Starring: Anthony Anderson (“Guys with Kids”), Tracee Ellis Ross (“Girlfriends”), Laurence Fishburne (“Hannibal”), Yara Shahidi (“Scandal”), Marcus Scribner (“Wendell & Vinnie”), Miles Brown (“Shameless”) and Marsai Martin.
Genre: Single-camera comedy
Premiere Date: Wednesday, September 24, 9:30 p.m., ABC
Direct Competition: “Criminal Minds” (CBS), “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (NBC), “Red Band Society” (Fox), “The 100? (CW)
Premise (in 140 characters or less): Andre (Anderson) is on a mission to ensure his family identifies with their race and culture. Hilarity ensues?
Initial Reaction: I like these actors, but that’s about all I like.
Conclusion: If I were to truly divulge on what I think of “black-ish,” this would become a review, which it’s not. I’m curious enough about what I’ve witnessed, though, that I may be enticed to write more about it in the coming days or months.
This new ‘modern family’ sitcom doesn’t necessarily feel all that modern. The premise feels dated thanks to the mission of the show’s protagonist. It’s the same problem “Last Man Standing” has with its Tim Allen character and his mission to keep men from being anything but masculine stereotypes. There’s nothing wrong with Andre wanting his family to identify with their race, but his desire won’t carry a show. Drop the mission, or at least tone it down, and perhaps there’s a decent sitcom here.
I’m curious enough about how the premise plays out over multiple episodes that I’ll tune back in for a few more weeks. Beyond that, I don’t know.
Watch Live, DVR or Skip?: DVR.
