This sounds like my life, and deeply resonates. I have a Ugandan single mum who worked all the hours. I too was raised by the dads, and mums, on these shows. But without a dad at home it was the dads that I looked at in wonder at their humourous and empathetic discipline. At the family sitting down to eat dinner together, the hugs the laughs the tears shared as a family. You painted the picture so well. Thank you for the memories, brought me right back there. And yeah, that scene.
Loved this, can really relate. Made me think of One on One (such an underrated show). It was the first time I saw a single Black dad raising a teen daughter in a way that felt both real and soft. That dynamic really stuck with me.
Now I want to rewatch Sister Sister and Smart Guy omg! Floyd was such a lowkey hilarious single dad keeping everything together. We defo don’t talk about him enough!
Oh man, this one had me in my feeeeeels. The love I have for ‘90s Black sitcoms and films runs deep - maybe too deep 😭. But it’s that nostalgia init. Modern life is a challenge, and those shows transport me to a time that just felt… simpler. Getting home from school around 4:45pm, making a cuppa with some biscuits, then settling in to watch Trouble TV. That One on One, My Wife and Kids and Fresh Prince run from 5-6:30pm ate DOWN.
This is such a great follow-up to your earlier ‘Bits of Dad’ essay. Uncle Phil was that guy for so many - not just a great dad to his own kids, but a father figure to all. Also, how you just gonna casually drop in the fact that you met James Avery?! JEL.
That iconic scene where Will breaks down after his dad bails again - “How come he don’t want me, man?” 😭 it still pulls at my heartstrings every single time. That embrace from Uncle Phil? I can still feel it now, like I was right there in the room with them. Will falls into his arms, and you see that despite the funny jokes and 'bad boy' exterior, he's still just a little babe that wants to be seen by his dad. Oh, it's heartbreaking man.
These sitcoms were so much more than just entertainment. They were mirrors, mentors, memories. It’s such a shame that kids today can't just switch on the TV and immerse themselves into that same kind of representation. And in the UK, it’s even harder - unless you're paying for it, you can’t really access reruns of black sitcoms outside of Fresh Prince and My Wife and Kids. I’d really love to see new Black TV shows that reflect the full range of Black families - beyond the nuclear set-up. Feels like those kinds of stories rarely get commissioned these days… but that’s a convo for another day.
One Black TV dad who always sparked debate though - Frank from Moesha. Personally, I wasn’t a fan. He was way too controlling, always expecting the worst from Moesha even though she was a good kid who just had her own mind. That dynamic was very interesting to watch, growing up as a young Black girl. Would be interesting to hear your thoughts on this one if you watched it!
Finally, I have to give an honorary mention to one of my favourite Black movie dads - Ken Carter in Coach Carter. This movie came a little later in the noughties, so I don't hear many people talk about him. But the way he loved that basketball team and taught them life skills off the court — even when people doubted him - beauts.
I could really go on about this - but let me not get too carried away - I've already written a full essay as per usual 😂 Thank you for this one, Reg - it spoke to my true '90s spirit.
He was an interesting character to say the least. I hated the storyline of him being Dorian’s real dad. Felt so unnecessary — but I guess it humanised him in a sense and showed he too made mistakes.
But yeah, if we were to watch back a movie of our childhood, I’m sure a good portion of it we’d just be sat in front of the TV watching these iconic sitcoms. Wouldn’t have it any other way though!
More than entertainment and the actors of this era understood that! Huxtable, Winslow, Banks, Kyle, Mitchell, Campbell and many more gave therapy to a generation and I believe that they are the reason why our parents aspired to be better than their parents and why we currently as a generation of adults approach parenting and mentoring with such a heightened level of emotional intelligence. A heartfelt thanks, to our TV parents. 🙏🏾💫
I was kinda prepared with the title of this post, I knew what was coming and yet the line crushed me like Uncle Phil dancing for Nicky. That one moment continues to break and haunt me. Trauma that I haven’t fully recovered from but accept. Why don’t he want me man! 😭
Such great tv and like you this was my education and inspiration. This is what traditional family should be like and something I have carved out for my own family of 4 these were my role models Uncle Phil the truest inspiration but I bring in Cosby show and Desmond’s as well for the humour and work ethic. We often search out these role models when they are not present in our own life. I had a step dad who cared and loved me and uncles that looked out for me and provided that wrap around care but a hole was still missing and I know what it was, but actually I’m glad I didn’t have it because I am who I am, because of the absent father, I am who I am because of my present mother and I am the dad I am because of the trauma. Thank you to all those well characterised role models, the positive ones that black boys of the time needed.
