Life’s can be exhausting, especially today, but these shows are perfect for lifting your mood. They’re fun, honest, and serve up relatable stories that remind us we’re not alone in our struggles and successes.
READ: 30+ Feel Good Movies to Watch Anytime You Need a Pick Me Up
Each series here highlights Black voices and culture, with a healthy dose of laughter, friendship, and life lessons. Here’s your list of must-watch shows that celebrate everyday joys, challenges, and triumphs in a way that feels both real and uplifting.
Living Single
This ‘90s classic follows six friends navigating love, careers, and friendship in Brooklyn. From Khadijah’s magazine hustle to Maxine’s quick wit, each character brings a unique flavor to this iconic friend group.
Why We Recommend It: It’s a timeless celebration of friendships, independence, and community. Living Single paved the way for many shows that followed, reminding us how essential friendship is—especially when it’s messy, funny, and deeply supportive.
Stream: Hulu
South Side
Created by Bashir Salahuddin and Diallo Riddle, South Side is a comedy that follows two best friends working at a rent-to-own furniture store in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood while hustling to reach their dreams.
Why We Recommend It: Hilarious and refreshingly real, South Side celebrates Black neighborhoods, everyday ambition, and Chicago culture in a way that feels both hilariously familiar and unique. It’s for everyone who loves a good laugh at the everyday absurdities.
Stream: Max
Survival of the Thickest
Mavis Beaumont, played by Michelle Buteau, is a recently single, plus-size woman navigating life, love, and her dreams of making it in fashion. Her journey brings warmth, self-love, and plenty of laughs.
Why We Recommend It: Survival of the Thickest is all about finding strength in new starts, owning who you are, and doing it with humor. It’s a beautiful reminder that self-discovery is a lifelong journey—and it’s okay to stumble along the way.
Stream: Netflix
My Wife and Kids
It stars Damon Wayans as Michael Kyle, a loving (and slightly overprotective) father who rules his household with humor, life lessons, and plenty of clever parenting tricks. Along with his wife Jay and their three kids, Michael navigates the ups and downs of family life with laughs and a touch of old-school wisdom.
Why We Recommend It: This classic sitcom is all about family love, laughter, and the funny ways parents teach their kids life lessons—whether they like it or not. With its relatable family dynamics and Wayans’ quick wit, My Wife and Kids is a feel-good, lighthearted watch that’s perfect for when you need a good laugh and a reminder that family truly is everything.
Stream: Netflix
Abbott Elementary
Abbott Elementary is a mockumentary-style comedy that follows a group of dedicated teachers working in an underfunded public school in Philadelphia. Created by and starring Quinta Brunson, the show highlights the everyday challenges and small victories of teaching, all while keeping the humor front and center.
Why We Recommend It: With its sharp humor and relatable characters, Abbott Elementary celebrates the resilience and heart of teachers who go above and beyond for their students. It’s funny, touching, and a reminder of the power of community—even in the face of tough odds. Perfect for a feel-good, inspiring laugh!
Stream: ABC/Hulu
The Wayans Bros
Starring brothers Shawn and Marlon Wayans, The Wayans Bros. follows the misadventures of two brothers who live and work together in New York City. With their dad, Pops, running a newsstand, the brothers navigate life, love, and career mishaps with plenty of antics.
Why We Recommend It: The Wayans Bros. is a laid-back, laugh-out-loud show that captures the close (and chaotic) bond of brotherhood. It’s filled with funny moments and classic Wayans humor, perfect for a good, nostalgic laugh.
Stream: Max
Grand Crew
In Grand Crew, a group of close friends regularly gather at their favorite L.A. bar to unwind and trade stories about dating, careers, and life’s wild moments—all with a side of drinks and laughs.
Why We Recommend It: The show brings a refreshing, lighthearted vibe to everyday struggles without getting bogged down in heavy drama. The characters keep it real, but the focus is always on fun, friendship, and finding humor in life’s little messes. Perfect for anyone who loves quick laughs and relatable moments, Grand Crew feels like hanging out with your fun, quirky friends.
Stream: Peacock
Half & Half
Mona and Dee Dee are half-sisters who grew up apart but are now building a relationship as adults. With their very different personalities and backgrounds, navigating sisterhood is both challenging and funny.
Why We Recommend It: Half & Half shows the beauty of blending families and learning to embrace differences. This throwback is a heartfelt journey of family, self-discovery, and sisterhood, offering plenty of laughs along the way.
Stream: Pluto TV
How to Die Alone
It centers on Mel, a broke and unlucky JFK airport employee who’s never truly experienced love or adventure. But when she survives a near-death accident, she’s jolted into rethinking her life. Determined to break free from her fears, Mel sets out to live boldly and chase her dreams.
Why We Recommend It: This show is a funny, relatable nudge to step outside your comfort zone and make the most of life. Mel’s story reminds us that it’s never too late to take risks, dream big, and embrace what the world has to offer—even if it scares us a little.
Stream: Hulu
Everybody Hates Chris
Inspired by Chris Rock’s teenage years, it follows young Chris navigating family, school, and neighborhood life in 1980s Brooklyn. With an overbearing mom, hardworking dad, and a hilarious inner monologue, Chris faces the ups and downs of growing up.
Why We Recommend It: This show is a perfect mix of humor and realness, capturing the awkwardness and hilarity of adolescence. It’s relatable, funny, and a nostalgic reminder of the quirky family dynamics that shape us.
