Roc

For as funny as "Roc" was and could be, it got really serious at times too.

The eponymous Roc was played by Charles S. Dutton who went on to play some good movie roles. He was a sanitation engineer, or what we like to call a garbage man. He was one of those garbage men who one man's trash is another man's treasure, which made for some funny scenes. He was married to Eleanor (Ella Joyce) who patiently endured him, and both had to patiently endure Roc's brother Joey (Rocky Carroll), a trumpet player who never worked and never played the trumpet because of the time he busted his lip.

"Roc" was the first sitcom I saw that seriously approached gun violence. In the episode "Terence Got His Gun" a young boy named Terrance (Brandon Quintin) pulled out a gun at school with the intention of shooting someone. It was a heavy episode that has as much relevance today as it had in 1994.

I would watch right now if I could. I followed the careers of the actors and actress since. Charles S Dutton was so funny.

This was an excellent show. It was like watching a play every week, as the cast members interacted perfectly with each other. It was free of the buffoonery and racial stereotypes that have permeated many other sitcoms with predominately African-American casts. In fact, the series premiered around the same time "Martin", another FOX sitcom did. Star Charles Dutton was very vocal about how it appeared that FOX promoted the buffoonery in the "Martin" show, while not giving enough attention to "Roc". "Roc" was one of few shows that focused on the lives of working class African-Americans.

Just like the equally excellent "Frank's Place" on CBS, "Roc" received critical praise but disappeared way too soon due to low ratings. It is not shown in reruns often, but please catch the episodes when they are. This is a real gem.

When this show came out in 91, I couldn't wait to watch the next one and I was only 6 years old. I watch it with my own children now. The best episode was when the drug dealer came to Roc's house. That performance from Roc was heartfelt and greatly needed!

The fact that this show wasn't showered with awards is a crime. I was a pre-teen white kid from the pine barrens of New Jersey, probably not their targeted demographic and still I was riveted to the screen with every episode. If memory serves me right most of the episodes were filmed live unedited. The actors were so in tune that it felt more like theater or better a very real look into the living room of a family so different and also not so different from my own experiences. For a show that only had a few seasons they really put out a ton of episodes. I wonder if anyone in Hollywood has the chops to pull that off these days.