Primetime Blues: African Americans on Network Television

by Donald Bogle

Analyzing four decades of African Americans in television, the author traces the history of black characters and themes, covering Amos 'n' Andy, The Mod Squad, Sanford and Son, Good Times, The Cosby Show, L.A. Law, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Martin, and other groundbreaking shows.

Genres: Tv

520 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2001

About the author

Donald Bogle is one of the foremost authorities on Black representation in films and entertainment history. His books include Running Press's Hollywood Black; the groundbreaking Toms, Coons, Mulattoes, Mammies, and Bucks; the award-winning Bright Boulevards, Bold Dreams; the bestselling Dorothy Dandridge: A Biography; and Brown Sugar, which Bogle adapted into a PBS documentary series. He was a special commentator and consultant for Turner Classic Movies’ award-winning series Race and Hollywood. Bogle teaches at the University of Pennsylvania and New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. He lives in Manhattan. — Running Press

Reviews

[Eric Gilliland · Rating 4 out of 5]

An erudite and comprehensive history of African American representation on television from the 1950s to the 1990s. Bogle provides to a counter-narrative to more conventional histories of the medium, and a critical perspective on TV's limitations on dealing with race, while also paying tribute to artists and performers who did incredible work under challenging circumstances.

[Isabella · Rating 4 out of 5]

A journey of the black experience in Network TV. A wonderful read.