*Less than a year after the Eaton Fire tore through Altadena, leaving families to rebuild their lives, a new sitcom set in the aftermath is generating both intrigue and unease.
Spearheaded by Kenya Barris, known for creating “Black-ish,” and featuring comedian Mike Epps, the untitled half-hour comedy is a collaboration between BET Studios and CBS Studios. According to Deadline, “In the untitled half-hour, after wildfires sweep through Altadena, two estranged Black brothers — one played by Epps — reunite to sell their late grandmother’s house to private developers. But when they learn her caretaker now owns part of the home and refuses to sell, they’re forced to live together and confront their differences — and what community, legacy, and family really mean,” the outlet writes.
For some Altadena residents, the idea of turning a devastating event into a comedic narrative feels misguided. As KTLA reports, local artist Anjelika Perry expressed her concerns to LAist. “Why are we sharing a story that is not real about our community when there’s so many real stories to share?” she asked. “And then also the trigger[ing] thing for me was, why a comedy when no one that we know of in the community is a part of this project?”
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Several social media users and some residents question the timing and intent of the project. Instagram user @flavorkit noted, “Knowing the pitch process timeline for major studios, the fact that it’s already announced as greenlit before the end of August means that it was pitched way less than six months after the fires began, and very likely conceptualized while ashes were still falling and the smoke was still clearing.”
Despite the criticism, not everyone opposes the sitcom. Nashon Dion, whose extended family lost homes in the fire, sees potential for the show to contribute positively if handled thoughtfully. “I presume that the production company will likely employ a consultant or consultants from our beloved Altadena,” Dion told LAist. “I presume and surely hope so because that would be the right thing to do.”
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