A Buppie? To be or not to be, that is the question!

So I never heard the term before today. According to the dictionary a buppie is :

n. Informal
A young Black city or suburban resident with a well-paid professional job and an affluent lifestyle.

The urban dictionary narrows it down a bit more:

A highly sophisticated and upper class black urban professional or executive in their late 20's and early 30's


We all know that there is a lack of black shows on television. I have resulted to watching Martin, Living Single, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, the Cosby Show, and Different World on syndication in order to get my fix because quite frankly we have nothing. Except of course CW's The Game which new season starts on Friday Oct. 3rd.

But then I stumbled upon this little gem.




Looks good right! I can't wait. It starts this fall. But there's one catch. It's a web based series. Yes, so now we're not even good enough to have our faces on TV. It trips me out how Viacom will pay to produce a stupid show like "The Somebody's" to air on BET, but a good juicy drama can't see the time of day on television. Hopefully someone will pick this up so I don't have to resort to watching a full series on my laptop.

Either way, the producer of this series, Aaliyah Williams, is really doing her thing trying to get more black stories told. Even if on the independent side, we have to support so that these big moneymakers realize that there is a niche for it, that we will come out in droves to the theaters and support good programming that represents us. She got involved in the film, The Young and Evil, in order to bring to light the nonchalant attitudes many gay and bi-sexual men have about HIV/AIDS as a result of being in the age of anti-retroviral drugs that allow you to live with the disease.
Check out the trailer:


The writer/director of both "The Young and Evil" and "Buppies" is Julian Breece, a college friend of Tatyana Ali. On Ali's myspace blog she talks about trying to get the series on TV for 3 years with no luck. I am definitely going to support these young African American entrepreneurs, or what I like to call them Renaissance Black People, and hope that you will too.

36 comments

Freedom In Christ September 19, 2008 at 10:04 PM

That's why it is so important for blacks to OWN everything that we pump our hard earn dollars into and support black own businesses! We have to KNOW that no one is coming to save us black people, but us! God has given us all we need to turn things around for us...each other!

Torie Michelle September 20, 2008 at 12:06 AM

It does look good (specifically the light-skinned guy who just, sadly, kissed another guy...lol).

I think this project definitely deserves to be supported and to be on t.v. We need something more than the horrific spectacle that is Baldwin Hills. And I'd LOVE to have a new, scripted black sitcom or drama. I like The Game but can't we have more than that? I miss the days of the shows you named. I haven't seen Somebodies but the previews really didn't strike me.

Actually, nothing about BET "strikes" me but its overbearing foolishness.

Keli September 20, 2008 at 1:00 AM

buppie = black + yuppy...I've heard the term used for a minute now.

Anonymous September 20, 2008 at 2:22 AM

What is up with The Somebody's anyway?? They need to stop putting crap like that on t.v. That is exactly why I don't watch BET.

Tatyana Ali is talented, she's never been given the credit she deserves. I hope we have more projects like this coming.

IntrospectiveGoddess September 20, 2008 at 6:56 AM

This does look good! Be sure to hook us up with the URL when it starts!

Its hard out here for us black folk but I will be an avid supporter of good quality work

And um whats the plot of somebodies? I couldnt watch it more than 5 minutes....hot mess

Dope Fiend September 20, 2008 at 9:14 AM

OK Im sad now, if its web based that means theres gonna be "No AirinG outside of the United States."

Bullsheeeeeeeeeeet! lol

Dope Fiend September 20, 2008 at 9:15 AM

Oh p.s that last song on the teaser...Compicated....WHO THE HEEEELLLLL IS THAT BY???? you know...anyone...sexyness mayuuuun!

Sista GP September 20, 2008 at 10:06 AM

what happens to buppies in 10 years when they have no real assets after living their affluent lifestyle?

laughing808 September 20, 2008 at 10:50 AM

Seems tv executives are more interested in providing reality shows than quality tv programming.

I saw the Buppie trailer on another site and thought it was interesting. I'll definitely keep and ear out for when it becomes available, I will tune in.

E. Christian Wallace September 20, 2008 at 10:54 AM

Seems interesting, I'll have to keep an eye out for it all.

DrennaB September 20, 2008 at 11:56 AM

I haven't seen the preview but I've heard about it more than twice so I'll try to remember to keep an eye out for it. You know, I can't blame Viacom for BET programming anymore because the BET execs are the ones who come up with their dumb ideas.

Miss Lovely September 20, 2008 at 12:23 PM

wow..looks so interesting. I'm watching! And I can't stand BET ugh

Ms. Minnie September 20, 2008 at 1:21 PM

I will be watching this!...I'm mad I wasted half my night when "somebodies" premired total waste of time!

The F_Uitlist September 20, 2008 at 3:51 PM

I want to watch it but where do we go to see the episodes? All I can find about it is the same clip you've posted.

I can't believe you have never heard the term Buppie. I remember it from growing up. Another play on words white people use to describe themselves.

RealHustla September 20, 2008 at 4:25 PM

I can't believe you've never heard the term Buppie. It goes waaaaaaay back.

Although I have to say I'm disappointed already because the trailer seems as if it's just the black version of what, ummmm, Gossip Girls, One Tree Hill, shows I can't relate to. Am I supposed to relate to these shows because the actors are Black? I don't know.

All that to say, I know I'll be checking it out because I do love drama.

Hey, how are we supposed to remember when the series starts if we can't see a commercial about it every 20 minutes?

Glennisha Morgan September 20, 2008 at 5:08 PM

I agree. There is absolutely nothing on TV. I think thats why I rely on the web so much. Just like you I find myself always watching re-runs of a different world, fresh prince, martin, etc. I've read a lot of good reviews on this new show. I guess i'll check it out. Plus I'm glad to see Ashley, I mean Tatyana get some work.

