Up and Coming (1979– ) User Reviews

Up and Coming

[synira · 9/10 · 2 February 2007]

This was such a great series for Black folks at the time. We loved it so much. It was the only show about Black middle class families on t.v. at the time. Please release this on DVD. I know many...many people who still talk about the show. If it its released i am certain that many black youth will find this enlightening as well as interesting. The show addressed many topics from racism, intra-race discrimination, teen pregnancy, sibling rivalry, single parenting, peer-pressure and much more. The show ended in such an abrupt way and left it's fans speechless and wondering why it was taken off the air. Since then we have only seen a few of the actors and actresses. Please release it on DVD ASAP.

Up and Coming

[hawk12233 · 10/10 · 30 May 2006]

This was an excellent show. It came on PBS back home in Chicago and I remember Cindy Herron (From EnVogue) played the teen aged daughter. The show dealt with subjects such as sex, peer pressure and puberty. IT was about a middle class black family who had a teen aged daughter and son who moved to a middle class neighborhood from Oakland or somewhere (I can't remember). I remember several episodes but the one I remember most was when their cousin got her period for the first time. I was probably 7-8 when I first watched it and I was able to keep up with the program. This was a great show. I can't remember the name of the guy who played the son on the show, but I always got him confused with Kevin Hooks.

Good show

[joemoe116 · 10/10 · 1 September 2009]

I remember coming home from school to watch up and coming this was the story of a black family that moves out of the gheto into a up class community the family was name Wilson Frank Wilson man with his own construction business his wife Joyce was a bank manager they had 3 teenage kids Kevin Valerie and Marcus. This was a very good show. it was educational with out being preachie. the show was well written. This show gave us a look at a successful African American before the Cosby Show. A lot a black actor appeared on this show from Ester Role to David Hubberd to 227 Stonnie Jackson to name a few. If you are able to find this show on DVD you should get it for your whole family

Little Known, But Good

[hillari · 5 December 2002]

This was a family drama that ran on PBS stations in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The focus was on a middle class African-American family. The dad owned a small construction business, and his wife held a management position at a bank. They had two teenage kids, a girl and a boy. Also in the cast was a teenage girl who was a cousin to the kids. I remember that most of the episodes focused on challenges that the teens faced, such as interracial dating, drugs, peer pressure, etc. Other issues dealt with on the show included poverty, broken family relationships, and racism. The show didn't run for a long time, but it stood out as an good early attempt at an African-American dramatic TV series.

Four Stars!!!!!!!

[markham2007 · 10/10 · 15 June 2008]

Up And Coming was a very positive sitcom, which brought a tool/and or channel that opened the young minds of the Black Culture. The focus and outlook was a message of positivity for our people, and hope for change. I advise this selection for every American household to experience the struggle, and the reward. The show was never given the chance to blossom into the idea of middle-class Blacks becoming business owners of their own. The issue's were so compatible with real life situation's that impacted the lives of so many. I sincerely hope that the entire volume can be restored, and put on DVD for Americans to enjoy with their families.

Thanks.

one of the best show

[farrisk · 9/10 · 24 June 2008]

This was a great show...I don't remember much about about it but remember watching it and loving it. I remember the mother and the father. I really like the Grandmother. She was like a grandmother you really couldn't appreciate until you became an adult. She was very knowledgeable and no nonsense. My favorite song on the show was Sardines in the Morning. (that might not be the title) I remember after seeing that show and hearing that song that I went to Cleveland Ohio to visit my cousins and me and my sister sang that song so much that by the time we left all of my little cousins were singing it too. I too would love to find this on DVD.

Been looking for this show for years

[soulsticepoetry · 10/10 · 29 December 2018]

I've talked about it with friends. I remember Stephanie Mills guested on the show. It had a great plot and story lines. Please put it out on DVD or replay it.

Best show EVER it shouldn't have been discontinued

[lawandawillgetback · 10/10 · 3 May 2021]

I was a young preteen when show came out it was very educational as far as real life issues go an it was a healthy depiction of a positive black family I love part of it !! Nowadays they only want to portray blacks as thugs rappers thieves or gang members or of course slaves this should have continued definitely.

Who was the teammate?

[dibdib-08590 · 10/10 · 1 November 2020]

The teammate's nickname was Hi-Rise, the part 1 and 2 episodes were called Hi-Rise Rebounds. I was an actor in these two episodes, I played Hi-Rise's sister 'Zarita Hoskins'. I have been trying to find recorded copies of the show but have been unsuccessful in doing so. I would be so grateful if anyone reading this knows how I can get copies. In the meantime, I'll continue to search.

Wonderful show!

[greennleafy · 13 September 2004]

I loved this show! I was in my thirties when it aired and made a point of taping it to view in the evening. The day wasn't complete without it. It was well-written with a sensitive and realistic take on the life of a black family. I suspect that's why it didn't last very long ;o). The parents were working-class, decent people who loved and worried about their children and taught those values that seem so lacking in today's society. A lot of people don't know this, but the show was one of Laurence (Larry at the time) Fishburne's early acting jobs. He played the boyfriend of the best friend of Cindy Herron's character. He made quite an impression on me then and I've enjoyed watching his progress. It would be nice to see this show in syndication. The subject matter is timeless.