Thanks for this therapy space, I feel a sense of relief from this out pouring. 👊🏾
After reading this I’m still stuck at the part where you casually let us know you met Uncle Phil. I’d probably have hugged him 😅and if we’re talking tv dads I need to give a shout out to Floyd Henderson (the dad in Smart Guy).
You're like the 4th or 5th person I've heard mention that James Avery and Uncle Phil are the same person in real life. He makes everyone feel like they are his kids because of his father role in the sitcom. He held a position that so many of us in that period just relished, and it's what raised many of us – that hope, that dream, that longing for the perfect family that wasn't but was so wholesome. I think I had the same feeling about Claire Huxtable – Phylicia Rashad in The Cosby Show – and having met her, she shared that the weight you carry as the person that has taken on the role is heavy and sometimes it's hard to separate the two, and I can see exactly what she meant. They haven't made many more of those sitcoms for us to relish, so we have to cherish the memories of what was....
Iconic moments - why don’t he want me…very few, in fact maybe no sitcom made me cry…but this scene even now, you do well up…just a little. Well Michael Kyle, he was the dad I try to be & Blueys dad - fun, engaging, trying to teach but also still tryin to flex and be cool! Good reads as always Reg…let’s see some more photography too - those holiday ones from Albania were solid
Thanks for sharing this with us. I remember watching both of these. I imagine id feel that way if I ever met Bob Saget, I guess I related to him so much because he reminded me of my own Dad, a tall gentle giant who loved cleaning.
Bob was that guy... I mean, he raised two billionaire fashion empire owners. Goals. There's something funny about the sitcom dad relationship, something Movie dads never did... was it because we were in our living rooms?
This sounds like my life, and deeply resonates. I have a Ugandan single mum who worked all the hours. I too was raised by the dads, and mums, on these shows. But without a dad at home it was the dads that I looked at in wonder at their humourous and empathetic discipline. At the family sitting down to eat dinner together, the hugs the laughs the tears shared as a family. You painted the picture so well. Thank you for the memories, brought me right back there. And yeah, that scene.
Brilliant words Reggie mate keep writing bro innit 👍🏻👌🏻🤜🏻🤛🏾💪🏻💪🏻
My mom learned English by watching The Fresh Prince when she first moved to Canada 🥹😭
No way?!
To be fair it was literally ALWAYS on… I hope she didn’t end up sounding like Carlton.
Loved this, can really relate. Made me think of One on One (such an underrated show). It was the first time I saw a single Black dad raising a teen daughter in a way that felt both real and soft. That dynamic really stuck with me.
Now I want to rewatch Sister Sister and Smart Guy omg! Floyd was such a lowkey hilarious single dad keeping everything together. We defo don’t talk about him enough!
Oh man, this one had me in my feeeeeels. The love I have for ‘90s Black sitcoms and films runs deep - maybe too deep 😭. But it’s that nostalgia init. Modern life is a challenge, and those shows transport me to a time that just felt… simpler. Getting home from school around 4:45pm, making a cuppa with some biscuits, then settling in to watch Trouble TV. That One on One, My Wife and Kids and Fresh Prince run from 5-6:30pm ate DOWN.
This is such a great follow-up to your earlier ‘Bits of Dad’ essay. Uncle Phil was that guy for so many - not just a great dad to his own kids, but a father figure to all. Also, how you just gonna casually drop in the fact that you met James Avery?! JEL.
That iconic scene where Will breaks down after his dad bails again - “How come he don’t want me, man?” 😭 it still pulls at my heartstrings every single time. That embrace from Uncle Phil? I can still feel it now, like I was right there in the room with them. Will falls into his arms, and you see that despite the funny jokes and 'bad boy' exterior, he's still just a little babe that wants to be seen by his dad. Oh, it's heartbreaking man.
These sitcoms were so much more than just entertainment. They were mirrors, mentors, memories. It’s such a shame that kids today can't just switch on the TV and immerse themselves into that same kind of representation. And in the UK, it’s even harder - unless you're paying for it, you can’t really access reruns of black sitcoms outside of Fresh Prince and My Wife and Kids. I’d really love to see new Black TV shows that reflect the full range of Black families - beyond the nuclear set-up. Feels like those kinds of stories rarely get commissioned these days… but that’s a convo for another day.
One Black TV dad who always sparked debate though - Frank from Moesha. Personally, I wasn’t a fan. He was way too controlling, always expecting the worst from Moesha even though she was a good kid who just had her own mind. That dynamic was very interesting to watch, growing up as a young Black girl. Would be interesting to hear your thoughts on this one if you watched it!
