Have you checked out ABC's new show "black-ish" (Wednesday nights at 9:30|8:30c)? If you haven't, you really should tune it because it's HILARIOUS!
ABC's new family comedy, "black-ish," takes a fun yet bold look at one man's determination to establish a sense of cultural identity for his family. The series stars Anthony Anderson, Tracee Ellis Ross and special guest star Laurence Fishburne.
While I was out in L.A. earlier this month for the BIG HERO 6 event, I was also able to go behind the scenes and visit the sets of two ABC shows, one of which was "black-ish". I was already familiar with the show because my 10-year-old daughter is a fan. She's been watching from the beginning and I know she connects with the comedy between the four young stars of the show.
As it so happened, we were able to sit down with the four siblings on the show, Yara Shahidi (Zoey), Marcus Scribner (Andre Jr), Miles Brown (Jack), and Marsai Martin (Diane), along with creator and Executive Producer Kenya Barris, for a brief Q&A.
One of the things Kenya Barris stressed was that "black-ish" wasn't a "black" show, just as Modern Family isn't a "white" show. The show is actually based on Kenya's life. About the series, Kenya said "Life today is more homogenized. There are no black or white kids in america, we're blended and the show is about where we are today." As I see it, "black-ish" is about family ... and a funny one at that!
After screening the newest episode THE GIFT OF HUNGER (which airs tonight!), it was clear to me that "black-ish" is here to stay. I think much of the success of the show has to do with the real-life situations that are hilariously played out. It was interesting to learn that many of the storylines are based on real events in Kenya's life or those of the writers. One fun fact: Kenya's wife is a doctor named Rainbow, the same as Tracee Ellis Ross' character on the show.
The kids are another reason the show is gaining popularity. The four siblings on the show have a great chemistry that is extended into their real lives. Some of the points I noted were that the cast "feels like a real family" and according to the youngest Marsai Martin, "together we're unstoppable". Acting on the show doesn't feel like work and they love learning from the other actors, who they see as mentors.
When asked what their favorite episode was so far, the pilot was the unanimous answer — that's when they all bonded (though they loved shooting the "fantasy scene" in tonight's episode, The Gift of Hunger).
I was completely impressed with how composed each of the young stars were during the interview. You could tell how intelligent and grounded they were— a reflection, I can only assume, of their amazing parents, who also stopped by for a quick chat.
Legally and emotionally, at least one parent of each child has to be on set during filming. Because of this, the parents of the young stars of "black-ish" spend a lot of time together and have become a family.
It really was a pleasure getting to know some of the cast of "black-ish", and I look forward to tonight's episode as well as the rest of the season.
Make sure to watch ABC tonight at 9:30|8:30c and take note of the scenery because I will be back next week with a behind the scenes look at the "black-ish" set!
Special thanks to the ABC Television Network for hosting me on the set of "black-ish". All opinions are my own.
Brooks
Any `system` that states in order to defeat a game with a pure
downside simply by the manner in which you wager is a lie.