TV series · 2021ComedyFamilyDrama

The Upshaws

Name: The Upshaws
Released: 2021

18Based

AI Woke Score

Based

No detectable agenda — story first.

confidence: medium

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Audience Score

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Where to watch

NetflixNetflix Standard with Ads

The Verdict

The Upshaws is a traditional Black family sitcom in the Norman Lear mold, focused on working-class life, marriage, and parenting humor. Its diverse cast fits the premise naturally, and aside from the familiar 'flawed husband' comedy dynamic, it carries little identity messaging. This is a low-woke, character-driven comedy.

What the AI Flagged

Each axis scored 0–100, with the receipts. The headline score weights the worst offense, so a single egregious element isn't diluted by the rest.

Identity Swaps

Original sitcom with original characters; no established characters to swap.

Girlboss & Male Demotion

Bennie is a flawed, often comedically incompetent man, while Regina is more put-together, but this is standard sitcom 'bumbling husband' dynamic rather than a 'men are the problem' message.

Bennie's chronic irresponsibility as a running gag
Regina holding the family together

LGBTQ+ / Trans / Non-Binary Content

Largely a heterosexual family comedy; minimal LGBTQ+ content overall.

DEI Casting

A Black working-class family cast is authentic to its premise and setting, not a contradiction of any lore.

Black family in Indianapolis as central premise

Preachiness

Focuses on family comedy and personal struggles; occasional real-life issues but not delivered as lectures.

Working-class money struggles played for relatable comedy

Anti-Masculinity / Anti-West

Bennie's flaws are mocked for comedy but the show is affectionate toward him rather than framing masculinity as toxic.

Bennie portrayed sympathetically despite his mistakes

Source Betrayal

Original work with no source material.

Audience Reviews

Discussion

Details

Released: May 12, 2021
Type: TV series
Genres: Comedy, Family, Drama

Synopsis

Bennie Upshaw, the head of a Black working class family in Indianapolis, is a charming, well-intentioned mechanic and lifelong mess just trying his best to step up and care for his family and tolerate his sardonic sister-in-law, all without a blueprint for success.

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The Upshaws

Based · WokeMeter

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AI analysis

This score is generated by an AI model analyzing the work against a fixed rubric. It is critical opinion and commentary, not a statement of fact, and may be revised.

Analysis generated June 9, 2026

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