Because after the last incident, i had children bussed in. When i think about the history of black television, i think about when black folks watch, we watch to zero in on us. Instead of making us celebrate your holidays, why dont you celebrate some of ours . What about tupacs birthday . And when you have so little, it means everything. All of those shows, they all matter so much. It feels like theres been more of an ebb and flow and an evolution. It is so important for us to have true authenticity. Why we always the only black people here . Thats why representation matters, black stories told by black people. Im trying to tell you something. [man] we set the pace for sit comedy. You hear that, elizabeth . Im coming to join ya, honey . From Sanford And Son to the other black shows. What is this . Loved The Jeffersons. Monogrammed shirt, brand new silk tie. Is that a tie . I thought your tongue was hanging out. Good times is one of my favorite sitcoms because you could not tell me that
because after the last incident, i had children bussed in. - when i think about the history of black television, i think about when black folks watch, we watch to zero in on us. - instead of making us celebrate your holidays, why don t you celebrate some of ours? what about tupac s birthday? - and when you have so little, it means everything. all of those shows, they all matter so much. - it feels like there s been more of an ebb and flow and an evolution. - it is so important for us to have true authenticity. - why we always the only black people here? - that s why representation matters, black stories told by black people. - i m trying to tell you something. - [man] we set the pace for sit comedy. - you hear that, elizabeth? i m coming to join ya, honey? - from sanford and son to the other black shows. - what is this? - loved the jeffersons. - monogrammed shirt, brand new silk tie. - is that a tie? i thought your tongue was hanging out. - good times is one of my favori
run, yasmine! run like the wind! ental music) - do you feel that there is not enough representation? because after the last incident, i had children bussed in. - when i think about the history of black television, i think about when black folks watch, we watch to zero in on us. - instead of making us celebrate your holidays, why don t you celebrate some of ours? what about tupac s birthday? - and when you have so little, it means everything. all of those shows, they all matter so much. - it feels like there s been more of an ebb and flow and an evolution. - it is so important for us to have true authenticity. - why we always the only black people here? - that s why representation matters, black stories told by black people. - i m trying to tell you something. - [man] we set the pace for sit comedy. - you hear that, elizabeth? i m coming to join ya, honey? - from sanford and son to the other black shows. - what is this? - loved the jeffersons. - monogrammed shirt, brand new
- and for every dummy, there s a dummy. - one of the creators of sanford and son saw redd foxx in his act and thought that he would be perfect for the series they were gonna do, which was an adaptation of a british series, steptoe & son. - sanford and son was a more authentic show because of writers like paul mooney and ilunga adell. - redd and i said, you know what? we need to have some black writers. - what you doing combing your hair? - why does anybody come their hair? to look neat. - but you just going to a job. - pop, just because i work in junk don t mean i have to look like it. - when we had white writers, they would write, i m gwan, g-w-a-n. we gwan hit it over der, and redd said, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey. you don t need to do that. write words, and we, the characters, will say those words the way black people say those words. - who you calling ugly, sucka? (audience laughs) (upbeat music) - we shot the pilot in september of 71,
- who you calling ugly, sucka? (audience laughs) (upbeat music) - we shot the pilot in september of 71, and it just went through the ceiling. we didn t just usher in black shows. we were the foundation for all the sitcoms for the next 25, 30 years. - it just led the way to other sitcoms like good times. good times anytime you need - breakfast is ready if you hungry! - good times is one of my favorite sitcoms because i didn t realize i was watching a sitcom. - give me one good reason why you married me. - you was pregnant. - that ain t nothing to joke about. suppose one of the kids that heard you said they was born outta wedlock. - wouldn t bother me none. (audience laughs) i ain t the oldest. (audience laughs) - they were a two-parent black family. you never had black men who were integral to these households. good times had that. - good times made history because it was the first time we had black creators. - all right, come on over here, lionel.