Family Matters: Time for a Reboot?

Cue the reboot! The majority of the cast from the beloved sitcom Family Matters reunited with Entertainment Weekly for a photo shoot and set the internet ablaze. The photos feature series regulars Jaleel White, Kellie Shanygne Williams, Darius McCrary, Jo Marie Payton, Reginald VelJohnson, Shawn Harrison, Bryton McClure and Telma Hopkins.

See all photos: https://www.google.com/amp/ew.com/tv/family-matters-reunion-photos/amp/

The series premiered in 1989, and ran until 1998, depicting the struggles of an inner city African American family tackling subjects on racism and bullying. Over time the show transitioned into an overall comedy with the central focus shifting to the families genius yet clumsy neighbor. Although the series did not receive an official finale the show has remained a constant in the heart of many.

With Netflix reboots launching left and right it would be nice to see the revival of a Black classic. The story practically writes itself. Steve returns from space, he and Laura starts a family resulting in two (maybe three) kids, one of those (the girl to shake things up) is a brainy teenager who is clumsy as she is smart. Throw in a few appearances from the grandparents, and rest of the family and boom series gold! Well, here's to being hopeful.

Missing were Jaimee Foxworth, and Judyann Elder.

Honorable mention goes to actresses Michelle Thomas (1968-1998), and Rosetta LeNoire (1911-2002) who was there in spirt and photo.

Hasbro vs DC The Fight of the Bumblebee

Hasbro is suing DC over the use of the name Bumblebee, leaving comic fans and the rest of the world puzzled and collectively scratching their heads. The toy company Hasbro has filed a lawsuit to block the sales of toys featuring the DC super hero Bumblebee who is currently a prominently featured character on DC's Superhero Girls animated series. On the surface it seems as if the case revolved solely around money but there may be other factors driving the lawsuit. The Transformers franchise has soared thanks a successful movie line prominently featuring Optimus Prime as the central character. However, as DreamWorks and Paramount Pictures prepare for the release of a spin-off series featuring Bumblebee as the protagonist conflict arises over usage of the moniker.

Aside from the name being most commonly being associated with an animal/insect, the lawsuit is highly peculiar being that the DC universe version debuted in 1976, as DC's first female African American hero.

 In contrast to Hasbro's Bumblebee which first appeared in 1986 being published by none other than Marvel Comics. In the DC universe Bumblebee is a character who has severed as a notable member of the Teen Titans. She has the ability of flight thanks to a solar powered suit, and can shrink to a microscopic size. The character was brought to life onscreen in the animated version of Teen Titans, eventually becoming leader of a second branch of the team. Currently the character can be seen in the animated Super hero girls (which success has branched into various spinoffs).

Maybe the lawsuit is all about money instead of trying to eliminate competition. After all, aside from the Bumblebee spin-off Marvel will also soon release Ant-Man and Wasp the sequel to 2015s Ant-Man featuring the shrinking, flying female version of Ant-Man ( sorry Wasp, but basically). Surely Marvel isn't thinking ahead and wants to their Wasp to be the lone size altering female. It's not like there is a live action Teen Titans being developed with chances of Bumblebee appearing on the small screen (oh wait there is).

While on the surface the lawsuit reflects the greed many companies exhibit when it comes to sales and profits, there is a bigger price at stake, and that is the erasure of one of the few prominent African American comic heroes that exists. While comic inspired movies and live action television shows continue to rise in number little of the characters are African American let alone women of color. Here's hoping that Hasbro drops the lawsuit, before losing on the grounds that either they can't patent the name Bumblebee, their character is younger, or for simply being a silly case. Until we know the verdict, fingers crossed that Bumblebee makes her live action debut sooner than later and that this  unreasonable lawsuit vanishes never to be heard of again.

Diversity Strikes Again: CN to Reveal New Powerpuff Girl

On September 17th Cartoon Network will officially debut the newest member of the Powerpuff Girls and not everyone is happy about it. As the world evolves and acknowledges the importance of diversity, there remains those who refuse to accept that change is inevitable. There are some who are simply angry at the addition of a fourth member of the super heroine squad, which breaks away from the 1996 original series, while others are angered more by the new characters ethnicity. This post isn't about said racist, this post is to celebrate diversity which remains a center piece of conversations today. After all, for every Ed Skrein there's a Billy Magnusson.

Captured from a video online, ahead of the network premier, fans caught a glimpse of the soon to be member and it's easy to see she looks very different from her sisters (if she's a Powerpuff she must be a sister). The character is clearly African American with blue hair, a contrast that brought out the inner racist of many commenters online. Small criticism aside, there's high anticipation for the character to debut as her name and powers remain a mystery.

Needless to say, since their creation there has been a longing for an African American Powerpuff, with Buttercup coming to serve as a stand in with her tough talking and vernacular. 

One can only hope that the addition of this new character isn't only a special instance or one shot and that she will remain a mainstay in the series. Not only will this help the show teach and promote diversity but it will help to bandage a long time wound for African American fans of the show. We no longer have to imagine Buttercup as the "black" PPG, now we actually have one.

Tune in September 17th to find out all about the newest Powerpuff Girl.