HBO Max led a field of more than 40 streaming, services, networks and digital companies nominated for 2023 NAMIC Vision Awards, the diversity organization announced Tuesday morning (April 18).

HBO Max -- which will be rebranded to Max next month -- drew eight Vision Awards nominations to lead all distributors, according to the organization. The Vision Awards honor excellence in inclusive programming. 

ABC also garnered multiple nominations along with Disney Plus, Paramount Plus, Hulu, Disney Channel, Starz, AMC, CBS, PBS, Fuse, Food Network, CNN, Revolt, ESPN, TBS/TNT/TruTV, CBS Sports, World Channel and Sesame Workshop.

ABC shows Abbott Elementary, black-ish and The Wonder Years secured three of the five slots in the best comedy series award category, with Disney Plus’s Ms. Marvel and CBS Studios’s The Neighborhood rounding out the category.

On the best drama side, freshman series Dark Winds (AMC) and Women of the Movement (ABC) will battle veteran shows 9-1-1 (Fox), Grey’s Anatomy (ABC) and The Good Fight (Paramount Plus) for top honors.

Shows earning multiple nominations include Ms. Marvel, The Neighborhood, Dark Winds, Raven’s Home (Disney Channel), Taste the Culture (TBS/TNT/TruTV), Sesame Street (Sesame Workshop) and The Hair Tales (Hulu).

NAMIC said it will announce winners in each category this May.

Below are the list of nominees for the 2023 NAMIC Vision Awards:

Animation 

Craig of the Creek – Cartoon Network

Karma’s World – 9 Story Media Group

More Than I Want to Remember – MTV Entertainment Studios 

Star Trek: Lower Decks – Paramount Plus 

The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder – Disney Plus

Best Performance – Comedy

Frankie Quiñones (This Fool) – Hulu 

Iman Vellani (Ms. Marvel) – Disney Plus 

Omari Hardwick (Fantasy Football) – Paramount Plus

Raven-Symoné: (Raven’s Home) – Disney Channel 

Tichina Arnold: (The Neighborhood) – CBS Studios

Best Performance – Drama 

Cliff “Method Man” Smith: (Power Book II: Ghost) – Starz 

Courtney B. Vance: (61st Street) – AMC 

Patina Miller: (Power Book III: Raising Kana) - Starz

Viola Davis:(The First Lady) – Showtime

Zahn McClarnon: (Dark Winds) – AMC 

Children’s

Mira, Royal Detective – Disney Junior

Raven’s Home – Disney Channel 

Rise Up, Sing Out – Disney Junior 

Sesame Street – Sesame Workshop 

That Girl Lay Lay – Nickelodeon 

Comedy 

Abbott Elementary – Warner Bros. Television | ABC 

black-ish – ABC 

Ms. Marvel – Disney Plus

The Neighborhood – CBS Studios 

The Wonder Years – ABC 

Digital Media – Short Form 

Sesame Street’s #ComingTogether Word of the Day Series – Sesame Workshop 

Taste the Culture – tbs/TNT/truTV

TO BE FREE: Featuring Natasha Cloud – CBS Sports 

Historian’s Take: What is #LandBack? Inside New Native American TV Shows – PBS 

Why Am I Like This?: Where Does My Skin Color Come From? – PBS 

Documentary 

Aftershock – Hulu Asian American Stories of Resilience and Beyond – World Channel 

Fannie Lou Hamer’s America: An America ReFramed Special – American Documentary, Inc. and World Channel 

Invisible Valley - Fuse 

Master of Light – HBO Max 

Drama

9-1-1 - FOX 

Dark Winds – AMC 

Grey’s Anatomy – ABC 

The Good Fight – Paramount Plus 

Women of the Movement – ABC 

Lifestyle 

Delicious Miss Brown – Food Network 

Married to Real Estate – HGTV 

Outchef’d – Food Network 

Selena + Chef – HBO Max 

Spring Baking Championship: Easter – Food Network 

News/Informational 

GMA in Ghana/The ‘Black Panther’ Effect – Good Morning America 

The Color of Care – Smithsonian Channel 

The Hair Tales – Onyx Collective/OWN/Hulu 

Traffic Stop: Dangerous Encounters – CNN 

What Happened to Anton Black – Dateline 

Original Movie or Special 

A Gingerbread Christmas – Food Network 

A Rich Christmas – BET+ 

REVOLT x Michelle Obama: The Cross-Generational Conversation – REVOLT 

The Real Thirst Trap: Investigating Black America’s Water Crisis – REVOLT 

Unsound – Fuse 

Reality 

90 Day Fiancé – TLC 

Lizzo Watch Out For The Big Grrrls – Amazon 

Made From Scratch – Fuse 

We’re Here – HBO Max 

Why Not Us: Southern Dance – ESPN+ 

Reality – Social Issues 

Inside College Football: Mental Health – CBS Sports 

Taste the Culture – tbs/TNT/truTV SC 

Featured: Jackie to Me – ESPN 

SC Featured: Net Worth – ESPN 

The Hair Tales – Onyx Collective/OWN/Hulu 

Sports 

38 At the Garden – HBO Max 

After Jackie – History Channel 

Dream On – ESPN 

Say Hey, Willie Mays! – HBO Max 

Serena Williams: On Her Terms – CNN 

Variety/Talk Show 

Don’t Cancel Me with Amara La Negra – Fuse 

Jerrod Carmichael: Rothaniel – HBO Max

PAUSE with Sam Jay – HBO Max 

The Amber Ruffin Show – Peacock 

Yvonne Orji: A Whole Me. – HBO Max

Abbott Elementary looks to extend its awards season success at next month’s NAACP Image Awards, securing the most nominations in the television category.

The ABC comedy, which won four Golden Globes Awards Tuesday leading all television shows, drew a category-high nine nominations, including nods for Outstanding Comedy Series and Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series for Quinta Brunson.

ABC’s Black-ish, which ended its eight-season run in 2022, drew seven nominations. Other shows drawing five or more nominations include Starz’s P-Valley, OWN’s Queen Sugar, Peacock's The Best Man: The Final Chapters, Apple TV Plus’ The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey, ABC’s Women of the Movement and Netflix’s From Scratch.

BET will air live coverage of the 54th annual NAACP Image Awards from Pasadena, Calif. The show will take place in front of a live audience for the first time since 2020.

“We take pride in recognizing the trailblazing achievements and artistry of the year’s esteemed nominees and celebrating the powerful legacy of the NAACP,” BET Executive VP of Specials, Music Programming and Music Strategy Connie Orlando said in a statement. “We look forward to bringing the Image Awards back to Pasadena in front of a live audience and delivering unforgettable moments that epitomize the brilliance of the Black community.”

NAACP President Derrick Johnson added: “This year’s nominees have conveyed a wide range of authentic stories and diverse experiences that have resonated with many in our community, and we’re proud to recognize their outstanding achievements and performances.” 

The list of NAACP Image Awards nominees in the television category are as follows:

 Outstanding Comedy Series

Abbott Elementary (ABC)

Atlanta (FX)

black-ish (ABC)

Rap Sh!t (HBO Max)

The Wonder Years (ABC)

Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series

Anthony Anderson – black-ish (ABC)

Cedric The Entertainer – The Neighborhood (CBS)

Donald Glover – Atlanta (FX)

Dulé Hill – The Wonder Years (ABC)

Mike Epps – The Upshaws (Netflix)

Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series

Loretta Devine – Family Reunion (Netflix)

Maya Rudolph – Loot (Apple TV Plus)

Quinta Brunson – Abbott Elementary (ABC)

Tichina Arnold – The Neighborhood (CBS)

Tracee Ellis Ross – black-ish (ABC)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Brian Tyree Henry – Atlanta (FX)

Deon Cole – black-ish (ABC)

Kenan Thompson – Saturday Night Live (NBC)

Tyler James Williams – Abbott Elementary (ABC)

William Stanford Davis – Abbott Elementary (ABC)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Janelle James – Abbott Elementary (ABC)

Jenifer Lewis – black-ish (ABC)

Marsai Martin – black-ish (ABC)

Sheryl Lee Ralph – Abbott Elementary (ABC)

Wanda Sykes – The Upshaws (Netflix)

Outstanding Drama Series

Bel-Air (Peacock)

Bridgerton (Netflix)

Euphoria (HBO Max)

P-Valley (Starz)

Queen Sugar (OWN)

Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series

Damson Idris – Snowfall (FX)

Jabari Banks – Bel-Air (Peacock)

Kofi Siriboe – Queen Sugar (OWN)

Nicco Annan – P-Valley (Starz)

Sterling K. Brown – This Is Us (NBC)

Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series

Angela Bassett – 9-1-1 (FOX)

Brandee Evans – P-Valley (Starz)

Queen Latifah – The Equalizer (CBS)

Rutina Wesley – Queen Sugar (OWN)

Zendaya – Euphoria (HBO Max)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Adrian Holmes – Bel-Air (Peacock)

Amin Joseph – Snowfall (FX)

Caleb McLaughlin – Stranger Things (Netflix)

Cliff “Method Man” Smith – Power Book II: Ghost (Starz)

J. Alphonse Nicholson – P-Valley (Starz)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Adjoa Andoh – Bridgerton (Netflix)

Bianca Lawson – Queen Sugar (OWN)

Loretta Devine – P-Valley (Starz)

Susan Kelechi Watson – This Is Us (NBC)

Tina Lifford – Queen Sugar (OWN)

Outstanding Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special

Carl Weber’s The Black Hamptons (BET Networks)

From Scratch (Netflix)

The Best Man: The Final Chapters (Peacock)

The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey (Apple TV Plus)

Women of the Movement (ABC)

Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special

Morris Chestnut – The Best Man: The Final Chapters (Peacock)

Samuel L. Jackson – The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey (Apple TV Plus)

Terrence Howard – The Best Man: The Final Chapters (Peacock)

Trevante Rhodes – Mike (Hulu)

Wendell Pierce – Don’t Hang Up (Bounce TV)

Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special

Niecy Nash-Betts – Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story (Netflix)

Regina Hall – The Best Man: The Final Chapters (Peacock)

Sanaa Lathan – The Best Man: The Final Chapters (Peacock)

Viola Davis – The First Lady (Showtime)

