The Parent 'Hood

This was one of several African-American sitcoms picked up by the newly formed WB channel. They staked their future in a sense on shows like "The Parent'Hood," "The Wayans Bros.," and "The Jamie Foxx Show."

I would've expected nothing less from Robert Townsend. He created a funny, positive sitcom starring Black actors. Anything less than that would've been a shock. He was already an established comedian and writer by the time he created "The Parent'hood."

Townsend played Robert Peterson, a stay-at-home dad who had to manage four children. His wife, Jerri (Suzzanne Douglas), rejoined the workforce which left Robert home to do his thing.

The children were largely unmemorable. They played an important part, but the show really rested upon Robert Townsend's shoulders--an rightly so.

This is the most untalented cast of characters I've ever seen! Nobody on this show could act, especially Kenny Blank who was eventually taken off the show. And what was especially annoying was Robert when we would go into his day-dreaming. Complete garbage!

I remember when this show first came on, I thought it was okay. But then after a few episodes, I came to the decision that it just wasn't funny. By looking at movies from the '80s (Hollywood Shuffle, for example), it was evident that Robert Townsend COULD act, but maybe he'd forgotten how for this show.

After the end of the third season, Kenny Blank (who played the eldest child, Michael Peterson) abruptly left the show, and he was replaced by an ex-con kid named T.K. (played by Tyrone Dorzell Burton). I initially thought the episodes with T.K. were better, but I've seen those episodes on reruns and now I know that I was wrong. With the possible exception of Burton, the acting on the show was TERRIBLE. And this includes the cast AND the guest stars. In fact, any time anyone yelled, it was overdone.

Also, as another reviewer said, the plots went from funny escapades to instilling wholesome family values in the most generic way possible. Approximately at the point where there were ten minutes of show left (including commercial time), Robert and Jerri came to the selected kid and said something like, "Don't change your image. Be yourself!" or "If you really care about her, you should tell her."

I have no idea how this show lasted as long as it did. Usually wack sitcoms only last on UPN.

Anthony Rupert

The first few episode the comedy was a bit meh but it got better as it went along. The messages tho hit home and its better than alot of sit coms now a days. I love the cutaways.

At first I rated it low bc it wasnt what i remembered but as I watch it I enjoyed it.

So happy HBO max brought my childhood back. I watched this in Trinidad.

One of my favorite shows! Those kids were hilarious.