Stream: Tubi
The Vince Staples Show
The Vince Staples Show is a comedy series loosely based on the real-life experiences of rapper Vince Staples. Each episode dives into hilarious and sometimes surreal situations, blending scripted comedy with a documentary-style feel. With Vince’s signature wit and humor, the show gives a unique take on fame, relationships, and life in Long Beach.
Why We Recommend It: The Vince Staples Show is refreshingly original and captures Vince’s down-to-earth, no-nonsense personality with humor and authenticity. It’s a funny, unapologetic look at the ups and downs of life and fame, perfect for those who enjoy a comedic spin on real-life moments and cultural insights.
Stream: Netflix
Black-ish
This groundbreaking show follows the Johnson family as they navigate cultural identity, family life, and modern challenges. Starring Anthony Anderson and Tracee Ellis Ross, it blends comedy with relevant social themes.
Why We Recommend It: Black-ish redefined what family sitcoms could be, tackling important topics while bringing laughs. It’s a perfect watch for anyone seeking humor with a message and stories that resonate.
Stream: Hulu
The Jamie Foxx Show
Jamie Foxx stars as Jamie King, an aspiring entertainer who works at his family’s Los Angeles hotel. While helping with the family business, Jamie’s personality and musical talents often land him in comedic situations with his coworkers and family.
Why We Recommend It: The Jamie Foxx Show shines with Jamie’s quick wit and musical flair, offering a mix of humor and charm that’s easy to enjoy. It’s a lighthearted show with plenty of laughs, plus the added fun of Jamie’s on-screen performances.
Stream: Netflix
Insecure
It follows Issa Dee as she navigates friendships, love, career choices, and self-discovery in Los Angeles. From awkward dates to real-life moments of self-reflection, the show captures the highs and lows of figuring out adulthood with humor and honesty.
Why We Recommend It: Insecure is a true-to-life exploration of what it means to grow and learn who you are, all while making a ton of mistakes along the way. Issa’s story is relatable, hilarious, and inspiring—a perfect watch for anyone finding their path and laughing through the journey.
Stream: Max, Insecure
Twenties
Twenties, created by Lena Waithe, centers on Hattie, a queer Black woman in her twenties, as she chases her dreams of becoming a screenwriter in Los Angeles. Alongside her two best friends, Hattie navigates career setbacks, dating struggles, and the ups and downs of young adulthood.
Why We Recommend It: Twenties brings a fresh, comedic take on navigating life and identity in your twenties. With relatable characters and witty dialogue, it’s a show that celebrates friendship, resilience, and the pursuit of dreams—perfect for anyone embracing life’s twists and turns.
Stream: BET Plus
Boarders
Boarders, a Tubi original, follows five Black college students who come together in an unconventional boarding house as they navigate the pressures of academia, relationships, and personal dreams. Each character brings a unique story and perspective, making the house a dynamic space filled with both challenges and deep bonds.
Why We Recommend It: Boarders offers a fresh look at the college experience, diving into themes of friendship, identity, and ambition in a way that feels both relatable and inspiring. It’s an authentic take on young adulthood, perfect for anyone who wants a blend of humor, heart, and the realness of finding your way.
Stream: Tubi
The Bernie Mac Show
Inspired by Bernie Mac’s own life, The Bernie Mac Show follows a fictionalized version of Bernie as he takes in his sister’s three kids. With his unique sense of humor and “tough love” approach, Bernie navigates the challenges of instant parenthood, trying to balance discipline with genuine care.
Why We Recommend It: The Bernie Mac Show is a comedy classic that’s as funny as it is heartwarming. Bernie’s hilarious monologues and strict-but-loving parenting style make this show both relatable and endlessly entertaining. It’s a reminder of the joys and chaos of family life, delivered with Bernie’s unmatched wit and charm.
Stream: Netflix
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
This iconic show stars Will Smith as a street-smart teenager from West Philly who moves in with his wealthy relatives in Bel-Air. With memorable characters and endless laughs, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air follows Will as he brings his unique flair to his new surroundings.
Why We Recommend It: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air combines comedy with heartfelt moments, exploring themes of family, class, and self-identity. It’s timeless, and Will’s infectious energy is still as uplifting today as it was in the ’90s.
Stream: Hulu
Harlem
Harlem, created by Tracy Oliver, follows four best friends living in New York City as they chase their dreams, careers, and love lives. Starring Meagan Good, Grace Byers, Shoniqua Shandai, and Jerrie Johnson, the series explores friendship, ambition, and the complexities of modern womanhood with a refreshing dose of humor and heart.
Why We Recommend It: Harlem brings a vibrant, unapologetic look at friendships and the ups and downs of adulting. It’s fun, relatable, and celebrates the beauty of sisterhood and self-discovery. Perfect for those who love stories about strong, ambitious women supporting each other through life’s twists and turns.
Stream: Prime Video
Martin
In Martin, Martin Lawrence stars as a radio host with a big personality, navigating life and love with his girlfriend Gina, best friends, and a lineup of unforgettable side characters he plays himself. Set in Detroit, the show is packed with over-the-top humor and iconic moments.
Why We Recommend It: Martin is pure comedic gold. The show’s fast-paced humor and Lawrence’s memorable characters make it a feel-good favorite that doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s perfect for laughs and celebrating Black comedy at its best.
Stream: BET Plus