Season 3 Discussion

[OnceSane]

Quote

Dre decides to take his family to Walt Disney World on the magical, first-class vacation experience he was never able to have as a kid. With the help of a VIP tour guide, Dre and the kids take full advantage of their VIP status. Meanwhile, Bow, Pops and Ruby set off on their own adventure at Walt Disney World.

[topanga]

I hope there's another scene with Dre throwing a tantrum and going toddler. Dumb, yes, but oh, so hilarious!

[Indy]

9 hours ago, topanga said:

I hope there's another scene with Dre throwing a tantrum and going toddler. Dumb, yes, but oh, so hilarious!

I do too.  Every time my toddler goes completely limp noodle and falls to the floor when he's mad, I think to myself 'oooooohhh, so that's what Bo was talking about!'

[SmithW6079]

16 hours ago, OnceSane said:

Quote

Dre decides to take his family to Walt Disney World on the magical, first-class vacation experience he was never able to have as a kid. With the help of a VIP tour guide, Dre and the kids take full advantage of their VIP status. Meanwhile, Bow, Pops and Ruby set off on their own adventure at Walt Disney World.

Corporate synergy in action!

[OnceSane]

Quote

When Dre discovers that Zoey is questioning her belief in God, he undergoes a crisis of faith and leans on family members and coworkers for their input. Meanwhile, Bow’s brother Johan comes to stay with The Johnsons after living abroad and becomes an instant thorn in Dre’s side.

[charmed1]

Oh Cody. As soon as he said, "You'd be better be..." I had the same reaction as Pops. "Better be?" And then I laughed because now I can't deny that I've officially become what all my friends have called me for years. An old black lady. Ha ha! Don't ever tell us what we'd better do. Even if it's to have a magical day.

[Artsda]

I loved it, great seeing they actually filmed at the park.

[anna0852]

I'm a local with a pass. And now headed over this weekend, as the visuals from Soarin' are calling my name.

[topanga]

I liked the pilot. I think I enjoyed the scenes with Rainbow, Pops, and Ruby more than the "A" plot. The parade scene with the three of them on the float was great. And the "Trip Around the World" (?) ride was hysterical. "We gonna crash into the wall!!!" But please don't ask me to believe that Bow didn't know that pregnant women can't ride certain amusement park rides. I hate it when the show makes her dumb about medicine, which is her friggin career. 

 I'm glad Bow finally called Dre out for the selfish, immature person he often is. But she managed to be nice about it. And she pointed out that their children pick up a lot of their social cues from him. 

It really bothered me that Dre didn't even acknowledge the fact that Diane lost her glasses. Did he not notice? I know Jack teased her about it, but at least he was aware. And of course it's the first thing Bow noticed when she saw Diane. So what's wrong with Dre? 

I wish Junior and Zoey had more to say in this episode. We heard from Jack and Diane more than the older kids, and somehow that doesn't seem right.  

[buckboard]

Was that an episode of Blackish or a Disney informercial?  (Guess it was both.)

Why would a family in L.A. fly cross country to go to Disney World?

I like this show, but Dre's juvenile behavior episode after episode really drags the show down, IMHO.  And what kind of parent doesn't notice that his child lost her glasses and can't see?

[Dee]

I, too, appreciated Rainbow calling Andre out about his boorishness and ridiculous consumptive habits. If the kids are spoiled and ungrateful, they're only following his example.

That said, I like that the show avoided making Bow a typical nagging sitcom wife by having Andre gracefully accept her gentle criticism.

I loved Rainbow, Pops and Ruby's adventure. I howled when they ended up on the parade float. The three of them should definitely have more scenes together.

I also loved the Johnson kids spending time together after Dre stormed off in a huff. The four of them have such incredible chemistry that I'd happily watch an hour of them teasing each other and generally hanging out.

The final scene with the fireworks verged on Full House levels of sappiness but Laurence Fishburne and Anthony Anderson saved it by wisely underplaying it.