Carmen Renee September 20, 2008 at 5:20 PM

Re the trailers: DAMN! WILL be watching!!

Anonymous September 20, 2008 at 7:55 PM

I wish these ladies the best in getting their work placed where it should be. I hate it that we have all of these wack shows out there, but WE can't get more than one show on t.v.

Unknown September 20, 2008 at 8:01 PM

I'm with Jewells. hopefully it will somehow make it to mainstream television. If "Flavor of Love" and "I love New York" can be on television...and this isn't...something is very wrong

The Jaded NYer September 20, 2008 at 9:37 PM

I hate that it's called buppies, but I HAVE TO SEE what happens with the pregnant chick and her gay boyfriend. OOOOH that looks good!!! lol

thanks for the head's up... and when my show comes out, you'd better promote it too LOL

Anonymous September 20, 2008 at 11:28 PM

I wish that I could view the video, but I'm working with my home dial-up today. You definitely have my interest piqued though.

A good DVD about black film is called "Angels Can't Help But Laugh". It was created by Terri Vaughn and features a lot of today's black actresses voicing their distaste of the industry.

Thanks for sharing! I will check it out when I get some high speed over here :-)

Obama Mama September 21, 2008 at 1:13 AM

both shows looks really good, when does the other one air (The young and evil I think it is)

Suite B September 21, 2008 at 1:17 AM

I'm putting this on my official list of things to do/watch after the wedding.

Eb the Celeb September 21, 2008 at 7:24 AM

@torie michelle - dont tell anyone but I actually like Baldwin Hills... maybe if we had something to challenge it I wouldn't but it's all BET has that's worth me watching.

@introgoddess - I have NO idea what the plot it... I couldnt watch it more than 5 minutes either... it looks so damn low budget, the writing is terrible, the acting is terrible... ugh!

@dope fiend - I dont understand... its on the internet... so why wouldn't you be able to get it outside the US?

and sorry I have no idea who is singing that song...does sound fly though

@sista gp - you came from so far left field on that I dont even know how to respond... but usually you grow out of this stage in your life just like with anything else and they get married and have kids

thx G.Mo

@miss BB - I'm blaming Viacom because they have the right to choose which ones make the light of day... BET execs may have come to the with 10 brilliant ideas and this one dumb one and if Viacom says this is the one that the viewers will see them that's what we'll see... I'm not saying there more at fault, but they have the money

@ the f it list - when I get more info you know I will pass it along... and yeah... never heard the term before

@realhustla - i feel you, I dont want any of the shows you mentioned but I related to this show because I consider myself a broke buppie...lol; I have bills so I dont have dispensible income but I do go to the best parties and live my life to the fullest.

@Jewells - I actually messed up a bit... the writer/director is a gay man... so I change the wording a little at the end of the post

@jaded - of course... and I better get a cameo in there somewhere too...lol

@b-more - yes I saw that and posted it here a while back... it really talks about individual challenges for them even after they make it because there aren't that many roles for blacks

@obama mama - The Young and Evil is a film short that has been circulating film festivals, not a show

One Man’s Opinion September 21, 2008 at 11:21 AM

First off, I can't believe that you had never heard of the term Buppie before now. Second, I'm with you. What the hell, that show looks hella good. I can't believe they have all those damn simular shows with white folks in 'em and they can't put my folks on the 33 or the WB or whatever the hell they call them right now. Yoiu are gonna have to give me the heads up, because I need to catch that crap. Seriously.

Ishea September 21, 2008 at 11:56 AM

I saw a post about this earlier on another site and brushed it off as a waste of time...but I'm glad I took a look at the trailer because it seems like an entertaining show. It's a shame that it can't get some air time on tv...but thank God for the internet. We all have a way to get out our story and creative expressions! I look forward to checking it out and becoming a fan...hopefully it'll be able to generate enough of a buzz (and be able to back it up) and get some real tv time!

Ishea September 21, 2008 at 12:11 PM

Also, if being a "buppie" means being young, successful and affluent...then sign me up!

Nikki @ NikSnacks September 21, 2008 at 6:06 PM

Have you heard of the BAP Handbook? It's a must-do on any RBW's list. It came out when I was in college, and I fell in love. There are three authors, I can't recall the names right now, but Google it, girl. It's something you should pick up. For real. Or at least pick it up when you go to the bookstore and leaf through it LOL

Anonymous September 21, 2008 at 7:52 PM

Definitely watching Buppies. not so sure about the second one lol, but i understand it. buppies should be on TV. The CW at least! tell me where i can find that online

Dave Van Buren September 22, 2008 at 8:32 AM

I've never heard the term but that preview looks interesting. TV in general sucks nowadays.

Anonymous September 22, 2008 at 9:31 AM

I will be checking that out.

Back in the day, we had plenty of good black shows. Remember My Brother and Me (both parents where college graduates), Roc, Out All Night, or Parker Lewis? I remember South Central with Larenz Tate and Maia Campbell even though it didn't last a full season. Remember Where I Live with Doug E Doug?

Crys.C September 25, 2008 at 10:32 PM

They both look pretty interesting...
Have you seen the movie Cover?
Thats was a good one also.
Should've played in theaters but it went straight to dvd

Kool.Kid.Kris September 26, 2008 at 1:11 AM

I love the GAME! It's my favorite and only show right now and I can't wait until the new season. We should have a GAME partay!

Anonymous September 28, 2008 at 11:00 PM

Thanks for posting this, I would actually watch this and I rarely find any new shows to watch.

Anonymous September 30, 2008 at 12:22 PM

i hadn't heard about this series so thanks for spreading the word. i'll definitely check it out.

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