extreme situations better than anybody else. I mean, hell (Literally!), when Captain Miller sees the great beyond, he doesn’t give up. Instead, he picks up a metal beam and slams evil right in the face with it. Because that’s just the kind of leader Captain Miller is.

7. The Cotton Club (Bumpy Rhodes)

Laurence Fishburne plays a gangster in this period piece about the Jazz age. And while he doesn’t have much of a role in it, his performance is so distinct that it had to land high on this list.

In the racist 1930s, the black acts at The Cotton Club are constantly harassed by a bouncer who is always throwing them around and putting black people where he believes their place is. But in comes Laurence Fishburne as Bumpy Rhodes to deliver some retribution. I guess a face swirl in the toilet bowl could be a considered a drink for the lowest common denominator.

6. Mystic River (Detective Sergeant Whitey Powers)

Clint Eastwood’s Mystic River is a pitch black movie full of (morally) pitch black characters. But the one person who just looks to be seeking out the truth is Laurence Fishburne’s Detective Sergeant Whitey Powers, who is also Detective Sean Devine’s (played by Kevin Bacon) partner.

Laurence Fishburne is so effective because you can watch his facial expressions and see the thought process working behind his eyes. He suspects one of his partner’s childhood friends is a murderer, and he plays a super convincing role as a detective who thinks he has uncovered the truth and is on the hunt for the answers. And if you’ve seen Mystic River, then you know it’s the kind of movie that doesn’t hand out answers easily.

5. Othello (Othello)

Laurence Fishburne is no Orson Welles, and I mean that in a good way. I’m referring to the fact that Orson Welles once donned black face and played the moor who married Desdemona in the 1951 movie version of the famous Shakespearean play. Thankfully, Laurence Fishburne plays Othello in the 1995 version, and yes, I’ll admit it, Laurence Fishburne is downright sexy in the role.

And while Kenneth Branagh definitely steals the movie as Iago, Laurence Fishburne is one of the few actors I can honestly say made me fully understand Shakespeare. Because yes, I love Shakespeare and all, but sometimes, I just don’t understand it. And Laurence Fishburne made me understand it! That’s how good his performance is.

4. Black-Ish (Earl "Pops" Johnson)

Laurence Fishburne actually has several different standout performances on television, but one of his best is definitely as the recurring character Earl “Pops” Johnson, who plays Andre’s dad on the show, Black-ish. In the role, Fishburne plays the surly but lovable grandpa type who is always telling stories of his youth and why his son’s (and grandkids’) generations just don’t measure up.

I love this character because we don’t often get to see Laurence Fishburne be hilarious, and Black-ish gives him that outlet. He is often given some of the best lines and can usually be seen delivering them above an open newspaper. I’m looking forward to him having his own spin-off with Jenifer Lewis on the new spin-off, Old-ish.

3. Boyz n the Hood (Jason "Furious" Styles Jr.)

Do you know how old Laurence Fishburne was when he took on the iconic role of Jason “Furious” Styles Jr., who plays Cuba Gooding Jr.’s father in the movie, Boyz n the Hood? 28. And while there are plenty of 28-year-old fathers out there, Cuba Gooding Jr. was actually 23 at the time—a mere five years younger. Still, that didn’t prevent Fishburne from playing a convincing father, especially one who seems to have a great deal of knowledge of the world.

Boyz n the Hood is a pretty harrowing and eye-opening movie, and with all the gangster violence and depressing moments, Laurence Fishburne shows a stark reminder of the intelligence and selfhood that still exists in these neighborhoods. That is, if you’re actually willing to look.

2. Hannibal (Jack Crawford)

You know, I once wrote an article dreamcasting a Silence of the Lambs movie with a more diverse cast. And for the character of Jack Crawford, I picked Mahershala Ali. Because I think he would be a good Jack Crawford in a movie version. But Jack Crawford was already played by a black actor on the TV show, and the man who played him was Laurence Fishburne.

Fishburne actually won a Saturn Award for his performance as the character. And for those who are wondering, this is not the movie’s Crawford by any stretch of the imagination. This Crawford will get into a knife fight if he has to. But as the boss, a lot of things slip underneath his nose, and Fishburne is so convincing in the role that you almost allow yourself to see his way of thinking, even though it’s clear what’s going on. Plus, to take this iconic character and make it his own is no small feat. He would be my favorite Laurence Fishburne performance if not for…

1. The Matrix (Morpheus)

Come on, there could only be one (or Neo, which is an anagram for one). The man who launched a thousand memes with his red pill/blue pill scene, Morpheus will likely forever be Laurence Fishburne’s most iconic and best performance. As the captain of the Nebuchadnezzar and one of the first freed from the Matrix, Laurence Fishburne’s Morpheus is likely the first character people think of when you mention the name, “Laurence Fishburne.”

And for good reason! Morpheus is the kind of character who can spout philosophical nuggets one second, and then kick butt the next. He’s also the kind of character who looks like a born leader, but one who can also get captured and have to be rescued. In other words, he’s a fully three-dimensional character and Laurence Fishburne plays him like a pro, which is why he will likely always be the actor’s greatest role and the one who will live on the longest.

Laurence Fishburne is still going strong, and the future is bright for the actor. It kind of sucks that he won’t be in the fourth Matrix movie, but whatever he shows up in, I’ll definitely be there to see it. Won’t you?

This poll is no longer available.

It was just early last month that we heard that the -ish franchise was planning to get even bigger. The Johnson family has already brought us black-ish, grown-ish and mixed-ish, and now stars Jenifer Lewis and Laurence Fishburne will be stepping out on their own to head up old-ish. Ruby and Earl will be moving out and trying to fully rekindle their long-time off-again / on-again romance, and Lewis is already game to hype the "amazing" new spinoff with Fishburne.

Jenifer Lewis recently spoke with Entertainment Tonight about the animated election special episode of black-ish (which aired Sunday, and can already be streamed online if you missed it), and also took some time out to talk about what fans can expect from Ruby and Earl on old-ish, saying:

I mean, if this isn't at least some of what you were expecting to see when you heard that Ruby Johnson and Earl “Pops” Johnson would be getting their own series, I don't know what show you've been watching for the past six seasons, but it's certainly not black-ish. This Boomer generation duo is all about making sure they impart some hard truths to their son, daughter-in-law and grandchildren, and while some of those tidbits can be kinda wacky and very much rooted in the times they grew up in, much of what Ruby and Earl have to say is exactly what needs to be heard.

Of course, while Ruby and Earl do have some great wisdom to share for younger generations, I'm sure that old-ish isn't going to let us forget about that wackiness I mentioned, or the fact that these two have not had the best history when it comes to romance, especially with each other.

This is why it was such a surprise toward the end of Season 6 when Ruby told Earl that she wanted to try again, and he accepted. You guys? Ruby has shot Earl twice, once blew up his boat, blew up one of his cars back in the day and has also stabbed the man in the neck with a fork. Those aren't exactly typical signs of true love, but, whatever floats the pieces of your blown up boat, I guess. That's how the saying goes, right?

As Jenifer Lewis noted, old-ish will show us Ruby and Laurence Fishburne's Earl as they try life as a married couple (again), and move away from the Johnson family home to a quickly gentrifying community in Los Angeles and interact with their new neighbors, which include old and new faces in the neighborhood. You can be sure that each half of this newly reunited couple will have plenty of (mostly) unfiltered things to say about, well, everything and anything, so old-ish is sure to be a fun ride.

The new spinoff is still in the very early stage of development, so we don't when or if old-ish will hit ABC at some point soon-ish, so be sure to stay tuned to CinemaBlend for the latest. In the meantime, you can watch Jenifer Lewis and Laurence Fishburne with the rest of the Johnson clan on black-ish, with Season 7 beginning in earnest on October 21 at 9:30 p.m. EST. For more on what the small screen holds for viewers in the coming weeks, check out our fall premiere guide!

Following Mulan, Disney still has faith and trust in more live-action versions of their animated classics including Rob Marshall’s The Little Mermaid, Robert Zemeckis’ Pinocchioand Peter Pan and Wendy, already set to star Jude Law as Captain Hook. The latest casting for the new take on J.M. Barrie’s classic tale about the second star to the right adds some pixie dust to the movie with a pick for Tinker Bell.

Black-ish fans rejoice!! 20 year-old star Yara Shahidi has reportedly been cast as Tinker Bell in David Lowery’s film, per Deadline. The actress played the oldest daughter of Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross’ Johnson family in the ABC comedy before moving to her Freeform spinoff Grown-ish and starred in the YA romance last year, The Sun Is Also A Star.

Yara Shahidi is the second Grown-ish cast member to be given a Disney live-action role. Her co-star Halle Bailey was announced to be playing Ariel in The Little Mermaid movie also starring Melissa McCarthy, Daveed Diggs, Awkwafina and Javier Bardem last year.

The Peter Pan and Wendy production has been making casting decisions throughout the year, starting with its title characters. Newcomers Alexander Molony and 13-year-old Ever Anderson will play Pan and Wendy. Anderson will appear as a young Natasha Romanoff in Black Widow next year. Jude Law was announced to be taking on Captain Hook in July, an iconic role that has been portrayed by Hugh Jackman and Dustin Hoffman in the past.

