Growing up, I missed out on the wave of iconic Black sitcoms that defined the 90s, like Family Matters. My TV diet consisted of PBS staples such as Arthur and Berenstain Bears before I finally graduated to the Disney Channel. While I enjoyed shows like Good Luck Charlie and Ant Farm, Jessie truly captivated me. I identified with Zuri, the show’s sole Black main character, who was portrayed as sassy, witty, and fiercely loyal. Despite a few exceptions like Ant Farm, Let it Shine, Lab Rats, and Doc McStuffins, representation for young Black children on television felt limited during my formative years. Black actors often found themselves typecast, relegated to roles as the quintessential best friend, always sassy, and perpetually in support of the main character. While these traits can exist in real life, reducing all Black characters in children’s TV to this archetype is not only harmful but also incredibly reductive. These programs, consumed by Black children during impressionable ages, failed to offer accurate reflections of themselves.
Recently, a TikTok video by Christian Divyne (@xiandivyne) sparked my reflection on the perceived “death” of the “Black nerd” trope in television. Divyne recounted how, in his youth, bullies frequently labeled him “Urkel” due to his large, wire-rimmed glasses and preference for video games over sports. Urkel, a name laden with derogatory connotations, directly references Steve Urkel, the character portrayed by Jaleel White in the sitcom Family Matters. Steve Urkel was the quintessential nerdy kid, instantly recognizable with his suspenders, consistently finding himself in comically awkward situations. Divyne shared his past resentment towards this nickname and his renewed confrontation with it after recent online comments accused him of being “whitewashed” or the “whitest Black man.” He articulated how his alternative, nerdy Black identity was misconstrued as whiteness, a perception he attributes to the limited representation of “Black nerds” in media beyond Steve Urkel in the 90s.
While this specific form of representation hasn’t vanished entirely, its presence has significantly diminished. Consequently, Black characters in contemporary TV shows and movies often remain confined to stereotypical portrayals. This shift in representation has far-reaching consequences, extending beyond the Black community. When audiences outside the Black community primarily encounter Black individuals in roles like the sassy best friend, the angry Black woman, or characters solely focused on “making it,” their real-world perceptions of Black people risk mirroring these damaging stereotypes.
The decline of the sitcom genre has coincided with a stark reduction in the diverse portrayals of Black individuals in television and film. The 1990s were a golden era for Black sitcoms, boasting shows like The Bernie Mac Show, Girlfriends, Family Matters, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and Martin. These programs presented Black characters in a multitude of dimensions – suburban, wealthy, underprivileged, spoiled, nerdy, athletic – reflecting the rich tapestry of real-world experiences. Sadly, as these sitcoms faded from prominence, so did the nuanced representations of their Black characters.
Fortunately, a wave of Black creatives within Hollywood has proactively taken charge, establishing production studios dedicated to reimagining the Black sitcom and crafting narratives that center on fully developed Black characters.
Producers like Kenya Barris have ventured into reviving the Black sitcom format with shows like Blackish. Despite its headline-grabbing controversies, Blackish hasn’t achieved the enduring cultural impact of the 90s sitcoms. During its run, Blackish tackled significant societal issues such as colorism and police brutality in America. These episodes served, in part, as educational tools for a broader audience, aligning with Kenya Barris’s aim to bring the Black sitcom into Black households and beyond. This approach differed somewhat from the 90s Black sitcoms, which were primarily targeted towards a Black audience.
Looking ahead, the landscape of Black representation in television is undergoing constant evolution. Producers such as Shonda Rhimes, Issa Rae, and Marsai Martin are at the forefront of this transformation. Shonda Rhimes, in particular, has addressed diversity in television with a distinctive approach. Her shows consistently feature actors of diverse racial backgrounds, reflecting her perception of the real world. For Rhimes, diverse casting isn’t a quota to meet; it’s an inherent aspect of storytelling. In an interview with Oprah Winfrey, Rhimes elaborated on her casting philosophy for Grey’s Anatomy: “We read every color actor for every single part. My goal was simply to cast the best actors. I was lucky because the network said, “Go for it.” If they had hesitated, I don’t know if I would have wanted to do the show.” Her critically acclaimed shows like How To Get Away With Murder and Scandal feature Black women in positions of authority, supported by diverse casts. Rhimes’s production company, Shondaland, entered into an unprecedented deal, earning her millions, to produce all future series exclusively for Netflix.
The journey towards Black representation in television and media has been a protracted and challenging struggle for Black creatives in Hollywood. This struggle transcends simply casting Black actors in roles, a perception that has long persisted. It’s crucial that beyond securing roles, Black actors portray characters that authentically reflect real, multifaceted individuals, rather than serving as mere punchlines. When I was ten, the Disney Channel premiered K.C. Undercover, starring Zendaya as a spy from a family of spies battling global villains. Her character had a nerdy younger brother named Ernie, played by Kamil McFadden, who, with his wire-rimmed glasses and penchant for snitching, bore a striking resemblance to Urkel. Her father was portrayed by Kadeem Hardison, a prominent figure in the Black sitcom A Different World. Further nodding to the classic Black sitcoms of the 90s, Tammy Townsend, who appeared in Family Matters, was cast as Zendaya’s mother. My family eagerly anticipated each Friday night for new episodes of K.C. Undercover. In many ways, that show became our generation’s sitcom.
While Urkel’s era may have been the 90s, his legacy persists in the recurring “Black nerd” trope embodied by characters like Ernie. It leaves me wondering, who will carry the torch next?
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Here’s a curated list of shows and movies that celebrate Black people in diverse roles, breaking down stereotypes. Happy Black History Month!
For soulful music and heartache: High Fidelity on Hulu.
Relive teen novel magic: Percy Jackson and the Olympians on Disney Plus.
For sci-fi enthusiasts: The Foundation on Apple TV.
Life’s complexities explored: Insecure on Netflix.
Light and relatable content: The Sex Lives of College Girls on HBO Max.
Creepy and mind-bending mystery: They Cloned Tyrone on Netflix.
For girls and gays: Bottoms on Prime Video.
Craving something different: Bones and All on Prime Video
For Michael B. Jordan fans: Raising Dion on Netflix.