Zoe Saldaña – From Scratch (Netflix)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special

Glynn Turman – Women of the Movement (ABC)

Keith David – From Scratch (Netflix)

Omar Benson Miller – The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey (Apple TV Plus)

Russell Hornsby – Mike (Hulu)

Terrence “TC” Carson – A Wesley Christmas (AMC)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special

Alexis Floyd – Inventing Anna (Netflix)

Danielle Deadwyler – From Scratch (Netflix)

Melissa De Sousa – The Best Man: The Final Chapters (Peacock)

Nia Long – The Best Man: The Final Chapters (Peacock)

Phylicia Rashad – Little America (Apple TV Plus)

Outstanding News/Information (Series or Special)

Roland Martin Unfiltered: Black Votes Matter Election Night 2022 Coverage (Black Star Network/YouTube)

ABC News 20/20 Michelle Obama: The Light We Carry, A Conversation with Robin Roberts (ABC)

Finding Your Roots with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. (PBS)

OWN Spotlight: Viola Davis – The Woman King (OWN)

The Hair Tales (Hulu)

Outstanding Talk Series

Hart to Heart (Peacock)

Red Table Talk (Facebook Watch)

Sherri (Syndicated)

Tamron Hall (ABC)

Uninterrupted: The Shop (YouTube)

Outstanding Reality Program, Reality Competition or Game Show (Series)

Legendary (HBO Max)

Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls (Amazon Studios)

Shark Tank (ABC)

Sweet Life: Los Angeles (HBO Max)

The Real Housewives of Atlanta (Bravo)

Outstanding Variety Show (Series or Special)

A Black Lady Sketch Show (HBO Max)

BET Awards 2022 (BET Networks)

Deon Cole: Charleen’s Boy (Netflix)

Martin: The Reunion (BET Networks)

The Daily Show with Trevor Noah (Comedy Central)

Outstanding Children’s Program

Family Reunion (Netflix)

Raising Dion (Netflix)

Raven’s Home (Disney Plus)

Tab Time (YouTube Originals)

Waffles + Mochi’s Restaurant (Netflix)

Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Limited-Series)

Alaya “That Girl Lay Lay” High – That Girl Lay Lay (Nickelodeon)

Cameron J. Wright – Family Reunion (Netflix)

Elisha Williams – The Wonder Years (ABC)

Khali Spraggins – The Upshaws (Netflix)

Ja’Siah Young – Raising Dion (Netflix)

Outstanding Host in a Talk or News/Information (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble

Jada Pinkett-Smith, Adrienne Banfield-Norris, Willow Smith – Red Table Talk (Facebook Watch)

Jennifer Hudson – The Jennifer Hudson Show (Syndicated)

Kevin Hart – Hart to Heart (Peacock)

Lester Holt – NBC Nightly News (NBC)

Tracee Ellis Ross – The Hair Tales (Hulu)

Outstanding Host in a Reality/Reality Competition, Game Show or Variety (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble

Keke Palmer – Password (NBC)

Lizzo – Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls (Amazon Studios)

Tabitha Brown – Tab Time (YouTube Originals)

Taraji P. Henson – BET Awards 2022 (BET Networks)

Trevor Noah – The Daily Show with Trevor Noah (Comedy Central)

Outstanding Guest Performance

Amanda Gorman – Sesame Street (HBO Max)

Chance the Rapper – South Side (HBO Max)

Colman Domingo – Euphoria (HBO Max)

Glynn Turman – Queen Sugar (OWN)

Gabourey Sidibe – American Horror Stories (FX)

Outstanding Animated Series

Central Park (Apple TV Plus)

Eureka! (Disney Junior)

Gracie’s Corner TV (YouTube)

The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder (Disney Plus)

Zootopia+ (Disney Plus)

Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television)

Billy Porter – The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder (Disney Plus)

Cedric the Entertainer – The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder (Disney Plus)

Chris Bridges – Karma’s World (Netflix)

Cree Summer – Rugrats (Nickelodeon)

Kyla Pratt – The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder (Disney Plus)

Outstanding Short Form Series – Comedy or Drama

Between The Scenes – The Daily Show (Comedy Central)

Oh Hell No! With Marlon Wayans (Facebook Watch)

Rise Up, Sing Out (Disney Plus)

Sunday Dinner (Youtube)

Zootopia+ (Disney Plus)

Outstanding Short Form Series or Special – Reality/Nonfiction

Black Independent Films: A Brief History (Turner Classic Movies)

Daring Simone Biles (Snap)

Historian’s Take (PBS)

NFL 360 (NFL Network)

Omitted: The Black Cowboy (ESPN)

Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Television)

Amy Wang – From Scratch (Netflix)

Branden Jacobs-Jenkins – Kindred (FX)

Hannah Cope – Karma’s World (Netflix)

Quinta Brunson – Abbott Elementary (ABC)

Syreeta Singleton – Rap Sh!t (HBO Max)

Outstanding Documentary (Television)

Black Love (OWN)

Everything’s Gonna be All White (Showtime)

Frontline (PBS)

Race:Bubba Wallace (Netflix)

Shaq (HBO Max)

Outstanding Writing in A Comedy Series

Aisha Muharrar -- Hacks (HBO Max)

Ayo Edebiri -- What We Do in the Shadows (FX)

Brittani Nichols -- Abbott Elementary (ABC)

Karen Joseph Adcock -- The Bear (FX)

Quinta Brunson -- Abbott Elementary (ABC)

Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series

Aurin Squire -- The Good Fight (Paramount Plus)

Branden Jacobs-Jenkins -- Kindred (FX)

Davita Scarlett -- The Good Fight (Paramount Plus)

Joshua Allen -- From Scratch (Netflix)

Marissa Jo Cerar -- Women of the Movement (ABC)

Outstanding Writing Television Movie or Special

Bree West -- A Wesley Christmas (BET Networks)

Ian Edelman, Maurice Williams -- Entergalactic (Netflix)

Jerrod Carmichael -- Jerrod Carmichael: Rothaniel (HBO Max)

Lil Rel Howery -- Lil Rel Howery: I Said It. Y'all Thinking it (HBO Max)

Matt Lopez -- Father of the Bride (HBO Max)

Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series

Angela Barnes -- Atlanta (FX)

Bridget Stokes -- A Black Lady Sketch Sow (HBO Max)

Dee Rees -- Upload (Amazon Studios)

Iona Morris Jackson -- black-ish (ABC)

Peter Chatmon -- The Flight Attendant (HBO Max)

Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series

Debbie Allen -- The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey -- Robyn (Apple TV Plus)

Giancarlo Esposito -- Better Call Saul (AMC)

Gina Prince-Blythwood -- Women of the Movement (ABC)

Hanelle Culpepper -- The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey (Apple TV Plus)

Kasi Lemmons -- Women of The Movement (ABC)

Outstanding Directing in a Television Movie Or Special

Anton Cropper -- Fantasy Football (Paramount Plus)

Marta Cunningham -- 61st Street (AMC)

Sujata Day -- Definition Please (Netflix)

Tailiah Breon -- Kirk Franklin's The Night Before Christmas (Lifetime)

Tina Fields -- Soul of a Nation: Screen Queen Rising (ABC)

PASADENA, CALIF. — Freeform will bring back its Black-ish spinoff series Grown-ish for a sixth season, the network announced Wednesday during its Television Critics Association Winter press tour session.

The Emmy-nominated show starring Marcus Scribner and Yara Shahidi launches the second half of its fifth season January 18, and continues to follow the exploits of Andre Johnson Jr. (Scribner) as he becomes more popular at his college campus with help from his sister (Shahidi,) according to network officials.

Along with Scribner and Shahidi, the series stars Trevor Jackson, Diggy Simmons and Daniella Perkins. Grown-ish is executive produced by Shahidi, Kenya Barris, Zakiyyah Alexander, Courtney Lilly, Craig Doyle, Anthony Anderson, Laurence Fishburne, Helen Sugland, E. Brian Dobbins and Michael Petok.

Freeform also announced that it has picked up Love Trip: Paris, which will debut February 14. The unscripted dating series follows four American girls who move to a penthouse in the middle of Paris to find French suitors waiting to date them, according to the network.

The series is produced by Fox Alternative Entertainment and AH Productions/Satisfaction Group and is executive produced by Susan House. ■

Few movie and television actresses are more recognizable than Jenifer Lewis, who has appeared in more than 100 theatrical movies and television series during her more than 40-year entertainment career. 

Known by industry observers as “The Mother of Black Hollywood," Lewis, 65, has appeared in such theatrical films as What’s Love Got To Do with It, The Preacher’s Wife, Castaway, The Princess and The Frog and Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Family Reunion.

On the small screen, Lewis has starred in such shows as A Different World and Strong Medicine, but is most famous for her roles as Aunt Helen in NBC’s 1990s comedy series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and as Ruby Johnson in ABC’s Black-ish, which recently ended its eight-season run. 

Multichannel News senior content producer R. Thomas Umstead chats with Lewis on the eve of the debut of her latest starring role as home shopping channel CEO Patricia Cochran in Showtime’s comedy series I Love That For You. Lewis, who in July will receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, discusses her new series, looks back at her successful career and talks about Black-ish’s legacy during the interview, an edited version of which appears below. 

MCN: You’ve played so many memorable roles in movies and on television. What is it about the character of Patricia Cochran in I Love That For You that appealed to you? 

Jenifer Lewis: Patricia is the founder and CEO of this SVN [home shopping] channel – she built it from the  ground up. She’s an ice queen and cares about the money, but she also cares about these employees that she moves around to keep them thinking and to do their job. The show has these comedic giants in [series stars] Molly Shannon and Vanessa Bayer with their experience in Saturday Night Live, and you have me with all of my experience. Together you have the perfect storm for a successful show. 

MCN: You’ve had a long career in the industry yet you remain one of the hardest working actresses in entertainment. What is the secret to your success? 

JL: I sustained because it was my passion, and I love what I do. I was one of the lucky ones to know immediately what I wanted to be. To this day, I enjoy what I do. They say I’m an actress, activist, author, singer/dancer … but what I truly am is an entertainer who cares. For the people who work 9 to 5 and then come to see you perform, you better give them 2,000 percent. When people come to see me, I bring it, baby.

