This Netflix Comedy Feels Like an Ode to '90s Sitcoms (& I'm Kind of Obsessed)

It's 1 a.m. on a Saturday and I'm wide awake, mindlessly scrolling through Netflix for my next binge-watch. As I search, I'm fighting the urge to crawl back into my nostalgia bubble—for context, I have a mild obsession with classic Black sitcoms —but I know I need something that will make me laugh. Within five minutes, I come across a comedy called Act Your Age , and as soon as I see the main cast, I'm sold.

Fast-forward to the following day and I've already binged half of the first season. In case you haven't heard of it, the 2023 series stars a trio of iconic Black actresses I've grown up watching, including Tisha Campbell ( Martin ), Kym Whitley ( The Parkers ) and Yvette Nicole Brown ( Drake & Josh ). Even better? It has all the makings of a nostalgic sitcom , minus the poorly aged jokes . But what truly stood out for me was the sitcom's focus on single, middle-aged Black women—which, unfortunately, feels pretty rare.

Keep reading to see why this fun sitcom is worth your time.

First, What Is Act Your Age About?

Think Living Single , but with three fabulous ladies in their 50s who reside in Washington, D.C. Whitley stars as Bernadette, a real estate developer who decides to bunk with her besties Keisha (Campbell), a divorcée from Miami, and Angela (Brown), a widower from Virginia, after calling off her wedding. Unfortunately, Keisha and Angela aren't on the best terms, so plenty of awkwardness and chaos ensues as the trio tries to find their rhythm.

What Makes Act Your Age So Good?

Bounce TV

When I said that this show has all the trappings of a classic sitcom, I meant the good and the bad. So yes, expect to hear plenty of laugh tracks and a few cheesy jokes. Still, Act Your Age taps into the real experiences of older Black women, whether it's the awkwardness of dating or navigating a complicated relationship with your adult child. Of course, this isn't to say that solid shows about middle-aged women don't exist. Just look at The Morning Show , And Just Like That and Grace and Frankie —all of them remind us that adulting is seriously hard, no matter what age you are. And of course, I can't forget about the popular gems that center on younger Black women in their 20s, like Queenie, Harlem and Insecure . But I've rarely seen older Black women at the forefront when it comes to these stories.

So, to see three icons star as best friends trying to support each other in a new chapter of life is incredibly refreshing. And though it's packaged as a lighthearted sitcom, it doesn't shy away from heavy topics. For instance, on multiple occasions, Angela gets candid about the challenges of living in her late husband's shadow and pursuing a new relationship. And Keisha, though free-spirited, has confronted Angela about their ongoing tension, despite their best efforts to get along as roommates.

It's also worth noting that the on-screen dynamic between the main cast is incredible. From Keisha and Angela's constant bickering to the trio's heart-to-hearts over a bottle of wine, you'd think that they were sisters.

Sadly, Act Your Age , which originally aired on Bounce TV, was canceled after just one season. But if you're a '90s girl like me, you'll still appreciate the short-lived sitcom that feels like a modern nod to the shows we grew up with. (You can thank me later.)

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