Edited September 22, 2016 by Dee

[possibilities]

I hated that sooooo much. I know Disney owns ABC, but this took the synergy too far. Not only is it supposedly the best vacation, but you should be content to wait on long lines and the Florida heat/humidity isn't really a bother, people who say they hate it are actually just fronting.

I understand that we are going to see product placement, but this was too much.

Also, I was glad to see Diane's rival back, but him forgetting his kid and not knowing what Microsoft is (or even how to look it up), is just not funny.

[Queena]

I see what you did there ABC. I brought it. Hook, line, and sinker. I'm going to take my baby to Disney World twice. Next year, and once he gets older. You got me, but I was already planning a trip... I just wasn't that excited. I did wonder why they didn't go to Disneyland, but I assume that they've been often. 

Bow, Ruby, and Pops were the highlights of the episode for me. 

 

Thank you for finally helping me learn which is in which place. Up until last night, I could never figure out which was in California, and which was in Florida. 

[Deanie87]

Wow, I actually turned this off before it was over and I was kind of embarrassed for the cast for having to do this long-ass commercial.  I'm glad that some of you liked it, but it all just seemed so, so forced to me.  And Dre, when your method of being a better dad is to show them that what really matters is material things and VIP experiences, you end up with spoiled brats who don't say thank you.  I get that he wants to be better than his parents, but he could actually do that by spending quality time with them, he doesn't need to do all of this.  Honestly, he and Bow probably got where they are in part because of the way they were raised, I don't understand why that never occurs to them.  I"m surprised that Bow was okay with all of that.

I hope this is just an anomaly, because I love this show, but this was just ugh.  I couldn't even enjoy the works scenes that much (did love the Pokemon Go stuff though).

[DearEvette]

Not the best to open with.  I think the idea of the Johnsons going to Disney was a good one, but the execution just felt like a big commercial.

I did like Bow, Ruby and Pops though.  Their storyline was fun, especially Bow wearing the Minnie Mouse ears.  TER's whole look with braids, the ears and then later the Mickey Hands was just perfect.

One thing I do appreciate is that the show allows Diane to get her comeuppance every once in awhile.  I love her to pieces, but karma does come back and bite her. It keeps the character from becoming too precious. So her losing her glasses and not being able to see whatever the hell was so indescribable (and Jack gloating about it) was great.  And I admit, I sympathise having lost my own glasses on a water ride once. 

Season 2 was very strong.  C'mon Season 3, don't let me down!!

[tominboston]

Count me among those who were annoyed by the blatant commercialism of the Disney infomercial. I would have thought this show was too classy for that sort of thing., but I guess not And as someone noted above, why would a family from LA fly 3,000 miles to Orlando rather than just going next door to Anaheim? (Well, because the corporate overlords wanted to promote Disney World rather than Disneyland...)

Loved Pops and Ruby, though, and the quick shot of Charlie;s "presentation" to the Microsoft people.

[Empress1]

29 minutes ago, DearEvette said:

Not the best to open with.  I think the idea of the Johnsons going to Disney was a good one, but the execution just felt like a big commercial.

I did like Bow, Ruby and Pops though.  Their storyline was fun, especially Bow wearing the Minnie Mouse ears.  TER's whole look with braids, the ears and then later the Mickey Hands was just perfect.

One thing I do appreciate is that the show allows Diane to get her comeuppance every once in awhile.  I love her to pieces, but karma does come back and bite her. It keeps the character from becoming too precious. So her losing her glasses and not being able to see whatever the hell was so indescribable (and Jack gloating about it) was great.  And I admit, I sympathise having lost my own glasses on a water ride once. 

Season 2 was very strong.  C'mon Season 3, don't let me down!!

I lost my glasses on a water ride once too! I was maybe 12. It was a day camp field trip. I was a CIT and we all got to go on a field trip. This other kid (I remember his name to this day but I won't put him on blast, hee), who had a crush on me and was always messing with me, knocked them off my face by accident. I was really upset, not because I couldn't see (I don't think I was as visually impaired as Diane appears to be), but because I thought my parents would be mad. (They weren't, at least not at me.) I was in tears and the kid who knocked them off me got in a lot of trouble. (His parents replaced my glasses. I had a spare pair that I used.)