MCN: Over the years, have you seen a major change in the number of positive images of people of color onscreen? 

JL: What I’m most proud of is that the next generation has the technology now to tell their own stories. [Black-ish creator] Kenya Barris changed the landscape of television … he was unafraid to tackle these modern day issues, from the N-word to police brutality, Juneteenth and depression. I think these kids saw that you can tell your stories and no longer have to go to these big studios to get a movie made. This is a bold generation that came to slay.

MCN: Is there anything in this business that you haven’t accomplished that you still want to do?

JL: Somebody asked me to play the life of [Congresswoman] Maxine Waters and also the life of Alberta Hunter, who was a singer and a nurse back in the 1930s, and I just loved her. We’ll see. 

MCN: I’d be remiss if I didn’t ask whether you will miss playing Ruby Johnson on Black-ish?

JL: No. Let me tell you what I’m going to miss: I’m going to miss my grandbabies [series stars Marsai Martin, Yara Shahidi, Marcus Scribner and Miles Brown] – we were all so weepy [at the end of the series]. A couple of weeks ago Black-ish was inducted into the [National Museum of African American History and Culture] in Washington D.C., and that I have to say was the greatest honor of my life. To be in that museum permanently with the likes of Frederick [Douglass], [Nelson] Mandela, Harriet [Tubman] and Sojourner [Truth] … what an honor and a privilege. ■ 

Black-ish comes to an end after eight seasons on ABC April 19. The episode is titled “Homegoing”. Pops and Ruby prepare to move away, and Dre and Bow wonder if they should make a big life change as well. Simone Biles appears in the episode, and tells Dre to follow his heart on his next big decision.

Other guest stars this season include Daveed Diggs, Michelle Obama and Magic Johnson. 

Anthony Anderson plays Andre “Dre” Johnson and Tracee Ellis Ross portrays Rainbow Johnson. Yara Shahidi is Zoey Johnson, Marcus Scribner is Andre Johnson Jr., Miles Brown plays Jack Johnson and Marsai Martin is Diane Johnson. Laurence Fishburne portrays Pops and Jenifer Lewis is Ruby.

Created by Kenya Barris, Black-ish is executive produced by Barris, Courtney Lilly, Laura Gutin Peterson, Anthony Anderson, Laurence Fishburne, Helen Sugland, E. Brian Dobbins and Michael Petok. The series is produced by ABC Signature.

Black-ish spinoffs include Freeform’s Grown-ish and ABC’s Mixed-ish. ■

Two comedy shows ending their runs this season, HBO’s Insecure and ABC’s Black-ish, highlighted the list of NAACP Image Awards winners in the television and streaming category Saturday night during the organization’s live ceremony on BET.

Insecure, which ended its fifth and final season in December, won three NAACP Image awards, including best comedy series. Black-ish – which will complete its eighth and final season in May – also took home three awards in the comedy category, including a seventh award for Anthony Anderson in the best actor in a comedy series category. OWN’s Queen Sugar, which will air its seventh and final season later this year, took top honors in the best drama category. 

The NAACP Image Awards celebrate the outstanding achievements and performances of people of color.

Netflix earned the most wins in the television category with six, led by its documentary series Colin in Black and White, which won two Image Awards. The streaming service also took home six Image Awards in the motion picture category, including a best movie statuette for its western-theme drama The Harder They Fall.

HBO, ABC, NBC, Starz, Facebook Watch, Comedy Central and Paramount Plus were among the networks and streaming services generating multiple NAACP Image Awards wins. 

Also: 'Succession,' 'Ted Lasso' Win Top TV SAG Awards 

The 53rd annual NAACP Image Awards winners in the television and streaming categories are as follows:  

Outstanding Comedy Series

“Insecure” (HBO)

Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series

Anthony Anderson, “black-ish” (ABC)

Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series

Issa Rae, “Insecure” (HBO)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Deon Cole, “black-ish” (ABC)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Natasha Rothwell, “Insecure” (HBO)

Outstanding Drama Series

“Queen Sugar” (OWN)

Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series

Sterling K. Brown, “This Is Us” (NBC)

Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series

Angela Bassett, “9-1-1” (Fox)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Cliff “Method Man” Smith, “Power Book II: Ghost” (Starz)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Mary J. Blige, “Power Book II: Ghost” (Starz)

Outstanding Television Movie, Limited Series or Dramatic Special

“Colin in Black & White” (Netflix)

Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Limited Series or Dramatic Special

Kevin Hart, “True Story” (Netflix)

Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Limited Series or Dramatic Special

Taraji P. Henson, “Annie Live!” (NBC)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Television Movie, Limited Series or Dramatic Special

Courtney B. Vance, “Genius: Aretha” (National Geographic)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Television Movie, Limited Series or Dramatic Special

Regina Hall, “Nine Perfect Strangers” (Hulu)

Outstanding News/Information (series or special)

“The Reidout” (MSNBC)

Outstanding Talk Series

“Red Table Talk” (Facebook Watch)

Outstanding Reality Program, Reality Competition or Game Show (Series)

“Wild n’ Out” (VH1)

Outstanding Variety Show (Series or Special)

“The Daily Show With Trevor Noah” (Comedy Central)

Outstanding Children’s Program

“Family Reunion” (Netflix)

Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Limited Series)

Miles Brown, “black-ish” (ABC)

Outstanding Host in a Talk or News/Information (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble

Jada Pinkett Smith, Adrienne Banfield-Norris, Willow Smith, “Red Table Talk” (Facebook Watch)

Outstanding Host in a Reality/Reality Competition, Game Show or Variety (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble

Trevor Noah, “The Daily Show With Trevor Noah” (Comedy Central)

Outstanding Guest Performance

Maya Rudolph, “Saturday Night Live” (NBC)

Outstanding Animated Series

“We the People” (Netflix)

Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance (Television)

Cree Summer, “Rugrats” (Paramount Plus)

Outstanding Short Form Series – Comedy or Drama

“Between the Scenes – The Daily Show” (Comedy Central)

Outstanding Short-Form Series or Special – Reality/Nonfiction

“Lynching Postcards: “Token of a Great Day” (MTV Documentary Films/Paramount Plus)

Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Television)

Angel Kristi Williams, “Colin in Black & White” (Netflix)

Outstanding Documentary (Television)

“High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America” (Netflix) ■ 

Emmy-Award winner Glynn Turman has had an extraordinary entertainment career spanning six decades, yet remains busier than most actors half his age.

The 75-year-old Turman’s resume includes nearly 100 television credits. He has appeared in such shows as Julia and A Different World, as well as HBO’s The Wire and In Treatment, the latter of which earned him a 2008 Emmy Award for Guest Actor in a Drama Series. Since 2019, Turman has had roles in ABC’s How to Get Away With Murder -- which earned him a Guest Actor Emmy nomination -- FX’s Fargo, TNT’s Claws, Starz’s Power Book II: Ghost and American Gods, ABC’s Black-ish and Netflix’s Oscar-winning movie Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. 

In January, Turman appeared in ABC's civil rights-themed miniseries Women of the Movement, portraying Mose Wright, the uncle of murdered Black teenager Emmett Till. He is also slated to appear in Netflix's upcoming original movie Rustin, based on the life of civil rights activist Bayard Rustin and produced by Michelle and Barack Obama’s Higher Ground Productions. 

Turman, who began his entertainment career in 1959 as a 12-year-old, playing opposite Sidney Poitier and Ruby Dee in the Broadway play A Raisin in the Sun, recently spoke to Multichannel News and Broadcasting + Cable’s R. Thomas Umstead about his illustrious career. Turman also weighs in on the TV industry’s diversity efforts, as well as the various projects developed recently around his ex-wife, Aretha Franklin. An edited version of the interview appears below.

MCN: You have been and continue to be one of the busiest actors in the entertainment industry. What has been the secret to your success?

Glynn Turman: I keep it moving. … It’s hard to hit a moving target. (Laughs.) I try to keep busy, stay healthy mentally and physically. One of my mottos is to stay ready to keep from having to be ready. 

MCN: You have played some very iconic roles — from Preach in the movie Cooley High to Colonel Bradford Taylor in a Different World — that have resonated with generations of viewers. Are you surprised at how popular your characters have remained over the years? 

GT: Yes, I am. I'm surprised that they have resonated with so many generations of people. I'm surprised when young people come up to me talking about how they loved Preach from Cooley High — they say that their mother or my father made them watch that movie. So it's a great form of flattery that I’m really appreciative of. 

MCN: Most recently you played Mose Wright, Emmit Till’s uncle in ABC’s Women of The Movement, as well as civil rights icon A. Phillip Randolph in the upcoming Netflix movie Rustin. Is it difficult to prepare to play such high-profile, historical characters? 

GT: Yes, it is. It’s really challenging because these people really existed and still have family that are still with us, so you want to do the characters justice because you’re representing a true-life figure. You want to get it right and be able to bring the depth of the character’s human quality that you play. One of the great things about playing Mose Wright was to have his family say to me that I got him right. That was my goal. 

MCN: You also played piano player Toledo in Netflix’s Oscar-winning film Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. What drew you to that role? 

GT: I played the role in the stage play at the Mark Taper Forum [in Los Angeles], and [Ma Rainey executive producer] Denzel Washington came and saw that production. He informed me that he was in the process of putting together the motion picture version of the play and that he would like me to play the role of Toledo. He told me to stay ready and he would call me. A year and a half later he called and I was ready. (Laughs.)

MCN: Did the critical success of the movie surprise you at all? 

GT: No, I really wasn't surprised. All the elements were top notch. Denzel had his name on it and behind it, and then he and his partner, Mr. [Todd] Black, assembled a hell of a company. He put George C. Wolfe at the helm as director and had Viola Davis star in the movie. I was along for the ride. (Laughs.)

MCN: How have you seen the television business change over the years in terms of opportunities for actors and producers of color?

GT: The strangest thing about this country’s arc is that it’s the best of the times and yet it’s the worst of times. I’m as hopeful and optimistic as you can be in these chaotic times. I'm optimistic about the contributions our young people of color and other ethnicities are making … they are getting to tell our stories. I'm optimistic that the stories being spearheaded by people of color, women and the LGBTQ community are coming out, particularly when there is such a backlash of obstacles to overcome. This couldn't have been a better time for these stories to be told, and I'm glad that the venues are there and the expertise is there so that the American promise can be there, because it's certainly needed at a time like this.

