The black-focused comedy series 'How to Die Alone' joins the series of recently introduced shows, leading some to wonder if the television landscape has truly transformed.
In her apartment, she's plagued by rodents. She despises her job, and despite this, she yearns for her ex, who also happens to be her boss. To add salt to her wounds, she's financially strained and resorts to committing identity theft to make ends meet.
Despite these struggles, Natasha Rothwell's character in the new show "How to Die Alone," which recently concluded its first season run on Hulu, resonates with audiences. She's a plus-sized Black woman who is striving, seeking love and fulfillment. We've all been in similar situations.
"How to Die Alone" is a project originated by Rothwell, who also serves as the co-showrunner and executive producer. She gained prominence for her humorous one-liners in the popular HBO comedy "Insecure," such as her expression when you search for "growth" — a certain face with the words "You know what that is?" (HBO, Max, and CNN share the same parent company, Warner Bros. Discovery.)
"How to Die Alone" may be new, but it's a part of a recent wave of Black-led drama-comedies gracing our TV screens. Shows like "Survival of the Thickest" and "The Vince Staples Show" on Netflix, Hulu's "Queenie" adaptation, and others have contributed to this era of television being called a "renaissance" of Black TV, bringing to mind the vibrant 1980s and 1990s.
Despite more Black voices gaining exposure, the industry is still cautious.
As Aisha Durham, an expert in Black popular culture at the University of South Florida, pointed out, "In some ways, we are still asking the question: Will White people like it?"
Streaming services and broadcast have distinct business models
It's true that Black-led shows have seen an increase in representation on digital platforms, especially as streaming companies aim to fill specific content niches, said Naeemah Clark, a professor of cinema and television arts at Elon University in North Carolina.
Unlike broadcast television, which relies on capturing the broadest audience, streaming services cater to specific niche interests, such as shows about a financially struggling Black woman finding her way. Shows like "Insecure," "Queenie," "Survival of the Thickest," and "How to Die Alone" provide diverse offerings based on similar themes.
This trend has been inspired by the success of previous Black creators and shows, such as Shonda Rhimes, Issa Rae, and Oprah Winfrey, who have paved the way for more Black voices in the television industry. This period might not be temporary but may instead become the standard, according to Clark.
"I think that maybe we're living in a new reality," she said. "Black folks are getting television deals because other Black folks have been successful with television deals. Black people are making decisions now; they're becoming decision-makers who are greenlighting content."
Broadcast networks and streamers face challenges when it comes to Black-led stories
Nevertheless, modern television is not a utopia where everyone can earn a living. The dearth of representation in Asian, Middle Eastern, or African stories in American popular culture is a testament to this.
For Black-led shows on broadcast television, Black characters are often placed in relation to White characters, as if to provide context rather than just showcase Blackness, observed Durham.
"The Neighborhood," a CBS sitcom set to debut its seventh season soon, features a White family living next to a Black one. This theme seems to be more interested in explaining Blackness than simply presenting it.
"We're still trying to understand this aspect of Black experience," Durham said. "We wouldn't ask for the same thing from a show with a predominantly White cast."
Shows like "The Neighborhood" tend to have longer runs, while shows with primary Black casts like "Grand Crew," which was canceled after two seasons, struggle to maintain viewership.
On the flip side, streaming services support more "niche" stories like that of a Black woman working at an airport. However, they might not be taking significant risks.
Michelle Buteau, the creator and star of Netflix's "Survival of the Thickest," spent several years showcasing her talent on various Netflix programs before finally securing her own show. Similarly, Issa Rae created "Rap Sh!t," and Vince Staples stars in "The Vince Staples Show" — all with established fan bases. These are not new names on the scene, but proven talents.
Additionally, streaming services are more likely to pick up shows that have proved successful elsewhere, like "First Wives Club" and "Average Joe," which are being produced for a second season after doing well on BET+.
As Durham pointed out, "There's still this testing phase."
Even after making it past the initial trial, a series can still be categorized. If the series doesn't connect, in some way, with white audiences, according to Durham, it's confined to limited spheres, such as BET+ or a specific section on Netflix.
More Black-themed productions have a positive impact, per analysts
Regrettably, the merciless nature of the television realm dictates that certain shows, both predominantly Black or otherwise, will fail to thrive. The tendency of streaming services to cancel shows, including one that hadn't even been aired yet, is well-known. This trend isn't exclusive to streaming platforms; between 2009 and 2012, nearly two-thirds of new network shows were canceled within their inaugural season.
Black-focused shows aren't immune to this fate and might even be more susceptible. The cancellations of shows like Max's "South Side," STARZ's "Run the World," and Freeform's "Everything's Trash" after three seasons or less are testament to this.
However, there are benefits. With niche narratives gaining traction on streaming services and broadcast networks gradually expanding their repertoire, stories depicting the Black experience have become more varied than ever before. For instance, "Bob Hearts Abishola," a sitcom that highlights the African immigrant experience, is one of the few representational offerings on CBS. STARZ's "P-Valley" delves into a queer southern narrative, while "How to Die Alone" offers fresh perspectives on Black womanhood and body image.
"Blackness is not synonymous with straight African-American," Durham notes. "The interpretation of Blackness in this evolving television terrain also becomes more nuanced."
Television still has a significant distance to cover in telling stories from non-white communities. In the interim, shows such as Rothwell's provide a glimpse into diverse narratives.
Despite facing numerous challenges, the success of shows like "How to Die Alone" reveals a growing demand for diverse entertainment. Natasha Rothwell's character in the show resonates with audiences by showcasing the struggles and aspirations of a Black woman, providing a refreshing perspective in the entertainment industry.
This demand for diverse content is not going unnoticed by producers, as evidenced by the recent wave of Black-led drama-comedies gracing our television screens, including shows like "Survival of the Thickest" and "The Vince Staples Show."