It was really weird to me that Dre didn't seem to notice that. She's saying flat-out that she can't see, and Dre's just going on about how majestic the whatever it was was? It would be one thing if he were like, well, nothing we can do about it now, but for him not to even comment on it was bizarre.

Tracee looked great in that black dress. Bow, Pops, and Ruby were the best part of the episode. "We gon' hit the wall!"

So I guess the Johnsons are no longer worried about money? There was a point when they were, and I'd think they'd want to tighten things up a little with another baby coming (which I am REALLY not looking forward to).

[Mountainair]

1 hour ago, Queena said:

I see what you did there ABC. I brought it. Hook, line, and sinker. I'm going to take my baby to Disney World twice. Next year, and once he gets older. You got me, but I was already planning a trip... I just wasn't that excited. I did wonder why they didn't go to Disneyland, but I assume that they've been often. 

Bow, Ruby, and Pops were the highlights of the episode for me. 

 

Thank you for finally helping me learn which is in which place. Up until last night, I could never figure out which was in California, and which was in Florida. 

ha! It's funny because I was only half paying attention to this episode because I was online tidying up some loose ends with Disney World before our trip in October. My husband was watching with me and I kept saying, "I fast passed that ride, I fast passed that ride too, etc". 

And, I don't buy that Bow didn't realize she couldn't ride the rides if she's pregnant- which I guess that's still happening. Bummer. 

[vmcd88]

I guess every family comedy if it's on long enough has to eventually go to Disney World but I didnt enjoy this episode.  I liked it better when the Hecks when to Disney on The Middle.  This was just not that funny.

[charmed1]

Well, I had long stopped watching "Roseanne" by the time they had their Disney episode, so I guess this was ABC's way of getting back at me. I personally despise Disney World and I've been three times in my lifetime. Thousands of ill mannered children from across the globe accompanied by their oblivious parents. But I hope the Blackish kids got to enjoy the park with their real families when they weren't filming.

[ElectricBoogaloo]

Disney World is different from Disneyland (there are some rides/attractions that are the same but they still have different stuff at the two locations) so I get why a family that lives in California would go to Disney World for a vacation. Some people who live in California go to Disneyland regularly (my family used to go 1-2 times every year from childhood through college but I knew other people who had annual passes and went a lot more often) so although it's fun to go, it's not a vacation. 

Dre was definitely teaching his kids to be snotty spoiled brats with his attitude. The point of doing the VIP thing is to avoid long lines so you have more time to enjoy the park, not to act superior to all the people who chose not to spend the extra money on the VIP option. FYI - that seven hour VIP tour costs $2800-$4200 (depending on what time of year you go) on top of the regular tickets which cost $105-$124 (depending on when you go) for anyone 10 or older. 

[Madding crowd]

I didn't like the half hour long Disney commercial. I'm also sure that the VIP thing would offer fast pass for rides and you could get special dinners etc, so there wouldn't be much waiting around anyway. I also found it out of character for Pops, who I love for his cynical attitude on life, to be so enthralled with Disney. Charlie is still amusing so I liked him and his Microsoft meeting. The rest, meh. 

[Writing Wrongs]

My dvr cut off at the end, so I missed some stuff. 

Dre still annoys me, but maybe he's supposed to.

[Traveller519]

I really enjoyed Laurence Fishburne this episode. The three of them in the B plot fed well off one another, but his begrudging acceptance of fun was especially fun to see.

[peeayebee]

I laughed when Junior turned to the girl and said, "HelllllLOOOOOOO!" It reminded me of Jon Stewart doing his Queen Elizabeth impression. But even aside from that, Junior's voice cracked me up.

That's the only time I laughed.

I've generally gotten used to product placement, but this was awful. I couldn't even enjoy Pops, Ruby, and Bo on that ride because their reluctant enjoyment was just dumb and OTT. Their excitement at the parade was OTT. Just too much. Maybe they too many Tom Collins.

