Under One Roof

I too enjoyed this all-too-brief television series. Unfortunately, like "Frank's Place" before it, programs of high quality like "Under One Roof" are not always rewarded with ratings or renewal.

How can we get this great program re-released on DVD or video? In my opinion it's worth the investment.

"Under One Roof" was a rare TV series that deserves much better than the half-hearted support it received from the powers-that-be at CBS: a serious, thoughtful drama with the range of life's emotions, serious but with the humor that warms the heart. It was beautifully acted by an ensemble of top-notch actors, not only James Earl Jones and Joe Morton, but every member of the on-screen family, from featured performer to bit player. It's so unusual for TV to show working-class and lower middle-class African American families experiencing the trials and joys, tribulations and successes that are true to their lives, but that also cross class and racial lines,that is, human conflicts. No buffoons, gratuitous violence, four letter words or epithets thrown in for ratings. I have been trying to get a DVD of this series since I joined others unsuccessfully in appealing to, complaining to, berating CBS. Anyone know how we can get it? It deserves to be seen again and again.

I remember this show as well. It was about a family, a real family who loved and cared for each other a lot. Although the cast was African-American, the principles could have been any race. It was that good. It's just that it was so much fun to see James Earl Jones as the family patriarch, the relationship between Joe Morgan and Vanessa Bell Calloway, the children, and the other relatives on TV each week...if you could find the show that is. CBS was very creative in killing the show. By changing the time slot each week, CBS went to great lengths to drive the existing audience away and prevented a potential audience from tuning in and becoming fans.

The show was serious, it was funny, so many situations rang true or felt familiar. It made you think about your own family and if you didn't have a family, they became your family. They were a hard working, intact African-American family long on love and discipline. A family who loved each other and their community. But, I guess without a hip-hop soundtrack or a tribal counsel at the end, it was bound to get bumped.

Just a fan! Debbie

This show was way too good to let go. I really enjoyed it and still puzzled why it was taken off the air. James Earl was fantastic and the rest of the cast complimented each other. There weren't many programs in the 90's that I would watch religiously, but this was one of them. Having strong African American characters in prime time was refreshing. Having it in the Seattle location was a nice change as well. I think we've seen enough programs from New York. I'm ready for something like this type of program to be aired. I've had enough sitcoms and want a good serious drama involving real issues of our time. Hoping for DVD issue of "Under One Roof"!

I am shocked that anyone remembers this show. It wasn't on very long, but it was an awesome show. The show centered around three generations of the Langston family living together in one house. Neb Langston, the patriarch of the family also took in a troubled kid named Marcus. It is a shame that it got cancelled, because it was a real treat.