Harlem (2021– ) User Reviews

These women need to grow up

[MacTad · 6/10 · 3 December 2021]

The premise of this show is GREAT! The talent is awesome. However, the scripts make some of the characters-Camille and Quinn-*VERY* immature. I could accept their immaturity were the characters in their early 20s; these women are supposed to be in their 30s. By the time women are in our mid-30s, the hunt for a partner isn't our sole goal in life. At least, that's true for Black professional women. These women act like they're in high school. They only talk about MEN! It's embarrassing.

I don't want to give this show a bad rating because there's so much potential here. But the characters are all wrong. It isn't the actors' fault. They're engaging, talented and beautiful. It's the script. I get the impression Ms. Oliver and Mr. Daniels are trying to make the Black Sex in the City. I didn't like the WHITE Sex in the City! It only made me vow to not hang out with heterosexual white women.

What I want to see is Black professional women who've learned from life and are still rocking it like the bosses they are. There's too much effort put into being humorous and not enough put into character development that's real and age appropriate.

I have to compline Meagan Good. I thought she was far too . . . Religious, conservative and aloof in real life to play a character like Camille. But I have to say I'm very pleasantly surprised. Grace Byers was also a pleasant surprise. I honestly didn't recognize her. I *LOVE* her new look! I've always thought she was beautiful, but she is infinitely more attractive with longer hair. I didn't recognize her until I looked the show up on IMDb.

Ms. Oliver definitely got the butch lesbian right. I've dated women like Tye and been friends with even more. Jerrie Johnson is a treat! And, she's gorgeous and has definite screen presence.

Even with the program's faults, I'm still committed to watching a second season. I'm sure it will be better once the show gets their sea legs.

Enjoyable

[nxbcgvwj · 7/10 · 21 March 2023]

Nice bit of light entertainment. Don't understand all the negative reviews. It's not supposed to be highbrow it's a light hearted look at friendships and relationships between black women. Not to be taken so seriously it's a comedic drama with some stereotypes !

It's worth watching don't be put off by the negative reviews i had some laugh out loud moments and it was good to see the development of the characters.

It has some good acting and script and storyline made me want to watch . I enjoyed season 1 and season 2 is just as watchable. It's worth a watch for a bit of light comedic entertainment.

Something about it is...

[snktrss · 8/10 · 12 December 2021]

Intriguing. I enjoyed season 1 and really hope they bring another season with the ending of the last episode. The dynamic between the four women feels authentic. ImSomehow find the story lines relatable even though have of them I've never experienced in my lifetime. I usually get turned off by LGBTQ story lines although not this time and find Tye is my favourite out of the 4 women.

Terrible, stereotypical and insulting to black women

[NnegestLikke · 6 January 2022]

Very demeaning, lowbrow and insulting to black women. They give every stereotype imaginable to these women. They dress nice and live in nice houses with great set-pieces and everything else is plastic, superficial and unauthentic. They talk ghetto, overly sexual, desperate, and stereotypical and have no class about them. Just disgusting imo. Definitely not a representation of black women that I know.

Great Show!

[jerrellanderson · 10/10 · 3 December 2021]

I'm watching this show and I'm halfway through it! I like the comedy in this show, and even the acting! I see that some of the reviews are trying to get this show canceled. Now every time that it seems lately, when people don't see a representation of themselves shows like this! At least the way they want to be seen, there's always one rating reviews. Instead of really trying to focus on culture and background of what people deal with and watch that show from that perspective people decide to bash it because they don't understand. Now once you get that out of your head. You can really sit down and enjoy the show for what it is! It's a really great show, it's funny, it's witty, and there's some good drama moments in this show. Now does the show center around a black cast? Yes. Does it exclude white or any other race? No But let's be clear this is a story about four black women living in Harlem! Who happened to be best friends and this is their story their lives! And in this particular world of the story there is a lot that center around black culture!!!

A wobbly start...but a start.

[nthervil · 7/10 · 9 December 2021]

I'm so starved for black art that I'm willing to overlook a lot of this show's flaws. First of all, I think they've wrangled up a great cast. I was afraid it would be cringe, but the ladies come off seasoned, even though I only know two of them. Only I find I can feel their excitement, especially Shaniqua's (Angie) who is always on ten. A bit of nuance would help round out her character. Also, Jasmine's (Pat) horrible Jamaican accent also killed me. Lol!

The scenarios skew a bit young. They are in their 30s and I just think the conversations and the reaction to the situations they find themselves in could use a bit more depth.

