“GIRLS”

You might have already read commentaries from some Black cultural critics about HBO‘s new show “GIRLS”. People are asking where are the Black characters, being that the show is set in Brooklyn. Yeah I kind of agree but I really don’t care. Was “Seinfeld“ not a great show because Jerry and George never hung out with black folks on the Upper West side? Was Friends any less funny because they never had black people come over to the apartment (no the show would have still sucked even if the cast were all black?).

The Cosby Show rarely  ever had White characters if I remember. I think these shows reflect what is really going on in America. Just think do you really have friends of the other race you hang out with outside of work? As a child I did because my neighborhood in New Jersey was predominantly Caucasian. I did not have any Black friends until I was in junior high school.  As adults we tend to spend our free time with those that are like us. So I am not surprised to see many sitcoms with all White or Black casts.

Now on to the show. If you like “40 year-old Virgin“, “Knocked Up“ or “Bridesmaids” you will love this . The Executive Producer is Judd Apatow the mastermind behind those boy humor movies. “GIRLS” features four 20 something White women dealing with first job and relationship issues. Classic millennial angst about work and living off parents.

The show is crass when it comes to sexuality, but aren’t all women when they talk about sex amongst their girlfriends? If people could watch the show without wondering where the diversity in casting is, they will enjoy the program.

I say if Black people want to see themselves on TV there are a growing number of shows with ensemble casts that include at least one Black character. You can even watch TNT and Tyler Perry‘s two coon-coms.