Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television

2025

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Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television

2.3 | TV-MA | en | Documentary

Journey through the history of black representation on television, showcasing how black artists and creators both shaped and revolutionized the medium while confronting the systemic challenges that have often undermined their contributions.

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Seasons & Episodes

EP2 Part 2: Heard

Sep. 10,2025

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The responsibility and power of storytelling is demonstrated through the work of Shonda Rhimes, Oprah Winfrey, and other creators, as well as stories depicting the breadth of the Black experience. With ownership of news and entertainment properties, Black creators now shape perception and policy – while honoring the scope of their history in all its paradoxes and complexities.

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EP1 Part 1: Seen

Sep. 09,2025

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From Amos 'n' Andy to The Jeffersons and Good Times, Black television was historically shaped by white writers and creators. But in the 1990s, a rise in shows by Black creators brought social issues to the forefront, allowing Black television to go beyond merely reflecting culture, but to create it with shows such as In Living Color and The Arsenio Hall Show.

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2.3 | TV-MA | en | Documentary

Synopsis

Cast

Issa Rae , Tracee Ellis Ross , Tyler Perry

Director

Stephen Bailey

Producted By

HBO Documentary Films , Ark Media

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Trailers

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Cast

Issa Rae

as Self

[2026] Picture This [2026] The Super Mario Galaxy Movie [2025] Escape Room [2025] Black Mirror: Hotel Reverie [2025] Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television [2024] Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse [2023] Young Love [2023] Barbie [2023] Project Greenlight

Tracee Ellis Ross

as Self

[2025] Being Eddie [2025] Black Mirror: Common People [2025] The Family McMullen [2025] Solo Traveling with Tracee Ellis Ross [2025] Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television [2024] Cold Copy [2023] Carol Burnett: 90 Years of Laughter + Love [2023] American Fiction [2023] Candy Cane Lane

Tyler Perry

as Self

[2026] Joe's College Road Trip [2025] Madea's Destination Wedding [2025] Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television [2023] Maxine's Baby: The Tyler Perry Story [2022] Tyler Perry's A Madea Homecoming [2021] PAW Patrol: The Movie [2021] Adele One Night Only [2021] Those Who Wish Me Dead [2021] Don't Look Up