MCN: So what is left for you to do in the entertainment industry? 

GT: Quite a few things. You’ve mentioned Rustin — I can't wait to see how that turns out. That’s being produced by the Obamas’ production company. One of the major things I’m putting together is a motion picture in the Western genre, which is one of my favorite genres. I also have another motion picture coming out that is going through a name change right now, but it will be coming out shortly.

MCN: I’d be remiss if I didn’t ask your opinion about two recent biography projects about Aretha Franklin. Did either or both the theatrical film and the television miniseries get it right in your eyes? 

GT: I was very impressed with Jennifer [Hudson] and the [Respect]  film production’s take of the story. I thought they were very respectful, and I thought Jennifer did a wonderful job. I thought their story could not be confused with any story about any particular singer, and I feel that they had all the right elements to let you know it was indeed Aretha Franklin that they were talking about. ■ 

As the TV industry celebrates Black History Month, African-American viewers say they‘re seeing more of themselves and their stories on the small screen but want to see even more inclusive content that reflects their experiences.  

Today, there are nearly 50 scripted series on broadcast, cable and streaming services that feature Black leads or predominantly Black casts. While that’s a drop in the bucket compared to the 559 scripted TV shows offered in 2021, according to FX research, industry observers say it‘s certainly an improvement over what was on television a decade ago.

While several iconic and popular shows will leave the air this year (ABC’s Black-ish, OWN’s Queen Sugar, TNT’s Claws and Showtime’s Black Monday), there are plenty of new shows aiming to fill the gap (Amazon Prime Video’s Harlem, ABC's Queens, Starz’s Run The World and ABC’s The Wonder Years). Also on tap is the much-anticipated March return of FX’s original comedy series Atlanta, starring Emmy-winner Donald Glover.

Also: Black History Month: What to Watch (February 1-14)

Black viewers are noticing the increase in content. According to Horowitz‘s recent FOCUS: Black: Consumer Engagement report, 55% of viewers said that they are seeing more Black actors as lead characters in scripted TV shows. More importantly for distributors, two in three Black viewers say that seeing Black characters and communities portrayed in positive ways positively impacts their decision to watch a show or a movie, according to the report.

While the report shows that viewers are reacting positively to the increase in Black images currently on-screen, Horowitz Research chief revenue officer and insights and strategy lead Adriana Waterston said there’s a desire to see even more diversity and inclusion within those characters and storylines. Indeed, Horowitz reported that 66% of Black TV viewers wanted to see more TV shows and movies that showcase the diversity of the Black experience here in the U.S. 

“This is an audience that in itself is incredibly diverse in a lot of ways, including cultural diversity, religious diversity and lifestyle diversity,” Waterston said. “There are so many differences that can be celebrated, and consumers are now saying that it’s not just enough for the representation of Black audiences to be good in numbers and quality. They are saying, ‘I want to really see myself represented,’ and that requires a level of understanding of the audience and a level of nuance.” 

Shows like Netflix‘s French-produced series Lupin, about a Senegal-born man looking to avenge his father’s death in Paris, and CBS‘s Bob Hearts Abishola — which takes a comedic look at immigrant life in America — have begun to help shine a light on diversity within the African-American community. 

“Current statistics and research substantiate that the U.S. Black population is not monolithic,” said One Caribbean Television president of sales and marketing Mark Walton. “At a time when Black-themed content is in demand, telling the stories of Black immigrants, primarily from Africa and the Caribbean, and their descendants, undoubtedly provides an opportunity to attract millions of viewers, many of whom rarely see themselves reflected in the narrative of being Black in America.”  

Waterston added: “The awakening to the dangers of stereotypical representations that was so damaging for so long has made people become more sensitive to on-screen portrayals. The next phase is not only being sensitive but being inclusive.” ■

The eighth season of ABC comedy Black-ish featured Michelle Obama in the premiere, and the celebs keep coming in the final season. Set to guest star are Andrew Bachelor (KingBach), Kent Bazemore, Simone Biles, Jeanie Buss, Daveed Diggs, Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, Vivica A. Fox, Montrezl Harrell, Dwight Howard, Magic Johnson, DeAndre Jordan, Malik Monk, Isaiah Mustafa, Kendrick Nunn, Rajon Rondo, Reid Scott and Stephen A. Smith, among others. 

The final season began January 4.

Black-ish tells stories that shine a light on current events through the lens of the Johnson family. The series stars Anthony Anderson as Dre, Tracee Ellis Ross as Rainbow, Yara Shahidi as Zoey, Marcus Scribner as Andre Jr., Miles Brown as Jack, Marsai Martin as Diane, Laurence Fishburne as Pops and Jenifer Lewis as Ruby.

Tracee Ellis Ross thanked critics for their support in a TCA session. “As a network show in the midst of so much streaming, we have continued,” she said. “And that is because of you guys.”

Both Ross and Anderson were on the short list for 2022 Golden Globes given out to best actress and actor in a comedy. 

Kenya Barris created the show. He executive produces with Courtney Lilly, Laura Gutin Peterson, Anthony Anderson, Laurence Fishburne, Helen Sugland, E. Brian Dobbins and Michael Petok. 

ABC Signature produces Black-ish. ■ 

The beleaguered Hollywood Foreign Press Association announced its 2022 Golden Globe Awards nominations Monday (December 13) as the organization continues to operate with no TV home for its January 9 awards ceremony and under a cloud of controversy that threatens to undermine its relevance

With Snoop Dogg reading the names of the nominees — often incorrectly, to humorous effect — the Golden Globes will forge ahead even as the HFPA continues to face criticism over the lack of diversity among its board members. In a release, the HFPA said it had admitted “their largest and most diverse class to date of 21 new members, all of whom are first-time Golden Globe voters.” Still, it’s unclear if the January 9 show will air on traditional television after longtime distributor NBC announced earlier in the year that it will not televise the Globes ceremony due to the controversy.  

This year’s Golden Globes nominations in the television categories featured more diversity than last year’s nomination class. Nods for Uzo Abdula (HBO’s In Treatment) and Michaela Jae Rodriguez (FX’s Pose) in the best actress drama category, as well as Issa Rae (HBO’s Insecure) and Tracee Ellis Ross (ABC’s Black-ish) for best comedy/movie actress, and Cynthia Erivo (National Geographic’s Genius: Aretha) for best actress in a television motion picture come one year after no actresses of color were nominated in any major TV category for 2021. That was despite industry recognized performances from Emmy-nominated actress Jurnee Smollett in HBO’s Lovecraft Country and Critics Choice Awards-nominated Michaela Coel in HBO’s drama series I May Destroy You.

Also, the HFPA recognized shows featuring people of color in lead roles such as Netflix’s Squid Game and Lupin as well as FX’s Pose (best drama series), Amazon’s The Underground Railroad (best television motion picture) and FX’s Reservation Dogs (best musical/comedy series). 

The HFPA gravitated to streaming services in a big way in its nomination choices. Hulu and Netflix were the big standouts with 10 nominations each — behind only the 15 nods from the combined HBO/HBO Plus — with Apple TV Plus coming in with eight nods. 

In addition, seven of the top 10 most-nominated shows were from streaming services, led by Apple TV Plus'sThe Morning Show and Ted Lasso with four nominations each, followed by three nominations each for Hulu’s Dopesick, The Great and Only Murders in the Building, HBO Max’s Hacks, and Netflix’s Maid and Squid Game.

Also, the HFPA has often been lauded — and at times criticized — for its penchant for nominating shows that are considered outside of Hollywood’s mainstream, but this year’s list of nominations seemed to have fewer surprise nominations than in previous years. With the exceptions of Netflix’s Lupin and Squid Game along with FX’s Reservation Dogs, many of its nominations were given to the industry’s most high-profile and most talked-about shows, from top-nominated series, HBO’s Succession, to Apple TV Plus's Ted Lasso.  ■  

The eighth and final season of comedy Black-ish begins on ABC Jan. 4. Kenya Barris created the show. 

“For over eight years Black-ish has taken a fun yet bold look at one man’s determination to establish a sense of cultural identity for his family,” said ABC. “The series has told stories that shine a light on current events through the lens of the Johnson family and, during the seventh season, they addressed the global pandemic, voting, systemic racism and the movement for social justice and equality.”

Black-ish stars Anthony Anderson as Andre “Dre” Johnson, Tracee Ellis Ross as Rainbow Johnson, Yara Shahidi as Zoey Johnson, Marcus Scribner as Andre Johnson Jr., Miles Brown as Jack Johnson, Marsai Martin as Diane Johnson, Laurence Fishburne as Pops and Jenifer Lewis as Ruby.

Kenya Barris, Courtney Lilly, Laura Gutin Peterson, Anthony Anderson, Laurence Fishburne, Helen Sugland, E. Brian Dobbins and Michael Petok are executive producers on Black-ish. The series is produced by ABC Signature.

The show was up for a best comedy Emmy in September. 

Black-ish spinoffs include Freeform’s Grown-ish and ABC’s Mixed-ish. ■

ABC has renewed dramas A Million Little Things for season four and The Rookie for season four as well. ABC also renewed comedies Black-ish (season eight), The Conners (season four), The Goldbergs (season nine) and Home Economics (season two). 

On the unscripted side, America’s Funniest Home Videos gets season 32, American Idol sees season five on ABC, Celebrity Wheel of Fortune gets season two, Shark Tank heads toward season 13 and Supermarket Sweep gets season two.

A Million Little Things is created and executive produced by DJ Nash. Aaron Kaplan, Dana Honor and David Marshall Grant are executive producers. 

The Rookie has Alexi Hawley, Mark Gordon, Nathan Fillion, Michelle Chapman and Bill Norcross as executive producers. 

The season three finale airs May 16. 

It will be the eighth and final season for Black-ish. Kenya Barris created the show and executive produces with Courtney Lilly, Laura Gutin Peterson, Anthony Anderson, Laurence Fishburne, Helen Sugland, E. Brian Dobbins and Michael Petok. 

The season seven finale is on May 18. 

