SPECIAL OUT ON THE TOWN: TOP 50 MOST INFLUENTIAL BLACK TV SHOWS OF ALL TIME

Television has been an important medium in America since the early 1950s. Spearheading off from radio and post-WW2 socioeconomic optimism, television and its programming have been through many changes (willingly and unwillingly)  in regards to what people watch and what is given for them to watch. From those changes,  TV gatekeepers have been forced to greenlight programming to create diversity to appeal to specific ethnic groups (mainly African Americans)to capitalize on those demands. 

Below are OUTSTAGN BLOGSPOT'S choices of the Top 50 Black Television Shows which made a impact on not just television, but also helped shape the Black Experience Narrative. There were hundreds of programs to choose from--from sitcomes, dramas, game shows, children shows and music variety shows--but the ones we had chosen we believe influenced television the most by being the first in its inception, spawning spinoffs and/or influencing  popular  (POP) culture. 

Before we reveal the list, here is our definition of what a Black Television Show is:

--The program must have an African American as the lead actor/actress/host 

AND/OR

--The program has a majority African American cast 

As a teaser, here are No. 60 to No. 51.

60.THE WENDY WILLIAMS SHOW 

59.KEENAN N KEL 

58.ATLANTA

57.THE CHRIS ROCK SHOW 

56.POSE

55.BLACK JESUS

54.HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MURDER 


53.OZ

52.INSECURE

51.GIRLFRIENDS

Here is the Top 50:

50.MOESHA

(1996-2001)

49.NEW YORK UNDERCOVER
(1994-1999)

48.SOLID GOLD (DIONNE WARWICK, first host 1980-81)

47.WHAT'S HAPP'NING!
(1976-1979)

46.BENSON
(1979-1986)

45.THE REAL HOUSEWIVES OF ATLANTA
(2008-PRESENT)

44.DIFF'RENT STROKES
(1978-1985)

43.POWER
(2014-PRESENT)

42.HARRIS AND COMPANY
(1979)

41.JACKSON 5IVE CARTOON
(1971-1972)

40.NOAH'S ARC
(2005-2006)

39.GENERATIONS
(1989-1991)

38.AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL
(2003-PRESENT)

37.THE BILL COSBY SHOW
(1969-1971)

36.THE SAMMY DAVIS JR SHOW
(1966)

35.GET CHRISTIE LOVE!
(1974-1975)

34.MUSICAL CHAIRS
(1975)

33.THE MELBA MOORE AND CLIFTON DAVIS SHOW
(1972)

32.ROOM 222
(1969-1974)

31.BAREFOOT IN THE PARK
(1970)

30.FAT ALBERT  AND THE COSBY KIDS 

(1972-1985)

29.CHAPPELLE'S SHOW

(2003-2006)

28.DELLA

(1969-1970)

27.DEF COMEDY JAM
(1992-1997)

26.A DIFFERENT WORLD
(1987-1993)

25.BLACK-ISH 

(2014-PRESENT)

24.THE BOONDOCKS

(2005-2008; 2014)

23.EMPIRE
(2015-PRESENT)

22.THE ELECTRIC COMPANY
(1971-1977)

21.LIVING SINGLE
(1993-1998)

20.THE HAZEL SCOTT SHOW

(1950)

19.SOUL!

(1968-1973)

18.THE BEULAH SHOW
(1950-1952)

17.FRANKS PLACE
(1987-1988)

16.THE ARSENIO HALL SHOW
(1989-1994)'

15.MARTIN

(1992-1997)

14.SCANDAL
(2012-2018)

13.IN LIVING COLOR
(1990-1994)

12.THE NAT KING COLE SHOW
(1956-1957)

11.SOUL FOOD

(2000-2004)

HERE IS OUR TOP 10

10.THE RICHARD PRYOR SHOW
(1977)

9.SANFORD AND SON
(1972-1977)

8.GOOD TIMES
(1974-1979)

7.JULIA
(1968-1971)

6.THE FLIP WILSON SHOW
(1970-1974)

5.THE AMOS N ANDY SHOW
(1951-1953)

4.THE JEFFERSONS
(1975-1985)

3.THE COSBY SHOW
(1984-1992)

2.THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW
(1986-2012)

AND THE NO. 1 MOST 

INFLUENTIAL BLACK TV 

SHOW 

OF ALL TIME IS........................................

1.SOUL TRAIN
(1971-2006)

OS 18: OUT ON THE TOWN REWINDERZ VERSION

HEY OUTSTAGRS!

ITS THAT TIME!!

TIME TO GET TOWNED!!!

