From black women owning entertainment to the hellscape that is American politics, 2017 has been a year of polarizing change and picking the right side or wrong side of history.  Unfortunately, even fictional characters weren't spared from the dumpster fire tendencies of this year.  

Whether unlucky in love, saddled with a shark-jumping plot or unspeakable tragedy, here are are 8 characters that deserve better in 2018.

There are many reasons people love entertainment--for fun, for escapism and for love.  When times are hard, sometimes watching your favorite show can feel like like a hug your soul needs and the best way to give a stressed mind a break, and a weary heart a reason to soar.  

Right now, everyone needs a proverbial shot of love, so what better way to do it than by checking in with our new and favorite TV ships from shows like Pitch, Empire, The Flash, and more...

As television blogger, I don't put as much importance on season and series premieres as the early episodes that follow.  Consistency is also an vital factor to truly gauging the quality of a television show, and the later episodes have benefited or suffered from studio notes and over-analysis, and is closer to discovering its true identity.  

As a rule, I give new shows at least three episodes to earn a full season investment. Unbelievably, it's already that time in the season, so it's time for my Fall TV Report Card.  And I will start with some of this season's most-anticipated new shows, including The Good Place, Conviction and more…

When I was a little girl, The Cosby Show more than just appointment TV, it was sacred viewing.  Our chores and homework had to be done, and my sister and I had to be ready for bed before it aired.  Despite the dozens of rape allegations surrounding Bill Cosby, those memories of being piled on the couch in my fluffy pink robe with my family laughing at the squeaky-clean shenanigans of an affluent clan in Brooklyn are some of my most cherished.  

I was reacquainted with that unabashed night-before-Christmas joy in the days leading up to the premiere of Ava DuVernay and Oprah Winfrey's Queen Sugar (the two-night premiere brought in record-breaking ratings for the OWN Network).  Unlike Bill Cosby’s wholesome sitcom, this multi-generational drama loosely based on the novel by Natalie Baszile methodically focuses on the cracks and imperfections of a dysfunctional, but loyal family as they grapple with tragedy, trials of life, and the maddening realities of being black in America.

Like the Huxtables, the saga of the Bordelons will redefine standards and expand the confining limitations of black television.