An Old Favorite

[jmivery · 30 April 2004]

Can I start off by saying, "I USED TO LOVE THIS TV SHOW"!!!!!! I can't scream that loud enough. I was only about 10 years of old when this show aired on TV, but I was hooked on it like it was a drug. I used to run home from school so that I could do my homework before "Up And Coming" came on. This show made a very big impression on me and my family. I remember we used to sit and watch this show together sometimes, like it was church...LOL. What I remember most about this show is that the characters had integrity. Regardless of any pitfalls and challenges the faced at school, or even at home for that matter, they still managed to display integrity and showed others love. They remained positive despite the obstacles they had to overcome. Also, the theme song spoke volumes. As a kid, I really didn't know just how inspiring and power that song was, but it continues leaves a lasting mark in my mind. I still remember the chorus of the song: "The most you can every do is the best you can". It's to bad we don't get to watch great television shows like this one any more. Anyway, "Up And Coming" was a great TV show. Godspeed to the makers of this show. Cheers!

Before The Cosby Show, there was Up and Coming

[trivirtues · 12 November 2005]

Before The Cosby Show, there was Up and Coming. I was only 12 years old when this series first aired. I vaguely remember the details about the show but I do remember always looking forward to catching it on PBS. It was the only show like it at the time and I remember being glued to my 12" black and white TV. It was nice seeing a middle class Black American family on TV. For some reason, after all these years, this show came to mind tonight and I was wondering if IMDb had any information about it. I would love to see these episodes again. From the earlier comment, I don't recall Lawrence Fishburne being on the show but wonder what his thoughts are today about the show and how it may or may not have had an impact on his career.

Very Good and Educational!!!

[mistrivia1 · 9 June 2003]

As another review pointed out this was a PBS show that was very good. It has been over 20 years since I have seen it. When I was in high school, I remember going to a department store in Berkeley, Ca, where I saw a classmate working there and she introduced to me to Yule Caise, who played the youngest son on this show. I remember it also having a nice theme song. I liked it because it was realistic and did not demean the black family as some are stereotypically depicted. It depicted the sons and the daughter as having the ability to be able to make the right choices and if they didn't, the ability to talk to their parents about what they did wrong and go on from there. At least two of the actors were well known, Robert DoQui who played the father and Gammy Taylor who played the mother. Another one would become well known as an actress and more so as a singer, her name, Cindy Herron of En Vogue who played the daughter. PBS made a wise choice in airing this show and "Righteous Apples" another good program but that's another story!!!!

A sad commentary

[hodgespodges2003 · 4 September 2005]

I also loved the show "Up and Coming" and do remember it quite well as being a realistic portrayal of African-American family life. It's a sad commentary that reality among black programming was not acceptable until the mid '80s when "The Cosby Show" was at its prime. But "Up and Coming" may very well have been the catalyst to open doors for popular prime time black sitcoms. I am not sure which was my favorite episode, but there is one I remember as having the best acting I had seen in a long time. It was when one young lady wanted to be adopted by the "Up and Coming" household, but her character was out of kilter with the family. She begged her way back in, amidst tears and repentance, and the family finally gave in to her request.

Up & Coming

[az7111 · 15 November 2005]

I echo the comments about Up & Coming that are listed before. I absolutely loved the show and still remember its them song/// The most you can ever do is the best you can//// words I have applied to life since. Would love to see this on DVD..... this show helped shape my young adulthood. Glad to see others feel the same... Do you guys think this is a realistic possibility? Also another life changing program was Fame the TV series, which has recently been released on DVD (first season). I have already exhausted ever episode from those discs.... I also remember the Righteous Apples and DeGrassi Jr High, then DeGrassi High. Now I see on the N cable network they have continued the DeGrassi series with DeGrassi: The Next Generation. Excellent programming and content here.

Who was the teammate???

[vjones17 · 7 March 2011]

I was 13 when this show was on and it was one of my favorites. Something that has been bugging me of late concerning this show is that I cannot find info concerning the center of the basketball team that the son played on. I seem to recall him even being in the opening credits. I think the actor was Rick Fits and his character was called Skyscraper or something like that. I can even recall an episode that focused on him. I can't find a thing about him anywhere on the internet pertaining to this show. I know I didn't dream this and considering that the show is 31 years old and my memory ain't what it used to be, certain things leave an impression...this is one of them. Can anyone else recall this character?

I knew Fishburne was on this!

[noir59 · 19 September 2008]

HA HA! So at least I know I wasn't dreaming. I finally remembered the name of this show. I used to love it!

I remember Larry Fishburne being the boyfriend of one of the characters (who could forget that jawline). I think he got her pregnant, but was trying to be a real father by staying by her side. I also remembered the En Vogue girl playing one of the parts. This was good TV that sadly didn't last very long. It would come on my local PBS station.

Thanks IMDb for your wonderful website. You truly list most everything that has ever aired in movies and TV! Does anyone know if this is available for home purchase?