By Jawn Murray, BlackVoices.com
"It seems as though gay lifestyle has become commonplace. I have nothing against someone who is gay. They have the freedom to live their life, but in the house of God -- although He loves them in their sin -- He wants them out of it. I love my gay friends, but I would rather see them walk in accordance with the Word of God...and I sure don't want to see women kissing [women] on the air. I'm offended by it."
– 'Amen' star Clifton Davis spoke in the annual "Love & Holiday Issue" of 'Gospel Today' magazine about the current themes on television programming. The 63-year-old actor, who has also starred in the film 'Any Given Sunday' and appeared on shows like 'Living Single,' 'Grace Under Fire' and 'Half & Half,' is an ordained minister who has been preaching in pulpits across the country for the last 25 years.
The Black Families On TV
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The Cosby Show
Seasons: Eight
Notable Cast Members: Bill Cosby, Phylicia Rashad, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Keshia Knight Pulliam, Tempestt Bledsoe, Lisa Bonet, Raven-Symoné
Storyline: Popular comedy television series based on a happily married couple raising their children in Brooklyn, New York.
Sidenote: Throughout the course of eight seasons The Huxtable family helped set the stage for black families on prime time television. Bill Cosby's character, Cliff Huxtable was such a role model that he topped TV Guide's 2004 list of "50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time."
Everett Collection
'Family Matters'
Seasons: Nine
Notable Cast Members: Reginald Vel Johnson, Darius McCrary, Kellie Shanygne Williams, JoMarie Payton, Jaleel White, Telma Hopkins
Storyline: Based on middle-class suburban Chicago black family, the Winslows.
Sidenote: Spinning off it's sister show 'Perfect Strangers,' the hit sitcom spawned off one of the most popular characters in sitcom history, Steve Urkel. America's favorite nerd was so popular that he established a merchandising empire, which included a talking doll, trading cards, posters, books, lunchboxes and a limited edition cereal.
Warner Bros.
'Lincoln Heights'
Seasons: Three
Notable Cast Members: Russell Hornsby, Nicki Micheaux, Erica Hubbard, Rhyon Nicole Brown, Mishon Ratliff, Michael Reilly Burke, Robert Adamson, William Stanford Davis
Storyline: A drama revolving around the life of LAPD officer Eddie Sutton, who is in pursuit of a better life for his family. Ironically, Sutton moves his family into his old neighborhood which is known for its violence.
Sidenote: In 2008 the series was nominated for four NAACP Image Awards including Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series, Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series, Outstanding Drama Series, and Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series.
ABC Family
'My Wife & Kids'
Seasons: Five
Notable Cast Members: Damon Wayans, Tisha Campbell-Martin, George O. Gore II
Storyline: Damon Wayans portrays Michael Kyle, a loving husband who maintains his household by teaching his family some valuable wisdom and knowledge, and learning some himself.
Sidenote: The show's co-creator, Damon Wayans, may have regretted the original storyline of Claire Kyle following the loss of cast member Jazz Raycole. Raycole's mother disapproved of the actress' storyline for season two, which led to her being pulled from the show.
2000 ABC, INC.
The Jeffersons
Seasons: 11
Notable Cast Members: Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, Marla Gibbs, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover, Paul Benedict
Storyline: Entrepreneur George Jefferson hits the ticket with his successful dry-cleaning business, which leads him to move into a ritzy New York City high-rise.
Sidenote: America can thank fellow 'Good Times' actress Ja'Net DuBois for helping George Jefferson's family move up to the east side. The Emmy Award-winner co-wrote and sang the show's opening and closing theme song 'Movin' On Up.'
CBS Photo Archive / Getty Images
'What's Happening!!'
Seasons: Three
Notable Cast Members: Ernest Lee Thomas, Haywood Nelson, Fred Berry, Danielle Spencer, Mabel King, Shirley Hemphill, David Hollander, John Welsh, Earl Billings, Leland Smith
Storyline: Loosely based on the motion picture 'Cooley High' a trio of friends go through the trials and tribulations of young adulthood.
Sidenote: Fred Berry's character Rerun almost didn't turn out as we may remember him today. Originally the role was reportedly written to fit the description of a skinny white kid.
Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images
'227'
Seasons: Five
Notable Cast Members: Marla Gibbs, Alaina Reed Hall, Jackée Harry, Helen Martin, Hal Williams, Regina King, Curtis Baldwin, Kia Goodwin, Reynaldo Rey, Countess Vaughn
Storyline: Taking place in a Washington D.C. apartment building, numbered 227, the show's characters would be found sitting outside on a large set of stone stairs (aka the stoop), in which a discussion would lead into the weekly plot line.
Sidenote: Former 'Moesha' and 'Celebrity Fit Club' star Countess Vaughn received her big break in Hollywood by simply asking. Vaughn mentioned her dream of appearing on '227' following her 1988 appearance on the talent show series 'Star Search.'
Embassy Pictures / Fotos International / Getty Images
'Julia'
Seasons: Three
Notable Cast Members: Diahann Carroll, Lloyd Nolan, Paul Winfield, Fred Williamson
Storyline: Centering on a young widow working as a nurse, trying to make ends meet while raising her son as a single parent.
