“Seen & Heard” Documentary Honors The Legacy Of Black Television
HBO is shining a spotlight on the brilliance, resilience, and creativity of Black storytellers with its powerful new two-part documentary, “Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television.”
The film premieres Tuesday, September 9 at 9 PM ET/PT, with Part Two airing Wednesday, September 10.
Both parts will be available to stream on HBO Max starting September 9.
Produced by Issa Rae’s HOORAE Media and Ark Media, the documentary is directed by Giselle Bailey (The Legend of the Underground) and Phil Bertelsen (Who Killed Malcolm X?).
From Stereotypes To Soulful Storytelling
“Seen & Heard” takes viewers on a cultural journey, charting the rise of Black television from the days of harmful caricatures to a new era of bold, layered, and authentic storytelling.
The series uses rare archival footage and intimate interviews with the people who lived it to showcase the power of Black voices in shaping the medium.
Episode One: Seen
The first part, Seen, highlights the early visibility of Black characters in shows like “The Jeffersons” and “Good Times,” while calling out how many of those stories were shaped by white creators.
In the 80s and 90s, Black-led shows with real cultural impact began to emerge.
Shows like “In Living Color” and “The Arsenio Hall Show” didn’t just reflect culture, they influenced it in real time.
Despite that momentum, many Black shows were abruptly canceled as networks shifted back to white-led programming.
Episode Two: Heard
“Heard,” airing the following night, digs into the importance of ownership and narrative control.
From Shonda Rhimes’ groundbreaking casting decisions to Oprah Winfrey building her own media empire, the episode explores how Black creators pushed past gatekeeping to reshape the industry.
It also dives into how social media helped amplify new voices like Issa Rae, and how creators like Lena Waithe are opening doors for the next generation.
A Star-Studded Celebration Of Black Excellence
The doc features a powerhouse lineup of voices including Issa Rae, Shonda Rhimes, Tyler Perry, Lena Waithe, Oprah Winfrey, Ava DuVernay, Debbie Allen, Tracee Ellis Ross, Kenya Barris, Mara Brock Akil, Malcolm Jamal Warner, Byron Allen, and many more.
Each icon shares insights on the struggles, triumphs, and legacy of Black television.
Why It Matters
More than a history lesson, “Seen & Heard” is a powerful reminder that Black television is not just part of the culture, it helps shape it.
The film challenges the idea of diversity as a trend and reminds us that real impact comes from telling our stories authentically, lifting others as we climb, and controlling the narrative every step of the way.
Don’t miss “Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television,” premiering September 9 and 10 on HBO and streaming on Max.
Frens, let’s support and celebrate our stories, our truth, and our legacy.
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At first I was surprised HBO was doing this but I seen you say Issa Rae produced which now makes sense. I will most definitely be supporting this!