As for the new Tinker Bell, Yara Shahidi follows actresses such as Julia Roberts from Hook with her casting, and the role will be her most high-profile to date. There aren't a ton of details about how this version of Peter Pan will implement Tinker Bell into the Peter Pan story, but based on how Disney has been adapting its animated classics into live-action properties, she’ll take on a new version of the feisty fairy, who Peter Pan often keeps with him and is often prone to get jealous of Wendy.

Peter Pan and Wendy will be directed by David Lowery, who previously helmed Disney’s Pete’s Dragon, A Ghost Story, The Old Man & the Gun and the upcoming A24 film The Green Knight. Lowery co-wrote the live-action spin with his Pete's Dragon collaborator Toby Halbrooks. Since we don’t know much about this take on Peter Pan, I can’t necessarily speak to Yara Shahidi’s casting, but she certainly had a standout presence in Black-ish and definitely brings something exciting to the cast.

Disney also previously had a standalone Tinker Bell movie in the works that Reese Witherspoon and Margot Robbie were rumored to be attached to at different points. Witherspoon was announced to star in the film titled Tink in 2015. It doesn’t seem like that project is in the works anymore, but perhaps if Yara Shahidi makes an impression, we could see her continue past Peter Pan and Wendy.

We’ll keep you updated about Peter Pan and Wendy as more movie and television updates come. Check out CinemaBlend’s 2021 release calendar here for what is coming next year in movies.

The “ish” family is growing, as Kenya Barris’ comedy franchise is aiming to add a new addition in old-ish. When black-ish first premiered in 2014, not many people would’ve imagined that we’d be getting so many stories from the Johnson family. Yet the spinoffs that have followed over the past few years have further highlighted different aspects of their lives. This is something old-ish appears set to do and, based on its plot, it could prove to be something very different from its sister shows.

old-ish will center on Laurence Fishburne’s Earl “Pops” Johnson and Jenifer Lewis’ Ruby Johnson, the divorced parents of black-ish’s Dre Johnson. Per THR, the new show will see the two rekindle their romance and move to a Los Angeles neighborhood that’s undergoing gentrification. With this, the two will seek to maintain a healthy, marital relationship while dealing with the “new and old faces of the community.”

Kenya Barris is set to write and will also serve as executive producer alongside Anthony Anderson, Laurence Fishburne and E. Brian Dobbins. Jenifer Lewis is also being credited as a producer. As of right now, the show is still in development and has yet to receive an official green light from ABC.

Laurence Fishburne and Jenifer Lewis have proven to have great comedic chemistry, so it’s no surprise that Kenya Barris would have interest in giving the two their own series. While old-ish would no doubt continue to give fans more of the ex-lovers’ bickering, the project would also be an opportunity to further develop the characters and show new sides of them. Of course, that’s what any ideal spinoff is designed to do with pre-existing characters.

All of the black-ish spinoffs have aimed to serve a different group of audiences and, if old-ish goes into production, the range of viewership would be quite large. Given its subject matter, the series would skew toward older viewers, unlike Freeform’s grown-ish -- the college-based branch of the “ish” family that’s aimed at young adults. On the other hand, both black-ish and ‘80s prequel mixed-ish likely have more overlap in viewership.

All of the shows have done a relatively effective job in catering to their respective audiences, and one can only hope that old-ish will do the same. The premise sounds promising and could allow Barris and his team to explore real issues that impact those who are aging in modern-day America.

With this third spinoff potentially on the way, one has to wonder if there are any more projects planned for what’s becoming one of the most expansive TV universes on television. I mean, even at this point, there’s still plenty of “ish” that can hit our screens.

As old-ish remains in development, black-ish, mixed-ish and grown-ish are all set to return for new seasons at some point during the 2020-2021 television season.

Earlier this month, following years of speculation and backstage disagreements, ABC finally released 2018's banned black-ish episode online. Titled "Please, Baby, Please," this half-hour Season 4 storyline — co-written and directed by creator Kenya Barris — followed the Johnson family as they grappled with the state of the nation one year after President Donald Trump's election. A pensive and undeniably political installment in the acclaimed sitcom, ABC decided not to air it, for reasons left unclear at the time. Now that it's available to stream, TV lovers can determine for themselves whether or not the controversy was truly warranted. But for those of you left unfamiliar with the backstory behind this once-shelved black-ish episode, here's what you should know.

The Episode Reflects On Trump's Presidency One Year After His Election, Framed Around Dre's Attempt To Calm His Infant Son

In this previously-unseen episode of black-ish, we follow patriarch Dre (Anthony Anderson) as his frantic mind wrestles with a fractured country led by President Donald Trump, who is referred to exclusively as the "Shady King." While contemplating what's become of our nation one year after the 2016 election, Dre fights off sleep when his infant son wails through a thunderstorm. While matriarch Rainbow (Tracee Ellis Ross) stays in bed, Dre soothes his restless child by reading a children's book. Specifically, Please, Baby, Please by Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee, with narration from Spike Lee heard through an animated illustration of the text. From there, Dre talks to his son about his worries and frustrations, and the conversation continues with other family members discussing Black history and hot-button topics.

ABC Pulled The Episode in 2018 Over 'Creative Differences'

Originally set to air on February 27th, 2018, ABC announced that "Please, Baby, Please" would be shelved indefinitely over "creative differences [they] were unable to resolve" between these executives and show creator Kenya Barris. While black-ish has tackled politically heavy topics in the past, the station wasn't willing to air this particular episode, for reasons that were left unclear in this press release. Barris noted at the time that it was a "mutual" agreement between himself and ABC, as neither were "happy with the direction of the episode." Speculation ranged from the episode's discussions on Colin Kaepernick and Donald Trump, as well as the situation surrounding Roseanne. Earlier this year, during an appearance on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, Barris provided a little more clarity about the situation and some insight about what ultimately happened behind-the-scenes.

The Dust-Up With 'Please, Baby, Please' Preceded Show Creator Kenya Barris Signing A Multi-Million Dollar Contract With Netflix Later That Year

Evidently, the conflict over this controversial episode caused a rift between the station and the showrunner. While the details surrounding the shelving of "Please, Baby, Please" remain vague, Kenya Barris was clearly disappointed about ABC's decision to not broadcast his thoughtful and explicitly political episode. Later in 2018, it was announced that Barris ended his deal with ABC and signed a reportedly $100 million contract with Netflix. The timing of this news shortly after the well-reported contentions found from this banned episode wasn't coincidental. 

The frustrating creative toll of this once-lost episode definitely weighed on Barris as he left ABC to work with Netflix, and the showrunner even later noted in a frank interview that if he was going to "step out," he wanted it to be somewhere where he could "take off all the straps and and really hang out of the plane," and be "loud, bold and unapologetic."

In 2020, Kenya Barris Asked ABC To Make This Episode Available, Notably After Re-Airing Two Episodes Related To Race Relations

Earlier this year, after some time had passed from the debacle and the dust started to settle, Kenya Barris returned to ABC and asked if it would be possible to finally make "Please, Baby, Please" available to the public. On Twitter, Barris noted that the station recently re-aired Season 2's "Hope" and Season 4's "Juneteeth," both of which deal with race relations, so the showrunner wanted to know if the American Broadcasting Company would also consider putting this hotly-contentious episode out for public consumption. According to Barris, ABC recognized the importance of this moment and therefore "listened and agreed." Shortly thereafter, ABC released the episode through Hulu, which is also under the Disney corporate umbrella.

Amid The Black Lives Matter Movement, The Episode Is Finally Available To Stream

The Black Lives Matter movement was founded in 2013 to advocate non-violent civil disobedience in protest against police brutality and other racially motivated violence. With the tragic deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor by the police earlier this year, interest in the movement has increased significantly in the last few months, sparking a new civil rights movement amid heavily-publicized protests across the nation. With the focus of the Black Lives Matter movement renewed in the public's eye, this episode's internet debut notably comes at a time when the media is highlighting Black narratives, Black perspectives, and Black artists. The dialogue heard throughout this episode often mirrors many conversations Americans are having at this present moment in our nation's history. It makes sense that ABC wants this relevant and emotional episode to be seen and discussed now.

Some Fans Have Called Out ABC For Shelving 'Please, Baby, Please' In The First Place

Once the episode became publicly available, many black-ish fans went to social media to express their thoughts and feelings on this once-sidelined episode. The conscious on the episode itself appears to be positive, though many viewers were critical of ABC for shelving it in the first place. Here are some examples of fans calling out ABC for refusing to air this episode back in 2018 as it was originally intended, and you can read more here.

Kenya Barris Hopes The Episode Will Inspire Some 'Much-Needed Conversation'

Now that the episode is finally available to the public via Hulu, Kenya Barris hopes that all the time, hassle, and conflict that ensued behind the scenes proves worthwhile. While it was an arduous process to get it out there, Barris notes that he's "incredibly proud" of the work and he ultimately hopes that all the feelings he poured out writing and directing this contentious 22-minute block of television provide viewers at home with ample, worthwhile reflection and conversation both now and moving forward. He's also thankful for the continued dedication of black-ish's cast and crew for helping him create his vision through this episode and several others. Here's what Barris posted on Twitter as he announced the episode's streaming debut:

"Please, Baby, Please" is now available to stream on Hulu here.

