African American TV Sitcom Theme Song Lyrics Quiz

Answer: Good Times

"Good Times" ran for five seasons in the '70s. It starred Esther Rolle and John Amos as Florida and James Evans raising three children in the tough Cabrini Green (presumed) housing projects in Chicago. Jimmie Walker as JJ stole the show with his "Dy-no-mite!" catch phrase.

A young Janet Jackson (the singer) played Penny, the adopted daughter of neighbor and best friend Wilona (Janet Dubois, who also sang the TV theme song for "The Jeffersons"). It was a spin-off of "Maude".

Answer: The Jeffersons

"The Jeffersons" was the longest running African American sitcom with eleven seasons. It won Isabel Sanford (Louise) two Emmy Awards. It was a spin-off of "All in the Family", with Carroll O'Connor as neighbor Archie Bunker. It also starred Sherman Hemsley as George Jefferson.

Answer: Family Matters

This show brought us the clutzy, lovable Steven Q. Urkel, who finally got his girl Laura Winslow and ran for eight seasons.

Answer: A Different World

"A Different World" was a spin-off of "The Cosby Show", and in it his TV daughter Denise Huxtable (Lisa Bonet) went off to her parents' alma mater, the fictional Hillman College. Who can forget southern belle Whitley Gilbert and her man Dwayne Wayne? "A Different World" ran for six seasons.

Answer: Living Single

"Living Single" starred four friends who lived together in New York. It starred Queen Latifah and Kim Fields. "Living Single" ran for five seasons, but the network got so much protest and mail about the cancellation that they brought the show back for a wrap up season. It is interesting to note that Kim Fields' and Queen Latifah's real mothers also played their moms on the show.

Answer: 227

"227" started as a play purchased by Marla Gibbs who played Mary Jenkins (Gibbs also played maid Florence on "The Jeffersons"). The show also starred a young Regina King as Mary's daughter Brenda and the fiesty, sexy Jackee as Sondra, a tenant in the building with the address 227.

Answer: The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air

The show starred young rapper (at the time) Will Smith, whose mother sent him from Philadelphia to live with her sister's wealthy family in California. Deceased actor James Avery played Uncle Phil. The show ran for six seasons and was very popular. It also starred Alfonso Ribeiro (the original "Tap Dance Kid" on Broadway).

Answer: Diff'rent Strokes

Unusual at the time because of a white man adopting two little black boys, the show was an all time favorite with all audiences and appealed to the masses, who tuned in every week to hear a very young, chubby cheeked Gary Coleman say, "What you talking about Willis!?" Janet Jackson also appeared on this show as Willis' (Todd Bridges) girlfriend.

Answer: Moesha

A young Brandy (the singer) played Moesha and sang her own theme song. Moesha was a teenager going through the tough teenaged years with her father and stepmother Dee (played by Sheryl Lee Ralph) to guide her along the way. The show created a spin-off called "The Parkers" that starred Monique and Countess Vaughn as Nikki and Kim Parker, mother and daughter. Kim Parker was Moesha's best friend.

The show ran for six seasons.

Answer: Amen

"Amen" starred Sherman Hemsley (he also played George Jefferson) who played Deacon Frye and Anna Marie Horsford played his daughter Thelma, who was crazy for the minister of the church played by Clifton Davis. Clifton Davis also starred in another sitcom called "That's My Mama" and wrote the hit song "Never Can Say Good Bye", made famous by the musical group The Jackson Five. Jester Hairston who played Rolly Forbes was also an accomplished composer of gospel music and had been acting for decades before joining the cast of "Amen".