There is an episode of Netflix’s new comedy series #blackAF which is partially about what I’m about to do, being a white critic reviewing a comedy about black people. The episode features several plot points, one of them being how the creator of the show Kenya Barris doesn’t like a film that all of his friends love but when he asks his white colleagues what they think of the film they argue that they can’t say anything bad about it. Now if I’m honest I wouldn’t normally be the first person to review or even watch #blackAF normally but after watching the trailer I decided to give it a shot and I can safely and honestly say I love this comedy…and that’s not me being scared.
#blackAF is created by Kenya Barris (creator of Black-ish) and it is loosely inspired by his life and his approach to being in a “new money” black family. The comedy series centres on his family and is filmed like a mockumentary, in a similar way to Modern Family or The Office except it is staged as a film project about the family by one of Barris’ daughters on the show. If #blackAF wasn’t filmed and set up like this then I certainly believe the show wouldn’t work as well.
The series isn’t scared of mixing in comedy with important topics with each episode title even mentioning the exact say issue over and over again, just so you know. The discussion that the show brings about Black lives in the modern world is important and the show feels like a project that can help everyone learn all together.
At the centre of #blackAF is Kenya Barris, playing himself, and Joya (played by Rashida Jones) who is Barris’ wife on the show. The two play off each other to create the perfect comedy centrepiece which is simply a joy to watch and laugh with. Barris will be having a crisis one minute about a topical subject whilst Joya is dealing with a different subject all together until they meet up in the middle as a solid, yet mad, team.
Barris and Jones are easily the two stars of the show but the entire family is great to watch as well. Iman Benson whose character is creating the documentary is the next highlight, especially through the fake interviews that help to dive into particular topics better and actually feel like the characters and actors are being questioned about their opinions and actions. Unlike Modern Family where the ‘interviews’ are just added on jokes, the ‘interviews’ in #blackAF serve a deeper purpose of showing the thinking behind characters so the viewer can watch their brains tick.
Barris and Jones’ Joya spend most of the show trying to help their kids and themselves understand where they belong and where they came from. Barris goes through many moments of wondering whether he should be proud of his wealth or whether he should be ashamed of it. Many early arguments about the show from the trailer’s release are answered in the show through the exploration of those exact arguments.
The show is not without its problems though. With the world of streaming and freedom comes the ability to make a show whatever length the creator wants. For #blackAF some episodes dive deep into an issue and struggle to resurface for quite some time. Several times it felt like some jokes and discussions were being repeated a few too many times and episodes actually get longer as the season goes on. Barris then feels repetitive himself and you end up wanting to see more of the rest of the family then just him. Luckily the show is enjoyable to watch so it isn’t so bad but people can get bored easily.
Topical subjects aside #blackAF shines as a comedy for all too watch, something that Barris has mentioned the show is for. A comedy that can make you laugh and teach everyone is hard to come by but Barris has done a great job at creating such a show. Every episode is directed with great style and high energy. One of the best episodes is directed by Rashida Jones herself and I’m excited to see what other directing gigs she will get after people see the show.
Slavery, black dads never getting praise and ‘new money’ are just some of the topics featured in #blackAF. It is a show that isn’t scared to talk about continuing issues or how history has brought Barris to this current place in his career. Barris has done what he has set out to do and that’s making a comedy for all to enjoy no matter who you are or where you’ve come from. He has created a comedy that everyone can learn from, whether they realise it or not, yes the lessons can be repetitive but at the end of the day, I’ll take a slightly repetitive show trying to teach me something whilst making me laugh over some studio rubbish with one token black character and a laugh track any day.