Fans of ABC's hit family sitcom black-ish were shocked in November 2017 when word got out that the network had decided to shelve an episode. At the time, no real details about what the episode could have contained were revealed, but the series had long been known to blend social and political issues with its humor, so the decision to keep one 30-minute installment away from audiences seemed baffling. Show creator Kenya Barris was able to convince the network to finally make "Please, Baby, Please" available since earlier this week, though, and audiences have been loving it.

But, as was seen across social media after people began watching the formerly long-lost black-ish episode, many were angered that it was withheld, or just plain confused about how it was supposed to be so controversial that it needed to be put on the shelf nearly three years ago. Kenya Barris appeared on The Daily Show recently, and when asked by host Trevor Noah why "Please, Baby, Please" came so close to never seeing the light of day, responded by saying "creative differences" led to the episode being set aside. But, he went on to elaborate, noting:

While Kenya Barris didn't sound as though he's even remotely annoyed by what happened at this point, there's little doubt that it must have stung mightily at the time. As he noted in his interview, by the time "Please, Baby, Please" was set to air, black-ish was already in its fourth season and had had a lot of episodes that talked about race, politics and other hot button issues. But, this particular episode was, as Barris admitted, a completely unflinching look at people's fears about the future, a year into the current presidential administration.

Without saying it directly, Barris seems to be confirming that Bob Iger was afraid of the potential blowback should the network air something which would have directly put the president, his administration and supporters on blast, especially at a time when there was already so much strife and when Iger was trying to keep things as minimally controversial as possible for Big Business reasons.

While it sounds like Iger and other executives at ABC understood, and even agreed with where Barris was coming from with the content of the episode, they did want changes. Barris didn't say what those changes would have been, but he wasn't willing to make any of the compromises suggested, so they landed at a "respectful" impasse, and "Please, Baby, Please" was locked away. But, Barris does seem to believe that things have now ended in the right way, and appreciated what Iger had to say about the episode (and the controversy) before allowing it to stream on Hulu:

If you haven't seen the black-ish episode "Please, Baby, Please" yet, it's streaming on Hulu (along with the rest of the popular comedy) and is well worth a watch. For more on what's coming to the small screen soon, check out our guide to fall TV!

ABC's black-ish has been incredibly successful for the network in its six (and soon to be seven) seasons on the air. Part of the reason for that has been how the family comedy melds humor with important social topics, but one such episode which focused on the presidency of Donald Trump a year after his election, was thought to be so controversial by ABC that it shelved it. While it seemed as though "Please, Baby, Please" would never see the light of day, it was finally released on Hulu, and fans who've finally had the chance to watch are now slamming ABC for the decision to lock it away in the first place.

The dust-up over this episode of black-ish seemed to have helped convince the show's creator, Kenya Barris, to flee the network and his overall development deal with ABC Studios. But, he's the one who, again, asked the network to reconsider airing "Please, Baby, Please," and now that it can be seen on Hulu, fans are making no bones about the fact that it should have aired as planned in November 2017.

One of the reasons which Kenya Barris noted had prompted him to ask the network to air this episode, was the fact that two other episodes which deal with race relations in America, "Juneteenth" and "Hope," were recently re-aired. And, while ABC agreed that this episode (which uses conversations between family members interspersed with many decades worth of video footage, music and photographs to discuss why so many people were - and are - fearful about this presidency) should now see the light of day, many viewers take umbrage with the fact that an actual uprising had to take place in real life for those behind the broadcaster to agree:

And, as you might expect, some fans aren't even being that nice about this opinion. After watching the moving episode myself, I can't say that I blame them, either...

There were others who simply sought to understand why ABC wanted to put the kibosh on something that sought to educate people, especially at a time when it was already so obvious that the country was torn in two and we still had a disturbing number of racial issues to address:

What's confusing for many, especially after watching the episode, is the fact that "Please, Baby, Please" isn't really any different from most of what black-ish has brought to audiences over the past six seasons. The show has never made any efforts to sugar coat discussions on race, racism, or anything that dealt with society's many problems. So, the idea that this episode was something radical seems rather ridiculous to many...

Also, a lot of people lamented the fact that, you know, not much has changed since in the years since this black-ish installment was made and pulled from the network.

More than anything, a lot of black-ish fans are just glad to finally be able to lay their eyes on "Please, Baby, Please" and enjoy another episode of one of the best family sitcoms around...

You can watch the formerly banned episode of black-ish, along with the rest of the series on Hulu right now. If you'd like more to watch, be sure to check out our summer TV and fall TV guides!

Over the past several years, Kenya Barris has found mainstream success with black-ish and the spinoffs that followed. However, the shows haven’t been without their share of critics, and this has especially been true when it comes to his latest offering, #blackAF. Barris is well aware of the criticism aimed at his new Netflix series and was brutally honest when addressing it. Now, he’s going in even deeper on the critiques he receives and, just like before, he isn’t mincing words.

At this point, Kenya Barris seems to have experienced all sorts of criticism but, for the TV writer and producer, some of it feels a bit personal. But as frustrating as it gets for him, Barris says he aims to take the high road when faced with it:

It certainly be said that Kenya Barris didn't hold back when he appeared on THR's Comedy Showrunner Roundtable. While his work has never been universally praised, it could be argued that his work has never drawn such a polarizing response from audiences. When black-ish first premiered in 2014, the show quickly became a hit for ABC and became somewhat of a critical darling during its early seasons.

But #blackAF, on the other hand, has definitely had a different kind of debut. Unlike Barris’ previous projects, the Netflix comedy actually centers on Barris, who plays a fictionalized version of himself. In the show, he and his wife, played by Rashida Jones, attempt to raise their family in the midst of the Hollywood scene. Although the show has struck a chord with a portion of viewers, many others haven’t been as enthused. This mostly stems from the show’s similarities to black-ish.

Barris is aware of this particular critique and has argued that other creatives also tell the same kinds of stories in different projects. He also says that he uses these storytelling methods because he believes doing so will normalize certain Black stories.

It should be said that while criticism can be harsh at times, especially from general audiences, it does come with the territory of being a high-profile creative in Hollywood. Interestingly, one episode of #blackAF was even devoted to the topic of critiquing others’ content.

Even though some of the responses to #blackAF have been less than desirable for Kenya Barris, he still seems to be enjoying the overall experience. He’s even referred to the show as one of the most rewarding creative experiences he’s ever been through. With this, one can only imagine that Barris will likely stick to his guns when #blackAF returns for its second season on Netflix.

Black-ish creator Kenya Barris is definitely trying something different when it comes to his latest show, Netflix’s #blackAF. The show centers on a fictionalized version of Barris who, along with his family, navigates Hollywood as a family from “new money.” While the show has received positive reception from some critics and viewers, it’s proven to be somewhat polarizing, with some noting similarities to Black-ish. Barris is well aware of these critiques, and he has some strong feelings on the matter.

Kenya Barris recently opened up about the criticisms #blackAF has received since its debut, and he didn’t mince words when addressing them:

During his recent conversation on THR’s Awards Chatter podcast, Kenya Barris further expressed his belief that it’s important for certain stories to be told multiple times. This stems from a desire to put Black life front and center:

To make his point, Barris also mentioned that other notable writers in Hollywood have also retold stories over the course of their careers, such as Aaron Sorkin.

It’s honestly hard to deny that there are some key similarities between #blackAF and Black-ish, and a lot of this may be due to the fact that both shows draw inspiration from Kenya Barris’ own life. With this, it would be natural that there would be some overlap in the material that he chooses to cover on both programs.

Regardless of how you feel about both shows, a firm point that Barris does make is that Black stories do need to be highlighted. With the emergence of more Black content creators, especially in TV, different aspects of Black life are starting to be depicted in mainstream media, but there’s still room for more work to be done.

With this, we can also hope that a wide range of stories will be told in the process. The Black experience is vast and is definitely not the same for all people and, luckily, shows like Dear White People, The Chi and Atlanta are helping to make that point.

Given Kenya Barris’ response to the criticisms, it would appear that he’ll continue with his vision if #blackAF is renewed for a second season. With this, it’ll be interesting to see how things pan out for a potential second slate of episodes.

Those who have yet to watch #blackAF can currently stream it on Netflix.

It’s been a weird summer. There was a lot of uncertainty about when TV shows like The Conners and Station 19 on ABC would be able to go back into production, but as the country is opening up again, the networks are feeling more bullish about releasing their upcoming fall schedules. In fact, we now know when some of ABC’s biggest programs are expected to return to the airwaves once more.

In fact, there will be some changes to ABC’s schedule in the fall. A few new shows Big Sky and Call Your Mother are being added into the mix. Wednesday will also be a new day of comedy for ABC, which will air a two-hour comedy block followed by Stumptown, The Cobie Smulders series set in Portland that is heading into Season 2.

