There are times when a TV show becomes so much more than laughs and monologues. For most people who grew up watching, they didn’t know the difference. A well-placed joke took them away from personal dealings but they never stopped to think of the impact a TV show could and would have on their life.

There have been great African-American shows throughout the years. And while some have come and gone, that’s not to say they didn’t stand for something. TV is a bit watered down now with the recycling of ideas and characters. Some older shows gave the black community hope and a better understanding of who they are. They need that today. So, here are 10 black TV shows that need a spinoff or revival.

A Different World

While A Different World was a spinoff of The Cosby Show, it showed what life is like attending an HBCU. It was a great landmark show and with the world facing certain economic and racial issues, bringing a show like this back would be a perfect way to address some of those unspoken concerns. A brand new cast of students with some of the original cast back as teachers would be a great selling point to the networks.

There is nothing on TV like A Different World and there really hasn’t been since Dwayne and Whitley moved to Japan in 1993.

Living Single

Before Friends, there was Living Single. Six friends and one building. It was about heartache, bonds, love, and life. A show like this is needed today. With a wider cast of comics available, this mostly all-female remake would lead to a new generation of fans. There will be no need for the original cast as a reboot could be done with new faces.

It would be great to get a show filled with laughter, personal growth, and love. These are most of the things missing in African-American shows today. While not considered as funny as some of the others, Living Single carved out its own lane.

The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

From troubled teen to rich teen. Just because Will Smith was attached did not mean that The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air was going to be a success. While the majority of these black shows were trying to follow the blueprint of The Cosby Show, some would fail but The Fresh Prince was able to stay the course.

While Heathcliff Huxtable hit topics that we’re still dealing with today, The Fresh Prince gave insight into how the other half lives. Audiences watched as an inner-city kid tried to adapt to having everything he ever wanted.

Family Matters

Family Matters tried to take what The Cosby Show was and make it more about the laughs than values. At least that was the initial plan. But as we go back and look with more seasoned eyes and a better understanding of life, Family Matters hit a lot of hard topics. A hard-working husband and wife doing their best to raise their three children along with an in-law and her child.

Then we had the star of the show in Steve Urkel. The awkward neighbor who stole every viewer’s heart. Family Matters taught us to never judge a book by its cover.

Girlfriends

What made Girlfriends so unique was that it was like a younger version of The Golden Girls. The wisecracks were just as crisp, the topics were geared toward the younger generations but the essence of the show was a mirror image of our favorite golden women. Four friends with different views on the world, life, and love. While Girlfriends is never discussed as one of the best comedies ever, in the black community, it’s considered one of the greats.

This is one of those shows where the original cast is needed. Fans would love to know what happened with Toni, Maya, Lynn, Joan, and even William. No need to do a recast here. Please bring back the originals.

The Wire

For years, fans have waited for some type of reboot or revival of The Wire. Labeled by most as the best TV show of all-time, this is one that has to be done. If not, then go the route of Entourage and give fans a full-length movie. They want to know what has happened to Baltimore since some of their favorite characters either went to jail or were killed.

The Wire set the standard for inner-city dramas. There were no punches pulled and it hit everyone right in the gut and heart with its 100 percent true storylines.

The Cosby Show

This is a tough one considering what happened to Bill Cosby. However, The Cosby Show was a staple in the African-American community and when it was on, it gave millions of people hope. While most shows centered around mostly comedy, The Cosby Show took it up a notch with proper family values. A two-parent household with a doctor and a lawyer, raising five kids was something different.

There is a way to bring this show back despite the backlash. Questions still remain as to what happened to Rudy, Theo, and Vanessa? Did they ever get married and have kids? A look at their lives would be a great spinoff or revival.

Good Times

Most shows were afraid to touch on a topic as fragile as growing up in the projects. But what Good Times did was show just how deep the writers were willing to take subject matters. In today’s society, there is still a misconception of how life is in urban areas. To remake a show as groundbreaking as Good Times could be huge on how black people and other races see each other from a certain perspective.

A father who struggled to keep a job but did what he could to provide. A mom full of love doing their best to find their own way.

Martin

Labeled as one the of funniest shows ever, Martin set the bar high for any comedy that was set to come after it. Four friends, wisecracks, personal jokes, love, and arguments gave an insight as to how relationships and friendships are viewed in the black community. Martin took the route of Eddie Murphy and the Nutty Professor franchise and decided to create his own characters.

With the likes of Sheneneh, Jerome, and Otis, Martin proved that laughter was still a number-1 priority in the urban community. Martin was ahead of its time so much that a reboot is discussed every year.

The Jeffersons

Growth. Before The Cosby Show, there was another prominent black couple who made something from nothing. George Jefferson took a dream and turned it into a franchise. He moved his family away from racial attacks to a penthouse. The Jeffersons symbolized what hard work could get you. This is a lesson that some still have yet to grasp.

Bringing a show like this back would be huge for the community. While there were laughs, it also touched on topics that are still sensitive to the masses today such as interracial dating and friendship between different ethnics groups.

Next: 10 Iconic Black TV Shows That Defined The Culture