Tracee Ellis Ross is looking back at the disconnect between the success of ‘Girlfriends’ and the mainstream recognition that came with it.
More than two decades after the beloved sitcom became a defining TV staple for Black audiences, the actress is questioning whether race played a role in why its stars seemingly remained outside many of Hollywood’s most visible spaces, even while millions were tuning in.
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During a candid appearance on ‘What Now? with Trevor Noah’, Ross reflected on starring as Joan Clayton across the show’s lengthy run and recalled receiving none of the late-night TV opportunities she expected would naturally accompany leading a successful series.
The 53-year-old specifically remembered an alleged response from Jay Leno‘s team when an appearance was pursued.
“We love Tracee. Call us when she gets something.
I was like, ‘Get what? What else do you have to get?'”
For Ross, the numbers only made the disparity more difficult to understand. She pointed to ‘Monk’, starring Tony Shalhoub, as an example of a series she says drew a fraction of the audience yet enjoyed opportunities that appeared unavailable to her.
“That show had a quarter of our viewership. A quarter of our viewership.
I remember seeing him on the show and I was so confused. And I was like, ‘I don’t understand. Is it viewership?’ And the only thing you can boil it down to, you’re like, ‘Is it just racism?'”
The contrast is especially striking in hindsight. Ross would later score major awards recognition with ‘Black-ish’, including multiple Emmy nominations, while making history with her Golden Globe win.
Meanwhile, the cultural footprint of ‘Girlfriends’ has only grown with time. The cast has repeatedly celebrated its enduring following, most recently reuniting for a special shoot, while conversation around a potential revival has continued for years.