ABC's Fall 2020 Schedule

Sunday

7 p.m. ET AFV

8 p.m. ET SUPERMARKET SWEEP

9 p.m. ET Who Wants to Be a Millionaire

10 p.m. ET The Rookie

Monday

8 p.m. ET Dancing With the Stars

10 p.m. ET The Good Doctor

Tuesday

8 p.m. ET The Bachelorette

10 p.m. ET BIG SKY

Wednesday

8 p.m. ET The Goldbergs

8:30 p.m. ET American Housewife

9 p.m. ET The Conners

9:30 pm CALL YOUR MOTHER

10 p.m. ET Stumptown

As primetime heats up later in the week, the network will be rolling out some big guns. I love that super dramatic block on Thursday nights which features Grey’s Anatomy and its spinoff, along with the return of A Million Little Things. Really, though, the most exciting thing for me to see on this schedule is Saturday Night Football.

For someone who writes about TV and not sports for a living, I know that may seem a little ridiculous and perhaps it is, but there was a time when it didn’t seem possible that sports would happen this year. However, thus far some major no contact sports including Nascar have gotten back to work and other sports are figuring out new safety protocols so a season can happen, including the NHL, NBA and the NFL.

Thursday

8 p.m. ET Station 19

9 p.m. ET Grey’s Anatomy

10 p.m. ET A Million Little Things

Friday

8 p.m. ET Shark Tank

9 p.m. ET 20/20

Saturday

8 p.m. ET Saturday Night Football

As you can see, there are some big titles that have been left off of ABC’s fall schedule. This includes American Idol, black-ish, The Bachelor, mixed-ish, $100,000 Pyramid, Card Sharks and For Life. I’d be willing to bet that $100,000 pyramid that the two Kenya Barris shows will run in their own block, but we’ll really have to wait and see how the schedule pans out for the winter 2021 part of the season.

Meanwhile, The Bachelor franchise will finally be adding a black bachelor, signing on North Carolina’s Matt James to take on the task. It will be an interesting year for network TV, as some shows still have to finish out episodes that were supposed to film before the industry-wide shutdown. With that in mind, it should be an incredible fall kickoff for TV as finales become season openers and so on and so forth. Be sure to tune in and for now see what all is still coming with our summer TV premiere schedule.

If you were asked to name some of the funniest sitcoms ever, I’m sure shows like Martin, Living Single, A Different World, Sanford and Son, and more recent series like black-ish would immediately come to mind. Many of these series have stood the test of time because they’ve created memorable characters, hilarious situations, and presented important topics in a relevant manner, while still maintaining the ability to find the humor in the situation. Through their creativity and performances, these great comedies have shown black comedians and actors at the top of their careers.

The 1990s was a great decade for TV, and especially for sitcoms with black leads, with the decade giving us modern classics like The Fresh Prince of Bel-air, Kenan and Kel, and The Jamie Foxx Show. As great as that decade was for sitcoms, the 2000s and 2010s have produced even funnier series that are innovative and witty. If you’re looking for some new sitcoms to add to your watch list, I have more than a few suggestions, which can be found below.

black-ish (2014-)

Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross star in black-ish, a sitcom about an upper middle class black family. It follows Dre (Anderson) and Rainbow (Ellis Ross) as they raise their five children and deal with typical American family problems, while also dealing with problems that are specific to a black American family. Black-ish began in 2014, and has been one of ABC’s most critically acclaimed and popular series ever since. The show has two spinoff series currently on the air, grown-ish and mixed-ish.

Black-ish dares to tackle many pressing and controversial issues like racism and police brutality. The show addresses these issues with humor and an aim to discuss these topics in a way that helps start difficult conversations, and from what I've seen, it's always been very successful at that.

Stream it on Hulu here.

Everybody Hates Chris (2005-2009)

Chris Rock created and narrated Everybody Hate Chris, a series based on his life as a teen. It’s set in the 1980s and premiered in 2005. Everybody Hates Chris follows Chris and his family, including his parents, played by Terry Crews and Tichina Arnold. Most of Chris’s adventures take place at school or in his neighborhood, and most of the laughs come from the hilarious characters that he encounters daily.

Tyler James Williams shines as Chris, because he really captures the awkward nerdiness of the character. He’s also a very likable lead. However, the real stars of Everybody Hates Chris are Terry Crews and Tichina Arnold. They are both very fully formed and amusing characters. I could easily watch a series just about them and their antics.

Stream it on Hulu here.

That’s So Raven (2003-2007)

That’s So Raven is a Disney Channel original series starring Raven-Symone, Orlando Brown, and Anneliese van der Pol. It also features Kyle Massey as Raven’s brother Cory, and T’Keyah Crystal Keymah and Rondell Sheridan as Raven’s mother and father, Tanya and Victor. The premise of the series is that Raven has psychic powers. Her visions usually lead to some misadventure, disguises, and a valuable lesson.

That’s So Raven is a family-orientated sitcom, so it often has some silly comedy, but it also presents serious issues facing teens and Americans, like body image and racism. In 2017, Disney created a spin-off series called Raven’s Home that follows an adult Raven raising her kids alongside her best friend Chelsea (Anneliese van der Pol). That’s So Raven is a timeless family sitcom because it’s kid-friendly, helps convey important messages to children, and just a very funny show.

Stream it on Disney+ here.

The Bernie Mac Show (2001-2006)

Comedian Bernie Mac stars in this sitcom about him and his wife raising their nieces and nephew. The series, which began in 2001, showed that Bernie Mac had more of an old school way of raising children. Because of that, his outdated parenting style usually clashes with the modern times, and what’s best for his family.

The Bernie Mac Show is a series where Bernie learns a lesson right alongside the children. The series had a unique sitcom style, with Bernie often addressing “America” straight into the camera to help narrate and navigate the situations set up in each episode. The Bernie Mac Show takes Mac’s style as a stand-up comedian and makes it more family friendly. It’s still a really fun series to watch, and to spot future stars in.

Stream it on Hulu here.

South Side (2019-)

South Side is a Comedy Central series that’s set in the Englewood area of Chicago. It follows Simon (Sultan Salahuddin) and Kareem (Kareme Young) as they deal with living on the South Side of Chicago--considered one of the dangerous areas, while they try to scheme their way to the top. Many of the episodes revolve around them working as people who repossess rented equipment, and the hilarious encounters they have trying to get these items back.

I grew up in the Englewood area, and one thing that has always annoyed me about the South Side’s TV and movie portrayal is that it focuses only on the crime and danger of the area. It also can be a place of community, and yes, humor. South Side does a great job of finding humor amongst the chaos and danger, while also showcasing some of the unique things about it. The series also feels distinct to Chicago, while being universal enough to represent any high crime area.

Stream it on Comedy Central here. (Note that the first three episodes of South Side are available to stream for free, while the rest of season 1 requires a subscription.)

The Carmichael Show (2015-2017)

The Carmichael Show follows a fictionalized version of comedian Jerrod Carmichael’s life and family. It aired for three seasons on NBC, and the cast included Amber Stevens West, Lil Rel Howery, Tiffany Haddish, Loretta Devine, and David Alan Grier. Similar to series like Black-ish, The Carmichael Show doesn’t shy away from discussing serious issues.

Many of the show’s episodes revolve around Carmichael, his girlfriend and family discussing some of the most pressing issues of the time, like the importance of consent when engaging in sexual activity and the idea of being unpatriotic. Much of The Carmichael Show’s humor comes from Jerrod Carmichael and his girlfriend Maxine (Amber Stevens West) being the sensible characters while his family reaches new heights of ridiculousness and hilarity.

Stream it on Hulu here.

Girlfriends (2000-2008)

Girlfriends is a sitcom about four best friends. It stars Tracee Ellis Ross, Golden Brooks, Persia White, and Jill Marie Jones, airing for eight seasons on UPN and, later, The CW. Girlfriends focused on these very different friends who helped each other through life’s biggest trials and tribulations. The series dealt with universal topics facing women, and also specific issues facing each character, such as marriage, divorce, and career woes.

Girlfriends had an equally successful spin-off series called The Game, which aired for nine seasons and starred Tia Mowry. Girlfriends was so successful because it created unique female characters, addressed issues specifically facing black women, and gave them a voice and platform to speak about them.

Stream it on CW Seed here. (Note that only Girlfriends Seasons 2-8 are available to stream for free.)

The Boondocks (2005-2014)

The Boondocks is an animated satirical sitcom which ran on Adult Swim, but only had five seasons and 55 episodes despite the span of years in which it aired. The series addresses issues facing Americans, especially black Americans, and parodies some pop culture events, like the trial of R. Kelly and the BET network. Some of The Boondocks' voice actors include John Witherspoon, Regina King, and Gary Anthony Williams.

The Boondocks embraces controversy by parodying and showcasing topics that are meant to divide opinions. It’s also critical of black people’s behavior and responses to certain situations. It isn’t a series that everyone will love, but its sharp wit and unique take on black culture make it worth watching.

Stream it on HBOMax here.

My Wife And Kids (2001-2005)

Damon Wayans and Tisha Campbell-Martin star in My Wife and Kids. It’s a series about Michael (Wayans) doing what he thinks is best for his family, which often revolves around going to extreme measures to teach a lesson. Wayans and Campbell-Martin are both hilarious as Michael and Jay, but the three children are equally as funny.