The Conners has Bruce Helford as executive producer and showrunner. Tom Werner, Sara Gilbert, Dave Caplan, Bruce Rasmussen and Tony Hernandez are also executive producers. 

Season three ends May 19. 

Eighties comedy The Goldbergs has Adam F. Goldberg, Doug Robinson, Alex Barnow, Chris Bishop, Annette Davis, Mike Sikowitz, David Guarascio and Wendi McLendon-Covey as its exec producers. 

The season finale is on May 19. 

Home Economics, about three adult siblings and their uncomfortable yet heartwarming relationship, was created by Michael Colton and John Aboud. They exec produce alongside Topher Grace and Eric and Kim Tannenbaum of The Tannenbaum Company. 

Season one concludes May 19.  

Broadcast network ABC, led by its veteran comedy series Black-ish, secured more NAACP Image Awards than any other distributor in the television category, capping off the civil rights organization's week-long awards celebration recognizing the accomplishments of people of color over the past year.

ABC won eight NAACP awards, topping other multiple award-winning distributors including Netflix, Starz, HBO, Disney Junior, Comedy Central and the now defunct Quibi streaming service. 

ABC was led by Black-ish, which earned five NAACP Image Awards to top all shows. Starz’s Power Book II: Ghost and HBO’s Insecure also won multiple awards, including best drama and best comedy series, respectively. Netflix’s Self Made: Inspired by The Life of Madam C.J. Walker was the top choice for outstanding television movie. 

On the movie side, streaming service Netflix swept the major acting categories, including outstanding actor (Chadwick Boseman) and actress (Viola Davis) for Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom; supporting actor (Boesman for Da 5 Bloods) and supporting actress (Phylicia Rashad for Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey). Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom also won for Outstanding Ensemble Cast. 

The 52nd NAACP Image Awards’ Saturday primetime telecast was hosted by Black-ish’s Anthony Anderson and aired across several ViacomCBS-owned networks, including CBS, BET and VH1. Along with television and film, the awards also honored excellence in the fields of music and literature. 

NAACP Image Awards winners in the television category -- including awards announced during the primetime telecast as well as earlier last week -- are as follows: 

Outstanding drama series

Power Book II: Ghost -- Starz 

Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series

Regé-Jean Page – Bridgerton (Netflix)

Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series

Viola Davis – How To Get Away With Murder (ABC)

Outstanding supporting actor in a drama series

Clifford “Method Man” Smith - Power Book II: Ghost (Starz)

Outstanding supporting actress in a drama series

Mary J. Blige - Power Book II: Ghost (Starz)

Outstanding writing in a drama series

Attica Locke - Little Fires Everywhere - Ep. 104 “The Spider Web”  (Hulu)

Outstanding directing in a drama series

Hanelle Culpepper - Star Trek: Picard - Ep. 101 "Remembrance" (CBS All Access)

Outstanding comedy series

Insecure (HBO)

Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series

Issa Rae – Insecure (HBO)

Outstanding actor in a comedy series

Anthony Anderson - black-ish (ABC) 

Outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series

Deon Cole - black-ish (ABC)

Outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series

Marsai Martin - black-ish (ABC) 

Outstanding writing in a comedy series

Michaela Coel - I May Destroy You - Ep. 112 “Ego Death” (HBO)

Outstanding directing in a comedy series

Anya Adams - black-ish - Ep. 611 “Hair Day” (ABC) 

Outstanding television movie, limited-series or dramatic special

Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker (Netflix)

Outstanding actor in a television movie, limited-series or dramatic special

Blair Underwood - Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker (Netflix)

Outstanding actress in a television movie, limited-series or dramatic special

Octavia Spencer - Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker (Netflix)

Outstanding writing in a television movie or special

Geri Cole - The Power of We: A Sesame Street Special (HBO Max)

Outstanding directing in a television movie or special

Eugene Ashe -- Sylvie’s Love (Amazon Studios) 

Outstanding talk series

Red Table Talk (Facebook Watch) 

Outstanding reality program/reality competition or game show

Celebrity Family Feud (ABC) 

Outstanding variety show (series or special)

VERZUZ (Apple Music) 

Outstanding news/information (series or special)

The New York Times Presents The Killing of Breonna Taylor (FX)

Outstanding children’s program

Family Reunion (Netflix) 

Outstanding animated series

Doc McStuffins (Disney Junior)

Outstanding performance by a youth (series, special, television movie or limited-series)

Marsai Martin - black-ish (ABC)

Outstanding short form series - comedy or drama

#FreeRayshawn (Quibi)

Outstanding performance in a short form series

Laurence Fishburne - #FreeRayshawn (Quibi)

Outstanding short form series - reality/nonfiction

“Between The Scenes” - The Daily Show with Trevor Noah (Comedy Central)

Outstanding documentary (television - series or special)

The Last Dance (ESPN) 

Outstanding character voice-over performance (television)

Laya DeLeon Hayes - Doc McStuffins (Disney Junior) 

Outstanding host in a talk or news/information (series or special) – individual or ensemble

Trevor Noah - The Daily Show with Trevor Noah (Comedy Central) 

Outstanding host in a reality/reality competition, game show or variety (series or special) – individual or ensemble

Steve Harvey - Celebrity Family Feud (ABC) 

Outstanding guest performance - comedy or drama series

Loretta Devine- P-Valley (Starz)

Outstanding breakthrough creative (television)

Raynelle Swilling - Cherish the Day (OWN) 

Outstanding directing in a documentary (television or motion picture)

Keith McQuirter - By Whatever Means Necessary: The Times of Godfather of Harlem (Epix)

Outstanding writing in a documentary (television or motion picture)

Melissa Haizlip - Mr. SOUL! (Maysles Documentary Center)

Laurence Fishburne opened up about his career, the Black-ish universe and working with Cicely Tyson Friday, during an “In Conversation” session at the 2021 SCAD aTVFest.

Fishburne, who was honored with the SCAD aTVFest Lifetime Achievement Award, said he is always trying to look forward.

“I think what that does is it allows me to remain curious and excited about the possibilities,” he told moderator Angelique Jackson, a film and media reporter at Variety.

Over his 50-year career, he has starred on the big and small screen in films such as Apocalypse Now, The Matrix and Hoodlum and series such as CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Hannibal, and most recently Black-ish.

“It’s just a different medium,” said Fishburne. “I’m an artist and like any artist they work in pencil, and they work in watercolor or they can work in oil. It’s just a different medium. It’s all acting. It’s all like painting or drawing or sketching.”

But, said Fishburne, there is a difference between working in film and TV.

“Because of the fact that television is in the home, you don’t have to go to the television,” he said. “You turn the television on and you become a member of the family when you’re on television. So there’s a familiarity. There’s a closeness that is different than the intimacy of watching a film or the intimacy of being in the theater.”

Fishburne has spent a lot of time in the home lately with his turn as Pops in the ABC sitcom Black-ish. Now in its seventh season, the series has spawned multiple spinoffs, including Grown-ish, Mixed-ish, and the upcoming Old-ish, which will star Fishburne as Pops and Jenifer Lewis as Ruby.

“I came to this thing [Black-ish] thinking, ‘Wow, are we really going to do this? Are we really going to do this? Are we really going to do this?,’” he said. “And then suddenly it was like ‘oh my God, they’re going to put us behind Modern Family. We might be a big hit.’”

“So I was more surprised than you can even imagine just that Black-ish was a success," he added. "The fact that Grown-ish came along and then Mixed-ish came along is just beyond my wildest dreams. It is so wonderful.”

Since Old-ish is still in development, Fishburne couldn’t say much about the show. But he did say the series will look at Pops’ and Ruby’s relationship in a different context, a “world of their own making with other people their own age.”

“It’s gonna be I think a marvelous exploration of what it is to be part of the, living in the age of elegance and mastery,” he said. 

Fishburne also talked about working with Cicely Tyson, who died in January at 96. 

“Cicely, as grand as she may have appeared to be was fundamentally a humble person,” he said. “I think she had tremendous humility and at the same time she had tremendous personal power.”

“But it was because she walked with gratitude and with grace that she had those things,” he continued. “She was not just an example of how to be in the world, particularly for Black women in the world, but for Black people she was an example of how to celebrate ourselves, our culture, our beauty, our intelligence, our artistry, our culture and ultimately our humanity. And that was really visible not just in her work but in her life and the way that she lived it.”

Also Read: TV Industry Remembers, Celebrates Cicely Tyson

ABC comedies The Goldbergs, The Conners and black-ish start new seasons Oct. 21. American Housewife joins the Wednesday comedy block Oct. 28.

The pandemic has caused all sorts of delays in terms of network production. 

“We couldn’t be more excited to spread some much-needed joy with our Wednesday night comedy lineup,” said Karey Burke, president, ABC Entertainment. “While we had to be incredibly flexible this year, we are so lucky that we’re able to continue our long tradition of making Wednesday night comedy a strong staple of our fall broadcast schedule.”

Related: ABC Lines Up Two 'Holey Moley' Specials

It will be season eight of The Goldbergs, with two episodes starting the season. Wendi McLendon-Covey, Sean Giambrone, Troy Gentile, Hayley Orrantia and Jeff Garlin are in the cast. 

It will be season three for The Conners, spun off of Roseanne. John Goodman, Laurie Metcalf, Sara Gilbert and Lecy Goranson star. 

Black-ish, with Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross in the cast, is set to start season seven. American Housewife will premiere season five. Katy Mixon and Diedrich Bader star. 

Dates for ABC’s scripted dramas will be announced soon, the network said. Dates for unscripted series were previously announced.

Several cable networks are commemorating Juneteenth today (June 19) by offering movies, documentaries and specials in celebration of the holiday that marks the end of slavery in America.

Original programming recognizing the holiday includes National Geographic’s simulcast of ABC Network’s Juneteenth: A Celebration of Overcoming special, which examines the legacy of the holiday through the current lens of political and social unrest that has captured global attention, according to ABC News.

AMC tonight will premiere it’s Sherman’s Showcase:  Spectacular variety special, which will honor historic African-American icons both past and present, according to the network.

This Sunday (June 21), TV One will debut its original documentary series The Beat Don't Stop, which highlights the history and legacy of Washington DC.-based Go-go music.  

