Shows that Look Like Us

The beginning of a new week is upon me and I wanted to begin with a post. Surprise, surprise--i cooked today. Things are simply changing for me. But that is another tangent that deserves its own post. Tonight, I want to vent about why I am watching MSNBC. There is a story about the Jonestown Story and the monster, Jim Jones. Why am I watching it, you ask? There is nothing else on. There are no shows of any interest to me. The Jonestown story piques my interest because I truly believe that story is a true testament to the adage, "If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything." Again, another post for another day.
Earlier this week, I was a bit down. Hormonal, I guess. So I popped a dvd in and watch episodes of Good Times. I usually just let the dvd play with episode after episode playing and helping improve my attitude. I am sure everyone has a favorite episode of Good Times. Whether it's the "Dog Food" episode or the "J.J. paints for Sweet Daddy" episode, we all have at least one. My personal favorite is the episode when J.J. meets the girl from the South Shore and her parents come by. "Ain't that right, Cookie?" I watched a couple of shows and was laughing like it was the first time I had seen them. My side was hurting and I was wiping tears away. I began to wonder where are the shows like that today.
In the 70's, it was Jeffersons, Good Times, and What's Happening. In the 80's, we had Different Strokes, Cosby Show, and A Different World. In the 90's, there was Living Single and Martin. In the turn of the century, our shows have diminished, if not vanished altogether. Yes, we had Girlfriends and Everybody Hates Chris but even these shows have fallen off lately. What has happened? Are we (people of color) not watching TV anymore? Are there no good writers out there? No good actors? Certainly not the case.
Hopefully, this blog will reach some eyes of some movers and shakers. We are still watching TV. In fact, I have several different ideas for different shows, whether it's a reality show or a situational comedy, or a dramedy. I simply need to get my ideas out to the right people to help me develop them. Holla if you hear me!!!!
There is an audience that would like to see people living as they are. The people who don't look like us have their shows. All we ask is that we have ours.


Chunking Deuces,
Step Brown