“IT JUST FEELS like a lifetime ago,” says Anthony Anderson when looking back on eight seasons and 175 episodes of his ABC comedy black-ish. Since 2014, the sitcom set the TV bar to Norman Lear heights, bringing laughs plus social commentary via the tight-knit Johnsons, led by Anderson as high-strung father Andre and Tracee Ellis Ross as his grounded M.D. wife, Rainbow. Viewers related to Dre and Bow as they raised their five kids—trendy eldest Zoey (Yara Shahidi), clueless Junior (Marcus Scribner), curious twins Jack (Miles Brown) and Diane (Marsai Martin), and joyful baby Devante (August and Berlin Gross). Adding a third-generation perspective were Dre’s parents, stoic Pops (Laurence Fishburne), and free spirit Ruby (Jenifer Lewis).
As the Johnsons pack up (the series wraps on April 19), we spoke to the cast and exec producers to get the full-ish story.
THE SPARK
Like most sitcoms, black-ish’s inspiration was based in reality, particularly the family of series creator Kenya Barris.
Anthony Anderson: Kenya and I sat down at a place called Laurel Hardware [in West Hollywood], in a chance meeting, and talked about what was missing from the landscape of television for us as viewers. We’re huge Norman Lear fans and grew up watching All in the Family, Good Times, and The Jeffersons. We just started talking about our own families. Both of us were the only African American families in our neighborhoods.
Kenya Barris: Really, I just stole my family’s life. My wife’s a doctor, and my kids started going to private schools.
Denne historien er fra March 28 - April 10, 2022-utgaven av TV Guide Magazine.
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Denne historien er fra March 28 - April 10, 2022-utgaven av TV Guide Magazine.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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THE CHOSEN
It's a bumpy start for Jesus (Jonathan Roumie) and His followers in the fourth season of the Bible-based historical drama. They're about to face rougher terrain-and we're not talking about sleeping arrangements on the road. Jesus' cousin, preacher John the Baptizer (David Amito), has been executed by King Herod (Paul Ben-Victor), and the group is reeling from that loss. In September 8's episode, Jesus declared apostle Simon (Shahar Isaac) is now \"Peter,\" the rock of the group. They're going to need him for what's to come.
FOUND
The chains are now off in the cat-andmouse game at the center of this perpetually taut NBC thriller. In Season 1, public relations specialist Gabi (Shanola Hampton) held her former kidnapper, Hugh Evans, aka Sir (Mark-Paul Gosselaar), captive in her basement and used him to help her team find missing people.
ELSBETH
Carrie Preston has played quirky, brilliant Elsbeth Tascioni for 14 years, through memorable appearances on The Good Wife, The Good Fight and now this warmhearted mystery. Viewers can't seem to get enough of this over-the-top Chicago defense attorney turned NYPD police consultant-and unofficial detective.
FBI
Last season ended with Special Agent Tiffany Wallace (Katherine Renee Kane) completely spent after a harrowing struggle to track down and finally kill the terrorist who murdered fellow agent and friend Hobbs (Roshawn Franklin).
RETURNING FAVORITES
Everything's coming up roses for Joan Vassos, whose search for a new romance begins our annual look at all the shows you love
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS
As the third young woman hired to play The Young and the Restless' Sharon Collins in 1994, Sharon Case didn't really know if her new gig would last. \"Soaps tend to be a revolving door,\" says the actress, who had previously appeared as Dawn Winthrop on General Hospital and Debbie Simon on As the World Turns. \"I didn't have super-high expectations.\"
Only Murders in the Building
This season's investigation introduces a set of West Tower oddballs harboring secrets across the courtyard
BOLD'S KARATE KID
The Bold and the Beautiful's Sean Kanan is thrilled that he is once again playing Mike Barnes in the sixth and final season of Cobra Kai, streaming now on Netflix.
Nelly Knows Mysteries: A Fatal Engagement
LEE AND ROSEMARY COULTER, is that you? When Calls the Heart stars Pascale Hutton and Kavan Smith (above) may be reuniting for this new Hallmark Mystery movie, but their roles are a far cry from the Hope Valley power couple they play on the Western romance series.
WHAT'S WORTH WATCHING
Your day-by-day guide to the week's best television