Overall I find the pacing of the show fast. I think if it could breathe just a little, slow it down, tone down the humor, bring up the angst, dive more deeply into their lives rather than rely on sexual encounters and one-liners, it will be an infinitely better show.

Even if it doesn't get better, it's good enough for me to enjoy. Insecure is out, I need my black girl fix.

Beautiful cast, great show

[samanthastaylor · 10/10 · 24 February 2023]

This is a great show with a fun concept. I love the topics at hand and the colors of the set. It's clearly a show for black woman so I'm not surprised by some of these negative comments. It's the typical responses when a show doesn't cater to y'all.

I'm glad to see Megan as a leading actress, she's beautiful and it's well deserved. The whole cast is great and be bring so much to the show. I also love seeing older black actresses/actors incorporated like countess Vaughn, Rachel true and jazmine guy. I love seeing us on this platform. I hope the show continues to have great success and conibtue the great topics. Stay mad.

Great Potential!

[joywat · 7/10 · 16 March 2023]

I'm going against the grain on this one. If a series don't catch my attention in 25 mins, I usually stop watching. PERIOD! But Harlem was very entertaining to me. Similar to SATC and Insecure with an LGTBQ+ spin. I enjoyed all of the characters, especially Angie! She was so fun to watch. Shoniqua Shandai did her thing! She definitely gave me the best laughs! And shoutout to her BEAUTIFUL hair! I loved it! The energy the show gives was breathtaking. I didn't find it stereotypical at all. Just a group of beautiful black women finding their own paths in life with support from each other. Love Whoopi and Jasmine Guy in this, too. Both Seasons were great to watch. I'm rooting for season 3, if they give it a chance.

The New Sex in the City

[chrizonk · 9/10 · 3 December 2021]

I actually like this series. It puts a colorful spin on Sex in the City. I wonder is Ian Mr. BIG?! Laughing because Mr. Big hangs out in Harlem (clubs) in RL. It focuses on the lives of four WOMEN who happens to be black. It hits a lot of topics without going toooo Stereotypical (If you know what I mean). It was good to see ALL the ladies in the cast and Yaaaasssss Whoopi and LOVE me some Andrea Martin. I hope this series has a long life span. The comedy, subject matter and that soundtrack is is worth watching again and again. Kudos ladies, Here is to watching season 5 and beyond.

SIDEBAR: Ummm Jasmine, where did you get that accent from? SEND IT BACK!

Harlem/Sex in the City (my opinion) Camille - Carrie Quinn - Charlotte Tye - Miranda Angie - Samantha.

I liked the show

[jarvisshwn · 7/10 · 4 December 2021]

I loved the show. It had some parts that I didn't care for but over all it was good. It's about 4 Best-friends following their dreams after college and looking for love. The show is very relatable. If you didn't like it don't watch season two. If you haven't seen it watch it for yourself. I enjoyed it and I want to see what happens next in each of their lives. To the actors, actresses, producers, directors, etc you did a great job. Bring on season two. ( the only part I didn't care for was the broadway show)

Just bad

[rocketowl · 1/10 · 8 December 2021]

Tired, unimaginative storyline filled with stereotyped exaggerations many of which just untrue. Social anecdotal commentary and dialogue that's detrimental to black women, black men and the black community at large. Shame on the writer!

One Of My New Faves!!!

[Rey44 · 10/10 · 3 December 2021]

This show checks all my boxes for a must watch series! 1. Hilarious 2. Great storyline 3. Dope cast 4. All around fun watch. 5. Only thing I don't like is now I've got to wait for a season 2.

LGBTQ In The City

[Advocate1 · 6/10 · 5 December 2021]

Think sex in the city, but with main characters that are LGBTQ. Whether it's a show you enjoy will depend on your tolerance level. The pace of the show is fine and the storylines are good; however, if you can't handle sexually explicit language or gay main characters, you may want to watch something else.

Hoodrats in Expensive Clothes

[darth_hater · 1/10 · 21 January 2022]

Harlem born and raised so I was looking forward to watching this. I didn't make it past the first 15 minutes. They crammed so many stereotypes in already. I'm honestly offended. Loud, rude, trifling women who may be successful but are overcompensating in a struggle to gain status as bad*sses. I was hoping for Black Girl Magic and got Black Girl Tragic. Cursing out potential business partners, being jerks in movie theaters, and treating restaurant workers like trash is not funny. And don't get me started on Angie and her freeloading self. She is the absolute worst. The heavier, darker-skinned, "sassy" friend trope is so played out. I wish they had respected the actress enough to write her role differently. My friends and I don't behave this way and these are not the kind of women I would want in my circle. I don't see myself becoming invested in their lives as they are so unlikeable. Very disappointing since I was looking for something new now that Insecure has ended.

