TV Review • In the House almost didn’t make it past 2 seasons after originally debuting on NBC and being cancelled due to low ratings. Once UPN became a network, they picked it up and aired the next 3 seasons. Thank God for UPN, because In the House was a black tv show that didn’t get the recognition it deserved.Â
Marion (LL Cool J) a retired football player, had to rent out the rooms in his home because of financial issues to single mother Jackie Warren (Debbie Allen) and her two kids Tiffany (Maia Campbell) & Austin (Jeffrey Wood). This gave the show a positive family vibe, which was very popular in black sitcoms in the 90s. Although Debbie Allen & Jeffrey Wood were only there for the first 2 seasons, they kept the ball rolling by adding Tonia (Kim Wayans) & Dr. Maxwell (Alfonso Ribeiro).
Once these two were casted the show slightly shifted away from the family vibe, and became a show that targeted more adult viewers. I personally feel that Kim Wayans character was the star of the show, she did what all Wayans would do, and brought all the laughs. In the House was just another breath of fresh air that black households needed to see on tv.
