The historic comedy series, “A Black Lady Sketch Show,” created by and starring Robin Thede will not return for a fifth season. HBO released a statement confirming the Emmy-winning show’s end, praising Thede as a “visionary comedic talent.”
“For four exceptional seasons of ‘A Black Lady Sketch Show, ‘ we’ve been thrilled to partner with her on this groundbreaking, hilarious series,” representatives for the network said. “Robin, alongside Hoorae, Jax Media, and the incredible cast and crew, leave an indelible legacy not only in sketch but in television comedy, and we look forward to continued creative collaboration under her deal with us.”
The fourth season’s debut in April starred the show’s core members, Thede, Gabrielle Dennis, and Skye Townsend. The latest season also featured DaMya Gurley, Tamara Jade, Angel Laketa Moore, Quinta Brunson, Ashley Nicole Black, and Laci Mosley.
A Show From a Black Woman’s POV
In addition to creating “A Black Lady Sketch Show,” Thede served as showrunner, executive producer, and writer. for the series which is “framed in a Black woman’s point of view” according to Thede. For instance, the sketches talked about hair woes, ashiness, etc.
“Thank you to all the immensely talented cast members, guest stars, writers, directors, editors, and crew members who have made ‘A Black Lady Sketch Show’ an Emmy-winning success,” Thede told Variety. “I especially want to recognize the Black women and other women of color who excelled in every department at ‘ABLSS.'”
The series was executive produced under Thede’s For Better or Words, Inc. banner, as well as Issa Rae’s Hoorae.
Historic Wins
The critically-acclaimed series obtained 13 Emmy nominations and three historic wins within its first three seasons. According to Variety, the series won back-to-back trophies for outstanding picture editing for a “variety programming,” with Daysha Broadway, Stephanie Filo, and Jessica Hernández as the first team of women of color to earn the prize.
In 2020, the series also won the TCA award for “outstanding achievement in sketch/variety” shows. And in 2022, Bridget Stokes became the first Black woman to win for directing a variety series. “A Black Lady Sketch Show” also garnered five Black Reel Awards, an HCA award, and two NAACP Image Award nominations.
This year, HBO submitted “A Black Lady Sketch Show” for consideration in 30 categories for the Emmys.