In many family sitcoms, the parents are played by veteran comedians and actors, so they usually steal the show. However, My Wife and Kids is a bit of an outlier because the child actors (George O. Gore II, Jennifer Freeman, and Parker Mckenna Posey) sometimes steal the episodes right back.

Stream it on Amazon Video here. (Note that episodes aren't available for free, and will require purchase.)

The Proud Family (2001-2005)

The Proud Family is a Disney Channel original series, which had two seasons from the early to the mid-2000s. It was announced in 2020 that Disney+ plans to make a continuation series of this hit animated show. The Proud Family’s voice cast includes Kyla Pratt, Karen Malina White, Paula Jai Parker, Tommy Davidson, and Soleil Moon Frye.

The Proud Family is an entertaining animated series with a whole cast of mostly likable and funny characters. Penny (Pratt) is often the focus of each episode as she tries to adjust and understand the typical struggles of growing up.

Stream it on Disney+ here.

Chewing Gum (2015-2017)

Michaela Coel created and stars in Chewing Gum, a hilarious British sitcom. It follows a quirky girl named Tracey (Michaela Coel) as she comes to term with embracing her sexuality, and finally tries to have sex. It also revolves around her uptight mother and sister.

Chewing Gum is a very unique series that’s well-acted, smartly written, and a refreshing take on discovering and welcoming sexual exploration. Michaela Coel is especially great in it, and the show is a clear sign that she’s one to watch.

Stream it on Channel 4's site here.

One On One (2001-2006)

One on One stars Flex Anderson and Kyla Pratt. It’s about a single father who suddenly has to become a full-time parent to his daughter Breanna (Pratt), and went on to air for five seasons. The series’ comedy often relied on Breanna being a typical teen girl, and Flex trying to figure out how to be a good parent.

One on One was a mostly wholesome series with typical sitcom tropes and character archetypes, but it’s a fun show to watch for the simplicity and the loving relationship between Breanna and Flex. While the show's seasons aren't currently available to stream, One on One can be found airing on Bounce every Sunday morning at 8 a.m. ET

Hopefully, the next 20 years just brings more sitcoms worth watching which also feature black leads. We need more series that are unique, inclusive, and add a fresh perspective.

Halloween is a time for watching re-runs of the Disney classic Hocus Pocus, eating copious amounts of candy and, of course, dressing up. Even celebrities often get into the action, and this year a slew of them got into the holiday spirit with movie-themed costumes.

Without further ado, we’ve rounded up some of the best and brightest for your viewing pleasure. And when I say brightest, sometimes I literally mean neon costumes, colorful makeup and much, much more. Let’s start with an almost cutesy take on a killer clown…

Demi Lovato As IT Chapter Two’s Pennywise

That’s right, Demi Lovato really pulled out all of the stops with her makeup and costume. Her timely look as Pennywise, the supernatural entity terrorizing Derry, Maine every 27 years, comes just shy of a couple of months after IT Chapter Two’s big release in theaters. Demi Lovato haunting my dreams sounds more pleasant than Bill Skarsgard and his creepy smile.

Gabrielle Union Rewearing Her Bring It On Costume

She’s the only celebrity on this list to be wearing her own movie costume, in this case the original Clovers costume from Bring It On. I dunno if this is an actual original from the set, but the pleats and print look correct. The only thing that’s changed is the fact Gabrielle Union’s daughter is in tow this time around. Yes, that means the adorable factor is incredibly high here.

Liz Hurley As The Bride In Kill Bill Vol. 1

Beatrix Kiddo is an iconic Quentin Tarantino character. While she does not appear in Tarantino’s most recent 9th film, she does get two movies of her own – or one lengthy movie if the director had his way! Uma Thurman plays her originally, but The Royals star Liz Hurley does a fine approximation of the character.

Krypton’s Wallis Day As Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker

I can’t believe we got this far into this feature before seeing a celebrity dressed as Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker character. This one is Wallis Day, lately of Krypton, the Syfy series that was tragically cancelled after its second season. Now, she’s finding solace in dressing up as one of the most popular characters of the year!

The Cast Of black-ish As Us Characters

In a clever episode airing ahead of the holiday, Andre had to think hard about what had been “the black cultural moment” of the year, final settling on Us costumes for himself and his family. They look great, frankly, but it’s worth pointing out people in these costumes make Us director Jordan Peele uncomfortable.

Ashley Graham As Jessica Rabbit

Plus-size model Ashley Graham isn't the first to take on the popular Who Framed Roger Rabbit? character, as Heidi Klum famously did the look in spot-on cartoon-y way, but Graham uses her natural curves to pull off the famous character.

Vanessa Hudgens And Austin Butler Sharing All The Movie-Oriented Costumes

Meanwhile, Vanessa Hudgens and Austin Butler have been on a tear for Halloween, and she’s been sharing posts of previous costumes such as Alice in Wonderland (with her partner the Mad Hatter of course), but also The Nightmare Before Christmas. The latter is very fitting, considering she even has a Netflix movie coming called The Knight Before Christmas this winter. Yes, time travel will be involved.

Nicki Minaj's Take On Harley Quinn In Suicide Squad

Nicki Minaj channeling her inner Harley Quinn and bringing her own Joker along for the ride? I know this costume's been everywhere the past couple of years (and Margot Robbie’s character will be wearing different stuff in the new Birds of Prey movie), but when Nicki Minaj does the look, we still pay attention. Plus, as an added bonus, her husband Kenneth Petty's dressed as a different version of Joker.

YouTube’s Rickey Thompson As The Fifth Element’s Ruby Rhod

Fifth Element costumes are classic looks on Halloween at this point, but Rickey Thompson was basically born to wear this costume. In fact, he's been dressing up a lot over the last few days, and this is the one we really wanted to share with you. The character's a Chris Tucker classic, but Rickey Thompson wears it well.

Given Halloween falls on a Thursday this year, I've heard we'll actually be celebrating the big holiday for two weekends in a row this Halloween cycle. Which means more costumes are definitely on the way. If you've seen some other classic movie looks, be sure to let us know, and of course, Happy Halloween to you all!

Black-ish’s latest spinoff, the prequelized mixed-ish, has been given the official go-ahead at ABC! What is it going to be about? If you have been following the progress of black-ish’s backdoor pilot, you may have a good idea. But even if not, that's what we're here for.

Mixed-ish will be both a spinoff and a prequel to black-ish, as it will chronicle the childhood years of Tracee Ellis Ross’ Rainbow “Bow” Johnson. Before You Know It's Arica Himmel will play 12-year-old Bow in the spinoff, which will partly focus on Bow’s experiences growing up in a mixed-race family during the 1980s. We won't get to see it as soon as it was initially planned, but more on that lower.

The prequel will tell the tale of Bow’s life as her family transitions after moving into the suburbs after living in a hippie commune. Mixed-ish will, of course, delve into the dilemmas that Bow’s family faces in suburbia as they wrestle with whether to stay true to who they are or to conform along with everyone else.

Earlier this year, it was revealed that black-ish was casting actors to play Bow’s parents for a 1980s-set episode meant to be used as a backdoor pilot for the then-untitled spinoff. The Have and the Have Nots’ actress Tika Sumpter will star as Bow’s mom, Alicia, on mixed-ish, and she'll offer a younger take on Anne Deveare Smith's Alicia on black-ish proper. Sumpter was cast to star in the backdoor pilot, and will remain with the now-greenlit series.

Champions and Workaholics star Anders Holm had previously been cast as Bow’s dad, Paul, for the backdoor pilot. Unfortunately, the role is being recast as the project moves to series. According to THR, the producers chose to go in a different direction with the character, thus the recasting. Beau Bridges played Paul on the original series, so perhaps someone else from the Bridges family could get involved?

Bow’s siblings, Johan and Santamonica, will respectively be played by newcomer Ethan William Childress and Big Little Lies' Mykal-Michelle Harris for mixed-ish. Hamilton's Daveed Diggs and Angie Tribeca's Rashida Jones portray the siblings as adults on black-ish, so it'll be interesting to see how the character dynamics match up. Also, set to star in mixed-ish is Veep great Gary Cole, who will play Bow’s grandfather Harrison, per TVLine.

Now, remember how Mixed-ish was supposed to kick off as a backdoor pilot? The flashback episode that was going to launch the new was originally supposed to air on May 7. Now that it's gotten the greenlight already, though, the Bow-focused installment is getting postponed.

Don't worry, of course, since fans will still get to see the episode that was being planned, though it is now being saved for black-ish’s next season. The flagship sitcom also got good news via a renewal for Season 6. Something to look forward to!

The question now is when that episode will show up. Considering the show is currently going into recasting for at least one major role, it's hard to know whether mixed-ish will be a fall premiere or a midseason entry. As well, it's unknown whether ABC would want to air the shows back-to-back event to keep fans tuned in. The timeslot following black-ish is currently occupied by Bless This Mess, which could theoretically change when fall arrives.

