Common Sense Media Review
By Joyce Slaton
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Race is tackled gently in fresh family friendly sitcom.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 11+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Black-ish
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 20 parent reviews
Parents say the show is generally enjoyable and funny, with strong family themes and representation; however, many reviews express concerns about mature content, particularly regarding sexual references and political correctness. While some episodes are appreciated for their humor and positive messages, they also highlight issues with sexism and inappropriate themes for younger viewers, with suggestions to be mindful of age appropriateness when watching.
- strong family themes
- mature content
- suggest avoiding certain episodes
- sexism concerns
- good representation
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 49 kid reviews
Kids say the show is a humorous family-friendly series that tackles some sensitive topics like race, sexuality, and societal issues, but it includes adult humor and language that may not be suitable for younger viewers without parental guidance. Many recommend it for older children, specifically those aged 10 to 12, cautioning that some episodes, particularly the second, contain mature content.
- humor and education
- mature content
- family viewership
- sensitive topics
- age recommendations
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Andre "Dre" Johnson (Anthony Anderson) was born, as he puts it, in "the hood." But though he loves the perks of his high-powered advertising job and living in the mostly white, wealthy enclave they've settled into in Los Angeles, he worries that his surroundings are turning his four kids -- indeed, the entire family -- BLACK-ISH. His son Andre Jr. (Marcus Scribner) wants to be called "Andy," play field hockey instead of basketball, and have a bar mitzvah for a birthday party. His dad, Pops (Laurence Fishburne), mocks the youngest Johnson kids for not knowing Obama is the first black president. His doctor wife, Rainbow (Tracee Ellis Ross), is thrilled that her kids "don't see color." But Dre isn't so sure that's a good thing.
Is It Any Good?
Cute, funny, and fresh, this sitcom comes on with gentle and predictable sitcom plotlines, but it wraps powerful political and social commentary in its mild jokes. Andre Jr. wants an unexpected type of birthday party; we've seen that before on sitcoms, right? And we've seen the resolution before, too, where Junior takes a leaf from Mom and Dad's book and changes the party just enough to please them. Thus, Andre's birthday "bar mitzvah" becomes "Andre's Hip-Hop Bro Mitzvah," with gold chains and break dancing. It could be offensive in less deft hands, but, given the charm of Black-ish's leads, it all comes off delightfully.
Black-ish brings up many topics that parents who care about race and diversity will want to discuss, but it doesn't rant or hector. It's easy to watch, and parents will want their kids to do so. Perhaps its ultimate charm is that the kids won't mind.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the show's title, Black-ish. What does it mean? Why is the title Black-ish instead of Black? What does the title imply?
Black-ish was created by Kenya Barris, a writer known for such series as The Game. He's from Los Angeles and has a wife who's a doctor and who's named Rainbow; the two of them have three kids together. Writers are often instructed to write what they know; has Barris followed this advice?
Are the Johnsons wealthy or poor? How can you tell?
How do the characters in Black-ish demonstrate compassion, empathy, and integrity? Why are these important character strengths?
TV Details
- Premiere date : September 24, 2014
- Cast : Anthony Anderson , Laurence Fishburne , Tracee Ellis Ross
- Network : ABC
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Family Stories ( Siblings )
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Empathy , Integrity
- TV rating :
- Awards : Golden Globe - Golden Globe Award Winner , NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Winner
- Last updated : February 1, 2026
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
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