'Mixed-ish': Kenya Barris's new show opens to positive reviews as viewers find the story of Bow and her siblings 'relatable' and 'educational'
It looks like Kenya Barris has another hit on his hands. The second 'Black-ish' spinoff, 'mixed-ish' is the prequel that chronicles Rainbow "Bow" Johnson's (Tracee Ellis Ross on 'Black-ish', Arica Himmel on 'mixed-ish') childhood after her family is forced to leave the post-racial commune she grew up in. Out in "the real world", Bow and her siblings, Johan (Ethan William Childress) and Santamonica (Mykal-Michelle Harris), learn that they are different just by being biracial. Their parents, on the other hand, Paul (Mark-Paul Gosselaar) and Alicia (Tika Sumpter) have to get used to living in a capitalist world again, without losing their principles.
The first episode aired on September 24th, Tuesday and many viewers are liking the show. Of course, based on the show's premise about "growing up mixed in the 80s". One viewer tweeted that "Having to choose is so real and was such and still is a big part of my life! I’m a fan of the Ish franchise so this is an amazing addition. #Mixedish". The conversations between the Johnson siblings and their parents, Bow's dilemma about thinking she has to choose a side was found relatable by many. Another fan tweeted that "The conversation about how it feels to "choose" from a biracial child's perspective was perfection. This will be appointment TV for me. BTW, the multi-toned emoji for #mixedish. I need that in my life all the time." Viewers who are also parents are saying that the show will be useful, educational, and relatable for their children. Even viewers who did not get into watching 'Black-ish' think they will like the new spinoff better and will keep watching.
Viewers found the casting of the Johnson siblings to be a perfect match for their adult versions on 'Black-ish' with the only disappointment to be the "reverse Aunt Viv" the show's creators pulled with the casting of darker-skinned Tika Sumpter as Bow's mother (on 'Black-ish', it is Anna Deavere Smith who is lighter-skinned). However, fans are loving Tika Sumpter as Alicia on 'mixed-ish' and hope the writers find a way to explain the inconsistency. The star of the show looks like it will be Mykal-Michelle Harris, who plays the youngest Johnson sibling, Santamonica. Fans think the character of Santamonica is hilarious, with many claiming she will certainly be their favorite character on the show. Longtime 'Saved by the Bell' fans are also tuning in to watch Mark-Paul Gosselaar's return to TV.
The show is not without its criticisms, however. While one viewer found 'mixed-ish' better than she expected, she hopes that the show will not "fall into the trap of making the darker black kids bullies or antagonists." Another viewer felt that the pilot was rocky as it tried to do too much, too fast and the show should have "saved some of those plot points to be addressed and broken down in future episodes."
For now, it looks like the 'Black-ish' addition will be welcomed with open hearts in American households. Viewers hope the spinoff will be able to showcase difficult subjects like its parent show does. With issues such as biracial identity and white privilege in the premiere episode itself, 'mixed-ish' is on the track to do the same.
'mixed-ish' airs on ABC on Tuesday nights.