Why is it that almost every black sitcom has had at least one “talent showcase” episode, while such episodes on mainstream sitcoms have been few and far between? I’ve certainly never seen anyone seriously throwing on costumes to sing and dance on Friends or Seinfeld, and the “talent showcase” in black sitcoms certainly pre-dates reality shows like American Idol. Ever since I learned that “coonery” is one of the search terms that has brought people to WWTD, I’ve been thinking a lot about our tendency to cut a rug and start up some showtime just for its own sake. I believe that random talent showcasing on black sitcoms is due to two factors: first, black sitcoms have so many multi-talented performers that can do more than just act.

Not only does this throwback “One to Grow On” video feature Vanessa Huxtable and her hair freakishness in 3D, but the boy is unmistakable as a young pre-Urkel Jaleel White.

This PSA pre-dates hip-hop culture being flooded with…

We got so used to Mr. T that it’s easy to forget that his signature look is pretty ridiculous. But there are other, less fortunate sitcom stars who have actually been accidentally styled into hair freaks. It’s even more disturbing that I thought of so many examples of sitcom hair freaks that I actually had to leave a few out.

Michael Peterson, The Parent’hood

This kid’s hair pained me from the start. Unless you’re a Hare Krishna, shaving the sides of your head while maintaining braids or dreads on the top is just as bad as a…

Some people are ‘different’ enough in the hair department that they’re referred to as “that girl with the hair,” a phrase that has been used to describe me a few times. Hair freaks, myself included, can be found in every…

I wouldn’t call Michael Jackson’s craziness news; really I’m kind of used to seeing him look all nutty. But here he is with his “children,” Blanket and Paris. No, this is not a Lone Ranger costume party, just MJ…