We often complained in the nineties that there wasn't a decent enough representation of black people in the media, but after spending a couple of hours looking through Youtube at some brilliant US and UK programmes that used to be on, I think I can safely say, we never had it so good.

These days all we seem to be confronted with is really tedious, stereotypical characterisations. We're either criminals in cop shows like the Bill or a cleaner in a BBC drama with only a few lines to say. I feel sorry for the numerous black actors and actresses out there, it must be difficult finding work.

You may find the below of interest. As an avid TV viewer I calculated 23 programmes in the nineties that had either a majority black cast or were presented by blacks. And some of these shows were actually prime time!! In this decade, as far as my memory can recall there have only been about five programmes on terresrial TV. Can you think of any more? It's really sad because the only black faces the kids growing up now see is Gus in Eastenders (with his two lines a month) and Lenny Henry, who the BBC should have taken off there payroll a long, long time a go. And don't even get me started with Little Miss Jocelyn - she should know better! So what has happened? Why aren't they any more black shows? You have to turn to satellite or cable TV but not all of us have this.

And what has seemed to rear its annoying head of late is comedians blacking up which seemed to be eradicted circa 1990. I do like shows like Little Britain and Dead Ringers but I can't help feeling uncomfortable. It now seems every comedy sketch show has a white character blacking up.


90s shows on Brit TV
--------------------------

Fresh Prince of Bel Air (BBC 2)
219 club (LWT)
Desmond's (Channel 4)
Porkpie (Channel 4)
Us Girls (BBC1)
Lenny Henry Show (BBC1)
Chef (BBC1)
Real McCoy (BBC2)
Angie Le Mar sketch show - forgotten name (Channel 4)
Bagdad Cafe (Channel 4)
Richard Blackwood Show (Channel 4)
Kenan and Kel (BBC1)
Moesha (Channel 4)
Sister Sister (Channel 4)
Hanging Out with Mr Cooper (Channel 4)
Cosby Show (Channel 4)
Different World (Channel 4)
Ebony - magazine show (BBC 2)
Flava - music show (Channel 4)
Comedy show in 1991 presented by two black comics - forgotten name (BBC1)
BBC2 Friday night dedicated to black shows which were:
Get it On
Brothers & Sisters
And another comedy show presented by an old man


And who can forget Black Christmas in 1992 on Channel 4 (it would now be unimaginable to see a season like this on British TV). Plus Oliver Samuels had a comedy/music one-off show in 1992 that was fantastic.


00s Brit TV
-------------

Baby Father
Lenny Henry Show (no way as good as the 90s version)
Little Miss Jocelyn
My Wife and Two Kids
Smart Guy


Monqiue x

With respect many of these shows are American imports. There hasn't been good British black TV in well over a decade

Same thing over here.All we have is"The Game" ,The Wire" ,Everybody Loves Chris" and Girlfriends.

Also, most of the British shows were made in the days before multi-channel TV became commonplace. And I'd argue that there are more black faces on TV today - you are more likely to see them in prime-time drama series, for example - those made here (the BBC is slightly better in this respect), and definitely US imports. And rare you'll find programmes aimed at kids/teenagers that black folks don't feature in. Unless there's good reason (e.g the Windrush anniversary), I'm not sure the kind of 'black-led' series we used to see would be made in these times.

TV today is driven by different priorities and values, for all sorts of reasons. More black faces has definitely not meant better. Personally think theatre is a safer bet for seeing decent black acting talent.

PS Angie LeMar sketch show was probably 'Get Up, Stand Up'; the Friday night shows went under the title of 'The A-Force'; the two black comics might have been Curtis and Ishmael, but can't remember the name of the show.

PPS None of the above were a match for 'No Problem', by far the best 'black British' comedy show ever made, IMO.

Soulrebel: you stole my thunder...I agree we actually see more BLACK faces on TV, but less quality Black UK Programming.... and the US imports are inconsistent...

The problem is not a shortage of actors....the problem is too few people behind the camera, working as writers, and in the executive suite commissioning programmes.

Most of the black folks who were at the BBC during the 90s (when a lot of the programmes above got made) have moved on, most doing their own thing....or they've moved abroad. Don't see that changing anytime soon, either......

BEN TV

OBE TV

PASSION TV

Urban TV

The Africa Channel

They still have the character Gus in eastenders? and eastenders is still on the box? slim pickings indeed!

Thought multi-culturalism was all about cultures melting into one so how come one dominates over the others in essence why do we only see one side all the time despite being hounded for TV licenses....maybe its just me being cynical again
Anyways i spend most of my TV time on those Channels listed by @JudgeJ