Sidenote: The 1960 NBC comedy is known for being one of the first weekly shows to depict African-American woman in the non stereotypical role of playing servants. The drama eventually lead to the show's star Diahann Carroll asking for a release from her contract due to the controversy surrounding the show from its inception.
NBC / Getty Images
'The Wayans Bros'
Seasons: Five
Notable Cast Members: Shawn Wayans, Marlon Wayans, John Witherspoon, Anna Maria Horsford, Jermaine Hopkins, Ja'Net DuBois, Phill Lewis
Storyline: The show follows lives of two brothers, Shawn and Marlon Williams, who run their own newspaper stand from out of their father's diner.
Sidenote: Following their family's tradition of producing sitcoms, Shawn and Marlon Wayans debut 'The Wayans Bros' in 1995. Adding to the sitcom's hip-hop feel, the brothers used A Tribe Called Quest's hit single 'Electric Relaxation' as the show's opening theme for the first two seasons.
Warner Bros.
Comments: (66)
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By: Hello Spuddie!!! on 1/13/2009 4:06PM
Are you serious??? I always thought he was gay. Wow, my Gaydar was wrong for once, maybe not. I still think he is gay.
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By: LISA on 1/13/2009 5:48PM
That amazing such a comment coming from Clifton. someone who has been accuse of being gay from as far back as th 70's. I don't know Clifton I have to rise my eyebrow on this one.
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By: Boobie on 1/15/2009 6:49AM
LOL, both of you hit the nail on the head. I thought he was gay.
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By: Mary Ellen on 1/15/2009 7:38AM
It's about time a Godly, heterosexual man spoke out against this intrusive sin. Too many popular preachers on the airwaves today are condoning gay lifestyle by their silence. I am sure Rev. Davis will receive backlash, not only from the gay community, but from the cowardly, straight community of so-called Christians. I've always known Rev. Davis to be an intelligent, articulated person and I'm proud of his public stance against homosexuality. Well done, brother-in-Christ!
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By: Diana on 1/15/2009 8:33AM
I agree with him 100% I dont want to watch women kissing women or men kissing men on tv,nor do I want my children to see it and think all is well with the world. It can be offensive.
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By: WENDY on 1/15/2009 9:31AM
I agree with Minister Davis. God bless him for standing up against homosexuality. I never thought he was gay--very handsome, talented and masculine.
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By: kareem2000 on 1/15/2009 9:43AM
He has some nerve! I know he used to be gay. In fact it was alleged many years ago, he had a brief affair with Michael Jackson. When he wrote the song "Never Can Say Goodbye". Now like some so many Church people, he is against what gay people do. I dare him to say that he never had gay relations before.
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By: ABelieverNJC on 3/08/2009 3:56AM
Kareem2000, how can you honestly, and truthfully say that Rev. Davis is/was gay? If I was a betting man I'd say you received your knowledge of this, through rumor mill. If so that's ashame, to be so naive as to allow another's accusation influence your thought. I believe I would win the bet.
Here's some advice brother, unless you have been involved in such an abominated act with the said person (in this case Rev. Davis), you have nothing to back up your slander.
Tell me, what are you worth? Brother if you can't live a life of knowledgeable wisdom and understanding, you're just one who causes chaos. In other terms you cause destruction everywhere you go, you are a ruinous personality.
I'm not judging you, just your spurious ways. Brother, there is a way of truth and honesty, and I hope and pray you find it.
I to applaud Rev. Davis, it's time we who are faithful to the faith (Christianity) step up and began to defend what we believe.
P.S. I can share my faith in Jesus with you kareem2000, just being neighborly.
With Regards,
ABelieverNJC
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By: Themindstealinginstrument on 1/15/2009 10:08AM
Amazing how much strong POWER your own tv has in your own house. We haven't touched or spoke with these "outsiders"(people we never met) that are now in our own homes on this screen, but we are looken at their lifestyles that may be a huge no-no in our lives. We go to work, or school, come home to watch other people, and never make somethin of our own life because of this box of other people's lives in our homes. The more you watch these people, the more you begin to question your own life, as though they are so much more important than your own, just because they are on tv. I guess in today's society, we would be bored without this box. So since this is the thing that keeps our minds busy while just sitting in the house, the only thing we can do is turn the station, as to not pollute our own standards, and watch a program that fits, or not play with the way you raised your children to live. Black music videos that promote cheating, sex, drinking, lust, pervertedness, half nakedness repeatedly is so commonplace too. The only thing you can do is turn and make sure your moral standards are strongly embedded in your heart, so when you see these things, you will not get alarmed. Afer all, who really sees these things LIVE on a daily basis. You get it all,repeatedly, just from that box sitting right inside your home. The camera man and the people have you right in the palms of their hands, without ever having to leave their location. So on the air, just keep God in the mist and programs that obtain peace in the heart, or can entertain /educate without distorting human relationships.
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By: MJ on 9/03/2009 11:43PM
Dude, I only have three words for you.
STAY ON TOPIC !
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