True enough all shows cannot stay on television forever. At some point, they have to end. That is not my issue. This is not even about debating Black representation on tv. What peaks my interest is the types of shows featuring people of color that continue to have several seasons in contrast to these shows that have a much shorter run.
I'm just going to get straight to the point because this troubles me when I really think about it. Programs like Love & Hip Hop which constantly showcase women fighting. "Reality" television has definitely taken over entertainment. I put that word in quotations because at this point we all know that many parts of these shows are staged in order to be more entertaining. Is this better? People throwing chairs and drinks at each other? 
However, when we do have programming that showcases Black people playing more positive roles or discusses Black history, or just something that we can learn from, those shows don't last for some reason. For example:
The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency - produced by the BBC in conjunction with HBO
This show stars Jill Scott as Precious Ramotswe, a detective in Botswana with her own agency, with Anika Noni Rose as her diligent secretary (and later apprentice detective) Grace Makutsi. The show was based on a series of novels by Alexander McCall Smith.
As she solves cases in her "beloved Botswana" she also has to deal with people's preconceived notions that a woman cannot be a detective, proving them wrong of course. This show ran for only one season. I thought that it was an excellent show. We saw a Black woman in a leadership position, the beautiful backdrop of an African country (yes, it was filmed on location in Botswana), and the cast included talented actors. Guest stars included Idris Alba and C.C.H. Pounder.
I am not sure why it wasn't renewed for another season, I haven't found any definitive information about that. However, I do know that the book series has continued to grow. In the summer of 2011, HBO announced that the show may continue as two or more standalone films. In 2012, HBO revealed they had decided not to move forward with the project. Producers may look to resurrect the show on another network. I hope they do because the final episode left us with a cliffhanger.
Before I talk about the next show let me address something. I know that somebody has something to say about me having a reason to point out that she is a Black woman in a leadership position instead of just saying that she's a woman period. REPRESENTATION MATTERS!!!!! Negative stereotypes about Black people are still being put out there as thugs, drug-dealers, and so on. While there are people of color who do engage in that type of activity, we are bigger than that as a whole. It's just unfortunate that what is negative seems to get the most media attention and that is what is put out there. Frankly, a lot of us are sick and tired of the productions that always show us as drug-dealers, thugs, pimps, crackheads, and murderers. So it is good to see Black people playing positive roles in order to bring variety.
Underground - WGN America
This show was an American television period drama series about the Underground Railroad in Antebellum Georgia. It was created by Misha Green and Joe Pokaski. On May 30, 2017, it was announced that WGN had canceled the show after two seasons. The cancellation came after the network's parent company Tribune Media was purchased by conservative corporation Sinclair Broadcasting Group, which led to speculation that the latter did not approve of the subject matter of the show.
I felt like this was an important show because even though it was a fictional account. It was based on the reality of slavery and a dark time in America's history that people need to know about.
I don't want to just say that the only reason these shows are not on anymore is specifically about race. There are many things that take place behind the scenes that may affect production. I'm sure ratings play a part as well. Even though the two shows I mentioned were pretty popular, they are still no longer running. While shows that feature people fighting and acting crazy continue to have several seasons in various cities. What does say about what we find entertaining? What does that say about what we choose to give our attention to?
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