Other cable networks offering content to commemorate the Juneteenth holiday include:

--HBO will provide all nine episodes of its drama series Watchmen for free tonight and through the weekend on HBO.com and on demand. The series, which stars Regina King, is set in an alternate history where masked vigilantes are treated as outlaws.

--FX Networks will air a collection of African-American based films and series including Hidden Figures and Selma, as well as marathons of comedy series black-ish and Atlanta.

--Smithsonian Channel will offer a day-long lineup of award-winning Black History documentaries, airing chronologically from pre-Civil war through Obama’s presidency, including Civil War 360: Fight For Freedom; The Green Book: Guide For Freedom; Major League Legends: Hank Aaron; The Lost Tapes Malcolm X, MLK: The Assassination Tapes; and The Obama Years: The Power of Words.

--TNT, TBS and truTV will air feature films Black Panther and Just Mercy in primetime with limited commercials. Turner will also feature reflections from distinguished guests including actor Anthony Anderson, Senator Kamala Harris and comedian W. Kamau Bell who will talk about the personal impact these films had on their lives and the culture, according to the company.

--Ovation will air a 24-hour block of films, documentaries and specials that shine a light on the significant contributions of Black artists and activists who have advanced progress for all. Content featured include such documentaries as Beyonce: Queen B; Inside the Actors Studio Alfre Woodard and Prince: Kiss The Rain. 

Freeform debuted the latest video trailer previewing the third season of its comedy series

grown-ish,

which returns

on Jan. 16.

The series, a spinoff of ABC's black-ish, stars Yara Shahidi as a young college student finding her way while balancing school and personal relationships, according to the network.

Tears were flowing from the eyes of actress Gina Rodriguez as she talked about the final season of The CW’s Jane the Virgin during the Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour.

When it debuted in 2014, Jane the Virgin was one of a few scripted series featuring a Latina lead, but by the time it departs this spring, it’ll have a lot of company.

Today, more TV programs are featuring people of color in leading roles and behind the television camera than ever before in the history of the medium.

In the 2016-17 television season, people of color comprised 21.5% of the lead actors in broadcast scripted series, according to the UCLA Hollywood Diversity Report 2019. That’s up sharply from just 11.4% of lead actors in 2014.

That growth has been seen across the Hollywood strata. The success of shows featuring actors of color in lead roles or strong multicultural casts such as Jane the Virgin, ABC’s Black-ish and Starz’s Power — along with an increase in outlets offering diverse images and stories — has led to a proliferation of multicultural-themed television shows across streaming services, as well as broadcast and cable networks.

A Screen Reflecting Everything

“Once upon a time there was a very vanilla look at our world through three broadcast networks,” Marc Berman, editor of TV industry website Programming Insider, said. “Now with broadcast, cable and digital streaming services, television is beginning to resemble how the world really looks like, and that’s changed the face of television.”

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Despite the explosion in multicultural content, though, actors and creators of color remain cautiously optimistic that this growth period is not just a trend that will eventually phase out in a few years, as has happened in the past.

“I don’t know if we’re having a moment or a trend,” Tanya Saracho, showrunner and executive producer of Starz’s Latina-themed drama series Vida, said. “We’ve always gone in cycles regarding [inclusive] content — every so often we’re excited and say it’s great to see this and that show on the air, and then it goes away.”

For now, multicultural-themed TV programming is thriving. Nearly half of the top scripted broadcast series of the 2017-18 season in the 18-49 demo featured a multicultural lead character or prominently featured multicultural actors in its cast, led by NBC’s This Is Us and including Fox’s Empire and ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy, according to Nielsen.

On cable, Starz’s gritty crime drama Power — starring a predominantly multicultural cast and helmed by African-American director Courtney Kemp and hip-hop artist 50 Cent — is the second-most-watched series on premium television among adults 18-49 and the most watched among African-American viewers, according to Nielsen.

“Starz originals attract the most diverse audience of the premium networks with the highest composition of women and African-American audiences, and they also rank No. 1 in African-American households,” Starz president of programming Carmi Zlotnik said at the TCA tour.

Behind the camera, networks and streaming services are inking creators of color to lucrative, long-term production deals, from Netflix’s exclusive multiyear deal with Shonda Rhimes, to BET’s signing of prolific producer Tyler Perry to a long-term production deal, to Showtime’s first-look deal with Emmy award-winning producer Lena Waithe.

Showtime president of entertainment Gary Levine said shows such as Waithe’s inner-city drama The Chi — which launched its sophomore season this past Sunday (April 7) — have shown wide crossover appeal. The network has already greenlit a second Waithe series, How to Make Love to a Black Woman (Who May Be Working Through Some Sh*t).

“The Chi has enormous appeal for us — it’s by no means just African-American, so what we try to do is have a mix of shows and a creative portfolio that really offers a wide range of tastes and tones, and our goal is to make at least one of those shows your favorite show on television,” he said.

The result has been a substantial increase of multicultural images and storylines across scripted series on both digital and traditional platforms.

More Shows, More Roles

During the 2016-17 TV season, people of color doubled their share of lead roles in scripted fare on digital platforms to 21.3% in 2016-17 from 12.9% in 2015-16, according to the UCLA 2019 Hollywood Diversity Report. On cable, the number jumped to 21.3% from 20.2% and on broadcast, the number increased to 21.5% from 18.7% year to year.

The numbers mark the first time actors in lead roles surpassed the 20% mark across all platforms since UCLA began monitoring in 2011-12, according to the report.

Off screen, creators of color are also experiencing a major boom. The number of shows created by diverse writers and producers on broadcast TV more than doubled in five years to 9.4% from 4.2% in 2011-12, according to the study. For cable and digital, the numbers jumped to 11.2% and 16.5% in 2016-17 from 7.4% and 6.2% five years prior respectively, the report said.

Yet with all the advances made in the multicultural programming genre, there’s still some hesitation and fear among TV veterans that today’s boom is a momentary blip and, much as in past years, the momentum for such content will fade along with the images and storylines.

The most recent example of this came in the late 1990s, when upstart broadcast networks Fox, UPN and The WB launched a bevvy of mostly African-American led shows such as Living Single, Martin, Sister Sister, Girlfriends and In Living Color, only to jettison those shows for programming viewed as more appealing to a broader audience.

Vida’s Saracho is not ready to let her guard down about a repeat of what transpired nearly 20 years ago. Vida, which will launch its second season this May, features a mostly Latina production crew along with a predominantly Latinx cast.

“We need to see more of these shows to come out for proof — right now, we’re the only Latinx-themed show on prime cable,” she said. “We do have [FX comedy series] Atlanta, [HBO comedy series] Insecure and other [diverse] shows and I’m hopeful, but I’m not optimistic that we’re there yet.”

While stopping short of defining this a Golden Age of multicultural television, Programming Insider’s Berman said we’re in an age where the American population is represented more accurately on the small screen than in prior years.

“We’re getting there, but we’re not there yet,” he said. “But it definitely is an improved era of multiculturalism.”

Streaming Offers an Outlet

Actress Kim Fields, who starred in Fox’s 1990s comedy series Living Single as part of her 45-year career in the television industry, said the influx of streaming distributors like Netflix, Hulu and BritBox will continue to provide increased opportunities to showcase all images and stories to be showcased.

“The onslaught of these wonderful platforms provides more opportunities for distribution for me as an actor and a content provider,” said Fields, who is currently starring in BritBox’s comedy series Living the Dream. “I’m ecstatic over all the different playgrounds that have opened up.”

Network executives are also optimistic that more multicultural-themed programming is no longer a trend but is fully ingrained into the television industry’s business psyche.

“I believe that this is the way it’s going to go going forward and not just a trend or a moment in time,” OWN president Tina Perry said. The network is aggressively rolling out scripted content targeting African-American viewers, from established shows such as Greenleaf and Queen Sugar, to new series such as the Tarell Alvin McCraney-created series David Makes Man.

“When you look at productions like ours that are having huge ratings success with the commitment of having diversity and inclusion in front of and behind the camera, it’s undeniable that others in the industry have to think about behaving in the same way,” Perry said. “I think we’re onto something that’s going to last.”

Added Showtime’s Levine: “I don’t think this is a fad. … I think this is a long overdue broadening and deepening of the range of the characters and actors that are on all of our screens.”

Netflix Thursday made official its exclusive production deal with black-ish creator Kenya Barris.

As part of the multi-year deal, Barris will produce new series exclusively for the streaming service through his production company Khalabo Ink Society, said company officials.

Along with creating black-ish and its Freeform spinoff series Grown-ish, Barris also wrote for the hit theatrical movie Girls Trip.

“Kenya Barris is one of our great modern storytellers,” said Cindy Holland, vice president, original content at Netflix in a statement. “Kenya uses his voice to make audiences more aware of the world around them, while simultaneously making them laugh. His honesty, comedic brilliance and singular point of view, combined with the creative freedom he will enjoy at Netflix, promises to create powerful new stories for all our members around the world.”

Barris added: “When my agents reached out to me about this little garage start-up called Netflix, I wasn’t sure what to think. But after I talked to Ted and Cindy, I started to believe that maybe this mom-and-pop shop with only 130 million subscribers might just be something... so I decided to take a swing... a leap of faith if you will, and take a chance with the new kids on the block.”

Black-ish Showrunner Kenya Barris Signs Deal With Netflix

TWIN: Add Black-ish showrunner Kenya Barris to the growing list of broadcast and cable writers and producers leaving for greener pastures at the SVOD pioneer. Barris’ deal with ABC is set to expire in August.

MCN Take: Barris is the third high-profile broadcast TV producer – and the second from ABC – to bolt for Netflix in recent months. Ryan Murphy left Fox and Shonda Rhimes parted ways with ABC for multi-million-dollar deals with Netflix. Barris, who had several projects in various stages with ABC, also was reportedly upset with the way how ABC handled a controversial episode last season around the practice of NFL players kneeling for the National Anthem. ABC pulled the episode at the last minute, which Barris said at the time was a mutual decision, but apparently set the stage for his departure.

See the full story from Deadline.com 

Stranger Things Season 3 Premiere Set for Summer 2019

TWIN: Netflix had hinted that it would wait until summer 2019 to air the premier the popular show, but made it officials at the Television Critics Association presentation.

