New sitcom by the creator of Black-ish lands in trouble with fans due to its setting in the L. A. Wildfires

ABC aired the popular American comedy Black-ish from 2014 to 2022. The show, which was created by Kenya Barris, follows a rich advertising entrepreneur named Dre Johnson (Anthony Anderson) and his wife, a doctor named Bow (Tracee Ellis Ross), as they raise their family in a neighborhood that is dominated by white people. The show examines racial, identity, and family issues with humor and compassion.

It received critical acclaim, received many award nominations, and won Ross a Golden Globe. The show's popularity led to the creation of spin-offs, including Grown-ish and Mixed-ish, which focus on younger people and go further into the story of the Johnson family.

Black-ish's creator, Kenya Barris' new CBS sitcom is set in post-wildfire Altadena. It has drawn criticism from neighbors lingering in the wake of the devastating Eaton Fire. These primarily claimed that the idea is disrespectful, and despite Barris's claim that the performance was meant to highlight the community, many people believe it's too soon to turn a tragic incident into humor.

More about the creator of Black-ish landing in trouble

Kenya Barris, the creator of Black-ish, is encountering strong pushback for a new sitcom on CBS set in the wildfire-ravaged city of Altadena, California. The unnamed film, co-written with comedian Mike Epps, takes place after the horrific Eaton Fire in January 2025.

At least 19 individuals died, 14,000 acres were destroyed, and over 9,000 homes were damaged. Many citizens believe that utilizing the recent tragedy in their community to create a comedy series is disrespectful and upsetting, and they are still trying to heal.

In order to sell their late grandmother's Altadena house, two estranged Black brothers get back together in the sitcom. They are compelled to live together and deal with their own problems after learning that her caregiver now co-owns the property and won't leave.

The program is described as a comedy with many cameras that explores issues of community, tradition, and family. The announcement has caused indignation, especially among Altadena residents, even though no official release date has been set and the show has not yet been selected for screening.

Numerous residents have taken to social media to voice their displeasure. In a widely shared Instagram post, artists from Altadena called the show "a slap in the face," saying that many people have been moved and that the community is still suffering. "This isn't narrative," one commentator stated, it is a blasphemy.

The statement continued by saying that their stories shouldn't be turned into a comedy because Altadena is still cleaning up the ashes from the fire. Many neighbors are "hurt" by the project's idea, according to a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County Supervisor, who has also voiced worry over the performance.

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In response, Black-ish's creator, Kenya Barris, defended the program, claiming that he wants to bring awareness to a community that many people have disregarded. He also noted in an Instagram post that he participates by sharing tales and that the program should be run with care and purpose. Mike Epps, the show's star, has not yet issued a public word on the matter. While some viewers believe that comedy may help people recover, many others believe that timing is everything and that this is an inappropriate time.

There will also be a comeback of Barris' previous popular sitcom, Black-ish, which ran for eight seasons and received accolades for fusing humor with weighty social issues. Much more praise has been given to the show's 2022 finale, which placed a strong emphasis on Black culture and community, than to its present concept. Using a recent, actual disaster as a backdrop for comedy, according to some, runs the risk of trivializing genuine grief, particularly if homes and lives are lost. Whether the effort will continue or alter in response to public concerns is uncertain.

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