Which TV Show?
 

Which Television Show Do You Think Had The Biggest Impact On Black America?

Soul Train?
Good Times?
The Oprah Winfrey Show?
The Cosby Show?
Another One?

Re: Which TV Show?
 

It is a Tie between Good Times and The Cosby Show?
They both depicted what can and does go on in black America.

I think The Cosby Show/A Different World had a big influence on Black America because it depicted how important education is an important key to achieving success. I don't think it was a portrayal of "black america" but more like a portrayal of "Americans"

Why is Oprah on this list? As an individual, she has influenced Black America, but I don't see any impact her SHOW has had (but then again I don't watch Oprah so I wouldn't know).



What about that show ROC that used to come on?

I would have to say the Cosby Show. It really enlightened ALOT of people. There were blacks and whites out there who thought the show was unrealistic. However, it is very realistic. There are black lawyers and doctors, and it's not uncommon for them to marry one another. Also, it was so nice to see a loving family. Omigod. Lisa Bonet. The orginal Boho. When I look back at the episodes, I realize how the show exposed America to Black culture. The music Cliff played, the books that were mentioned, the Black colleges that were mentioned. It also exposed us all legends. Josephine Premice, Placido Domingo, Betty Carter, Lena Horne, Miriam Makeba, Dizzie Gillespie, and many more. We were exposed to great jazz as well (when Cliff and Claire had their private moments at the end of the show).

I LOVE THAT SHOW!!!

Ditto on Cosby Show and A Different World. I think they both espoused the importance of education to the Black community and let the White community know that Black folx ARE family and education oriented.

Plus, I think it was the success of these shows that really opened the door for many of the Black shows we have now.

I got this question from a listserve and did not change anything AT ALL. I am not into Oprah either.

Re: Which TV Show?
 

A different World

I've spoken to countless number of Af-Ams who said that show had a HUGE infulence on them going to college and specifically to HBCU's.:)

I second this and then some:D

I agree! Far too often we are the thugs, drug dealers, prostitutes etc on TV as well as the big screen. We are not always depicted in the most favorable light. The Cosby Show was instrumental in getting white America to see that there is another side to being African America. We are successful, we have loving relationships, and our children go on to achieve greatness!!!!!!!!!!! I will also agree that A Different World was just as successful in exploring educating the black community.

I would say a cross between Good Times and the Cosby Show

My picks are the Cosby Show and Soul Train. I agree with all that has been said about the Cosby show. Overall I would say that the Cosby show gave me a different outlook on Black life. I also say Soul Train because it was THE showcase for up and coming Black artists. As a music enthusiast I watched every week to see artists I would otherwise not see perform.

Also, the beautiful art on the the walls and around their home! :)

I am with abaici, Cosby Show and Different World. I didn't know too much about Our History (besides Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks) because the school didn't see fit to teach it. I enjoyed the hidden lessons on jazz, arts and just plain black love the Cobsy showed. Positive role models saying that all black people ain't from the projects watching their afos grow...a doctor and his wife, a lawyer, their friend from all walks of life and the fact Claire spoke portaugse and spanish. A Different World actually had me thinking that Hillman was a school. And I was determinded to go. The show deal with friendships and REAL LIFE issues from Denise's Struggles her 1st year...Gelisa, a divorcee over 25 back in school...Kim's issues about her skin...Gina's getting beat down by her boyfriend...Clarence's decision to get an education not just a football scholarship...etc.

LaDeia
"...every minute, I love you more..."
- hand written marriage vows

I didn't mention A Different World, but that is my all-time favorite show! BTW, the campus shots of the fictional Hillman were actually taken at my alma mater, SPELMAN COLLEGE!