MCN Take: During her TCA presentation, Netflix’s vice president of original content, Cindy Holland said the show’s creators, Matt and Ross Duffer and Shawn Levy, want to meet the high expectations of the show, and deliver something bigger and better than last year. The show also is expected to have more extensive special effects.

See the full story at Engadget 

Critics Say Netflix’s Insatiable Promotes Fat Shaming

TWIN: Twitter critics came out in force to denounce a new made-for-Netflix series starring former Disney Channel star Debbie Ryan – Insatiable – claiming it promotes fat-shaming in its depiction of an overweight high-schooler who slims down after suffering at the hands of bullies.

[embed]https://twitter.com/fabjamiefab/status/1021129946352291840[/embed]

MCN Take: More than 120,000 people signed a petition to cancel the show.  Netflix has called the show, in which Ryan seeks payback for the people who bullied her a “dark, twisted revenge comedy.”

See the full story at Mercury News 

Oscar Winner Octavia Spencer to Appear as Beauty Mogul C.J. Walker

TWIN: Octavia Spencer, who won the 2012 Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for The Help, will star as hair-care products pioneer C.J. Walker in Madam C.J. Walker.

MCN Take: The eight episode series is based on the book On Her Own Ground by A’Lelia Bundles. Spencer and basketball star LeBron James will serve as producers. Walker, the first self-made black female millionaire, was the child of former slaves and devoted her life to philanthropy and social activism, counting among her friends icons like W.E.B. DuBois and Booker T. Washington.

See the full story at Variety 

Freeform has given its freshman comedy series Grown-ish a second season, the network said Thursday.

The series, a spinoff of ABC’s comedy series Black-ish – which won five NAACP Image Awards this past Monday – drew more than 1.5 million viewers in its Jan. 3 premiere, the network’s best comedy series debut in nearly six years.

Grown-ish, which stars Yara Shahidi, is produced by ABC Signature Studios and is executive produced by Kenya Barris, Helen Sugland, E. Brian Dobbins, Anthony Anderson, Laurence Fishburne and Julie Bean.

Starz’s Power and ABC’s Black-ish dominated the television category for the 49th annual NAACP Image Awards, held Monday night.

Including televised and non-televised awards, ABC won six NAACP Awards, which celebrate the accomplishments of people of color. Starz, TV One, HBO, Fox, Netflix and Spike TV took home multiple awards. 

Blach-ish won five total awards, including Best Comedy, while Power won three statuettes, including best drama, according to the NAACP.

Producer/Director Ava DuVernay (Netflix’s 13th, OWN’s Queen Sugar) won the Entertainer of the Year Award during the ceremony, televised live by TV One. In her acceptance speech, DuVernay recognized other producers of color such as Shondra Rhimes and Lena Waithe for developing, successful, quality projects featuring diverse images and stories. “This is our time,” DuVernay said.

NAACP Image Award Winners In the television Category:

Outstanding Comedy Series

"`black-ish" (ABC)

Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series

Anthony Anderson - "`black-ish" (ABC) 

Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series

Tracee Ellis Ross - "`black-ish " (ABC)

Outstanding Drama Series

"Power" (Starz)

Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series

Omari Hardwick - "Power" (Starz) 

Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series

Taraji P. Henson - "Empire" (FOX) 

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Jay Ellis - "Insecure" (HBO) 

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Marsai Martin - "`black-ish" (ABC) 

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Joe Morton - "Scandal" (ABC) 

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Naturi Naughton - "Power" (Starz) 

Outstanding Television Movie, Limited - Series or Dramatic Special

"The New Edition Story " (BET) 

Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special

Idris Elba - "Guerrilla" (Showtime)

Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Limited -Series or Dramatic Special

Queen Latifah - "Flint" (Lifetime)

Outstanding News/ Information - (Series or Special)

"Unsung" (TV One) 

Outstanding Talk Series

"The Real" (Syndicated) 

Outstanding Reality Program/Reality Competition Series

"The Manns" (TV One)

Outstanding Variety or Game Show - (Series or Special)

"Lip Sync Battle" (Spike)

Outstanding Children's Program

"Doc McStuffins" (Disney Junior)

Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Limited Series)

Caleb McLaughlin - "Stranger Things" (Netflix)

Outstanding Host in a Talk or News/Information (Series or Special) - Individual or Ensemble

Roland Martin - "News One Now" (TV One) 

Outstanding Host in a Reality/Reality Competition, Game Show or Variety (Series or Special) - Individual or Ensemble

LL Cool J - "Lip Sync Battle" (Spike)

Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series

Janine Barrois – “Claws” – Batsh*t (TNT)

Outstanding Writing in a Dramatic Series

Gina Prince-Bythewood - "Shots Fired" – Hour One: Pilot (Fox)

Outstanding Writing in a Television Movie or Special  

Abdul Williams - "The New Edition Story " – Part 2 (BET) 

Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series

Anton Cropper - "`black-ish" - Juneteenth (ABC)

Outstanding Directing in a Dramatic Series

Carl Franklin - "13 Reasons Why" - Tape 5, Side B (Netflix) 

Outstanding Directing in a Television Movie or Special

Allen Hughes - "The Defiant Ones" (HBO)

ABC’s comedy series Black-ish was the big winner at Saturday night’s NAACP Image Awards event.

The comedy series racked up six NAACP Image Awards – which celebrates the accomplishments of people of color in the fields of television, music, literature and film. The series swept the comedy category, winning for best comedy as well as a best actress in a comedy statuette for Tracee Ellis Ross and a best comedy actor award for Anthony Anderson, who also hosted the Awards telecast that aired live on TV One.

OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network’s Queen Sugar won the award for best drama series, while FX’s The People V. O.J. Simpson was topped all challengers in the Outstanding Television Movie, Limited-Series, or Dramatic Special category.

Overall ABC led all networks with seven awards wins, with OWN, Starz, Fox, FX, History and BET all winning multiple NAACP Image awards.

The NAACP Image Awards winners in the major television categories are as follows:

Outstanding Comedy Series

Black-ish (ABC)

Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series

Tracee Ellis Ross – “Black-ish” (ABC)

Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series

Anthony Anderson – “Black-ish” (ABC)

 Outstanding Drama Series

Queen Sugar – (OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network)

 Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series

Sterling K. Brown – “This Is Us” (NBC)

Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series

Taraji P. Henson – “Empire” (Fox)

 Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Laurence Fishburne – “`black-ish” (ABC)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Tichina Arnold  - “Survivor’s Remorse” (Starz)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Jussie Smollett - “Empire” (FOX)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Naturi Naughton - “Power” (Starz)

Outstanding Television Movie, Limited-Series, or Dramatic Special

“The People v. O.J. Simpson:  American Crime Story” (FX)

Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Limited-Series, or Dramatic Special

Courtney B. Vance - “The People v. O.J. Simpson:  American Crime Story” (FX)

Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Limited-Series, or Dramatic Special

Regina King - “American Crime” (ABC)

Outstanding News/Information (Series or Special)

“BET Love and Happiness White House Special” (BET)

 Outstanding Talk Series

“Steve Harvey” (Syndicated)

 Outstanding Reality Program/Reality Competition Series

“Iyanla:  Fix My Life” (OWN)

Outstanding Variety (Series or Special)

“2016 Black Girls Rock” (BET)

Outstanding Children’s Program

“An American Girl Story – Melody 1963:  Love Has to Win”(Amazon)

 Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Limited-Series)

Marsai Martin - “`black-ish” (ABC)

 Outstanding Host in a News, Talk, Reality, or Variety Program (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble

Roland S. Martin - “NewsOne Now with Roland S. Martin”(TV One)

Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series

Kenya Barris - “`black-ish” – Hope (ABC) 

Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series

Donald Glover - “Atlanta” – Value (FX)

 Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series

John Singleton - “The People v. O.J. Simpson:  American Crime Story” – The Race Card (FX)

 Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture (Television)

Rick Famuyiwa - “Confirmation” (HBO)

 Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series

Ava DuVernay - “Queen Sugar” – First Things First (OWN) 

 Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture (Television) 

Charles Murray – “Roots” - Night 3 (History)

Outstanding Documentary - (Film)

“13TH” (Netflix)

Outstanding Documentary - (Television)

“Roots:  A New Vision” (History)

RELATED: How 'Peak TV' is giving African-Americans more opportunities to be seen and heard on both sides of the camera

Scripted shows with predominately African-American casts are appealing to a wide range of viewers, according to a new Nielsen study.

Shows like ABC’s Black-ish, HBO’s Insecure and FX’s Atlanta and are all averaging more than 50% non-black viewership, according to Nielsen’s The 2016 Diverse Intelligence Series Report. Nearly 80% of comedy series Black-ish'saudience are viewers that are not African-American, while 61% of the Issa Rae-created comedy series Insecure’s audience represents non-black audienes, according to Nielsen.

Shows with ensemble casts also perform extremely well across audience groups including NBC’s freshman hit This Is Us, for which 89% of its audience is non-black, according to Nielsen. The series stars African-American actor Sterling K. Brown, who this past September won an Emmy Award for his portrayal of prosecutor Christopher Darden in FX’s The People V. O.J. Simpson.

“Much of the American narrative lately has focused on a growing cultural divide. But Nielsen’s data on television programming show something different,” says Andrew McCaskill, Nielsen's Senior Vice President, Communications and Multicultural Marketing in a statement. “Storylines with a strong black character or identity are crossing cultural boundaries to grab diverse audiences and start conversations. That insight is important for culture and content creators, as well as manufacturers and retailers looking to create engaging, high-impact advertising campaigns.”

As co-host of the 68th annual Emmy Awards nominations ceremony Thursday, black-ish star Anthony Anderson was overjoyed to read his name as an Emmy nominee for lead actor in a comedy series. 

He also enthusiastically cheered when his co-star Tracee Ellis Ross was nominated in the comedy lead actress category and when black-ish was chosen among the nominees for best comedy.

But Anderson’s humorous exploits were among only a few things the broadcast networks had to cheer about during the unveiling of the Emmy Awards nominations.

In recognizing the television industry’s incredible and unprecedented breadth and depth of content, the Television Academy this year leaned more toward cable networks as well as online streaming services like Netflix and Amazon when voting for the best quality series, original movies, limited series and original movies on television.

