,

36 Black TV Shows We Keep Running Back

If it wasn't for streaming platforms, we couldn't watch Martin or Living Single with the click of the remote.

Screenshot: Fair Use NickRewind (YouTube)

Updated as of 5/20/2023 at 9:45 a.m.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?
Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?

Everything about Black television is legendary. We had the hottest R&B singers making our theme songs, the humor made you bend over laughing and the drama was so juicy, you had to come back next week for more. Talk about competition.

Our scripts were so good, Friends tried to duplicate Living Single but couldn’t master our authenticity and humor. Even when we got cheated out of some awards and nominations, everyone we saw on television growing up kept a place in our heart.

From animation to soapy dramas, there are some shows Black folks from any generations will remember - whether they grew up watching it themselves, snuck into their siblings’ room to see what was on or put it on for their children years later.

Either way, you MUST remember watching these 36 Black TV shows.

That’s So Raven

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpH_PIqT-q8

And to think they tried to make her the sidekick... She MADE this show.

Cory in the House

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nt95ZrjKqtk

Everyone who loved That’s So Raven naturally gravitated to this show.

Just Jordan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHkO0ilKVQQ

TeenNick had some bangers. Where did Lil’ JJ even go from here???

Romeo!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VutqZbWmxw8

My sister wanted Bow Wow growing up... I wanted Romeo.

Wild ‘N Out

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvCnVuB3Evc

The latest seasons are fire but first few will bring a different kind of laugh out of your belly.

Thugaboo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYunOAqPCKk

Aht aht! Don’t forget this animated classic.

My Wife and Kids

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNCfYRt5QpE

The joy of waking up in the middle of the night to this show and laughing myself back to sleep.

Cousin Skeeter

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQCDxE7eFfA

Bring back R&B television theme songs!

Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_eO98ynJTU

The OG rendition of the 2004 live action movie (and a personal favorite).

The Nick Cannon Show

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pZ4-i_8tAY

Short lived but never forgotten. After this, his comedy went to another level.

The Wayan’s Bros.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khJBV_7YsDI

Name a funnier group of siblings... quickly.

Famous Jett Jackson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhijQlLbwPI

One of Disney Channel’s first fictional original series.

Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgIUl0YbqZo

One of Raven-Symoné’s earliest roles.

What’s Happening!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8V8QMbLd2f8

Now let’s really go down memory lane...

Smart Guy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sf0goBbPQoo

A cast FULL of gems.

The PJs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1tMr5yEwM0

A favorite among my cousins and me (who were oblivious to the references in this show by the way).

Family Matters

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R_YC6jiDZGI

A bonafide classic.

Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGViIjOCAoY

Even though the Aunt Viv replacement was controversial, it didn’t change the quality of this show.

Sister, Sister

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IyVnOX8X8tA

Many girls learned so much about being a young Black woman from this show. Plus, who didn’t want to have side by side twin beds?

Moesha

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zg0Ij6w4CXo

So... were those 1,000 microbraids a wig or no?

Girlfriends

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNGeolYojAM

Everyone could identify their girlfriend in this show.

The Game

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSZYiM43hn8

One thing this show was always going to deliver was the DRAMA.

Kenan and Kel

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcNE2ue2V_g

No one could compete with this sketch show on Nickelodeon. No one!

All That

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGKNueUxzy8

It wasn’t an all Black cast but come on, this was a Black show.

Gullah Gullah Island

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7amyljnzjlQ

Did we just pull this from the depths of your subconcious? Yes, yes we did.

The Cosby Show

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nelftg5W0I8

One of the most relatable depictions of a Black family.

The Boondocks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uaGxy5PWHA

The Black anime (arguably) that you couldn’t always watch when parents were around.

The Proud Family

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YH0o-zofRsA

*Sigh* The amount of blackness compacted into this show was record breaking for Disney Channel.

Little Bill

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kipgcUy3bkU

Before Caillou, there was Bill.

In Living Color

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWHX7QF8ETE

The point of reference of so many music videos, movies and other forms of Black entertainment.

A Different World

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeoYAw26sos

Talk about a show that didn’t hold back on tough topics, while also making you bend over laughing.

The Parkers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJFT2ooWK_I

Professor Oglevee didn’t even deserve Nikki Parker. We did, though, and her wardrobe!

Living Single

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMrmctL_FgY

Who else will never get tired of these reruns? This cast was naturally goofy.

The Jamie Foxx Show

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9V1y8JX7_Q

You know the script was fire when the entire cast was trying not to laugh.

Bernie Mac Show

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxgIepSouYs

A genuine classic. We will truly never have another Bernie Mac.

Martin

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8iwJkZuzuE

If someone starts randomly singing this or “You gotta getcha groove onnn!” please believe I will join them.

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

Our Fave Moments From A$AP Rocky's Fashion Show During Paris Men's Fashion Week

Our Fave Moments From A$AP Rocky’s Fashion Show During Paris Men’s Fashion Week

The rapper showed of the latest AWGE collection at a Paris Fashion Week show ...
15 Sneaky Moves Pulled by Trump That'll Have A Grave Impact On You

15 Sneaky Moves Pulled by Trump That’ll Have A Grave Impact On You

From cutting the Job Corps to sneaking in scary artificial intelligence regulation, many fear Trump is trying to distract Americans with an onslaught of questionable moves ...

