CNN History of the Sitcom Airs: Facing Race Episode

HISTORY OF THE SITCOM
CNN

S1 E5 • FACING RACE
EDITOR: SONIA GODDING TOGOBO
AIRS SUNDAY, AUGUST 1ST, 2021—9:00PM EST

After 20 years of editing TV, it was a joy and honour to learn from the masters who have contributed so much by paving the way for the industry I am in. Though my episode only captured snippets of what they brought to the game, I wanted to personally thank them each of these legendary Black creatives for a masterclass in their fight to tell authentic Black stories. It’s Emancipation Day; there are no coincidences.

History of the sitcom premiered Sunday, July 11, 2021—an eight-part CNN documentary television series that traces the development of the American situation comedy form the 1950s to the 21st century, examining how sitcoms have evolved to reflect the changing face of American families. In many homes, difficult conversations about race and diversity have first happened on the sitcom screen, helping pave the way for progress with hilarity and laughter. This episode explores how sitcoms have reflected changes in attitudes on race and in some cases, helped bring those changes about.

This episode airs tonight 9:00 pm.