ABC's highly anticipated new family comedy, Black-ish, premiered last night.
The show, which has received overall promising reviews from critics, chronicles the life of an affluent black family in suburban Los Angeles. Race plays front and center thematically, with family patriarch Andre Johnson (Anthony Anderson) questioning whether his family has given up an authentic "blackness" in order to join the ranks of upper-middle-class America, while his wife, Rainbow (Tracee Ellis Ross), keeps him from going overboard in his attempts to compensate.
Noted — particularly by black Americans — as one of few major black sitcoms since The Cosby Show, the series soared through Twitter and Facebook trends within minutes of airing.
And, by and large, the show seems to have left a positive impression on black viewers.
I can't stop smiling while watching #Blackish, @anthonyanderson & @TraceeEllisRoss thanks for a show that "us" can relate to! ✊
Just finished @black_ishABC and i loved it. Cant wait for the season. They definitely kept it #REAL lol #Blackish
Okay, I am officially here for #Blackish. Some genuinely funny moments. Promising debut. The older son is excellent! As is @TraceeEllisRoss
@TraceeEllisRoss the show was awesome! We (blacks & America) needed something like this desperately! #blackishABC
Many seemed to identify particularly with the show's depiction of suburban black life...
@black_ishABC is a wonderfully honest depiction of what middle class Black America deals w. Great 2C a positive show about Black Families
Whether you want to admit it or not. This is happening to many "middle/upper class" black families in America!... Smh #blackishABC #Blackish
Watching @black_ishABC and really relating! Grew up in the suburbs and this is all so true! I love it #KeepinItReal #blackishABC
...As well as the struggles Andre faces as one of few black executives at his corporate advertising firm.
when your boss uses “swag” to connect with you…#smh #BlackishABC
Oh to be young black and gifted!!!! I've been Anthony in the board room & given many mental side-eyes for the "urban market" #Blackish
I walk through corporate head nodding all the black janitors just like that. #Blackish
Only 2 black ppl in my department, including myself. So I get the corporate meeting scene lol #Blackish
Some even heralded it as the new Cosby Show.
Mom says she thinks a modern Cosby Show is on the rise! She says she hope it goes 8 seasons too! #blackishABC
My kids wanted to watch @black_ishABC so I let them stay up to watch! This is their modern day Cosby Show. #blackishABC
Prediction. #Blackish will be the 21st Century Cosby Show. I am feeling this show. @anthonyanderson
However, others questioned whether the show was overzealous in its near-constant mention of race. Many pointed out that the The Cosby Show often didn't address race directly in dialogue, but rather included it as an implicit theme.
A bit heavy handed on the theme. #Blackish
The Cosby Show didn't thrive off of race like this. We knew they were black, just by looking at them. #blackishABC
Not sure I like such a strong emphasis on "being black" vs a successful black couple balancing careers and family. #cosbyshow #blackishABC
And a few references to common, and often hurtful, stereotypes of black culture, such as drinking grape soda and eating fried chicken, were met with mixed reviews.
I didn't have grape soda or fried chicken in my house growing up...not in my house now either #blackishABC @black_ishABC
But the grape soda ain't a lie, tho. #BlackIshABC
They about to run out of racist shit to say during this first show #Grapesoda #Blackish
Laurence Fisburne is killing me. "So, fried fried Black chicken is too Black for you?" I'm weak. #blackish
Nonetheless, many viewers are already voicing their intent — if not downright excitement — to tune into more episodes.
#blackishABC #Blackish can't wait to see the next week episode lol it's funny as hell but makes you think at the same time
Interested to see where the rest of this #Blackish series goes. I also hope there is a diverse audience watching it, because they need to.
And just like that twitter erupts over #blackish lol...it had its funny moments, it's head-scratcher moments as well. Will tune in next wk!