Finally, I have to give an honorary mention to one of my favourite Black movie dads - Ken Carter in Coach Carter. This movie came a little later in the noughties, so I don't hear many people talk about him. But the way he loved that basketball team and taught them life skills off the court — even when people doubted him - beauts.
I could really go on about this - but let me not get too carried away - I've already written a full essay as per usual 😂 Thank you for this one, Reg - it spoke to my true '90s spirit.
I was thinking about Frank too.
Mannnn, I could write a thousand words on Frank alone… I wonder how much time we spent watching those shows…
He was an interesting character to say the least. I hated the storyline of him being Dorian’s real dad. Felt so unnecessary — but I guess it humanised him in a sense and showed he too made mistakes.
But yeah, if we were to watch back a movie of our childhood, I’m sure a good portion of it we’d just be sat in front of the TV watching these iconic sitcoms. Wouldn’t have it any other way though!
More than entertainment and the actors of this era understood that! Huxtable, Winslow, Banks, Kyle, Mitchell, Campbell and many more gave therapy to a generation and I believe that they are the reason why our parents aspired to be better than their parents and why we currently as a generation of adults approach parenting and mentoring with such a heightened level of emotional intelligence. A heartfelt thanks, to our TV parents. 🙏🏾💫
I hope they got their flowers man… they meant a lot more than they probably realise.
Such a great read 🥰
Thanks Aisha… any area you’d like me to cover next? I’m editing several at once. I literally can’t get them outta me quick enough…
I was kinda prepared with the title of this post, I knew what was coming and yet the line crushed me like Uncle Phil dancing for Nicky. That one moment continues to break and haunt me. Trauma that I haven’t fully recovered from but accept. Why don’t he want me man! 😭
Such great tv and like you this was my education and inspiration. This is what traditional family should be like and something I have carved out for my own family of 4 these were my role models Uncle Phil the truest inspiration but I bring in Cosby show and Desmond’s as well for the humour and work ethic. We often search out these role models when they are not present in our own life. I had a step dad who cared and loved me and uncles that looked out for me and provided that wrap around care but a hole was still missing and I know what it was, but actually I’m glad I didn’t have it because I am who I am, because of the absent father, I am who I am because of my present mother and I am the dad I am because of the trauma. Thank you to all those well characterised role models, the positive ones that black boys of the time needed.
Thanks for this therapy space, I feel a sense of relief from this out pouring. 👊🏾
Good to have you here… honestly, I see these comments as more than enough reason to keep digging.
You know that feeling when you’ve got so much to say, but you’ve never really found the right way to say it? And then it all clicks… that.
Yeah, for sure. Keep going with it and I’ll take my own advice on that as well.
Appreciate the group and the timing of the connection. Feeling focused
After reading this I’m still stuck at the part where you casually let us know you met Uncle Phil. I’d probably have hugged him 😅and if we’re talking tv dads I need to give a shout out to Floyd Henderson (the dad in Smart Guy).
Man… there was nothing casual about the way I acted in that lift. I was fully my 12 year old self.
You're like the 4th or 5th person I've heard mention that James Avery and Uncle Phil are the same person in real life. He makes everyone feel like they are his kids because of his father role in the sitcom. He held a position that so many of us in that period just relished, and it's what raised many of us – that hope, that dream, that longing for the perfect family that wasn't but was so wholesome. I think I had the same feeling about Claire Huxtable – Phylicia Rashad in The Cosby Show – and having met her, she shared that the weight you carry as the person that has taken on the role is heavy and sometimes it's hard to separate the two, and I can see exactly what she meant. They haven't made many more of those sitcoms for us to relish, so we have to cherish the memories of what was....
I think James became Phil and never turned back.
Iconic moments - why don’t he want me…very few, in fact maybe no sitcom made me cry…but this scene even now, you do well up…just a little. Well Michael Kyle, he was the dad I try to be & Blueys dad - fun, engaging, trying to teach but also still tryin to flex and be cool! Good reads as always Reg…let’s see some more photography too - those holiday ones from Albania were solid
Cheers Andy... More photos on the way for sure... This Sunday in fact.
Love it and look forward! Always like the flow of these!
What a wonderful read as usual. Very much in my feelings first thing in the AM!
That's what Thursdays mornings are for! Thanks for reading...
Thanks for sharing this with us. I remember watching both of these. I imagine id feel that way if I ever met Bob Saget, I guess I related to him so much because he reminded me of my own Dad, a tall gentle giant who loved cleaning.
Bob was that guy... I mean, he raised two billionaire fashion empire owners. Goals. There's something funny about the sitcom dad relationship, something Movie dads never did... was it because we were in our living rooms?
There's definitely a different relationship to something you watch from home.
Agreed. I blame the PJs and the snacks.