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Last updated on September 18th, 2023
While most articles about streaming services and DVD releases go on at length about 1990s and 2000s sitcoms like “Seinfeld” and “Friends,” few such articles mention any of the African American starring sitcoms that exploded in popularity during these two decades. The two decades were pretty much the “Golden Age” of Black sitcoms in terms of number and variety. Shows like “Living Single,” “Girlfriends,” “The Steve Harvey Show,” “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” “Sister, Sister,” and others were popular during the 1990s and 2000s. Many of these sitcoms aired on then-new networks Fox, The WB and UPN, though the traditional “Big Three” networks (ABC, CBS, NBC) also had some.
Why did the wave of Black sitcoms die out?
By the 2000s, the wave of such sitcoms waned for various reasons. One is the above networks shifting focus to attract more “mainstream” (read: mostly white) audiences. Another factor is the merger of UPN and The WB into The CW, resulting in one fewer network; The CW also kept the former WB network’s emphasis on dramas like “Smallville.”
NPR’s podcast “Code Switch” ran a post about all of this, noting the different viewing habits of Black and white audiences during these two decades (versus before the 90s). While “Seinfeld” and “Friends” were top-rated shows for white viewers, neither show was in the top 80 for Black viewers. (Both shows’ less-than-diverse casting despite being set in New York didn’t help.) Anecdotally true for me, anyway—I’ve never liked “Seinfeld” or “Friends”; my Thursday night viewing around the turn of the millennium included “Living Single” and “New York Undercover.”
Recently, some of these sitcoms have made their way to streaming services, especially after the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020. However, it’s often not clear which services have such shows. Below is a list of some popular 90s Black sitcoms, as well as what streaming services they’re on and if they’re available to buy on DVD/digitally. Given the state of streaming service libraries are in flux (or chaos), you’re probably better off buying your favorite sitcoms if possible.
Criteria
Since the number of shows is huge, I had to pare down the list to keep it manageable, as well as limit it to shows from the 1990s. However, a sequel post covering the 2000s is coming. My criteria:
- The shows must’ve debuted or mainly aired between 1990 and 1999, so no 80s holdovers (like “227,” which ran from 1985 to 1990) or 2000s shows (like “Girlfriends,” which debuted in 2000).
- Live action shows only; I’ll probably tackle animation in another list.
- I’m skipping anything Bill Cosby-tied for, well, obvious reasons.
- The show must have had at least three seasons, so I don’t have to tackle a bunch of one- or two-season wonders. (Sorry, “Cleghorne!.”)
- Information is derived from Wikipedia, The Streamable, and JustWatch.
- I’m focusing on shows made in or prominently aired in the United States.
- I note not all of the shows have necessarily aged well, being, well, made in the 90s.
- Streaming/home video information is as of July 3, 2023.
- Some shows fit all the criteria, but aren’t listed below, since they never had any home video or streaming releases. Several examples are “Cousin Skeeter,” “The Hughleys” and “For Your Love.”
Family Matters
While it debuted in September 1989, nobody would think of it as an 80s show, so I threw it in here. A spin-off of 80s sitcom “Perfect Strangers,” this series eclipsed its parent show in popularity thanks to obnoxious nerdy character Steve Urkel (played by Jaleel White). “Family Matters” ran from 1989 to 1998 on ABC and CBS, for nine seasons (the last one on CBS).
On streaming
“Family Matters” is available on Max and Hulu.
On DVD/digital video
The entire series is available on DVD and digitally.
Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
The famous Will Smith-starring sitcom ran on NBC from 1990 to 1996 for six seasons.
On streaming
“Fresh Prince” is available on Max and Hulu.
On DVD/digital video
The entire series is available on DVD and digitally.
Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper
A sitcom starring Mark Curry and Holly Robinson that ran on ABC from 1992 to 1997 for five seasons.
On streaming
“Mr. Cooper” is available on Max and Freevee.
On DVD/digital video
Only the first three seasons are available on DVD. The entire run of the show is available to buy digitally.
In the House
A series starring LL Cool J, this sitcom ran from 1995 to 1999 for five seasons: the first two on NBC, another two on UPN, and the final season in first-run syndication.
On streaming
The series is available on Max.
On DVD/digital video
There’s no DVD release, but the entire series is available to buy digitally.
The Jamie Foxx Show
A series starring Jamie Foxx, which ran from 1996 to 2001 for five seasons on The WB.
On streaming
The series is available on Max and BET+.
On DVD/digital video
The first four seasons are available on DVD; the entire run is available to buy digitally.
