25 feel-good shows to start 2018 off right

Black-ish

The premise: There’s no real premise behind Black-ish. It’s merely about the inner workings of a family of seven in the affluent suburbs of Los Angeles. The Johnson family consists of mom Rainbow (Tracee Ellis Ross), dad Andre (Anthony Anderson) and their five children. Rainbow is a successful doctor while Andre works as vice president at an advertising firm. The title of the show comes from the meditation on race the show routinely tackles, and the cultural premise of “being black enough.”

Why it’s so good: For one, the show isn’t afraid to have the family make fun of each other. There’s very little schmaltz, and I can appreciate that.  Nothing is off limits when it comes to being made fun of, and this family connect by teasing and ribbing. It feels familiar to me, because my family is of the same ilk, and it makes the episodes far less sentimental than its mostly-white cousin on the same network, Modern Family. 

I also really like how it takes on cultural issues without flinching. The show speaks frankly and without apology about the American prison system, diabetes, age-related senility and even slavery. It doesn’t feel preachy or finger-waggy, but I am definitely getting the message. I like a straight shooter.

How to watch: You can watch all available episodes on Hulu, and rejoin the current fifth season on ABC in 2018.