A disappointing S3 premiere, but at least it's out of the way.

[GHScorpiosRule]

1 minute ago, peeayebee said:

I laughed when Junior turned to the girl and said, "HelllllLOOOOOOO!" It reminded me of Jon Stewart doing his Queen Elizabeth impression. But even aside from that, Junior's voice cracked me up.

That's the only time I laughed.

 

I laughed as well! But I also laughed at Jack's "Thank you Disney Gods!!!!" when Diane lost her glasses, because she was being downright mean to him.

And when Pops was screaming they were going to hit the Great Wall of China, and then claiming he knew they weren't going to hit the wall.  Or how he got the tickets to Disneyland.

I've been to Disneyworld only once-BEFORE Epcot and all the other cool stuff. But I remember loving the whole week we were there.

[Arcadiasw]

5 hours ago, Empress1 said:

 

So I guess the Johnsons are no longer worried about money? There was a point when they were, and I'd think they'd want to tighten things up a little with another baby coming (which I am REALLY not looking forward to).

Maybe the writers realized it was one of those forgettable story of the week that didn’t make sense. 

3 hours ago, ElectricBoogaloo said:

 

Dre was definitely teaching his kids to be snotty spoiled brats with his attitude. The point of doing the VIP thing is to avoid long lines so you have more time to enjoy the park, not to act superior to all the people who chose not to spend the extra money on the VIP option. FYI - that seven hour VIP tour costs $2800-$4200 (depending on what time of year you go) on top of the regular tickets which cost $105-$124 (depending on when you go) for anyone 10 or older. 

Dre remind me of some people who grew up poor, make it big and think that entitles them to flaunt or act superior when they spend a lot of money. I'm getting tired of Dre justifying his behavior by saying he wants to give his kids what he didn't have. Even if it wasn’t VIP and he didn't get to buy the expensive food or souvenirs, he did get to go to Disneyland as a kid. Not everyone had that chance as a kid or an adult. 

[RedFire2000]

Tonight's episode is nothing but a 30 minute commercial for Disney World. Bad episode

[possibilities]

7 hours ago, Deanie87 said:

(did love the Pokemon Go stuff though)

That was what I'd call a well-done product placement! It was funny, fit the tone of the show, was in character, and didn't take me too far out of the story or make me feel like I was wasting my time watching nothing but a half hour commercial.

[CaptainCranky]

WOW. This is a tough crowd. I've never been on this board for a comedy as I've only done the dramas and had no idea people would pick apart a comedy like they do a drama. 

Very interesting the number of people who didn't enjoy the episode like I did.

[peeayebee]

I did like when Ruby told Pops that it was HER car he had broken into, and that she had bought the tickets.

At first I liked the Pokemon Go joke, but for some reason I didn't like when the guy walked into the glass and got a bloody nose. I know I'm being super-picky, but I think the joke would have worked better (for me) if we just had one shot of the guys walking around, looking at their phones, then the guy walks into the glass, but turns and keeps walking. 

[mtlchick]

Quote

I know Disney owns ABC, but this took the synergy too far.

Except this is something that they have done for years.  Hell, I remember when the TGIF block had all 4 shows had episodes set at Disney on the same night!  At least they've scaled back on pulling that stunt in recent memory. 

 

That said B plot >>>> A plot.  Nice to see Jim Rash but Dre and the kids whining about entitlement was nauseating. 

 

Side note: I don't remember Deon having that many tattoos. 

Edited September 23, 2016 by mtlchick

[ElectricBoogaloo]

5 hours ago, peeayebee said:

I laughed when Junior turned to the girl and said, "HelllllLOOOOOOO!" It reminded me of Jon Stewart doing his Queen Elizabeth impression. But even aside from that, Junior's voice cracked me up.

Hee, I thought he sounded like Mrs. Doubtfire! As silly as that moment was, it was also a relatable example of when you get all nervous, plan exactly what to say, and then something completely different flies out of your mouth. 

[SanDiegoInExile]

20 hours ago, buckboard said:

Why would a family in L.A. fly cross country to go to Disney World?

