15 Best Black Sitcoms From the 1990s, Ranked

In The House was a hidden gem among the myriad of entertaining black sitcoms at the time. Although it was never considered one of the best, it was still seen as a great show and an excellent platform for stars LL Cool J, Alfonso Ribeiro, and Kim Wayans to showcase their talents outside of their more known performances.

Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper saw comedian Mark Curry with his own sitcom stacked with veterans like Nell Carter, Holly Robinson Peete, Dawnn Lewis, and even little Raven Symoné right off of The Cosby Show. It transitioned from an adult show to a family one during its second season, becoming a staple of ABC’s iconic TGIF Friday primetime block.

Smart Guy introduced the little brother of Tia and Tamera Mowry to the world in fantastic fashion, and at only 11 years old, Tahj held his own alongside fellow young actors Jason Weaver and Omar Epps, both legends in their own right. The show is fondly looked back upon by kids who grew up during this generation and for whom the story of a child genius in high school resonated.

Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell were the first alums of All That, the kids’ version of SNL, to break out. And just like that legendary sketch show, theirs churned out future stars of the comedy world. For a time, the duo was seen as the new Abbott and Costello and even got their own feature film Good Burger. It won the “Favorite TV Show” award at the 1998 Kids’ Choice Awards and left such a lasting legacy that Thompson (now an SNL veteran) revived the series in a 2022 sketch with Mitchell and host Keke Palmer.

Although most know him as a comedian, host, or even a judge, his self-titled sitcom in the ‘90s is what made him a household name. It features Steve Harvey as a washed-up funk singer turned teacher named Steve Hightower alongside co-King of Comedy Cedric the Entertainer, and it’s one of the more underrated sitcoms from the era.

Tia and Tamera Mowry took the world by storm when the twin actresses finally landed starring roles in their very own show. Supported by black sitcom pioneer Jackée Harry, the Mowry twins became stars and, despite being canceled by ABC after two years, it returned to The WB for an additional four, where it won several Image, Kids’ Choice, Teen Choice, and Young Artist Awards.

You couldn’t have shows like That’s So Raven and The Proud Family without the success of Moesha. It featured ‘90s R&B icon Brandy as the titular teen, living with her upper-middle-class family in the Los Angeles Leimert Park neighborhood. The show dealt with social issues affecting teenagers, such as premarital sex, the death of a parent, sexuality, gender prejudice, and inequality.

Roc is an often slept-on show, but it was pivotal in showcasing realistic, dramatic moments between the laughs, thanks to the acting ability and reverence lead Charles S. Dutton brought. The series stars Dutton as Baltimore garbage collector Roc Emerson and Ella Joyce as his wife, Eleanor, a nurse, traversing modern situations and delivering social commentary along the way.

Some shows have made this list for what they’ve accomplished or due to the creator’s legacy or appeal, but this one is revered based on its ability to be funny. This show brought two new Wayans from the legion of their siblings to the forefront, Marlon and Shawn, alongside Anna Maria Horsford, and the legendary John Witherspoon (R.I.P. Pops!).

Family Matters initially revolved around a middle-class black family in Chicago before their nerdy neighbor stole the show following his one-time guest appearance. After that, Steve Urkel (Jaleel White) became an icon in pop culture, breaking the barriers of only attracting black audiences, which contributed to the show’s catapulted success. Family Matters became the second-longest-running live-action U.S. sitcom with a predominantly African-American cast, behind only The Jeffersons.

Jamie Foxx has always been a talent, but this show allowed him to put his acting ability, comedic genius, and vocal talents at the forefront. The show introduced talents such as Christopher B. Duncan and Garcelle Beauvais while giving icons Garrett Morris and Ellia English a platform to shine. It also had two genuinely great intro songs we’d play driving down the street on full blast. It served as the perfect platform to help launch one of the greatest entertainers today.

For as many stars and influences as The Cosby Show brought about during its time, A Different World is the only direct spinoff from the iconic show. It originally starred Denise Huxtable (Lisa Bonet) before centering on Whitley Gilbert-Wayne (Jasmine Guy), Dwayne Cleophus Wayne (Kadeem Hardison), and their friends during their lives at a fictional HBCU. As much as its predecessor showcased an upper-class black family for the first time, A Different World did the same for young black men and women who never dreamed of going to college.

In case you didn’t know, Living Single was the progenitor of Friends, which copied its format and cast dynamic to greater effect due to its “mass appeal.” The ensemble cast featured the likes of Kim Fields, Erika Alexander, and Queen Latifah and quickly became the fourth highest-rated show on Fox.

Martin is the encapsulation of black culture during the ’90s. Not only did it showcase the culture, but it contributed to it as well with its phrases, jokes, and celebrity guest episodes. Many of Martin’s cast members have become legends in the comedy game (Tichina Arnold and Tisha Campbell both becoming leads in later shows), and the sitcom has a special place in the hearts of everyone who grew up watching. It’s one of those shows you pass down the generations as mandatory television for children to show their children when they get older. It transcends time and recently celebrated its 30th anniversary. The 75th Emmys even celebrated the show.

Will Smith broke through barriers with this show, conveying a relatability with diverse audiences unseen since The Cosby Show in the ‘80s. It was equal parts hilarious and momentous, often delving not only into the usual heavy sitcom topics but also into race, politics, and socioeconomic topics. It propelled Smith into Hollywood superstardom status and made James Avery and Ribeiro household names. It’s left a lasting legacy and will be celebrated by millions for the rest of time.