Mixed-ish’s pickup makes it the second black-ish spinoff to successfully be ordered to series. It joins the sequel spinoff grown-ish, which was set up at ABC, but currently airs on Freeform. Grown-ish follows Bow and Andre’s oldest child, Zoey played by actress Yara Shahidi. After initially being developed for ABC, it found its final home on Freeform.

It seems as though mixed-ish will remain at ABC, however, and it is the Alphabet Network’s first official pickup for the post-summer television seasons. Black-ish fans have the rest of the current season to enjoy while awaiting mixed-ish. Not to mention the third season of grown-ish that's also on the horizon.

Mixed-ish should join black-ish on ABC’s primetime slate either this fall or soon after. New episodes of black-ish air Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET on ABC. The series’ Season 5 finale airs May 21 at the same time and place.

Sometimes getting what you want is all about carving out your own opportunities for yourself, and Marsai Martin was ready to take that plunge at 10 years old. The young actress had just finished off her first season on the ABC comedy Black-ish as Diane, one of four children in Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross’ TV family. Take a break? Take a summer vacation like the other kids her age? Nah. She decided to pitch what became this weekend’s comedy release Little to the production company behind Think Like a Man and Ride Along. Doing so, she’d become the star and youngest executive producer in Hollywood history.

Will Packer Productions has grown in the past few years, including the 2017 mega-hit Girls Trip, and has boosted black comedians Tiffany Haddish and Kevin Hart into blockbuster leads. Here’s what Packer told me during a recent Little press day about the time Marsai Martin pitched her idea for the upcoming body-switch comedy:

If only we all had that kind of confidence that that age! Not only did the actress have the courage to step into the Hollywood executive’s office with creator of Black-ish, Kenya Barris, but she convinced Will Packer to actually make the movie too. Little is about successful tech entrepreneur Jordan Sanders (Regina Hall), who wakes up one morning as her younger self and must renavigate life as middle-schooler, as her assistant April (Issa Rae) covers for her back at work.

Tina Gordon, who also penned the script for What Men Want, was hired to write and direct the project and collaborated with Marsai Martin during the development process. Gordon admitted that she had some different ideas going into the project about what Marsai Martin’s character would take on. Here’s what she told me:

Early in the process, Little was going to primarily take place in the halls of Jordan’s old middle school, but Marsai Martin’s ability to take more on blew the writer/director away. The comedy instead is more about the growing relationship and hilarious quips between little Jordan and Issa Rae’s April as they form an unlikely friendship through the events on the film.

Marsai Martin also helped Tina Gordon implement how relevant social media is on her young generation and place it in the DNA of the film, in addition to it touching on the prevalence of bullying in middle school as well. When I asked the youngest executive producer ever if the job she took on was a different experience then she was expecting, here’s what she confidently said:

This 14-year-old is thriving in the cutthroat world of Hollywood without batting an eye. Marsai Martin did seem to place the right people around her for her film debut, as she had previously worked with both of the film’s stars before and much of the crew behind Black-ish followed her for Little. Think we’re going to have to watch out for this one! You can catch Little in theaters this Friday, April 12.

The black-ish spinoff has taken a significant step forward. Just a few short weeks after the project was announced, it has started finding its stars. In more good news, fans will not even have to wait for the spinoff to get the go-ahead to see them in action. Here's how and who has been cast to star in the still-untitled project so far.

First and foremost, the reason casting may have commenced so quickly is that Season 5 will feature a flashback episode centered on Rainbow's childhood. The installment will serve as a backdoor pilot of sorts for a potential prequel that accordingly focuses on a young Bow. First, Bow's parents have gotten cast for the special outing, which will take viewers back to the 1980s. So, who is playing them?

Tika Sumpter has been cast in black-ish prequel as Rainbow's mother, Alicia, circa the ‘80s. Sumpter currently stars on the OWN hit, The Haves and the Have Nots as Candace Young (pictured above). Anna Deavere Smith plays Alicia in the presently-set, black-ish.

Alicia's husband and Bow's father, Paul, will be played by Champions' Anders Holm, as EW also noted. Beau Bridges had played Paul on black-ish. As of present-day black-ish, Bow's father has passed away. Her mom visited for the first time since his death earlier in the season during the episode "Good Grief."

Since fans are familiar with  Bow's parents, they should be curious to take a trip down memory lane--or at least the network seems to be hoping. Whatever happens with the project, what precipitates the flashback installment will be exciting to see. Stay tuned in regards to how the episode will pan out.

ABC's black-ish fans are familiar with Bow's parents in the present day. Now they will get a chance to see how they were when she was growing up. Speaking of which, Arica Himmel has been cast to play young Bow. As fans know, Tracee Ellis Ross plays her adult self on the series. In related news, Veep's Gary Cole will star as Bow's grandfather on her father's side.

The casting news marks another critical step for the proposed spinoff. Should the backdoor pilot be well-received, a series order would be the next step; black-ish already has the successful spinoff grown-ish on Freeform, which centers on Bow and Dre's daughter, Zoey.

When can fans expect to see this backdoor pilot? Well, the episode is set to air later on in Season 5. It will be worth the wait as fans will garner an in-depth look into Rainbow's backstory.

If the series is picked up, black-ish will have two spinoffs, one a prequel and the other a sequel series. Hence, it will have two timelines covered. Although the regular series is on ABC, grown-ish ended up going to Freeform. It is unclear if this prequel series would air on ABC or grown-ish's network. More will undoubtedly be understood when the episode airs.

New episodes of black-ish air Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.

The Black-ish universe expanded in a big way back in 2018 with the premiere of the Grown-ish spinoff, and now the folks at ABC are hoping that there’s still more mileage to get out of the Johnson family. If this second spinoff happens, however, it won’t simply see one of the characters depart to star in their own series. This project would be a prequel all about Rainbow, many years before Black-ish. Here’s what we know.

ABC is currently developing a project that could result in a second spinoff of Black-ish. As a prequel, it would almost certainly not star the hilarious Tracee Ellis Ross as Rainbow before she became Rainbow Johnson, although it could always feature her in a similar way to how Young Sheldon features Jim Parsons.

At this point, there are more questions than answers. The prequel concept will be explored in a Black-ish episode filmed in March, but no actors have yet been cast in the roles. THR reports that deals with writers are still being finalized, so even those who will pen the script are not certain just yet.

It has not been confirmed as to whether the episode would be a backdoor pilot or a spinoff pilot; either way, Black-ish fans should get to see a clearer glimpse into Rainbow’s past than the show has ever provided before. There is no news as to when the special episode will air, but we shouldn’t count on seeing it too soon. After all, the episode will only film in March.

While backdoor/spinoff pilots unfortunately do not always result in the order for a new series, there are reasons to be optimistic about the Rainbow-centric series. Grown-ish, starring original Black-ish star Yara Shahidi, was a hit and scored a renewal for Season 2.

Admittedly, Grown-ish airs on the younger-skewing Freeform, which is less competitive than ABC, but it’s proof that members of the Johnson family can carry a show outside of the original. Even though Rainbow would presumably be pre-Johnson, she’s still the character who has become so beloved on Black-ish.

On top of the evidence of spinoff success courtesy of Grown-ish, ABC may take the success of Young Sheldon over on CBS into account. The Big Bang Theory spinoff has been a hit for the Eye Network, capitalizing on the success of the parent show and still managing to connect to it despite its status as a prequel.

Although Black-ish doesn’t draw the same kind of ratings as The Big Bang Theory, a spinoff pulling in even a portion of the Black-ish numbers could be a winner for ABC.

This potential Black-ish spinoff news comes after 2018 saw behind-the-scenes issues between the creator and the network, but the show never faltered despite any conflicts between the people in charge. The 100th episode aired back in November, and it honored Prince in some fabulous ways.

Tune in to ABC on Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET for new episodes of Black-ish, featuring the wonderful Tracee Ellis Ross as Rainbow. For more viewing options between now and whenever the prequel episode debuts, check out our midseason TV premiere schedule.

ABC's hit comedy black-ish arrived at a major milestone on Tuesday: its 100th episode. To mark the occasion, the sitcom commemorated the legacy of late music icon, Prince, which led to multiple tributes via the characters recreating the hit-makers' songs and notable music videos. Check out Anthony Anderson's Dre performing "Kiss" below:

Thanks to the Johnsons reminiscing about the wonder that is Prince, fans also gained an intriguing insight into Dre and Bow's first date. As it turns out, Prince played a pivotal role in the couple's love story, and Dre shared how the iconic singer's music gave him a pivotal confidence boost to overcome a bad first date with his future wife.

Theoretically speaking, if Dre had not experienced the power of Prince -- if not Prince's wardrobe -- there might not have been a second date. Personal touches like that were woven throughout the special episode of black-ish.

Dre was not the only one to perform a Prince recreation, either. There were multiple tributes throughout the 100th episode. Tracee Ellis Ross' Bow got in on the action too. She takes Prince's "Erotic City" to an empowering level in the video below:

During the episode, Dre and Bow shared the wonder of the singer's talent with their kids, hoping the younger generation would equal their enthusiasm and affection for the singer. Jack was especially hesitant to come aboard, though he did eventually come around to praise the music legend before the episode of black-ish came to a close. (His flashback was quite different from the rest, too.)

