Though we have so many cool shows out right now (Insecure, Game of Thrones, Grown-ish), there is nothing like 80s and 90s sitcoms. These sitcoms are my personal favorites and give a flashback to my childhood.
1. A Different World
"Dwwwwaaaaaaayyynnne"- Whitley Gilbert's Sinuses
My personal favorite, this 80s sitcom focused on college students at a fictional Historically Black College/University (HBCU), Hillman College. Starting as a spin off of the Cosby Show, following the daughter Denise to university, this show changes over the six seasons to focus of Dwayne Wayne and Whitley Gilbert. Coming from vastly different backgrounds, Dwayne a math genius from a poor family in Brooklyn and Whitley from an affluent Virginia family, the main characters actually show what it's like to be a college student. Through financial difficulty, challenges in school and love triangles, A Different World was what I hoped college would be like.
And as crazy, bratty, bougie and narrow minded as Whitley started off , her growth as a character and a woman makes her one of my idols (and fashion inspirations).
Catch it at 4 AM on BET or watch on Amazon Prime Videos!
2. Girlfriends
This early 2000s sitcom showed four successful black women who were extremely educated (for example, one of the main characters had 5 post-graduate degrees... FIVE) but also extremely real. Showcasing the duality of black women, each and every single one of the characters in this show goes through success and personal struggles. They show both the highs and the lows of dating, work, friendship and family. Though not something I watched as a child, this show represents the future I want to have with my best friends.
You can still watch it here on CW Seed!
3. Living Single
This famous show with Queen Latifah, features 6 young adults living in Brooklyn. Focusing on all of their love lives, or lack their of, the drama between this friend group is bubbles over in every episode. Full of flings, bad dates and searching for love, this friend group is a must watch that rivals Friends.
Watch it on Hulu!
4. Moesha
Mo to the, E to the, Mo to the, E to the...
Starring Brandy Norwood, this childhood classic had me singing along one the theme song started. This sitcom, featuring a black teenager and her upper middle clas family living in LA, tackles real issues affecting teens then and now. Talking about teen pregnancy, sex, drugs and parental issues, Moesha showed little girls all over the country how to handle real life issues and taught parents how to help their teens through issues they may not understand. Many of the issues discussed in Moesha still affect teenagers in 2018, and that makes it a must watch.
If you have DirectTV, you're in luck! They have episodes you can watch online!
If you don't have DirectTV, you can also find Moesha on BET Her in the mornings at 10 AM.
