Fade to ‘black•ish Anthony Anderson reflects on a superb eight-season sitcom run and looks forward to more acting and his behind-the-camera marathon. by BRYNA JEAN-MARIE
I
have always thought that the seven-time Emmy-nominated actor and comedian Anthony Anderson is hilarious. Whether he is on the hottest primetime television show, in a blockbuster film, or standing in front of me making a gut-busting remark, his impeccable comedic timing always amplifies the laughter. Not forcibly. Organically. His sense of humor, wit, and dramatic acting have landed him on screen and in rooms with some of the most powerful creators in Hollywood. And there’s no end in sight for this “kid from Compton” who intends on paying it forward. Taking control of your destiny and expecting new adventures everyday is a dream catcher. And so is being intentional and having a vision so clear that it’s palpable. This was the head space of Anderson when he and ABC’s sitcom Black-ish creator Kenya Barris finally came together in West Hollywood at Laurel Hardware for cocktails. Anderson (who would eventually portray the lead character and family patriarch Andre Johnson on the hit series) didn’t know Barris at all, but they shared the same management, so the two were finally able to connect after trying to sync schedules for months. They quickly realized all of their similarities. Being at the center of first-generation success stories, being the only African-American families living in their neighborhoods, and being one of the few Black faces at their respective private schools were some of the commonalities they discussed. This wouldn’t just be a random great conversation over Smirnoff on the rocks. They were unknowingly revealing the makings of one of the most notable Black television shows of our time. “We started talking about the trappings of our success and what was missing from the landscape of television for us as viewers, he and I in particular,” said Anderson. “I told him the story of how my son came home one day and told me
1 8
he didn't feel Black. I couldn't believe I was really having this conversation with my 12-yearold son.” Anderson, who also has a daughter, explained to his son that although his Black experience is living a life in the suburbs, somewhat of privilege, and not having a need or want, doesn’t make his Black experience any less Black than his cousins who live in the hood in South Central LA. Or any less than those young Black men around the country who are being gunned down by the police and racially profiled. That isn’t your Black experience, he explained. Yours is just different. The exchange between Barris and Anderson went on. And Anderson’s story culminated in his son asking for a Bar Mitzvah for his 13th birthday. Anderson explained to his son that they couldn’t do that because it wasn’t their culture, history, or religion, but that he would happily throw him a “Bro Mitzvah.” The hugely successful and ingenious party was fully equipped with an airbrushed 16 x 20 step-andrepeat of his son in a B-boy stance holding $5,000 cash and wearing a Kangol hat, Adidas sweatsuit, and gold chain. “I called Kangol and had them send his entire 8th grade class Kangols,” says Anderson, who also had an airbrush artist on hand to paint white Ts for guests. “And I called Adidas and had them send shell-toed Adidas to his entire 8th grade class.” And the party just wouldn’t have been complete without two DJs and two breakdance crews. His son is 21 now. And until this day his friends say that was the best Bar Mitzvah they have ever attended. Andre’s son Junior (played by Marcus Scribner) not feeling “Black enough” was the pilot for the show. Those early talks between Anderson and Barris led to the phenomenal subject matter that the acclaimed series has rolled out for nearly 200 episodes. Barris is credited as the creator, but Anderson notes that the stories are about both of their families, and that everything you’ve seen over the last eight years is art imi-
tating life. Towards the end of their conversation Barris said, “You know, I went from raising a Black family to a Black-ish family,” recalled Anderson. They continued to laugh and then talked about shows they grew up watching like All in the Family, The Jeffersons, Good Times and The Cosby Show.” Black-ish has a place right next to these iconic sitcoms that shifted the culture of television and brilliantly tackled issues of race, religion, parenting, marriage, sexism, politics and more. These topics laid the groundwork for what Anderson describes as “staying true to the complications of everybody trying to fit in some place… everybody trying to find their way in a world that is trying to label us who we are.” Three generational perspectives under one roof coming from four different perspectives (grandparents, parents, children and a biracial wife) allows each storyline to delve into multiple complex layers of issues. Most viewers are not even aware that they are engrossed in a social/racial/familial/political lesson. You can thank comedy for that. “We decided to talk about what really affects families and our community, and how we deal with it through our lens,” says Anderson. When he and Barris discussed social commentary shows with unapologetic lead characters, Archie Bunker’s name was front and center. “He was a racist and a bigot, but you knew where you stood and you had to respect him for his conviction,” says Anderson. “Let's say Archie Bunker and Andre Johnson sat down and had a conversation about how they view the world and each other. Hopefully, at the end they would have a better understanding of one another than what they did when they first sat down. They may not agree wholeheartedly on everything but they may find some common ground. And I believe that's what our show is about. Finding the common ground and having teachable moments.” And, of course, the cast will always find the hu-
www.uptownmagazine.com
FT-Anthony Anderson.indd 18
11/27/21 5:10 PM
