During my childhood and adolescence, my father protected my sister/brother and me from addiction to television by not having cable installed in our home. He considered it a waste of money, another distraction away from our studies, and a luxury that was unnecessary. Because of this, we spent most of our free time outdoors. However, on Friday’s we were able to enjoy ABC’s series of shows that were in collectively referred to as T.G.I.F. Two of the sitcoms we particularly enjoyed were Miller-Boyett Production’s Full House set in San Francisco and the ethically opposite Family Matters set in Chicago. Both had many similarities including their style of comedy, story lines, and in some cases shared wardrobes (I’m referring to one episode of each when D.J. and Laura wore the same shape-filled sweater).
Now as an adult, it has become increasingly difficult to recapture that feeling of being part of a television. And although the networks attempt this with their vast array of reality shows set in every part of the country, I continue to be an outsider observing the unscripted lives of these “unique” characters. But I loosened my standards as to what I’ll indulge myself with when it involves broadcasting which is why I have become a fan of Family Guy set in Quahog, Rhode Island and yes, the ethically opposite The Cleveland Show set in Stoolbend, Virginia. I know that there are a lot of Seth McFarlane loyalists who will argue that The Cleveland Show should not be considered in that manner due to it being a spinoff from Family Guy. But you have to ask yourself, “Aren’t there a lot of similarities yet enough differences to appear as though you are not watching the same show twice in one night on FOX?” Think about it: there are two blue-collared fathers, married to intelligent and strong-willed wives, have three wild and rambunctious children, live in a small town in a two-story house, are friends with some “interesting” inhabitants, spend their free time at a bar, and must resolve a troubling issue within 23 minutes in a comedic fashion?
It may sound as though I am belittling McFarlane and perhaps Miller/Boyett for their laziness of not creating new programming to satisfy the tastes of their audience. However that is definitely not the case. In fact, I appreciate their effort for educating me during a chaotic time in my life in which I was thirsting for knowledge especially when it involved that of other races. With a lot of shows that are now focused on vampires, retribution for past crimes, zombies, dysfunctional families, and otherwise unethical subject matters, it is reassuring that the baton has been passed so that this generation will be made aware not only that problems occur to white-American families, but also to African-American ones as well. Race does not protect anyone from hardships, especially those that are within a household, in a school, in the community, or on a national level.
