When we say there’s nothing to watch, what we mean is that there are no Black shows to watch. Why? Because networks keep canceling them. In January 2024, X (formerly Twitter) users went into a frenzy when Issa Rae’s comedy “Rap Sh!t” fell victim to the cancellation curse.
“Damn it, HBO, you put the final nail in the coffin; not only did you cancel #Generation (and scrapped it from the platform), you canceled #ABlackLadySketchShow, and now #RapSh!t,” said one fan on X. “Yeah. I’m done. Thank you for what you gave us, Issa Rae.”
Now, TV cancellations are a problem for all TV shows. Anyone remember Netflix’s “The Society?” That said, Black shows have it the hardest. There are very few Black shows on-air, and the ones that managed to move past development and production seldom get a season two renewal.
Streaming services and network television act fast to cancel Black shows with low viewership. Now, TV viewers are hesitant to invest in a new show because they fear their show will get canceled. It’s a catch-22, indeed.
The only solution is to rewatch your favorite series and wait for the (off)chance that a network will take it on — we’re looking at you, Netflix! Below, we’ve rounded up the six canceled Black series that deserve another season.
1. Rap Sh!t
We couldn’t start this listicle without mentioning one of the worst TV cancellations in streaming history. This one hurts. “Rap Sh!t” was just getting off the ground and had *so* much potential to be as big as “Insecure.” Not to mention, the comedy was the first of its kind. What other network has a musical comedy focusing on two emerging female artists in the rap game? Unfortunately, the HBO execs didn’t see the vision, but we’re hoping Netflix will though.
2. Sweet Life: Los Angeles
Next up, we have another Issa Rae-produced series! What’s baffling about this cancellation is that reality TV doesn’t cost much to produce. So, there’s no reason why “Sweet Life: Los Angeles” had to go. The viewership was there — with many folks tweeting about it. But, again, HBO didn’t see the value of documenting the messy lives of young African Americans in South L.A. Luckily, you can follow the cast on social media to get a peek of their lives post-show, but certain plot lines (like the status of Tylynn and Jaylenn’s relationship) remain a mystery.
3. Riches
Amazon Prime was dead wrong for this decision. ICYMI, “Riches” was a British drama following an affluent Black family who owned a cosmetic empire. It was giving “Succession” but Black. The series aired for only one season before it was canceled — partly because there was a little buzz around the show, but that’s Amazon Prime’s problem. Maybe if the marketing was there, more folks would have tuned in.
4. The Get Down
If you think the backlash to Rap Sh!t’s cancellation was bad, then you may not recall “The Get Down.” One of Netflix’s first original series, “The Get Down” was a musical drama focusing on the creation of hip-hop in the South Bronx. It had a star-studded cast with Shameik Moore, Jaden Smith, and Daveed Diggs all attached. The plot successfully mixed fiction and fact to illustrate how the decay of the South Bronx emerged a new artistic creation now valued as a billion-dollar industry. It featured great acting performances and an even better soundtrack. No one knows why Netflix didn’t renew it after Season 2 when critics and fans loved it. “The Get Down” is just another Black TV show to go down in history as another legendary series canceled too soon.
5. Run the World
Black people can’t have anything and that includes a modern Girlfriends-esque show. Starz’s “Run the World” was just that: It followed the lives of 30-something Black besties living unapologetically in Harlem, NY. The series ran for two seasons before it was canceled. While “Run the World”is not as well known as the other series on the list, it still deserved a third (or fourth) season.
6. Star
A spinoff of Fox’s “Empire,” “Star” aired for three seasons before it was canceled. It’s been five years since, and fans still can’t let this one go, partly because it ended with a cliffhanger. Not to mention, “Star” was also just so good. It was gritty and darker than “Empire,” and followed a girl group helmed by the selfish and fame-hungry Star (played by Jude Demorest). Her ambition caused all sorts of mayhem for the trio — from paternity scandals to gang violence.
Remember: These are only six of the plethora of Black series that were canceled way too soon. The cancellation curse hasn’t hit Amazon Prime’s “Harlem” or Peacock’s “Bel-Air,” but that doesn’t mean it won’t. A show can have good reviews, high viewership, and tons of search interest, but if a network wants it cut, bye-bye. All we can do is rage on Twitter and TikTok if — or, more likely, when — it happens again.
What Black shows do you believe should make a comeback? Let’s discuss in the comment section below.
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