Great show!

[jenwald · 10/10 · 4 December 2021]

I binged all 10 episodes. When I started episode one the show had a waiting of a 6. After finishing the last episode, I couldn't believe the low rating. I came back to see what people said and see it is now 4.7. WTF? It is so good.

Chick Flick

[lisalee-64854 · 7/10 · 11 December 2021]

This show is very predictable and I feel as though it could've been a movie, but it is a fun watch. Each episode is like a chick flick so it's lite hearted even with the bad acting. Also, I love that Jerrie Johnson!

Amazing

[tswellstw · 10/10 · 4 December 2021]

If I could give this show more 10 stars I would. I love the authenticity of this show and the fact that the issues that some of the characters are facing are issues I can relate too. I cant wait for season 2 to happen. Great job AMAZON!!

So basically Sex In The City but different?

[kesspringer · 20 December 2021]

Seriously. I just don't get it.

I wish we could watch a show with a fresh, new idea.

Nothing will top SITC no matter how much you change the location or ethnicity.

Oh boy, Amazon has a Hallmark division!

[phlbrq58 · 6/10 · 5 December 2021]

Commodity entertainment, separated from reality, devoid of inspiration or humanity, desperate to fill 10 forgettable hours. Fantasy fulfillment with some sophisticated fashion still makes mediocrity. You go girl but see it for what it is...like a grown ass woman!

Love this Show

[wqbqyp · 10/10 · 24 February 2023]

The hate is real in these comments. This show is great. I loved Sex & The City and this show is just that with a black spin from our perspective. The personalities, way of dress, career focus, etc of black woman is spot on with woman in OUR age bracket, share the same point of views, just spot on. Interesting story line. The actors/ actresses are great. And I enjoy the comedic relief, again an Ode to the Sex & The city show. It's not always considered copying, they are staying within the genre while putting their own spin to it. Not sure why we only get 8 episodes at a time. Once I'm invested I'd like a little bit more to keep interest. Keep working hard ladies, amazing job and I love all of the characters. Support this amazing show!

I enjoyed it

[tyeej · 7/10 · 11 December 2021]

I enjoyed this show for what it was, I'm not a critic or someone that watches a lot of television. However, at times I find a show, that I can watch from beginning to the end. This show was one of them, but I was a bit disappointed on how it ended.

Boring

[morganlamar · 1/10 · 6 December 2021]

It's pretty unimaginative. They have the right idea, but it needs to be developed more. Instead, there's tons of unnecessary sex scenes (read 'porn'), as the writers aren't creative enough to create wholesome content. Seriously, why exploit these actors? Also, the characters personalities are pretentious -especially Angie. She's the typical loud, black, foul mouth black woman "finding her way", and is unapologetic to anyone she interacts with. Needless to say I won't be watching this.

Very entertaining

[gabby-1234 · 10/10 · 19 December 2021]

I liked so far! Very close with Insecure idea ! The first two episodes was slow but the others was pretty cool And funny.

I have friends like Camille that never get over from the last relationship... so It's not like fantasy like some reviews. There's a lot of highly educated ladies having trouble with pass relationships.

Don't listen to Critical Reviews - Give it a go....

[extraplay-61838 · 7/10 · 7 September 2022]

The second season is even better. I don't think the negative reviews are at all accurate, and why can't Black people have so much fun and enjoyment. I am Black too - and this is great fun and I am pleased for it.

This was about the first season: I really did not like it when I first saw it last year and could not watch for longer than 15 minutes. However, started watching it again, and it does get better, and I think my previous criticism was too judgemental, so this is my changed review.

I agreed with some of the comments that it feels clinical. But it did improve and people who have been slagging it, probably didn't even watch it all to the end, and those giving it a 1 are haters because its not that bad, in fact its good, but not good enough to get a 8.

It shows Black women in some of their glorious form - so don't knock it people. I don't think its insulting to Black women but the question is, what do we want to see of ourselves on the screen. What is wrong with how we have been portrayed here - please support this show with good wishes and not negative comments. Watch it until the end.

Can we get more authentic Black writers

[florenceidika · 1/10 · 5 December 2021]

I really wanted something to replace Insecure because it is ending, but this is not it. This feels too clinical, it feels like the writers haven't lived around black people before it feels so forced, its giving the dear white people vibe. Something is off I just can't explain it.