Why do white sitcoms last longer than black sitcoms?

Answer 1

What t kind of question is that?
I'm so glad that you have done research to know that "WHITE" sitcoms longevity surpass "BLACK" sitcoms.
In todays networking, it really isn't based on ethnicity its based on demographics and and age groups and ratings...
nice try though.
If a sitcom has unsuccessful ratings they get cancel led! it has nothing to do with white and black...
plenty of sitcoms with a majority of white characters get canceled every season.
Though allow me to remind you that plenty of "black" sitcoms have outlasted "white" ones and have done very very well:
the fresh prince of belair
girlfriends
moesha
the parkers
sanford and son
good times
the jeffersons
my wife and kids
and i could go on and on,....
i think that should answer your question

Answer 2

How do you define a white or black sitcom? Do you mean all the characters are black or white or do you mean the target audience is black or white?

I am just not sure that you can say this is a fact, but it may be a sound observation. For example, The Cosby Show, The Jeffersons, and Sanford and Son all outlasted many white ensemble sitcoms

We could then take your question further and ask why hispanic or asian sitcoms don't seem to last even a full season.

Answer 3

More opportunties and more money are given to white producers due to advertisers making more money from selling to affluent white people. I think most black comedies have racial jokes in them that turn off whites, which turn off advertisers.

There aren't many unique shows of ANY race, so any show is usually a rehash of something else. The Jeffersons, The Cosby Show, Bernie Mac and Everybody Hates Chris are successes because their producers and writers are not afraid to be unique.

The bottom line is I'll watch what I like, whether it's black or white, or has racial jokes in it (if they're done well). When blacks get more chances and make more money to spend on advertisers' products, you'll see black shows last longer.

Answer 4

While this probably is true I can name a few that lasted for a long long time, cosby show, fresh prince (I own all the boxsets), bernie mac, everybody hates chris is pretty good. I really don't have an answer for this. I was actually thinking last night when I was watching TV why is everything made for men to enjoy. All you see on sitcoms is sex jokes and boobs, commercials too. That's my beef. Society sucks, that's my answer

p.s. I forgot about living single! I used to LOVE that show, Maxine was the best lol

Bernie Mac was on Fox? I don't remember that but I'm sure it's true. The chick underneath me pretty much answered the question.

Answer 5

I find it somewhat hilarious (in a sad sort of way) that some people on here act like they are offended by your question as if you were lying. I mean come on people, the moment that we all admit that minorities are not treated as fairly and equally in the entertainment industry as you all think we are the faster we can move on. But, to answer your question, one of the main reasons that black sitcoms don't last long is because now a days, they rarely ever put us on a major network. I have yet to see an all black show that has lasted more than a 1/2 a season on ABC, NBC, or CBS in the last couple of years. We don't even have a show on FOX. We did have some success when they had UPN, where we had a good 6 shows to watch but after that merger to the CW, the choices were cut in half. Now people are bringing up old shows like The Cosby Show, Family Matters, The Jeffersons and so forth but what is that? a handful of 30 minutes shows that we have had over the last 30 years compared to the 100's or so that have mostly all white cast? Come on people, get real. And for those who thought Bernie Mac was a success, well, as funny as it was and as much as we (black people) enjoyed it, FOX made it very difficult to watch due to the fact that every season they changed the day and time it was supposed to come on. Then they delayed the season premier on more than one occassion to air the World Series.

So, the only thing that I can suggest is to enjoy them while you can, record every episode and get some cable (if you don't already have it) and tune into TVOne because the way things are looking now, our shows will come very few and far between.

Answer 6

I think that the sitcoms last due to ratings ..not due to race. The Jefferson's..Crosby ...Fresh Prince ..Good Times ...those all lasted a long time and some of them are still being shown in reruns. I dont think it has any thing to do with race.

Hope this was helpful ~~

Answer 7

these days sitcoms don't last very long black or white. but look at Girlfriends, they are one of a few black sitcoms that are still around.

Answer 8

arie right there were a lot of black sitcoms that last a long time good times, whats happin, @ Cosby he was a juggernaut on Thursday night he save nbc

Answer 9

Never thought of it- I agree that Girlfriends has been on forever- Family Matters and Moesha had a good run- hmm interesting. I am sure Indians are wondering the same thing about their race- can't think of any Indian shows.

Answer 10

Hmm let's see there is Good Times (DY-NO-MITE), The Jeffersons, Fresh Prince of Bel Air, The Cosby Show (which is my personal favorite), Sanford and Son, A Different World, Diff'rent Strokes, Family Matters, Living Single, just to name a few!

I don't think color has anything to so with how long a show lasts...I think it has to do with having a strong story line, a talented cast and viewers who want to watch period!!