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HBO's Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television; Adult Swim Slates Two Series for October

The HBO Original two-part documentary Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television, from Issa Rae's HOORAE Media and Ark Media, a film by Giselle Bailey; directed and produced by Giselle Bailey (HBO's The Legend of the Underground) and Phil Bertelsen (Who Killed Malcolm X?), debuts Tuesday, September 9 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on HBO, followed by part two airing Wednesday, September 10 at the same time. Both parts will be available to stream on HBO Max beginning Tuesday, September 9 at 9:00 p.m. ET.

Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television takes audiences on a two-part 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. From early stereotypical portrayals to today’s more authentic and complex narratives, the series highlights how Black television makers have not only survived but thrived, despite the industry’s early reluctance to fully recognize their power and creativity.

Through archival footage and interviews with major figures in the television industry and culture shapers, the documentary spotlights the trailblazers who paved the way, exploring complex narratives around race, identity, and cultural legacy. As each generation of Black television actors, writers, and creators built on the work of those before them, each voice became part of a lineage — responding to, reimagining, and reshaping Black storytelling on screen. Black writers and actors speak to their struggle for creative control, moving from token representation to truer, more complex portrayals and authorship. Black television has been, and continues to be, a ground-breaking force in the media, shaping culture, challenging norms, and redefining representation. The documentary also explores the business of Black television, its changing role in the media landscape, and its complex relationship to broader industry success. Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television showcases a reclamation of narrative power, a celebration of the past, and an illumination of a new generation of voices shaping the future of television.

Part One: SEEN Debut date: Tuesday, September 9 (9:00-10:14 p.m. ET/PT) Part One, SEEN, details decades of cultural shifts in television, with prominent Black voices sharing stories of their journeys, inspirations, and insights into their work and the industry. Historically, Black television was shaped by white writers and creators, from Amos 'n' Andy to wildly popular shows including The Jeffersons and Good Times. While Black characters were becoming increasingly visible on screen, their stories were not always written with authenticity or complexity. A rise in shows by Black creators brought social issues including the AIDS crisis, homosexuality, and racial protests to the forefront, and Black television went beyond merely reflecting culture – it began to create it. In Living Color and The Arsenio Hall Show gave an unprecedented national platform to hip-hop and Black comedians, driving discourse and reframing the cultural landscape. Despite a host of shows with Black creators and crews that built audiences and boosted ratings, by the end of the 1990s and into the early 2000s, many popular Black shows were cancelled and a new slate of programming featuring all white casts emerged.

Part Two: HEARD Debut date: Wednesday, September 10 (9:00-10:30 p.m. ET/PT) Part Two, HEARD, addresses ownership of the narrative, highlighting the need for opportunity at every level – including showrunners, editors, cinematographers, and writers. The responsibility and power of storytelling is demonstrated in Shonda Rhimes' color-blind casting for her powerhouse shows, Oprah betting on herself and owning her own content and vision, and other stories depicting the breath of the Black experience, such as scenes of the Tulsa massacre from HBO’s Watchmen, that underscored the importance of showing Black history authentically. HEARD also explores the rise of social media, enabling artists to own their own image, propelling creators like Issa Rae to success, and showcases how creators pay it forward. Lena Waithe’s mentorship lab reflects that mission – to open doors for the next generation and ensure that those telling Black stories reflect the full spectrum of the Black experience. With ownership of media companies, newspapers, and intellectual property, Black creators shape perception and policy while honoring the full scope of their history in all its paradoxes and complexities.

The series features a roster of media icons such as Issa Rae, Shonda Rhimes, Tyler Perry, Lena Waithe, Oprah Winfrey, Tracee Ellis Ross, Ava DuVernay, Norman Lear, Swizz Beatz, Debbie Allen, Kenya Barris, Cord Jefferson, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Mara Brock Akil, Byron Allen, Deondray Gossfield, Quincy Gossfield, Terence Nance, Syreeta Singleton, Tamera Mowry-Housley, and more.

Smiling Friends, the fan-favorite series about a company dedicated to lending a helping hand to anyone needing to smile, returns to Adult Swim for its third season on Sunday, October 5 at 11:30pm ET/PT. Also joining the lineup is a new comedy Haha, You Clowns, debuting Sunday, October 19 at 11:45pm ET/PT. New episodes of both quarter-hour adult animated series will be available to stream the following day on HBO Max.

Season Three of Smiling Friends finds Pim, Charlie, Flint and the whole gang going absolutely bonkers once again, diving headfirst into their ultimate quest to spread joy upon the land. We'll see a bunch of unexpected stuff here such as Mr. Frog running full speed at the camera, the team finally collecting all the spirit gems they need, and a totally epic showdown spectacle with an Ancient Witch of some sort. AHHHHH!!!!

Created by Joe Cappa, Haha, You Clowns is an unexpected new series from Adult Swim that celebrates wholesome family programming. Join the Campbell boys, three doting teenagers and their tenderhearted dad, as they live, laugh, love their way into your living rooms. They're big dudes with big feelings who are learning to navigate life in the wake of their mother's death, sensing her presence in everyday adventures.

Posted by Pavan -- SitcomsOnline.com at 12:00 PM

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Labels: Adult Swim, Haha You Clowns, HBO, Smiling Friends