New ABC comedy 'Black-ish' takes on racial identities with humor, heart

George Pennacchio Image
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Anthony Anderson, Laurence Fishburne, Marsai Martin and Miles Brown are seen in a still from the show, 'Black-ish.'
Anthony Anderson, Laurence Fishburne, Marsai Martin and Miles Brown are seen in a still from the show, 'Black-ish.'
ABC-ABC

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- The new ABC comedy "Black-ish" focuses on authenticity, not diversity, in America today. Anthony Anderson and Laurence Fishburne are not just starring in the sitcom, they're also executive producers.

Anderson says they are telling stories that have come straight out of all of their lives.

"This is authentic and that will resonate with people," the actor said.

Fishburne and Anderson have known one another for many years, so they hoped by becoming producers together they could make magic.

"We like each other's work, and I couldn't dream up a better scenario for us to be working together," Fishburne said.

My interview with the stars, along with Tracee Ellis Ross, who plays Anderson's wife in "Black-ish", got a little raucous when I let the trio know another actor, Ice Cube, had once given me my own rap name of "G Pop."

"With a name like that, you're 'Black-ish!'" Anderson decided.

"Black-ish" joins ABC's Wednesday night comedy lineup at 9:30 p.m. after "Modern Family."