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Oh how the tables have turned. You’re used to seeing characters like Pete Ross on Smallville or Eric Foreman on House, M.D.—they’re the wisecracking, assertive, token Black characters found on every popular show.

The RHOA Cast

photo: WENN

But every once in a while you see the opposite. Saturday Night Live had some fun with a fake Empire character named Chip the officer manager, but there have secretly been cases of the opposite happening as far back as The Cosby Show and Sanford and Son.

These are 15 token white characters from Black shows. See if you agree with their casting.


Photo: WENN

Rhonda from Empire

Yes, this Lee Daniels and Danny Strong sendup of Shakespeare meets Roc-A-Fella is incredibly ratchet. Actress Kaitlin Doubleday is the rare melanin-deprived cast member, but she’s super trill. The BJ bib alone makes Rhonda Lyon memorable.

Kimberly Rose McConnell and Jon Gries

photo: WENN

Shawn from Martin

Would you believe Martin Payne’s chill homey and WZUP co-worker has been around since appearing on shows like The Jeffersons, Falcon Crest, and Cagney & Lacey? That’s staying power. Judging from what’s on his arm, he’s still got it.

Dris Elba and Dominic West

photo: WENN

McNulty from The Wire

Considering how many drug dealers, killers, and dirty politicians were on The Wire, calling Jimmy McNulty one of the more dishonorable characters on the show is really saying something.

Jen The Pen from Love & Hip-Hop: New York

Consequence’s baby mother ruffled some feathers by appearing to pull the race card a time or two on Love & Hip-Hop: New York. Ultimately, she and Cons seemed like a weird fit for the show and subsequently bounced.

The Kids of Everybody Hates Chris

photo: WENN

Greg from Everybody Hates Chris

You can’t say Vincent Martella didn’t hold it down playing Chris’ day one homie Greg Wuliger.

Tommy Davidson and Jim Carrey

photo: WENN

Jim Carey from In Living Color

Carey elbowed his way to the top of the cast pecking order by killing roles like Vanilla Ice, Fire Marshall Bill, and Vera De Milo.

Marisa Tomei

photo: WENN

Maggie from A Different World

Marisa Tomei was the relatively are Caucasian at an HBCU during the first season on A Different World. It turns out she got fired, but since she ended up winning an Oscar, so clearly she was overachieving at Hillman.

The RHOA Cast

photo: WENN

Kim Zolciak-Bierman from Real Housewives of Atlanta

Before spinning off into her on franchise with Don’t Be Tardy, The Notorious K.I.M. kept up a heated rivalry with NeNe Leakes.

Bullethead from The Steve Harvey Show

You could literally find Stanley “Bullethead” Kuznocki in every season of The Steve Harvey Show. Regardless of the plot twists, he, Lydia, and Romeo could be counted on for some slapstick comedy.

Todd from Girlfriends

Even if they got married, no viewer really believed Todd could handle all of the thickness that was Toni Childs.

Wendy Raquel Robinson, Tia Mowry, Brittany Daniel

photo: WENN

Kelly Pitts from The Game

It was low key hilarious how Jason ended up with a trailer park reclamation project like Kelly despite him being incredibly bourgie. Despite the predominately black cast of characters, Kelly Pitts was arguably the most ratchet of them all.

Josh from Black-ish

You may very well catch Josh bust out a “diggity,” refer to Andre as “Dr. Dre,” and about a half dozen other “bro” tropes during a five minute viewing of Black-ish.

50 Cent and Joseph Sikora

photo: WENN

Tommy from Power

Tommy Egan is bats**t crazy, and Ghost might want to keep an eye (or a bounty) on him.

Jenna Von Oy

photo: WENN

Stevie from The Parkers

A select amount of ‘70s and ‘80s babies had the inkling Blossom’s homegirl had an amble backyard. That suspicion was confirmed when a grown up Jenna Von Oy reappeared on The Parkers looking all kinds of thick.

Evelyn Lozada and Suzie Ketcham

photo: WENN

Suzie Ketcham from Basketball Wives

We’re still trying to figure out how Michael Olawakandi made enough loot during his 15 minutes in the NBA to have to break Suzie off with millions. Keep getting them checks, though.

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