{"id":123958,"date":"2025-09-06T09:42:07","date_gmt":"2025-09-06T09:42:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/123958\/"},"modified":"2025-09-06T09:42:07","modified_gmt":"2025-09-06T09:42:07","slug":"black-ish-producers-sitcom-set-in-wildfire-devastated-l-a-sees-ire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/123958\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Black-ish’ Producer’s Sitcom Set in Wildfire-Devastated L.A. Sees Ire"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n\tA CBS<\/a> sitcom in development from Black-ish creator Kenya Barris<\/a> and comic Mike Epps<\/a> is experiencing online backlash since it was announced, as it\u2019s set against the backdrop of the wildfire-devastated area of Altadena, where residents are still reeling from this January\u2019s deadly and destructive wildfires.<\/a><\/p>\n

\n\tThe project \u2014\u00a0which is in its early stages and has no cast attached beyond Epps, nor any on-air commitment from CBS \u2014 would follow two brothers who move in with their late grandmother\u2019s caretaker when their plans fall apart as they try to sell her property in Altadena, an area of L.A. that saw major devastation in January\u2019s deadly Eaton fire; that blaze, one of several over a few weeks in January across L.A., killed at least 19 people and destroyed over 9,000 structures.\u00a0It would mark a return to broadcast TV for BET Studios principal Barris, who has focused on cable and streaming properties since Black-ish ended its run on ABC in 2022.<\/p>\n

\n\tOn Jan. 7, a Santa Ana wind event pushed very dry winds through Southern California\u2019s mountains. Peak gusts were said to have reached 90 mph, and it\u2019s believed they led a transmission line to become re-energized, igniting the fire that rapidly pushed into foothill communities \u2014 particularly Altadena. The fire spread to 14,000 acres by Jan. 10 and caused mass destruction, nearly wiping out Altadena\u2019s downtown area. Residents looking to rebuild are now competing with their wealthy neighbors across L.A. also impacted by the eight blazes that torched the city that month as they fend off disaster capitalist land developers looking to scoop up land from the minority-heavy community.<\/p>\n

\n\tThe situation might not feel ripe for comedy hijinks as many in Altadena continue to struggle nine months after the deadly devastation. Since the development was announced via Deadline<\/a>, some have expressed trepidation and disgust, while others hope that the show finds an appropriate balance of levity and pathos. The debate was ignited instantly in the announcement story\u2019s comments section and spread across the web as many decried the premise of the show and expressed disdain around the idea of a sitcom using a tragedy and uphill recovery battle as fodder for laughs.<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cFunny or too soon?\u201d journalist and KBLA radio host James Farr wrote while posting about the series on Instagram, sparking debate in\u00a0L.A. among his followers.<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cLove them both but there\u2019s not anything funny happening. I\u2019m sure they\u2019ll deliver intellectual humor with plenty of \u2018message\u2019 as a through line. However, I don\u2019t know how I feel about it,\u201d Farr said when asked about the in development show. \u201cGreat for keeping Altadena in the national conversation though.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tComments on Farr\u2019s post ran from outrage (\u201cWay too soon!!\u201d) to cautious hope. An Instagram user named Alegria Castro summed up sentiment on both sides of the debate, writing: \u201cIf it\u2019s going to benefit the community of Altadena and the rebuild \u2014 Then it\u2019s great! If not, too soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tA communications spokesperson for Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who represents the 5th district of L.A. County, even weighed in to The Orange County Register<\/a>, saying that they\u2019d heard from constituents about the show and, \u201cthe majority have voiced feeling hurt this is in the works. The loss they\u2019ve felt due to the Eaton fire feels still very raw for many.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tBarris\u2019s Instagram <\/a>post announcing the show\u2019s development and premise also irked many of his followers. The showrunner defended himself and the project in response to one user\u2019s criticism.<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cWhat way could you think of supporting it then by doing what I know how to do and trying to bring a light to a place that many have already forgotten,\u201d Barris commented. \u201cI understand your fear but know that I only plan to do the best I can to make sure the world sees you.\u201d<\/p>\n