Shark Bytes

if any such thought is applicable, then ROC jumped the shark when it was first aired. the shark itself being the descent of black images on television since the Cosby Show went off the air and the vehicle for jumping being a quality show with talented actors bringing reality and dignity to counter the loud, brash and obnoxious black stereotypes that were again being brought to bear on television. the show had black images that every African American viewer knew from somewhere in their own life, and treated everyone on the show as humans and individuals, not just concepts and caricatures. but, in this very narrow minded viewing perspective, no, it never 'jumped the shark', as certain shows that stray from their original path into some fantastical structure for ratings and merchandising tie-ins. it stayed true to its honor and dignity and it was always too good, which is why it never got the audience or respect it deserved.

I personally agree w/ one of the posters. The show seemed to constantly dwell on the same flaws of the characters. I didn't even watch the show from season to season as I would w/ others. I only caught it here and there. I really love the original theme song, which I feel is when it fell.{Trying to capture a certain minority of people.} They tried too hard. shows such as UPN's "House of Paynes" has captured so many minority of people and don't even try hard!

I've only seen a couple of episodes this week on tvOne and I thought it was great. It's about real situations that everyone deals with no matter what color they are. I only wish there was a dvd on the entire series because I want to see more!

Never jumped! This was a rare gem among television shows, a series where the characters were unpretentious,hard-working, and REAL. The show also was very intelligently written and directed. My favorite actors (all stage-experienced,which explains why they portrayed their roles with such depth and integrity)were Charles S. Dutton (Roc). Ella Joyce(Eleanor)and Carl Gordon (Roc's father.)

Great show. Very thought provoking and always had an honest theme. I thought Charles S. Dutton was a first rate actor.

JB3

omg... i have always hated this show! and now when i see it on tvone, i still hate it! the actors are overly dramatic and as a result, completely unbelievable. the set is drab and boring, and while this show makes many stabs at comedy, the jokes are simply not funny. the premise is unbelievable because a city worker and a nurse would never be that poor-- jobs such as these are normally considered "good" ones. overall, roc was a bad show that jts on day one... and again when they started producing it live!!

Roc is still one of the best shows ever. It never JTS!!!!!
As far as "White People didn't get it", wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, wrong, and ..... WRONG!!!
Roc wasn't about Color, So why drag it down by going there?
Roc was about Family, it was about Rising Above and Succeeding. It was about not cowing down to the bad elements in society. It was about how One Man can make a difference, how One Man can become more than anyone dared hope with the support of those he loves.
When they put out a Box-set, if they ever do, I'll be the first in line.

At first the appearance of Charles Dutton is unsettling. Imagine Flip Wilson (there is a resemblance) shaving his head and deserting stand-up in favor of dramatic turns in a few August Wilson plays. Problem with stage trained players like Dutton is their big acting is at odds with tv subtleties even with a live sitcom audience in tow. Dutton gives everything the same in your face projection way beyond the rest of the cast. Fellow thespian Carl Gordon (Pop) who came from the same Wilson stomping grounds has adapted much sounder offering more range and depth than the star here.

I respected Roc because it was one of the few black sitcoms that didn't resort to using OVER-THE-TOP BUFFOONERY with characters and storylines like other black sitcoms(Martin, Jamie Foxx Show, Wayans Bros, Good Times, Family Matters, Fresh Prince) to become popular. This show probably jumped when they had EnVogue sing the theme. The original theme song for Roc was one of the best TV theme songs of all time!!!

Bring Roc back. Great show!!

I can't think of the name of the character Heavy D. played, but his daughter I think is when you could tell the show was gonna start going another way

I look back affectionately at Roc. Bold show, never got enough attention. I disagree with below poster that "white people didn't get it." Fox execs didn't get it. It always seemed in the lineup w/other Fox groundbreakers: Married and Living Color. I agree with more below posters that it wasn't the Cosbys or Bernie Mac OR pandering to stereotypes.
Not on long enought to jump. Veryt original. My complaint is they had a brilliant concept but the wtiting/jokes were uneven.

Roc was a bold experiment of a show back when a hungry FOX was daring to be different and trying to establish itself as a new Network. We had a Black Family that didn't shuck, jive or roll their eyes every episode yet still got some laughs. We had reminders that Black people also listen to Jazz and Blues not just Rap as all the other shows would have you to believe. Then a real street do-wop theme that was down home and rarely heard anymore.
Though Critics loved it, White People could not relate, nor could young black people (whom the Network decided was more important). So they brought in En Vouge and all the Rappers to appeal to the younger set and Dutton and cast did eveything they could not to turn it to what we later got from signature FOX/UPN/WB black shows. The Live Shows turned in some really powerful performances and some of the saves when lines or Cues were blown were fantastic.
At the end the show became bad, but was still better (at least) then any black show since. It ranks as my top black show and my all time list for overall.

I don't remember the show being that good in the first place. it was just on and i watched it. but after the live eps, it just got painful. the show went for a few laughs but the live eps were all sappy and weak.

Cool show Roc,Pops Elinor were great. I didn't care for Joey because he was a lazy freeloader.