Dre and Bow's kids did join in on the fun, though. Zoe, Junior, and Diane all honored the singer in different ways. Junior shared that Prince's music had also had an impact on him, leading to his totally SFW recreation of "Sexy M.F." Find out how exactly Prince inspired him, via the video clip from black-ish below:

Would it be a tribute to Prince without "Purple Rain?" If your answer was "no" than do not worry, because black-ish had it covered thanks to Diane. Check out Dre and Bow's daughter rocking that signature look for her take on "Purple Rain."

In the end, black-ish completed its special installment with another Prince hit -- "Nothing Compares 2 U." This time, the entire family joined in, and all with their live vocals too! Along with the songs mentioned above, black-ish also paid video tribute to "When Doves Cry" and "Sign O' The Times." In all, the episode encompassed quite a bit of Prince's stunning catalog.

Having now arrived at its 100th episode, black-ish has hit the number of episodes traditionally needed for syndication, so we might get to see it popping up elsewhere on TV soon. Thankfully, black-ish opted to avoid doing some kind of clip show, and instead commemorated Prince. The singer passed away two years ago, and his legacy lives on, with this episode of the ABC hit honoring him in ways he hopefully would have chuckled at.

New episodes of black-ish air Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET on ABC. The show is among many shows hitting primetime this fall.

As the creator of ABC's hit comedy black-ish (and its Freeform spinoff), Kenya Barris has been a major factor in the network's diverse comedy lineup. But things apparently haven't been going so smoothly, and Barris is reportedly seeking to exit his overall development deal with ABC Studios. And he might just be thinking about a more lucrative position at Netflix, similar to Grey's Anatomy creator Shonda Rhimes' recent deal.

Let's break this situation down a bit. Kenya Barris, who recently wrote the super-successful comedy Girls Trip, has been linked up with ABC Studios ever since the overall deal came together in 2015, at which point black-ish was just a year into its still-successful run. Since then, ABC hasn't gone through with ordering any of the projects that Barris has developed, and the network's recent decision to pull a politically charged black-ish episode from the schedule likely hasn't helped to maintain Barris' confidence in the partnership. According to THR, the TV vet is actively trying to find a way to bring that development deal to a premature end, and it's said that there are "very real" talks being had about Barris jumping over to Netflix to develop new projects.

None of this has been confirmed at this point, but Kenya Barris signing a multi-year contract with Netflix isn't a strange concept. He's currently putting the next generation of Shaft films together at the streaming giant as part of a mega-deal it crafted with New Line. And Netflix execs have shown how (financially) invested they are in drafting top TV talent, with Ryan Murphy and Shonda Rhimes arguably being the biggest catches so far. Considering how many different projects Barris is capable of simultaneously working on at any given time, Netflix probably wouldn't be lacking for big pitches to consider, either.

In the past few years, Kenya Barris has had 4 different ABC projects in contention for pick-up, with varying degrees of success and failure. The black-ish spinoff grown-ish was originally set up at ABC before being passed over to Freeform. The politically angled family comedy Libby and Malcolm had the star power of Felicity Huffman and Courtney B. Vance and a story of people falling in love across party lines, but it didn't move forward. Then there was Unit Zero, which saw Toni Collette as a determined woman working within the male-dominated CIA; ABC passed. And though it looked like Barris' luck changed when the network put in a straight-to-series order for a family comedy with Alec Baldwin attached, the project fell apart when Baldwin vacated it, and it hasn't made much forward momentum since.

ABC has yet to renew black-ish, though the comedy isn't in any obvious trouble, and it hasn't issued out renewals for most of its veteran series. And while it's obvious that the claims above could be overstated and unreliable, it'll be interesting to see how Barris handles things when the renewal orders are announced. Here's hoping he won't leave behind his biggest primetime hit.

For now, Kenya Barris is still very focused on making the most of out black-ish Season 4, which airs on ABC on Tuesday nights at 9:00 p.m. ET. To see what other shows are popping up on the small screen soon, head to our midseason premiere schedule and our summer premiere schedule.

After 14 seasons on the air, Grey's Anatomy is still one of the most popular and most heavily talked-about dramas on TV. As such, ABC has zero problems rewarding the medical drama with a bit of an episode extension, which is the case here. ABC has tacked on two additional episodes to Grey's Anatomy Season 14, and the network also expanded the seasons of two of its bigger comedy hits, black-ish and American Housewife.

With two more episodes added to the current roster, Grey's Anatomy Season 14 will run for a total of 24 episodes, which is pretty astounding for a network drama in 2017. Not only because of all the work and effort that goes into putting up that many episodes of any TV show, but because Grey's Anatomy isn't invested in being a procedural series, keeping its large and constantly changing ensemble going with serialized plots and more than just the occasional shocking twist.

Grey's Anatomy regularly gets additional episodes added to its yearly seasons, which creator Shonda Rhimes and her team seem to fully embrace without stressing over how to stretch the narratives. One assumes that having 7-8 million dependable viewers a week helps keep the worries down. And the hit drama is closing in onits 300th episode, so stress is likely old hat for so many people working on this show anyway.

Now in its fourth season, the comedy black-ish also received an additional two episodes to its former count, bringing it up to 24. Strangely, this is basically how it's worked for black-ish each year, making one wonder why ABC doesn't just give this show and Grey's an initial order of 24 episodes every time. But there's probably some business-related reason to keep doing things like this, as all three of the shows in question come from ABC Studios. In any case, fans will get all the black-ish they can handle this season in its new-ish timeslot, giving Emmy winner Tracee Ellis Ross more time to shine as Bow Johnson. And we can't wait for that spinoff, either.

The youngest of these three shows, American Housewife just started Season 2 back in September, and it will also get two more episodes tacked on, bringing it to 24 total. Starring Katy Mixon and Diedrich Bader, American Housewife also hit a new timeslot this season, airing behind Modern Family, and the comedy is maintaining a consistent viewership that matches up with the second half of the successful Season 1. Hopefully the audience sticks with it, so that it can also continue getting additional episodes in future seasons.

Grey's Anatomy airs Thursday nights on ABC at 8:00 p.m. ET. black-ish airs Tuesday nights at 9:00 p.m. ET, while American Housewife pops up on Wednesday nights at 9:30 p.m. ET. To see when all the other new and returning shows are hitting primetime soon, head to our fall TV premiere schedule.

ABC has one of the most highly anticipated shows of the year for comic fans, with Marvel's Inhumans ready to save us all from small screen boredom. Now, we finally know where that super-drama will end up on the network's fall schedule, which was released to the public with some pretty questionable choices happening therein. Check it all out below!

Monday

8:00-10:00 p.m. - Dancing with the Stars

10:00-11:00 p.m. - THE GOOD DOCTOR

Tuesday

8:00-8:30 p.m. - The Middle

8:30-9:00 p.m. - Fresh Off the Boat

9:00-9:30 p.m. - black-ish

9:30-10:00 p.m. - THE MAYOR

10:00-11:00 p.m. - THE GOSPEL OF KEVIN

Wednesday

8:00-8:30 p.m. - The Goldbergs

8:30-9:00 p.m. - Speechless

9:00-9:30 p.m. - Modern Family

9:30-10:00 p.m. - American Housewife

10:00-11:00 p.m. - Designated Survivor

Thursday

8:00-9:00 p.m. - Grey's Anatomy

9:00-10:00 p.m. - Scandal

10:00-11:00 p.m. - How to Get Away with Murder

Friday

8:00-9:00 p.m. Once Upon a Time

9:00-10:00 p.m. - MARVEL'S INHUMANS

10:00-11:00 p.m. - 20/20

Saturday

8:00-11:00 p.m. - Saturday Night Football

Sunday

7:00-8:00 p.m. - America's Funniest Home Videos

8:00-9:00 p.m. - To Tell the Truth

9:00-10:00 p.m. - Shark Tank

10:00-11:00 p.m. - TEN DAYS IN THE VALLEY

I mean, wow for some of that, right? Yes, I'm mostly talking about ABC apparently trying to make Friday nights a TV event night again, years after TGIF lost its steam. Once Upon a Time was unearthed from its Sunday night slot and its drastically different new season was placed to be a lead-in for Inhumans, which does not seem like a Friday night kind of show, given its name recognition. On the comedy side of things, some changes also occurred, with black-ish shifting to Tuesday nights at a new time, with Fresh Off the Boat also shifting its time. Plus, the Wednesday night comedy block has now welcomed American Housewife in to the fold to see if that'll shake things up.

Beyond Inhumans, there are several other new shows to look out for on ABC's schedule, such as The Good Doctor, which follows an autistic surgeon played by Bates Motel's Freddie Highmore, or Jason Ritter's return to TV for the religion-tinged drama The Gospel of Kevin. Sunday newb Ten Days in the Valley stars Kyra Sedgwick as a woman whose already complicated life is turned upside down when her daughter goes missing. On the comedy front, we have the rapper-turns-politician sitcom The Mayor, with Lea Michele and Yvette Nicole Brown.

