Created by: Regina Y. Hicks & Wanda Sykes
Genre: Comedy
Duration: 8 episodes, 25-29 minutes
Cast: Mike Epps, Kim Fields, Wanda Sykes, Khali Spraggins, Jermelle Simon, Diamond Lyons, Journey Christine, Gabrielle Dennis
Now streaming on Netflix
The Upshaws is the sitcom that grew on me in such a sneaky way that I did not even realise how hooked I was until I got excited about the release of Season 3. The first two seasons about the titular Upshaws were entertaining for sure. Having Wanda Sykes on any show is bound to be a hoot after all. However, the show depended too much on what the characters were doing and so kept spiraling in and out of ridiculous plot lines.
The show centres around Bennie (Epps) and Regina (Fields) Upshaw and their family. This family includes their son, Bernard (Simon), and daughters Aaliyah (Spraggins) and Maya (Christine). Then there is Kelvin (Lyons), Bennie’s son from another relationship who is the same age as Aaliyah, and his mother, Tasha (Dennis). Finally, there is Lucretia (Sykes), Regina’s elder sister and the bane of Bennie’s existence. Lucretia believes her sister can do better, which to be honest is a valid belief because Bennie is always tripping. After the ups and downs of the first two seasons, the third season is an improvement.
We see a more nuanced side to not just the characters but also the issues they are dealing with. For once, it does not look like the writers went along with whatever the characters were up to in order to develop the storyline. You get the feeling that they are now sure about who the characters are. Seeing Bennie try to understand why Regina is feeling low as he suggests solutions is a side story on how men rarely want to face mental health issues. We also get to see another side of Regina that makes us appreciate Bennie more. Of course, there are some parts of the show that could have gone better but there is no denying that this is the best season of the show.
–Grace Kenganzi
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