Joyful Recommendations
TV Series
In each episode of Diverse Joy® Podcast, the official podcast of Inequity Agents of Changes, Dr. Cox and Nelson (and applicable guests) make a Joyful Recommendation to close out the episode (the “other slice of bread in the Diverse Joy sandwich, since each episode opens with something from their life that is currently bringing them joy.
The point of the joyful recommendation is not “here’s homework to do,” rather it is an accessible piece of media - here you’ll find all the television shows that we’ve recommended - that we hope will bring you, the listener (or viewer) some joy to your day and it happens to also do diversity well in some capacity (no one thing can do everything, nor should it have to) as a way to help you broaden your input via the media.
Series are organized by category, jump to:
The Acolyte [Star Wars] (2024)
Created by Leslye Headland
Based on Star Wars by George Lucas
in Season 1 Episode 1, Will recommended the first live-action Star Wars TV series set during the High Republic Era. It takes diverse characters and sets them in a sci-fi/fantasy context while also being a bit of a mystery. The series is focused on Amandla Stenberg’s dual roles of Ohsa and Mae Aniseya, with a supporting cast that includes Lee Jun-jae, Charlie Barnett, Dafne Keen, Rebecca Henderson, Jodie Turner Smith, Carrie-Anne MOss, and Manny Jacinto.
Dramatic
TV Series
Bridgerton (2020-Present)
Created by Chris Van Dusen
Based on the book series by Julia Quinn
in Season 1, Episode 5, Amber recommended I Love Lucy for its groundbreaking representation of both interracial relationships and women. The show did a great job of pushing back against stereotypes. Plus it’s just “good, funny TV!”
Doctor Who (1963-Present)
Created by Ki Min-soo, Hong Seok-gu (KBS Drama division)
Based on Yeonmo by Lee So-young
in Season 2, Episode 12, Amber recommended the long-running series Doctor Who (with nearly 900 episodes since its inception in the 60s); modern Doctor Who, which began in 2005 is more the focus of Amber’s joy. The Doctor regenerates into a “new body” every few seasons, most recently have been Ncuti Gatwa, a Black gay man, “who is actually Black and gay on the show!” The Doctor has traveling companions who’ve run the gamut of diversity. And the story telling is fantastic.
The King’s Affection (2021)
Created by Ki Min-soo, Hong Seok-gu (KBS Drama division)
Based on Yeonmo by Lee So-young
in Season 2, Episode 4, guest Valeria Martinez, Esq. recommended the K-drama The King’s Affection, both because she generally recommends foreign media (Broaden Your Input!), and because it ticks all the boxes: Action, romance, historical drama, strong female leads, a little queer moment, comedy, and a great plot!
The Afterparty (2022-2023)
Created by Christopher Miller
In Season 3, Episode 4, Will recommended The Afterparty, a two season murder-mystery comedy series starring Tiffany Haddish, Sam Richardson, and Zoë Chao, with different main cast members in each of the two seasons. The hook of the show is that each episode is a different genre or style as each of the suspects in the murder tells their version of the events. It’s quirky and fun with excellent representation of diversity across the characters.
Humorous
TV Series
Girls5Eva (2021-2024)
Created by Meredith Scardino
In Season 1, Episode 11, Will recommended Girls5Eva, a women-centered show with amazing music–the premise being the four remaining members of a one-hit-wonder, late-90s girl group joining forces once again 20 years later and the trials and tribulations of women in their 40s trying to make it in the entertainment industry. (In the true fashion of life imitating art, the show started as a Peacock original, was cancelled after season 2, picked up by Netflix for its third season, before being cancelled again.) It starred Sara Bareilles, who contributed a couple of songs to the show (most the songs were done by Jeff Richmond with Meredith Scardino doing the lyrics), Busy Phillipps, Paula Pell, and Reneé Elise Goldsberry (with Ashley Park as the maybe dead fifth original member, as seen in flashbacks).
Also, it’s a musical!
The Golden Girls (1985-1992)
Created by Susan Harris
We closed out season 2 by recommending The Golden Girls for our episode about Generational Biases. Will suggests this classic TV series for being ahead of its in time in discussing age, sex, and many other topics. It’s imperfect, but does a “dang good job” on many topics, it even had a same-sex wedding, and a great interracial marriage wedding that also dealt with intergenerational issues.
Will also recommends the sequel series, The Golden Palace (1992-1993) for many of the same reasons.
Grand Crew (2021-2023)
Created by Phil Augusta Jackson
The very first joyful recommendation on Diverse Joy was Grand Crew, a two season NBC sitcom with great representation that is focused on a group of Black friends (including an Afro-Latina character) who hang out at a wine bar (the show’s title is a pun, y’all) and hijinks ensue. There are six main characters, two of whom are brother and sister, played by Echo Kellum and Nicole Byer. It’s a wondeful sitcom!