Three Friends Were Headed To A Beyoncé Concert, But One  Dies On the Way. Guess What The Other Two Did Next?

Three Friends Were Headed To A Beyoncé Concert, But One Dies On the Way. Guess What The Other Two Did Next?

A group of friends who experienced tragedy on their way to a Cowboy Carter show have sparked a viral debate about what would keep fans from seeing Queen Bey ...
This White Singer Sang This Chaka Khan Iconic Hit and Black Internet Lost Its Mind

This White Singer Sang This Chaka Khan Iconic Hit and Black Internet Lost Its Mind

Once Hayley Williams' clip began to make the rounds on social media, a lot of Black folks had a myriad of reactions! Let's get into it ...
Will Smith Just Brought Up the Chris Rock Oscars Slap And He Doesn't Seem Sorry ...Anymore

Will Smith Just Brought Up the Chris Rock Oscars Slap And He Doesn’t Seem Sorry …Anymore

It looks like the "Fresh Prince" star is feeling a bit differently about it than before and we've got the tea to prove it! ...
Angela Bassett arrives for the 74th Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California, on September 12, 2022. Photo: Getty Images Chris Delmas / AFP

8 Black Actors Who Got Their Start in August Wilson Plays

Some of our greatest actors have appeared in the prolific playwright's shows on and Off Broadway ...
Many Believe This Prophecy That Predicts the Return of Christ Is Coming True ...Thanks Trump ...

Many Believe This Prophecy That Predicts the Return of Christ Is Coming True …Thanks Trump …

Whether you're religious or not, we know the stories of Sodom and Gomorrah and Noah's Ark, but how about the one predicting Jesus' return? ...
50 Cent is Being Dragged Over This Super-Shady Move Toward NYC Mayor Hopeful Zohran Mamdani

50 Cent is Being Dragged Over This Super-Shady Move Toward NYC Mayor Hopeful Zohran Mamdani

50 Cent doesn't shy away from the beef, so after Zohran Mamdani name-dropped him, the 49-year-old took to Instagram to get some things off his chest ...
Why Nelly, Ashanti's New Show Has the Internet Annoyed and Angry

Why Nelly, Ashanti’s New Show Has the Internet Annoyed and Angry

While some fans were excited to get an up-close and personal look at the couple, others weren't too pleased at what they saw ...
Amazing Story Behind Why Money Dropped From The Sky To a Black Detroit Neighborhood

Amazing Story Behind Why Money Dropped From The Sky To a Black Detroit Neighborhood

The son of a local car wash owner helped his father share his final wish with the community he loved ...
Enough Beyoncé! For The Sake of Your Kids, Safety of Fans, Stop Riding That Flying Car

Enough Beyoncé! For The Sake of Your Kids, Safety of Fans, Stop Riding That Flying Car

The singer was almost seriously injured on Saturday night. Time to let the car go ...
Black Internet Cheered 'Pop The Balloon' Contestant's  Clap back To A Male Panelist's Remarks About Black, Female Hair

Black Internet Cheered ‘Pop The Balloon’ Contestant’s Clap back To A Male Panelist’s Remarks About Black, Female Hair

Black social media cheered the female panelist on for her bold clapback towards this male contestant's insensitive remarks ...
Why Kountry Wayne's Latest Episode is a Reminder That Black Women Never Get the Grace Black Men Do

Why Kountry Wayne’s Latest Episode is a Reminder That Black Women Never Get the Grace Black Men Do

The popular internet soap opera sees a Black woman get dragged in the comments...while her equally trashy Black male equivalent skates off ...
Black Twitter Reacts to Trump Crushing on a Beautiful Black Woman In The Oval Office

Black Twitter Reacts to Trump Crushing on a Beautiful Black Woman In The Oval Office

The Black reporter was beautiful, but did President Trump have to make her looks front and center? ...
The Best Black TV Shows, Movies on Hulu to Stream

The Best Black TV Shows, Movies on Hulu to Stream

We rounded up a handful of the newest and best Black TV shows and movies currently streaming right now ...
Joy Reid: Fascism is Coming, Whether You Voted For it or Not

Joy Reid: Fascism is Coming, Whether You Voted For it or Not

EXCLUSIVE: The host of "The Joy Reid Show" gave us some real talk about the Trump agenda ...
Trump's Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?

Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?

Buying a car or a phone? Here’s what to know about tariffs in 2025, according to Marketplace's Kimberly Adams ...
Why Halle Berry's Latest Post Is Sparking Hilarious Britney Spears Comparisons

Why Halle Berry’s Latest Post Is Sparking Hilarious Britney Spears Comparisons

The Oscar-winning star has never shied away from baring it all on social media, and her latest post certainly has people talking! ...
When A White Woman Was Told She Could Not Be Harriet Tubman In a Play, She Took Matters Into Her Own Hands

When A White Woman Was Told She Could Not Be Harriet Tubman In a Play, She Took Matters Into Her Own Hands

The longtime actress simply wanted to portray influential historical figures, but things unfortunately went South. Let's get into it! ...
Diddy's Daughters' Tearful Exit From Trial Ignites Black America's Outcry

Diddy’s Daughters’ Tearful Exit From Trial Ignites Black America’s Outcry

Video of Diddy's daughters circulated the internet, and just as folks continue to share their thoughts on the trial, the girls were also subjected to the public's court of opinions ...