I wasnt a big fan of the episode, however there is simply no comparison between DL and DW.  DW is massive, over 150X larger than DL.  DW is 40 square miles.  DL is 160 acres (.25 sq miles). DW is multiple theme parks.  DL is two.  

If all you want to do is tackle a dozen rides, DL is fine, but DW is more of an "experience".   Both locations have their fans.  A week at DL would be overkill.  A week at DW is just about right.  DW is also massively more expensive, as they have 6 parks:  Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and two waterparks.   

Some (many) folks don't like the separate admissions, scattered attractions, lengthy walks, daily rain showers, humidity, gators, and, well, it is Florida, which is an acquired taste for most Californians.

[Shermie]

I agree, DW is way better than DL because you get Epcot and Animal Kingdom. Although the notion that they could get through more than one of these in one day is laughable.

The family is a little crazy with their spending and entitlement - Dre buying $300 shoes every week, the kids stealing gift cards from a charity auction, the family flying across the country to spend a day at a theme park (they were in at least two parks but it was all the same day).

[BoogieBurns]

3 hours ago, CaptainCranky said:

WOW. This is a tough crowd. I've never been on this board for a comedy as I've only done the dramas and had no idea people would pick apart a comedy like they do a drama. 

Very interesting the number of people who didn't enjoy the episode like I did.

Oh I liked it, we are usually an easy to please crowd. Rainbow's braids and dress were enough for this episode to be perfect. I love Disneyworld, and growing up in southern California, I do not consider Disneyland a vacation at all. I went there 4 times before I spoke my first words. It's more like a staycation if you live within 4 hours of Anaheim. Zoe's braids were great too. 

I wonder where the baby storyline goes this season. 

[After7Only]

The Disney product placement didn't really bother me.  This show has done it before.  There was a Buick centered episode last season, and it's safe to assume that Microsoft paid something on this episode. 

I laughed multiple times, so it was a strong episode for me.  Favorite line."just a more flattering form of racism"   After the guy mistook Dre for Marshawn Lynch...

[Artsda]

4 hours ago, SanDiegoInExile said:

I wasnt a big fan of the episode, however there is simply no comparison between DL and DW.  DW is massive, over 150X larger than DL.  DW is 40 square miles.  DL is 160 acres (.25 sq miles). DW is multiple theme parks.  DL is two.  

If all you want to do is tackle a dozen rides, DL is fine, but DW is more of an "experience".   Both locations have their fans.  A week at DL would be overkill.  A week at DW is just about right.  DW is also massively more expensive, as they have 6 parks:  Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Studios, and two waterparks.   

Some (many) folks don't like the separate admissions, scattered attractions, lengthy walks, daily rain showers, humidity, gators, and, well, it is Florida, which is an acquired taste for most Californians.

Exactly, DL is a one day trip to the theme park. Disney World is an entire vacation experience that people from all over America and the world fly to, to experience. The 4 parks, the 2 water parks, the dining, the Downtown Disney, the Sports complex, etc..

Now I'm sounding like the commercial. lol

[tennisgurl]

Oh, that hit my nostalgia button HARD, both for my trip to Disneyland when I was 10, AND all of the TGIF sitcom obligatory Disney World product placement episodes that I grew up with! I felt like I was watching Boy Meets World or Sabrina the Teenage Witch, it made me embarrassingly happy. 

Beyond that, I did like this episode, even though Dre was pretty high on the asshole scale.  But I guess he lead to the cute sibling ending, and I liked that. And the conversation he had with Bow, where he actually seemed to understand that he was setting a bad example, was good to see. I am positive he will forget this lesson by next week, but still. And I did laugh at the montage of the kids being entitled jerks, set to Monster. That made me laugh. 

I really liked the Bow/Pops/Ruby story, where they find themselves loving Disney world, despite trying to be miserable. Cheesy, yes, but I allow for cheese on Christmas episodes, and Disney episodes. Also, Bow looked amazing in that dress, combined with the Minnie Ears. I wish I could rock ears like that!