Kenan & Kel
A Nickelodeon sitcom starring Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell. The show ran from 1996 to 2000 for four seasons.
On streaming
The entire series is available on Paramount+ and BET+. Two seasons are available on Netflix.
On DVD/digital video
Two “best of” sets covering most of the show’s run were released on DVD. The entire series is available to buy digitally.
Living Single
The popular sitcom starring Queen Latifah, Kim Coles, Kim Fields, and Erika Alexander, “Living Single” ran from 1993 to 1998 for five seasons.
On streaming
The entire series is streaming through Hulu and Max. (The streaming service, of course, not Maxine Shaw (attorney-at-law).)
On DVD/digital video
The entire series is available on DVD and digitally.
Malcolm & Eddie
A sitcom that ran for four seasons on UPN, from 1996 to 2000.
On streaming
The last two seasons are available on Tubi.
On DVD/digital video
Only the first season is available on an (out-of-print) DVD. None of the episodes are available digitally?
Martin
Martin Lawrence starred in his own sitcom that aired on Fox from 1992 to 1997 for five seasons.
On streaming
“Martin” is available on Max and BET+.
On DVD/digital video
The entire run is available on DVD and digitally.
Moesha
R&B singer Brandy starred in her own sitcom, “Moesha,” which ran on UPN for six seasons, from 1996 to 2001.
On streaming
“Moesha” is on quite a few services. The entire run’s on Netflix (until July 31), Hulu, and Paramount+. Two seasons are available on Tubi, Crackle, and Plex.
On DVD/digital video
Unfortunately, the show isn’t available to buy digitally. On top of that, only the first season is available on DVD. Given the show was fairly popular (and even had a spin-off), a lack of home video releases seems odd.
The Parent ‘Hood
Robert Townsend starred in this sitcom that aired on The WB for five seasons, from 1995 to 1999.
On streaming
“The Parent ‘Hood” is available on Max.
On DVD/digital video
There are no DVD releases, but the entire run is available to buy digitally.
The Parkers
This spin-off of “Moesha,” starring comedian Mo’Nique, ran on UPN for five seasons, from 1999 to 2004.
On streaming
“The Parkers” is streaming on Netflix (until September 30) and BET+.
On DVD/digital video
The show has a complete series DVD set, though it’s very pricey. It’s not available to buy digitally.
Roc
Charles S. Dutton played Roc, a Baltimore garbage collector, on this sitcom that ran on Fox from 1991 to 1994 for three seasons.
This show stood out for an early episode with Richard Roundtree (“Shaft” himself) playing Roc’s uncle, who’s gay and marrying his partner.
On streaming
“Roc” isn’t available on streaming services.
On DVD/digital video
The show doesn’t have any DVD releases. It is available to buy digitally (from Amazon).
Sister, Sister
This popular sitcom stars Tia and Tamera Mowry as twin sisters separated at birth, who reunite as teens. The show ran for six seasons from 1994 to 1999; the first season ran on ABC, with the remainder of the show on The WB.
On streaming
The entire series is available on Netflix (until August 31), Hulu, and Paramount+. Two seasons are available on Tubi, Crackle, and Plex.
On DVD/digital video
The show has had its entire run released to several DVD sets (all out of print). It’s not available to buy digitally.
Smart Guy
A sitcom about a boy genius who’s skipped ahead several grades from grade school into high school, attending alongside his non-genius older siblings. The show ran for three seasons on The WB, from 1997 to 1999.
On streaming
The entire series (save one episode) is available on Disney+.
On DVD/digital video
The show isn’t available to buy digitally or on DVD.
The Steve Harvey Show
Comedian Steve Harvey starred in his self-named sitcom, which ran from 1996 to 2002 on The WB for six seasons.
On streaming
Only two seasons are available for streaming, on Tubi and Pluto TV.
On DVD/digital video
Only one “best of” DVD was released. It’s also not available to buy digitally. It seems odd that despite Steve Harvey’s current heavy TV presence, his old show isn’t available to buy or rent.
The Wayans Bros.
This series, starring Shawn and Marlon Wayans, aired on The WB from 1995 to 1999 for five seasons.
On streaming
The series is available on Max and BET+.
On DVD/digital video
The entire series is available on DVD, as well as to buy digitally.
Conclusion
Do you have a favorite 90s Black sitcom not listed above? Or watched any of these shows? List them in the comments below.
Image, left to right: “Living Single” (Warner Bros.); “Sister, Sister” (Paramount); “The Steve Harvey Show” (Warner Bros.)
