blackAF

#blackAF is an American sitcom created by Kenya Barris.[1] It premiered on Netflix on April 17, 2020.[2][3] The title derives from Internet slang, where "AF" is a term of emphasis, meaning "as fuck".[4] In June 2020, the series was renewed for a second season.[5] A year later, the renewal decision was reversed and the series was canceled after one season.[6]

#blackAF
GenreMockumentary
Created byKenya Barris
Starring
Music byVincent Jones
Opening theme"Win"
by Jay Rock
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes8
Production
Executive producers
  • Kenya Barris
  • Rashida Jones
  • Hale Rothstein
Producers
  • Bryan J. Raber
  • Yassir Lester
  • Doug Hall
  • Danny Segal
  • Isaac Schamis
  • Mychelle Deschamps
Production locationLos Angeles
CinematographyAdam Bricker
Editors
  • Steven Rasch
  • Christine Armstrong
Camera setupSingle-camera
Running time32-48 minutes
Production companies
  • Khalabo Ink Society
  • Le Train Train
Release
Original networkNetflix
Original releaseApril 17, 2020 (2020-04-17)

Premise

The series stars Barris as a fictionalized version of himself. The official synopsis reads: "#blackAF uncovers the messy, unfiltered, and often hilarious world of what it means to be a 'new money' black family trying to 'get it right' in a modern world where 'right' is no longer a fixed concept."[7]

Cast

Main

Recurring

Ava DuVernay, Will Packer, Tyler Perry, Issa Rae, Tim Story, Scooter Braun, Lena Waithe, Jay Rock and Steven Levitan made appearances as themselves in the series.

Episodes
No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date [8]
11"because of slavery"Ken KwapisKenya BarrisApril 17, 2020 (2020-04-17)
22"because of slavery too"Ken KwapisKenya BarrisApril 17, 2020 (2020-04-17)
33"still...because of slavery"Rashida JonesEsa Lewis & Helen KriegerApril 17, 2020 (2020-04-17)
44"yup, you guessed it. again, this is because of slavery"Ken KwapisDoug HallApril 17, 2020 (2020-04-17)
55"yo, between you and me... this is because of slavery"Kenya BarrisHale RothsteinApril 17, 2020 (2020-04-17)
66"hard to believe, but still because of slavery"Kenya BarrisAlison McDonaldApril 17, 2020 (2020-04-17)
77"i know this is going to sound crazy... but this, too, is because of slavery"Brennan SchroffHunter CovingtonApril 17, 2020 (2020-04-17)
88"i know you may not get this, but the reason we deserve a vacation is... because of slavery"Brennan SchroffDanny Segal & Isaac SchamisApril 17, 2020 (2020-04-17)

Production

Development

Netflix ordered #blackAF (originally titled Black Excellence) as the first series under Barris' deal with them.[1] Announcing the production of the show, Netflix said, "Inspired by Barris' irreverent, highly flawed, unbelievably honest approach to parenting, relationships, race, and culture, Black Excellence looks to pull the curtain back and reboot the 'family sitcom' in a way we've never seen before."[9] On June 23, 2020, Netflix renewed the series for a second season.[5] A year later, on June 23, 2021, the renewal decision was reversed and the series was canceled after one season, but may return as a standalone film franchise.[6]

Casting

On May 10, 2019, Kenya Barris and Rashida Jones were cast in starring roles.[1] On December 20, 2019, Genneya Walton, Iman Benson, Scarlet Spencer, Justin Claiborn, Ravi Cabot-Conyers, and Richard Gardenhire Jr. were announced as additional cast members.[10][11]

Reception

On Rotten Tomatoes, the series has an approval rating of 46% based on 24 reviews, with an average rating of 6.97/10. The website's critical consensus states: "Solid one-liners and some sharp social critiques can't save #blackaf from feeling more like a stale retread than a fresh step forward for creator Kenya Barris."[12] On Metacritic, it has a weighted average score of 61 out of 100, based on 18 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[13]

References
  1. Andreeva, Nellie (May 10, 2019). "Kenya Barris & Rashida Jones To Star In Barris' First Netflix Series 'Black Excellence'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 6, 2019. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
  2. "Netflix Originals: A Complete Guide to the New Movies and TV Shows in 2020". TV Guide. March 19, 2020. Archived from the original on March 19, 2020. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
  3. Rico, Klaritza (March 19, 2020). "TV News Roundup: Showtime Releases 'Billions' Season 5 Trailer". Variety. Archived from the original on March 20, 2020. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
  4. Moreau, Elise (March 17, 2020). "What Does It Mean When Someone Types 'AF' In a Message, Tweet or Status?". Lifewire. Archived from the original on May 14, 2020. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
  5. White, Peter (June 23, 2020). "Netflix Renews Kenya Barris' '#blackAF' For Season 2". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 24, 2020. Retrieved June 23, 2020.
  6. Schwartz, Ryan (June 23, 2021). "#blackAF Not Returning for Season 2; Netflix Eyes Standalone Film Franchise". TVLine. Archived from the original on June 23, 2021. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
  7. Obenson, Tambay (March 26, 2020). "'#blackAF' Trailer: Kenya Barris and Rashida Jones 'Flip the Script' on the Family Sitcom". IndieWire. Archived from the original on August 14, 2020. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
  8. "#blackAF – Listings". The Futon Critic. Retrieved March 31, 2020.
  9. Greene, Steve (May 10, 2019). "'Black Excellence': Rashida Jones Cast as Lead of Kenya Barris' First Netflix Original Comedy". IndieWire. Archived from the original on May 17, 2019. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
  10. Petski, Denise (December 20, 2019). "Kenya Barris' Netflix Comedy Series "#blackexcellence' Rounds Out The Family Cast". Deadline. Archived from the original on December 20, 2019. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
  11. Darwish, Meaghan (December 20, 2019). "'#BlackExcellence': Netflix Rounds Out Cast of Kenya Barris & Rashida Jones Series". TV Insider. Archived from the original on March 13, 2020. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  12. "#blackAF: Season 1 (2020)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved July 27, 2020.
  13. "#blackAF: Season 1 reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
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