My Review of CBS’ Bob Hearts Abishola: From An African Perpective

By Maureen Martin | November 5, 2019 | Entertainment

I’ve been watching Bob Hearts Abishola for a few weeks, and as a woman from Cameroon, Africa, I have one thing to say: if you haven’t been watching, then you are missing out.

From the world of Chuck Lorre, one wouldn’t expect the famed producer to be behind a series that follows the sweet budding romance of an American Caucasian man and an African nurse. But the series is also the brainchild of Nigerian comedienne Gina Yashere who has a keen eye and ear on fellow Africans, making the dialogue fun and nuanced. It’s refreshing to have an African person writing for Africans so we get representation and a degree of authenticity.

Recently an episode had a dynamic conversation between the African nurses and their friend/associate who is African-American. Although the group from an outside observers’ perspective would say “oh it’s a group of black folks conversing,” if you listen to the conversation you witness the interactions of the African diaspora. African households are different from African-American households. It’s something that has not been articulated or explored on television.

I love listening to the supporting actors speak in their African language. I also appreciate that the supporting characters are portrayed as studious, hardworking and entrepreneurial which is typical of immigrant families. Often African storylines speak more escaping abject poverty and being a refugee without presenting the exceptional qualities found in African immigrants. Watching Abishola with her family and her son, exploring everyday issues like other TV families, feels freeing.

Catch Bob Hearts Abishola, every Monday at 8:30 p.m. on CBS.

photo credit: CBS