The big four broadcast networks were nearly shut out of the major drama categories, with Empire’s Taraji P. Henson and How To Get Away With Murder’s Viola Davis' nominations in the drama lead actress category keeping cable, PBS and online services from a complete sweep.

Moreover, cable nets and streaming services also generated a good portion of Emmy nominations for new shows that could rack up multiple Emmy Award nominations and wins in the years to come.

From freshman series such as Netflix’s Masters of None, which garnered nominations in the best Comedy and Best comedy actor categories for star Aziz Ansari, to USA’s sophomore thriller Mr. Robot -- a contender for best drama and best actor for breakout star Rami Malek -- the Emmy newbies were mostly from the cable and online arena.

That’s not to say that the broadcast networks are obsolete or incapable developing strong, new shows. But right now, the Academy has acknowledged that for this Emmy run the best and brightest new shows are on cable networks and online SVOD services.

Anderson’s enthusiasm for black-ish’s Emmy nominations could also be extended to television’s continued advancements in bringing quality, diverse shows, storylines and characters to the small screen. Non-white actors garnered a record 21 Emmy nominations this year, surpassing last year’s record of 18, according to Deadline.com.

FX’s American Crime Story: People v. O.J. Simpson and ABC’s black-ish led the way with multiple actors of color earning Emmy nominations, while the aforementioned Henson and Davis will again vie for lead actress honors in the drama category (Davis won last year, becoming the first African-American female actress to do so in the category). 

The stage is now set for a very fascinating Emmy Awards celebration in September. Bring on the winners. 

ABC’s Black-ish and Fox’s Empire dominated the major television categories during the NAACP Image Awards last night.

Black-ish swept the comedy categories, winning for Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Actor (Anthony Anderson) and Outstanding Actress (Tracee Ellis Ross). Empire was just as dominant in the key drama categories, taking home awards for Outstanding Drama Series, Actor (Terrence Howard) and Actress (Taraji P. Henson).

On the cable side, HBO and BET won multiple NAACP Image Awards, which honored the achievements of people of color in entertainment.

TV One aired live Friday night's 47th Annual NAACP Image Awards ceremony, which was hosted by Anthony Anderson.

The winners in the television categories are as follows:

Outstanding Comedy Series

“black-ish” (ABC)

Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series  

Anthony Anderson - “black-ish” (ABC)

Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series  

Tracee Ellis Ross - “black-ish” (ABC)

Outstanding Drama Series

“Empire” (FOX)

Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series

Terrence Howard - “Empire” (FOX)

Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series

Taraji P. Henson - “Empire” (FOX)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series  

Mike Epps – “Survivor’s Remorse” (Starz)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series  

Marsai Martin - “black-ish” (ABC)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series  

Joe Morton - “Scandal” (ABC)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series  

Regina King - “American Crime” (ABC)

Outstanding Television Movie, Mini- Series, or Dramatic Special  

“The Wiz Live!” (NBC)

Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini- Series, or Dramatic Special  

David Alan Grier - “The Wiz Live!” (NBC)

Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini- Series, or Dramatic Special  

Queen Latifah - “Bessie” (HBO)

Outstanding News/Information (Series or Special)  

“Unsung” (TV One)

Outstanding Talk Series  

“The Talk” (CBS)

Outstanding Reality Program/Reality Competition Series  

“Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s” (OWN)

Outstanding Variety (Series or Special)  

“Family Feud” (Syndicated)

Outstanding Children’s Program  

“Doc McStuffins” (Disney Junior)

Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Mini-Series)  

Marcus Scribner - “black-ish” (ABC)

Outstanding Host in a News, Talk, Reality, or Variety Program (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble  

Steve Harvey- “Family Feud” (Syndicated)

Outstanding Documentary - (Film)

“The Black Panthers:  Vanguard of the Revolution” (PBS Distribution/Firelight Films)

Outstanding Documentary - (Television)

“Muhammad Ali:  The People’s Champ” (BET)

Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series   

Kenya M. Barris - “black-ish” – The Word (ABC) 

Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series

Mara Brack Ali, Jameal Turner, Keli Goff - “Being Mary Jane” – Sparrow (BET) 

Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series

Don Cheadle - “House of Lies” – The Urge to Save Humanity is Almost Always a False Front for the Urge to Rule (Showtime)

Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series

John Ridley - “American Crime” – Episode 1 (ABC)

Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture (Television)

Dee Rees - “Bessie” (HBO)

The 2014-15 television season is almost in the books, and it will arguably go down as one of the most groundbreaking as it pertains to diversity.

The success of a group of new shows on both traditional and digital TV platforms has helped to eradicate some long-held preconceived notions about shows created by and starring people of diverse backgrounds.

First, this TV season has proven that content with diverse themes and lead characters can appeal beyond specific niche groups. The explosion this year of shows such as Empire, Jane the Virgin, How to Get Away With Murder, Black-ish and Power on traditional cable and broadcast TV, as well as Orange Is the New Black and Transparent on over-the-top subscription video services, is remarkable, given the unprecedented competition and fragmented viewership of the current TV environment.

The fact that all of these shows performed well — especially Fox’s Empire, which, incredibly, saw its viewership climb virtually every week of its 12-week run — is a testament to each show’s ability to appeal not just to multicultural viewers who are watching lead characters that reflect their images and cultures like never before, but to mainstream viewers as well.

Second, services including Amazon and Netflix have proven you can build successful series around transgender characters who are complicated, compelling and three-dimensional, rather than cartoonish caricatures that viewers could easily dismiss as weird or somehow not real. Jeffrey Tambor’s Golden Globe-winning portrayal of a middle-aged woman inside a man’s body in Amazon’s Transparent, as well as Netflix’s depiction of multiethnic and LGBT characters in Orange Is the New Black, have shown that realistic portrayals of LGBT people will get viewers to tune in, not tune out.

Third, it’s good to have diversity behind the camera as well as in front of it. From Empire’s Lee Daniels to The Haves and the Have Nots’s Tyler Perry, to How to Get Away With Murder’s Shonda Rhimes to Power’s Courtney Kemp Agboh and Fresh Off the Boat’s Eddie Huan, this new wave of multicultural producers, directors, writers and showrunners is providing viewers with narratives that reflect unique experiences and cultural nuances — no better or worse than anyone else’s; just different than what viewers have seen in the past — that have put a fresh and colorful coat of paint on traditional TV genres that viewers love to watch.

Strong ratings performances from a number of multicultural-themed shows during the 2014-15 television season are proving that an audience exists for quality programming featuring people of color.

The Jan. 6 season-three debut of OWN’s primetime soap opera Tyler Perry’s The Haves and The Have Nots set a network ratings record for a series premiere, averaging 3.22 million viewers and ranking as the network’s second most watched telecast among male viewers.

The Fox broadcasting network’s drama series Empire, starring Terrance Howard and Taraji P. Henson, drew nearly 10 million viewers for its Jan. 7 premiere, the second biggest launch on broadcast TV this season behind ABC’s How To Get Away With Murder, starring African-American actress and recent People’s Choice Award winner Viola Davis.

Add ABC’s comedy sitcom Black-ishto the list, and three of the highest-rated new series for the season are headed by African-American actors and/or actresses.

The Latino family dramedy Jane The Virgin on the CW was the best reviewed new series, according to Ratings Intelligence, and the show’s star, Gina Rodriguez, recently won a Golden Globe award for Best Actress in a TV comedy – the network’s first major Golden Globes win.

Also, ABC Latino family sitcom Cristela was the only freshman comedy besides Black-ish to get a full-season pickup, according to Ratings Intelligence. 

The Television Critics Association press tour provided TV writers and viewers with a glimpse at several new projects featuring prominent multicultural characters and storylines. ABC will soon air the Asian-themed series Fresh Off The Boat, while TV One Feb. 7 will launch a monthly series of original movies featuring African-American themes, starting with White Water.

BET will debut its first-ever mini-series The Book Of Negroes, based on Lawrence Hill’s award-winning novel which chronicles a young slave woman who, in exchange for her freedom, s ides with the British during the Revolutionary War.

Emmy and Academy Award winning actor Lou Gossett Jr. said TV series like The Book of Negroes in which he stars as well as movies like Selma and 12 Years A Slave are being developed for an audience looking for programming that tell stories about the history, lives, struggles and stories of people of color.

“It took a minute to tell our stories … now it’s okay for us to tell our stories to the world,” Gossett told nearly 200 TV critics at BET’s recent Television Critics Association Winter tour presentation. “This is the tip of the iceberg as far as information about our roots are concerned,” he said. “We’re going in the right direction, and you ain’t seen nothing yet.”

The Television Critics Association announced the most anticipated new fall shows this season, with Fox’s Gotham in the top spot.

“If the 2014 fall survey results are any indication, we’re in for an exciting new season of television,” Scott Pierce, TCA president and TV critic for The Salt Lake Tribune, declared.

Fox’s crime drama, Gotham, is expected to win over audiences with its new take on the Dark Knight’s beginning and a closer look through commissioner James Gordon eyes. Gotham is also expected for best new drama as well. The second and third expected shows are the CW’s Jane the Virgin and Showtime’s The Affair. The Affair took one vote over the thriller, How to Get Away with Murder.

Starring Anthony Anderson and Lawrence Fishburne, the most hopeful new comedy goes to ABC’s Black-ish, which pushed out the second pick, Jane the Virgin, and NBC’s A to Z in third. 

As for potential new breakout star, the results highly favored Gina Rodriguez in Jane the Virgin, with more than four times the votes as competing shows. Runners-up included The Flash, starring Grant Gustin and Gotham's Robin Lord Taylor.

Most Promising New Fall Show:

1. Gotham (Fox)

2. Jane the Virgin (The CW)

3. The Affair (Showtime)

Most Promising New Fall Comedy Series:

1. Black-ish (ABC)

2. Jane the Virgin (The CW)

3. A to Z (NBC)

Most Anticipated New Fall Drama:

1. Gotham (Fox)

2. The Affair (Showtime)

3. How to Get Away with Murder (ABC)

Potential New Breakout Star:

1. Gina Rodriguez (Jane the Virgin, The CW)

2. Grant Gustin (The Flash, The CW)

3. Robin Lord Taylor (Gotham, Fox)