Amen

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  • TV-PG
  • 1986
  • 5 Seasons
  • 6.8  (2,283)

Amen was an American sitcom that made it to the small screens in 1986 premiered on NBC. The show was created by Ed. Weinberger and produced by Carson Productions. Amen aired from 1986-1991 and aired for five seasons with 110 episodes. The series starred Sherman Hemsley, Clifton Davis, and Anna Maria Horsford.

The show was based around the life of Ernest Frye (Sherman Hemsley), a new pastor assigned to the fictional Deacon Frye Baptist Church that is located in Philadelphia. The show primarily operates around the church, its members, and the new pastor's everyday life. Ernest is often accompanied by his young daughter, Thelma (Jester Hairston), who adds a lot of humor to the show.

Clifton Davis plays the role of Deacon Frye, who is a businessman and a church leader. He is responsible for navigating the financial affairs of the church and is always in support of the new pastor. The two clash on several occasions, but their differences are always put aside for the sake of the church.

Anna Maria Horsford played the role of Thelma Frye, the daughter of Simms (Barbara Montgomery). Simms is the church secretary who is responsible for keeping up with the congregation and the needs of the church. Thelma is, at times, overbearing on her father, and her love for him is evident in every episode as she tries to keep him out of trouble.

The show revolves around the church and the various characters who attend the services. Characters such as Reuben Gregory (Clifton Powell) and Rolly Forbes (Roz Ryan) add a lot of satire and sarcasm to the show, making it hilarious for viewers. Each episode of the show begins with a gospel song and ends with a sermon from the new pastor.

In comparison to other sitcoms of the time, Amen was an innovative show that often tackled unorthodox topics for a religious-themed show. The show explores subjects like interracial dating, substance abuse, and HIV/AIDS, all of which were often regarded as taboo in the 1980s. The show's messaging was always centered around the concept of forgiveness, and the importance of having faith in oneself and in God.

The show's comedic approach never neglected the underlying message behind it, making it entertaining while still being relevant to audiences. The characters' attributes stood out and made them relatable to viewers. Ernest Frye is portrayed as a well-meaning man who is determined to make a difference in the church and the community. Clifton Davis's character, Deacon Frye, represents a leader who uses wisdom and initiative to guide the pastors and the church members to fulfill the vision of the church.

Moreover, Anna Maria Horsford's portrayal of Thelma Frye adds the necessary flair of humor to the show, making it an enjoyable watch for viewers. Her character's unconditional love for her father, and the church as a whole, makes her a likable character on the show.

The show was unique due to its approach to comedic television. Still, it never lost focus on its primary message, representing a significant contrast to contemporary sitcoms of the era. The show's cast they all had fantastic chemistry with each other, which made the show more enjoyable to watch. Sherman Hemsley was a seasoned veteran in comedy, and his role in Amen was exceptional.

In conclusion, Amen was a popular sitcom that was a hit with audiences in the 1980s and 1990s. The show's success was due to the fantastic cast, innovative storytelling, and balanced approach towards humor and real-life issues. The show still resonates with viewers today, and it has become a treasured classic even though it ended more than 30 years ago. With the present era's remakes and reboots, one can only hope for a possible reboot of Amen.

Amen is a series that is currently running and has 5 seasons (111 episodes). The series first aired on September 27, 1986.

Amen
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Seasons
Deliverance (2)
22. Deliverance (2)
May 11, 1991
Appearances by James Brown and Lloyd Price aren't the only surprises during a telethon to save the church: Thelma delivers a baby boy. (Part 2 of 2) Her delivery overdue, Thelma attends a telethon.
Deliverance (1)
21. Deliverance (1)
May 4, 1991
Frye and Clarence try raising church funds by dating wealthy Darla and her equally unattractive granddaughter Darletta.
Date with an Angel
20. Date with an Angel
April 27, 1991
At an auction, an insufferable woman wins a date with Frye.
Three's a Crowd
19. Three's a Crowd
April 13, 1991
Deacon Frye dates a teacher Clarence likes, and the 2 begin to bump heads.
The Wild Deak
18. The Wild Deak
April 6, 1991
Summary is not available.
Deak-Scam
17. Deak-Scam
March 30, 1991
Judge Frye visits an old nemesis who tries to set him up in a sting operation. The judge is offered a large sum of money to alter the outcome of a certain case he presides over. And while everyone watches him on film, Judge Frye must make one of the toughest decisions of his life: whether to be honest and turn the money down, or enjoy the spice of life, with all that cash!
A Star is Burned
16. A Star is Burned
March 23, 1991
Thelma gets her own TV cooking show.
My Fair Homeboy
15. My Fair Homeboy
March 9, 1991
Summary is not available.
Nothin' Says Lovin' ...
14. Nothin' Says Lovin' ...
March 2, 1991
Summary is not available.
Three Men and a Hammer
13. Three Men and a Hammer
February 23, 1991
Summary is not available.
The Deacon's Slam Dunk
12. The Deacon's Slam Dunk
February 9, 1991
Frye and Ruben both try to intervene when the Deacon's pro basketball player client, wants to marry Amelia and move to Italy. Will Love intervene instead and short-circuit the deacon's plans?
Ernie and the Sublimes
11. Ernie and the Sublimes
February 2, 1991
The deacon reassembles his '50s doo-wop group for a benefit.
Unforgettable
10. Unforgettable
January 19, 1991
Frye dates a beautiful and much younger environmentalist.
Lights, Camera, Deacon
9. Lights, Camera, Deacon
January 12, 1991
Frye sees publicity in a televised trial involving writer-comedian Steve Allen in a suit against a fried-chicken mogul.
The Gospel Truth
8. The Gospel Truth
January 5, 1991
Reuben's visiting niece reveals she's leaving seminary school to become a singer, and Frye enters her in a gospelfest.
Judge Deacon Frye
7. Judge Deacon Frye
December 29, 1990
Newly appointed to the bench, power-drunk Judge Frye aims to throw the book at all who come before him.
Miracle on 134th Street (2)
6. Miracle on 134th Street (2)
December 22, 1990
Deacon Frye loves the publicity he is getting from defending Nick St. Nicholas, who insists he is Santa Claus, on a charge of assault and battery.
Miracle on 134th Street (1)
5. Miracle on 134th Street (1)
December 22, 1990
Frye backs a man claiming to be Santa Claus. (Part 1 of 2)
Yo, Deak
4. Yo, Deak
December 15, 1990
Frye takes in a trouble-prone teen, a would-be rapper dubbed ""Clarence So Fine.""
Child's Play
3. Child's Play
December 8, 1990
Frye establishes a day care center called ""Deaconland.""
Two Men, One Woman and a Baby
2. Two Men, One Woman and a Baby
December 1, 1990
After a woman is car-jacked, with her baby still in the car with the theif, the thief drops the baby off on the doorsteps of the First Community Church. And since Thelma has no children of her own, whe makes plans to become the child's foster mother, against objections from the deacon and the Rev. Soon the child even begins to soften the deacon's stand. But in the end, Thelma is determined to hold onto the baby. . . until the child's mother shows up. Meanwhile, Deacon Frye is tax audited and owes Uncle Sam a large sum of money.
Love, Deacon Style
1. Love, Deacon Style
November 17, 1990
On her six-month anniversary, Thelma feels neglected because Reuben is teaching night school.
Description
Where to Watch Amen
Amen is available for streaming on the NBC website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Amen on demand at and Tubi TV.
  • Premiere Date
    September 27, 1986
  • IMDB Rating
    6.8  (2,283)
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