Historically, Black sitcoms have dedicated special episodes to the celebration of Christmas. With the holiday just days away, it’s the perfect time to get in the festive spirit with these five Black sitcoms that will take you down memory lane.

1. Frank’s Place, “Season’s Greetings” (1987)

Professor-turned-restaurant owner Frank Parrish (Tim Reid) gets a holiday surprise in the form of meeting an uncle he never knew he had (played by John Witherspoon). Frank also takes part in a friend’s Hanukkah celebration.

2. Kenan & Kel, “Merry Christmas, Kenan” (1996)

Kenan Rockmore (Kenan Thompson) gets into the Christmas spirit by impersonating a mall Santa. Fortunately, his shenanigans actually help this time rather than hurt (as what usually happens in each episode) when he brings Christmas to a single mom and her children.

3. The Jamie Foxx Show, “Christmas Day-Ja Vu” (1998)

Jamie King (Jamie Foxx) is the scrooge of the hotel run by his aunt and uncle (Ellia English and Garrett Morris). To change his ways, Jamie gets caught in a loop of reliving Christmas Eve until he finally gets the true meaning of the holiday season.

4. The Parent ‘Hood, “The Man Who Canceled Christmas” (1995)

As a parent who tries to teach his children right from wrong, Robert Peterson (Robert Townsend) is angry that his children (Kenn Michael, Reagan Gomez, Curtis Williams and Ashli Adams) only see Christmas as a time to act greedy. To teach his children a lesson, he threatens not to give them any presents.

5. Diff’rent Strokes, “Santa’s Helper” (1982)

Arnold Jackson (Gary Coleman) gets tricked into helping a con man who is posing as a street corner Santa (Garrett Morris). Unbeknownst to Arnold, the Santa eventually breaks into his adopted family’s apartment and steals their presents.

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Get In The Thanksgiving Spirit With These 5 Popular Black Sitcom Episodes

Photo: Nickelodeon

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The Parent'Hood