One notable absence there is Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., which has already been renewed for Season 5, but will likely show up when the midseason schedule is revealed later this year. The network also announced new unscripted series The Bachlor Winter Games and Dancing with the Stars Junior, along with the TV return of American Idol, but none of those will be showing up just yet.

While we wait to hear about exact dates being announced for all of the above premieres waiting to hit ABC, don't forget to head to our summer TV schedule to see all the shows that are set to debut in the coming months. As well, catch up with everything that's been renewed and cancelled with both our network TV rundown and our cable/streaming list.

The Golden Globe Awards are never exactly the most streamlined and predictable affair. Not only are the best from both cinema and television living it up in the same room, but a lot of alcohol is flowing and bumbling does occur. Sometimes it seems like the voting body for the Globes, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, was also tapping the bottle, as every single year's ceremony brings a handful of eye-widening shocks. Here are the biggest surprises of the bunch.

Billy Bob Thornton's Big Win

Okay, so the Golden Globes have taught us in the past that niche can be king when it comes to recent years' winners in TV, and this year proved no different. The Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Drama went to Billy Bob Thornton for his certainly excellent performance as washed-up lawyer Billy McBride in Amazon's freshman drama Goliath, created by TV veteran David E. Kelley and frequent collaborator Jonathan Shapiro. Thornton is indeed the best part of Goliath, but he was up against favored nominees like Better Call Saul's Bob Odenkirk or Mr. Robot's Rami Malek, so our jaws definitely dropped when his name was called. The Globes love them some Amazon shows.

Tracee Ellis Ross Got Network TV's Lone Award

We know that awards ceremonies just aren't that into network TV shows anymore, even though that's where audiences tune in the most. Of all the television trophies that went out during tonight's Golden Globes, Tracee Ellis Ross took home the only award for any broadcast networks, for her stellar work as Dr. Bow Johnson on ABC's Black-ish. (The show itself lost to Atlanta.) And not only is she the sole standout from the Big 5, but she beat out the brilliant Julia Louis-Dreyfus, who never seems likely to lose, as well as other extremely talented actresses in the Best TV Actress for Comedy or Musical. Well-earned, ma'am.

Both The Night Manager's Leads Won

Hot damn. Adapted from John Le Carré's celebrated novel, The Night Manager was a spectacular six hours of television, and it was certainly worthy of awards praise. However, TV has never been more full of awards-worthy TV series, and both Tom Hiddleston and Hugh Laurie were up against a face-slappingly good group of actors in their respective categories, from Bryan Cranston as a former President to John Lithgow as a former Prime Minster to the major players from The People vs. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, which won elsewhere. Apparently it was better to be a fictional character this year. (Sorry, The Night Of.)

A Netflix Series Won Its First Best TV Series

I am certain that The Crown's most diehard fans are looking at this header and scoffing, since they are dead certain that the royal drama is the best thing that TV had going for it in 2016. But its win definitely wasn't certain, since no Netflix TV series has won the Golden Globe for top honors before, and The Crown's Best TV Drama win is huge for the streaming service, which hasn't always been so lucky with the Hollywood Foreign Press Association in any category. And not only can The Crown boast winning out over Westworld and Game of Thrones, but star Claire Foy also won for Best Actress in a TV Drama. Expect a 15-season order from Netflix soon.

To see everybody that won (and lost) tonight on the Golden Globes, head to our lists for both television and film. And to see everything that is coming to the small screen soon, head to our midseason premiere schedule.

Over the last few days, the major networks—we’re talking Fox, NBC, CBS, the CW and ABC—have all decided which shows will be returning and which will be getting the cancellation axe. Unfortunately, this means we'll have to say goodbye to programs ranging from The Grinder to CSI: Cyber. However, it also means there are enough slots open that we'll be getting a slew of new TV shows next year.

While the networks haven't officially confirmed any premiere dates regarding the upcoming 2016-2017 TV schedule at this juncture, we do know what days the shows will be airing on and what competition they will be up against. You can check out the fall schedule, below. All shows are listed in ET times. In addition, new shows are in ALL CAPS.

Monday

8:00 PM Supergirl (New Network) – The CW

8:00 PM The Voice - NBC

8:00 PM Gotham - Fox

8:00 PM The Big Bang Theory (Temporary timeslot starting in September)- CBS

8:00 PM KEVIN CAN WAIT (Starting in October) –CBS

8:00 PM Dancing with the Stars - ABC

8:30 PM MAN WITH A PLAN (Starting in October) -CBS

8:30 PM KEVIN CAN WAIT (Starting in September) - CBS

9:00 PM Jane The Virgin - The CW

9:00 PM 2 Broke Girls (Starting in September) - CBS

9:00 PM Lucifer - Fox

9:30 PM The Odd Couple (Starting in September - CBS

10:00 PM Scorpion (Starting in September) -CBS

10:00 PM CONVICTION - ABC

10:00 PM TIMELESS - NBC

Tuesday

8:00 PM The Flash - The CW

8:00 PM NCIS - CBS

8:00 PM The Voice - NBC

8:00 PM The Middle (new day/time) -ABC

8:00 PM Brooklyn Nine-Nine - Fox

8:30PM New Girl - Fox

8:30 PM AMERICAN HOUSEWIFE - ABC

9:00 PM THIS IS US- NBC

9:00 PM BULL - CBS

9:00 PM Scream Queens - Fox

9:00 PM NO TOMORROW - The CW

9:00 PM Fresh Off the Boat (new time) - ABC

9:30 PM The Real O’Neals (new time) - ABC

10:00 PM Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (new time) – ABC

10:00 PM NCIS: New Orleans - CBS

10:00 PM Chicago Fire

Wednesday

8:00 PM Arrow - The CW

8:00 PM Survivor - CBS

8:00 PM LETHAL WEAPON - Fox

8:00 PM The Goldbergs (new time)- ABC

8:00 PM Blindspot - NBC

8:30 PM SPEECHLESS - ABC

9:00 PM Criminal Minds -CBs

9:00 PM Empire - Fox

9:00 PM FREQUENCY - The CW

9:00 PM Modern Family - ABC

9:00 PM Law & Order: SVU - NBC

9:30 PM black-ish - ABC

10:00 PM DESIGNATED SURVIVOR - ABC

10:00 PM Code Black -CBS

10:00 PM Chicago PD - NBC

Thursday

8:00 PM DC’s Legends of Tomorrow - The CW

8:00 PM / 5:00 PM PT NFL Thursday Night Football (Premieres Sept. 15) - CBS

8:00 PM Grey’s Anatomy - ABC

8:00 PM The Big Bang Theory (Starting Oct. 27) - CBS

8:00 PM Superstore - NBC

8:00 PM Rosewood - Fox

8:30 PM THE GOOD PLACE - NBC

8:30 PM THE GREAT INDOORS (Starting Oct. 27) - CBS

9:00 PM Mom (Starting Oct. 27) - CBS

9:00 PM Supernatural - The CW

9:00 PM NOTORIOUS - ABC

9:00 PM Chicago Med - NBC

9:00 PM Bones - Fox

9:30 PM Life in Pieces (Starting Oct. 27) - CBS

10:00 PM PURE GENIUS (Starting Oct. 27) –CBS

10:00 PMHow to Get Away with Murder - ABC

10:00 PM The Blacklist - NBC

Friday

8:00 PM The Vampire Diaries - The CW

8:00 PM MACGYVER - CBS

8:00 PM Last Man Standing - ABC

8:00 PM Caught on Camera with Nick Cannon - NBC

8:00 PM Hell’s Kitchen - Fox

8:30 PM Dr. Ken - ABC

9:00 PM Hawaii Five-0 - CBS

9:00 PM THE EXORCIST - Fox

9:00 PM Crazy Ex-Girlfriend - The CW

9:00 PM Shark Tank - ABC

9:00 PM Grimm - NBC

10:00 PM Dateline NBC - NBC

10:00 PM Blue Bloods - CBS

10:00 PM 20/20 - ABC

Saturday

7:00 PM Fox Sports Saturday: Fox College Football - Fox

8:00 PM Crimetime Saturday - CBS

8:00 PM Saturday Night Football - ABC

8:00 PM Saturday Dateline Mysteries - NBC

9:00 PM Crimetime Saturday - CBS

10:00 PM 48 Hours - CBS 10:00 PM Saturday Night Live (encores) – NBC

Sunday

7:00 PM 60 Minutes - CBS

7:00 PM America’s Funniest Home Videos - ABC

7:00 PM Football Night in America - NBC

7:00 PM NFL on FOX - Fox

7:30 PM The OT/ Bob’s Burgers - Fox

8:00 PM The Simpsons - Fox

8:00 PM NCIS: Los Angeles - CBS

8:00 PM Once Upon a Time - ABC

8:20 PM NBC's Sunday Night Football - NBC

8:30 PM SON OF ZORN - Fox

9:00 PM Secrets and Lies - ABC

9:00 PM Madam Secretary - CBS

9:00 PM Family Guy - Fox

9:30 PM The Last Man on Earth - Fox

10:00 PM Elementary - CBS

10:00 PM Quantico -ABC

To find out what else has been cancelled or might just be back at midseason, you can take a look at our network rundown of cancelled and renewed shows. In addition, here's what the networks have coming up this summer.