The solo calendar of Inky Chris is for sale NOW! The cost $20 (with discount plus shipping  OR TWO FOR $10 if you purchase his looks in the OBSDN 2020 Calendar SEE BELOW) ) If you want to get on board for one, just email to snaphoney2011@gmail.com and an invoice will be sent to you. Or you can Paypal to www.paypal.me/Maatology   (Be sure to note INKY CHRIS CALENDAR when doing the paypal me option ) LIMITED TIME ONLY. 

Also, be on the lookout for the 2020 OBSDN Men of Color Calendar where 12 guys from across the country in various fields pose in black white pic collages consisting of tasteful artistic body poses , undergear and fashion styles. The street date is set for late November  is set for pre Thanksgiving and it will also be $20 (plus shipping). 

Parts of the proceeds will go Jessie B's Academy for Preschoolers in St Louis. YOU CAN GO TO OUR SHOPIFY LINK TO PRE ORDER AT https://maatology-productions.myshopify.com/ 

or clock on the link on the right hand side of this blog.

Now lets get town!

WE ARE TAKING A BYE WEEK AD TO HOLD YOU OVER WE ARE POSTING LINKS TO SOME EVENTS THAT WERE DONE AROUND THIS TIME IN OUR NEARLY 15 YEAR BLOG:

IN 2005:

I went to Marla Gibbs' jazz CD listening party that was held at The Formula and had a chance to mingle and interview Ms. Gibbs who looked stunning in a dark blue pants suit. I first ran into Monica Tyson, who was over this event, to lead me to Ms. Gibbs so I could chat with her about her newfound career. So Monica lead me to her who was signing autographs of her CD, "It's Never Too Late." She stood up (She's tall--about 5' 10) and I shook her hand. It hit me then that I was about to talk to a living Tv legend. I was truly excited talking to Ms. Gibbs. So, when I asked my first question to her, I fumbled her Cd title. I said, "So, what made you decide to release your first CD, "It's About Time." YIPES! DOH! I felt so embarrassed and thought she was going to go into diva mode, but she was gracious and treated it like a comedy bit. She grabbed my forearm and said, "No, it's called, "It's Never Too Late, but, believe me, it is about time."

To read more go to http://maatspear.blogspot.com/2005/11/out-20-revised.html

In 2007: 

I attended the monthly Cafe Soul open mic event at Lucas House. Pictured are former host Coco Soul and Cafe Soul regular CJ Conrod and Silky Sol the Red Afro Queen.

Check out the action of who performed and who attended at:

http://maatspear.blogspot.com/2007/11/out-298-cafe-soul-at-lucas-house-nov-23.html

In 2009:

BUD LIGHT presents THE FOXXHOLE RADIO SHOW @EXO 

The popular podcast Foxxhole visited St Louis at the now defubnct Exo Nightclub. 

The Foxxhole personalities: (FROM LEFT) Claudia Jordan, TDP, Speedy, Poetess, Lewis Dix and Johnny Mack. 

To see all the action go to 

http://maatology.blogspot.com/2009/11/out-on-town-727-bud-light-presents.html

In 2011:

The blog started to get more into being  an entertainment newsletter from a Midwest ILLI MO perspective. This particular one we talked about when then President Barack Obama turned the White House, country and the St Louis filmed reality show Welcome To Sweetie Pies was given a second season. 

Check out those stories and what other events were happening during this time at 

http://maatology.blogspot.com/2011/11/out-1079-illi-mo-arts-and-ent-bitz-nov.html

In 2013: 

The First Lady Michelle Obama, made an appearance on 

BET's 106 & Park" program that aired Tuesday, talking 

about her push for young people to commit to learning so 

they can get into college and better their futures. Locally The St. Louis Cardinals have

 traded former World Series MVP David Freese to the Los Angeles Angels.

Check out these stories and other events that were happening during this time at 

https://outstagin.blogspot.com/2013/11/os-112-stage-bitz-nov-22-28.html

In 2015:

The blog turned 10! And we posted about GQ’s Man Of The Year coverguy was President Barack Obama. As the POTUS began his last full year in office, he discussed everything from his daughters’ waning interest in their old man to  his full support if his wife becomes a highly paid media mogul 

after he leaves office. Locally,  The St. Louis Zoo has agreed to buy the animal park Grant’s Farm.

To see more of these stoies and events happening at this time go to 

https://outstagin.blogspot.com/2015/11/out-233-spot-bitz-nov-20-26.html

In 2017:

We recapped our special countdown of a particular entertainment class. This time it was Top Black Groups of All Time. The top choice was The Temptations. 

To see all our choices go to https://outstagin.blogspot.com/2017/11/out-334-50-greatest-black-music-groups.html

And now in 2019 we are about to recap the 50 Most Influential Black TV Shows of All time.  That blog will be posted MONDAY, NOV 25 just in time for the Thanksgiving Holiday.