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Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television is a two-part HBO Max original docuseries that focuses on the cultural history of Black television as a social force in American culture and includes a look at the impact of African American culture and identity on TV programming. The docuseries offers a panoramic view of cultural, historical, and artistic touchstones in the history of Black representation on television from across generations.
But more than a nostalgia exercise about familiar shows, Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television examines how Black artists, producers, and writers worked to impact an industry that historically fought to allow a space for authenticity. The series shifts the lens through which viewers understand the influence of Black television, from the medium’s earliest manifestations to its present status as an indispensable cultural force, painting a story that is as much about the future as the past.
Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television - Release date news, cast, streaming details and more
Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television debuts Tuesday, September 9, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO Max. Using archival clips, behind-the-scenes moments, and interviews with some of the biggest voices in entertainment, Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television delves into the successes and obstacles that have shaped the medium. The series will not only pay homage to history but also capture the energy of new Black creators who are defining the industry today.
The documentary is a partnership between Issa Rae’s HOORAE Media and Ark Media. It is directed and produced by Giselle Bailey, who was behind HBO’s The Legend of the Underground, and Phil Bertelsen, who directed Who Killed Malcolm X? Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television is backed by Rae, Montrel McKay, John Maggio, Rachel Dretzin, John Ealer, Jonathan Berry, and Dave Becky as executive producers.
The appearing cast includes Issa Rae, Oprah Winfrey, Shonda Rhimes, Tyler Perry, Tracee Ellis Ross, Ava DuVernay, Lena Waithe, Debbie Allen, Kenya Barris, Mara Brock Akil, Malcolm Jamal Warner, Byron Allen, Norman Lear, Swizz Beatz, Tamera Mowry-Housley, and more. These are the culture influencers, creatives, and disrupters bringing priceless diversity of perspective to the project.
What Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television is about?
At the core of it all, Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television is a grand historical overview of how Black creators haven’t just added to the conversation but also transformed the medium. The first episode, Seen, looks at decades of representation onscreen, depicting yawning gaps indeed, and how early portrayals often traded in stereotypes and were overseen by white or non-Black writers and producers. Black television not only mirrored culture, it also shaped it.
The second episode, Heard, centers around ownership, authorship, and the ongoing struggle for creative control. By featuring such examples as how Shonda Rhimes casts, how Oprah Winfrey built her own network, and how Issa Rae leaped from online to on-screen, the episode also underscores how control over storytelling has been key to representation’s evolution.
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Social media, too, is a common thread, and it has the potential to facilitate creators finding an audience on their own terms and elevate underrepresented voices. The documentary also highlights the importance of mentorship and lineage, highlighting how creators like Lena Waithe are committed to opening doors to the next generation and ensuring those telling Black stories reflect the entire spectrum of the Black experience.
The past and future of Black television Seen & Heard: A History of Black Television is a reclamation of narrative and an amplification of cultural legacy. With its combination of old-timers, younger voices, and rare footage, HBO’s documentary offers a highly worthwhile cultural archive that’s about as educational as it is uplifting.
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