Its the Dean! And Charlie! Never leave us again Charlie!

The Pokemon Go joke was hilarious in how true it is. 

Edited September 23, 2016 by tennisgurl

[Quickbeam]

I am not a Disney fan, never been, never want to. For me this episode was owned by Tracee/Bow and her interplay with Ruby and Pops. I loved how every following scene they had 'arm banded' more stuff from the store. I also liked that they show the inherent meanness of the VIP program. Great while you are on the clock, when it is over you are back to just a line standing serf. 

Tracee is so watchable I forgive an awful lot about this show. I'm really only following it for her. 

[attica]

My favorite joke of the ep: "You're putting us in...gen pop?!?"

[Duke2801]

Yeah I wasn't completely feeling this episode, but I didn't hate it. It actually kinda almost made me nostalgic for DW... which I guess was the point from an advertising standpoint! ;) 

16 hours ago, CaptainCranky said:

WOW. This is a tough crowd. I've never been on this board for a comedy as I've only done the dramas and had no idea people would pick apart a comedy like they do a drama. 

Very interesting the number of people who didn't enjoy the episode like I did.

 Ooooh if you think this is tough then I suggest not visiting the boards for The Middle.  The hatred for Frankie (Patricia Heaton) is intense! 

[Trace]

When was it announced that Bow was pregnant?  Five kids now?  Really?  How did I miss this......

[megsara]

14 minutes ago, Trace said:

When was it announced that Bow was pregnant?  Five kids now?  Really?  How did I miss this......

Season finale I believe.  It was that and Dre being nervous about his job.  And I read on a review this was meant to be the 4th episode so that probably explains why money wasn't an issue once again!  Kinda glad they got this out of the way.  I didn't hate it, but it felt too much like a commercial.

[7-Zark-7]

3/4 of the way through, I just hit the ffwd button. They seriously had us sit through a Disney World commercial.

[BoogieBurns]

2 hours ago, megsara said:

Season finale I believe

They announced it the episode before the finale. So a lot of us were hoping the finale was going to say "no, that was a false positive!" But instead Dre spent the episode in a Good Times episode as the finale, and the pregnancy was legit. 

I am bummed I don't get to see TER's perfect fashion sense this season. Maternity clothes aren't going to inspire me. I buy what Rainbow wears, and now what? I have to dress myself for 9 months!?

[Dee]

Speaking of Bow, I hope her pregnancy and

Spoiler

Johan's imminent arrival

afford D'Alicia and Paul more screentime, who are just as hilarious as Earl & Ruby.

Edited September 24, 2016 by Dee

[teebax]

This was my least favorite episode of the show, by a mile. I despise Disney, so watching a commercial for them was more than I could get through. The cast is great, and I hate that they wasted their talents on such a crappy episode. If this was supposed to make me want to go to Disney, it failed miserably. 

[marceline]

On 9/23/2016 at 5:41 PM, 7-Zark-7 said:

3/4 of the way through, I just hit the ffwd button. They seriously had us sit through a Disney World commercial.

Ditto. I hated the DisneyWorld commercial back when Roseanne did it 20 goddamn years ago and I hate it now. In fact I hate it more now because now I understand what kind of cynical laziness is involved in making eps like this. The DisneyWorld pimping that they had Black-ish do on social media didn't help either.

[jhlipton]

EPCOT had this "World of EPCOT" or some such back when I visited -- a bunch of areas devoted to different countries.  I don't know if it's still there.

But like others have said, DL and DW are very different.  California Adventure is the new park that's part of DL .  It requires a special or separate admission -- you can get a "Park Hopper" pass which lets you into either park over a weekend.  CA is a one-day visit at best.  DL is a two-day (or more) visit for first-timers or infrequent visitors; if you go more than a few times a year, one day is fine. 

I liked the episode and I wouldn't min if it turned out that "Jedi Girl" lived near the Johnsons -- she looked very pretty, and it would be nice to see Junior with a girl who "gets him".  (I wonder what Dre would say when the son he's always ridiculed brought home a girl who liked him for himself!)