BLACK-ISH: POPS' POPS' POPS {FIRST SEASON FINALE} (TV)
Summary
The first season finale in this comedy series about an affluent black family and their attempts to maintain their cultural identity.
In this episode, as Jack and Diane attempt to construct a family tree for a school assignment, Pops offers tells them an exciting – and possibly exaggerated – story about their ancestors' thrilling adventures in 1920s Harlem. At the famous Savoy Club, iceman Drexler, who resembles Dre, makes his daily delivery to demanding club owner Elroy, witnessed by dancer Bea, who is his secret lover, as well as singer Mirabelle and "the hippest cat in the place," bookie Bippy Barnes, who resembles Pops. At the office, "Klark" offers some decidedly racist advertising ideas to his boss, "Kimble," and gives Drexler some advice on winning Bea's heart, observed by the "crazy janitor." Elsewhere, a wise shoeshine boy offers some startling predictions about the near future, and Drexler's comments to the Savoy musicians spontaneously give rise to a new style of music: jazz.
Back in the present, Ruby expresses her doubts about Pops' story, while in the past, Drexler begs Bea to run away with him, though Elroy threatens him for making a move on "his girl." Mirabelle and Bippy gives Drexler some useful tips, namely that Elroy is a terrible dancer with a gambling addiction. Drexler boldly challenges Elroy to a dance-off for Bea's hand, though Elroy surprises him by hiring talented young hoofer "Jolly" to take his place. Jolly and Drexler both show off some impressive skills, with Drexler inventing breakdancing when he slips on a piece of ice. Elroy declares his moves illegal and disqualifies him. Drexler then reveals that he purposefully bet against himself and has won all of Elroy's money. He and Bea are forced to flee when Elroy orders his gangsters to chase them. They make a hasty escape in Bippy's car and are aided by four "plucky orphans," including Jolly and the shoeshine boy, whom they quickly adopt. Jack and Diane are delighted with the tale of their great aunts' and uncles' impact on history – despite the fact that their unamused teacher gives them an F on the project. Includes commercials.
Details
- NETWORK: ABC
- DATE: 9:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:28:54
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: 123336
- GENRE: Comedy
- SUBJECT HEADING: African-American Collection - Comedy; Comedy; Families; Women's Collection - Comedy
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 2014-2022
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - ACE Hardware stores
- TV - Commercials - AT&T cellular services
- TV - Commercials - Apple watches
- TV - Commercials - Buick automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Cotton products
- TV - Commercials - Lincoln automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Neutrogena Cool Dry Sport sunscreen
- TV - Commercials - T-Mobile wireless networks
- TV - Commercials - Volkswagen automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Zyrtec allergy medication
- TV - Promos - "500 Questions"
- TV - Promos - "Celebrity Wife Swap"
- TV - Promos - "Dr. Ken"
- TV - Promos - "Entourage" motion picture
- TV - Promos - "Extreme Weight Loss"
- TV - Promos - "Mistresses"
- TV - Promos - "Spy" motion picture
- TV - Promos - "The Astronaut Wives Club"
- TV - Promos - "The Whispers"
- TV - Promos - NBA Finals
CREDITS
- Kenya Barris … Executive Producer, Created by
- Jonathan Groff … Executive Producer, Director
- Anthony Anderson … Executive Producer
- Helen Sugland … Executive Producer
- Laurence Fishburne … Executive Producer
- E. Brian Dobbins … Executive Producer
- Vijal Patel … Co-Executive Producer, Writer
- Corey Nickerson … Co-Executive Producer
- Courtney Lilly … Co-Executive Producer
- Gail Lerner … Co-Executive Producer
- Scott Weinger … Supervising Producer
- Michael Petok … Producer
- Peter Saji … Producer
- Lindsey Shockley … Producer
- Aaron Fink … Associate Producer
- Larry Wilmore … Consulting Producer
- Yvette Lee Bowser … Consulting Producer
- Kat Likkel … Consulting Producer
- John Hoberg … Consulting Producer
- Transcenders … Music by
- Anthony Anderson … Cast, Andre 'Dre' Johnson / Drexler Johnson
- Tracee Ellis Ross … Cast, Rainbow Johnson / Bea
- Yara Shahadi … Cast, Zoey Johnson / Zora
- Marcus Scribner … Cast, Andre Johnson Jr.
- Miles Brown … Cast, Jack Johnson / Jolly
- Marsai Martin … Cast, Diane Johnson / Dolly
- Laurence Fishburne … Cast, Pops / Bippy Barnes
- Jenifer Lewis … Cast, Ruby / Rosy
- Peter Mackenzie … Cast, Mr. Stevens / Kimble
- Jeff Meacham … Cast, Josh / Klark
- Deon Cole … Cast, Charlie Telphy / Janitor
- Mary J. Blige … Cast, Mirabelle
- Sean Combs … Cast, Elroy Savoy
- Jennie Pierson … Cast, Ms. Davis
- Roger J. Timber … Cast, Band Leader
- Taya Lynette Amerson … Cast, Dancer Girl