One of my favorite shows since I was 12 is Black-Ish, a sitcom set in the modern day about a black family in the suburbs of Sherman Oaks, California. It stars Andre (Dre) Johnson, an upcoming star in marketing and advertising who hails from the rough city of Compton. He and his wife, Rainbow Johnson, go through everyday scenarios with their 4 kids, and Dre’s divorced parents. It’s a really funny sitcom that will be able to make you laugh out loud. This piece reviews some basic categories that contribute to my rating of this beloved, soon-to-be classic sitcom.

Acting Performances

Dre Johnson (Played by Anthony Andreson) – Andre is referred to as a “man-child.” Anthony does a great job portraying this role. His comedic timing is perfect, not a single awkward moment or slip up in the show (that is noticeable), and it seems that he was born for this role. I give his performance a 10/10.

Rainbow Johnson (Played by Tracee Ellis Ross) – Rainbow is the responsible one in her relationship with Andre. She is a smart woman, and is an award-winning anesthesiologist (which she never fails to bring up any chance she gets). Tracee definitely inherits her acting ability from her mother (Diana Ross). She is a natural. There are a couple of points in every other episode where I didn’t really believe her. But I couldn’t see anybody else in her role. I give her performance an 8/10

Zoey Johnson, 1st Born Child (Played by Yara Shaidi) – She is the firstborn daughter of Andre and Rainbow, and the most popular. She is 15 when the show first starts, and Dre makes it obvious that she is the favorite child. Yara’s acting is absolutely phenomenal. It would seem like she isn’t acting at all. Once again, she was born for this role. She was charming, smart, and portrayed the nonchalant teen perfectly. I give her performance a smashing 12/10.

Junior Johnson, 2nd Born Child (Played by Marcus Scribner)  – He is the 2nd born son of Andre and Rainbow, and is the most awkward. He is characterized as a “White – Washed” mama’s boy. His actions are criticized by his father and it is known that he is the least favorite. Marcus nails the performance of the awkward teen. He is funny, in a weird way, but can get serious when needed, especially when he has man-to-man conversations with his dad. His performance was great and absolutely believable; it’s just that his character’s archetype changes almost every season. I give his performance a 9/10.

Diane and Jack Johnson, 3rd and 4th Born Child (Played by Marsai Martin and Miles Brown) – These two are the twins of the family. Diane is the smart one, but uses her smarts to be mean and make fun of her siblings and friends, and Jack is the exact opposite; he is not a smart child, but he is very sweet and athletic. Their relationship with their parents is kind of a mix between Junior and Zoey Johnson. Marsai does a perfect job of portraying Diane. I give her performance a 10/10. Miles does an excellent job, but you can sense that his acting ability is limited. I rate his performance an 8.3/10.

Ruby and Earl Johnson, Mom and Dad of Andre Johnson (Played by Jennifer Lewis and Laurence Fishburne) – Ruby is a devout Christian, yet she gets into a bit of shenanigans. Earl is the former deadbeat dad who made up with his son later in life. He loves gambling, drinking, and taking risks. Both of these older and more experienced actors do an absolutely perfect job. I don’t want to introduce any spoilers, but these two are very energetic and funny. I give Jennifer and Laurence’s performance a 10/10.

Production & Technical Elements

When it comes to production, the set looks absolutely perfect, and its color theme is spectacular. It looks like a modern home in California, and it’s decorated well and fits each character perfectly. The color theme would match more with the “dramatic cool” filter on an iPhone. And this fits the serious themes during the nighttime, and the playful time during the day. I give the production a 9/10

Execution & Vision 

This show attempts to be a relatable, funny, and comfortable sitcom that educates people on black history, and it does exactly that. As a young black man, I see many similarities between my family and the Johnsons. It’s one of the funniest shows I have ever seen, and it’s what I like to call a comfort show. Its execution was perfect, and I give it a 9/10.

Overall Rating

This show is a funny, well-portrayed, relatable, and occasionally educational sitcom. It’s a funny way of telling jokes, and teaching in the same episode is perfect. I have watched this show fully, about 4 times, because I just cannot get enough. And I am almost done with the spin-off, Grown – Ish, which stars Zoey Johnson off at college. These characters are so relatable that it makes you feel like you’re a part of the family. I give this show a booming 9.8/10.