Home Economics (2021-2023)
Created by Michael Colton
in Season 1, Episode 12, Amber recommended this ABC series focused on three siblings in three different “social classes”, and includes interracial relationships, and a lesbian couple with adopted children. It deals with important topics while being a fun show.
I Love Lucy (1951-1957)
Created by Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz
in Season 1, Episode 5, Amber recommended I Love Lucy for its groundbreaking representation of both interracial relationships and women. The show did a great job of pushing back against stereotypes. Plus it’s just “good, funny TV!”
Schitt’s Creek (2015-2020)
Created by Dan Levy & Eugene Levy
Our very first guest recommended the funny sitcom with excellent LGBTQ acceptance: Schitt’s Creek. A CBC show from Canada - though on the show they kept it vague so it could have been in the U.S. or in Canada - about a socialite family who loses everything has to move to a small town where they learn about actually making friends with people and actually becoming a family. All the while, David Rose (Dan Levy) is pansexual and everyone in town just accepts it (there are a small handful of queer characters and there’s no homophobia to be found).
Superstore (2015-2021)
Created by Justin Spitzer
In Season 1, Episode 3, Will recommended this hilarious ensemble show (led by America Ferrera and Ben Feldman) about employees at a big box store, where the diversity was a great extension of the premise. It tackled topics ranging from unionizing for better wages and working conditions to immigration rights, and even covered how frontline workers had to deal with COVID-19.
Animated
TV Series
Bluey (2018-Present)
Created by Joe Brumm
In Season 2, Episode 13, Will recommended Bluey, the adorable Australian animated series that is ostensibly for preschoolers, but is actually great for adults, too! (“It’s a show for parents that kids also enjoy.”) It features a family of animated dogs (and their friends), but through analogy, it’s addressed a range of “diversity” topics, all while being heartwarming. And the parent characters do a great job of modeling behavior.
Steven Universe (2013-2019)
Created by Rebecca Sugar
In Season 1, Episode 13, Will recommendedSteven Universe for its excellent messages about diversity and acceptance (including LGBTQ representation), as well as mental health. It is a kid-friendly show with action, magic, and adventure. And plenty of great original songs!
The main series was followed by Steven Universe: The Movie and a sequel miniseries, Steven Universe Future, that carry on the same great themes of tolerance and acceptance.
Also, it’s a musical!
House Hunters (1999-Present)
Produced by Pie Town Productions
In Season 2, Episode 7, guest Bernie Hoes recommended the long-running series House Hunters, where the audience follows various couples as they hunt for a new home, because it speaks to diversity and provides a tiny slice of life look into how a huge array of people live; the couples might be gay or lesbian, multi-racial, or have a ton money or smaller budget, and it’s all about creating a sense of home, which is important to all of us. Yes, it’s got elements that are staged, but you still get that bit of their lives and values.
Reality & Competition
TV Series
Escape to the Chateau (2016-2022)
Channel 4
In Season 2, Episode 9, guest Sandy Eichel recommended the gentle show about a lovely British couple who purchase and restore a French chateau. They have an attitude of “let’s just have a go” - we’re going to try it - that Sandy loves and is inspired by. It’s the show Sandy watches when they are having a stressful day and just need a moment to escape.
Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls (2022-Present*)
Presented by Lizzo
in Season 1, Episode 9, Amber recommended Lizzo’s reality series about looking for bigger-bodied backup dancers. The show fits with Episode 9’s theme of Joy At Every Size. The cast of dancers in the competition features women of color, too!
*The series was renewed for a second season in 2023, but it has yet to premiere
Never Say Never with Jeff Jenkins (2023)
Presented by Jeff Jenkins
In Season 2, Episode 6, Amber recommended the travel documentary series Never Say Never with Jeff Jenkins, a plus-size, Black travel blogger, where he travels and takes on things that other big-bodied folks might think “I can’t do that” - not necessarily out of fear, but because of access or accommodations, like wetsuits for larger people - and he shows that larger bodied folks can do!
Trixie Motel (2022-2024)
Created by Trixie Mattel & David Silver
In Season 2, Episode 8, Amber had another drag-related recommendation: Trixie Motel. A two-season series that follows drag queen Trixie Mattel through renovating a rundown Palm Springs motel in season 1, and then renovating a new LA home in season 2.
We’re Here (2020-2024)
Created by Stephen Warren & Johnnie Ingram
In Season 1, Episode 7, Amber recommended this reality series about drag queens! “It’s kind of a mix of drag and Queer Eye.” Visiting small towns or small gay communities, the queens “support and empower” the locals and then do a big drag show. The first three seasons featured Bob the Drag Queen, Eureka O’Hara, and Shangela; season 4 had Jaida Essence Hall, Priyanka, Sasha Velour, and Latrice Royale (a diverse group of queens!).