Everybody Hates Chris Christian Review
If you’re anything like me, when you first hear the name Everybody Hates Chris, you probably don’t expect anything profound. You think it’s just another sitcom—a few laughs, some teenage angst, maybe the occasional heartfelt moment, and that’s it. But let me tell you, there’s a lot more going on beneath the surface of this show. Based on comedian Chris Rock’s childhood, it’s a raw, honest, and frequently hilarious portrayal of family life, race, and growing up poor in 1980s Brooklyn. And from a Christian perspective, it’s got plenty to chew on.
Finding Grace in Tough Situations
You can’t talk about Everybody Hates Chris without mentioning the struggles that Chris and his family face. Chris is a scrawny Black kid who gets sent to a predominantly white school where he’s often picked on. His family lives in a rough part of town, and they don’t have much money. The show doesn’t shy away from the reality of these difficulties, and yet it’s not depressing. Chris’s misadventures are full of humor, but there’s always an undercurrent of perseverance.
As Christians, we’re no strangers to hardship. The Bible never promises that life will be easy—in fact, Jesus straight-up tells us that we’ll have trouble (John 16:33). But just like in Everybody Hates Chris, the important thing is how we handle those difficulties. Chris’s family never lets their struggles break them. Instead, they stick together, lean on each other, and find humor where they can. That’s something we can all learn from. It reminds me of James 1:2-4, where we’re told to consider it pure joy when we face trials because those trials produce perseverance.
Life’s tough. But Chris Rock, with all his humor, shows us that it’s possible to laugh at our struggles, to not be weighed down by them, and to come out stronger on the other side.
Family: Messy but Beautiful
One thing that really stands out about the show is how it portrays family life. Chris’s parents, Julius and Rochelle, are far from perfect. They argue, they’re strict, and they can be hard on their kids. Julius, with his obsession over saving every penny, and Rochelle, with her no-nonsense attitude, are sometimes ridiculous, but they’re also real. There’s something deeply Christian about the way the show embraces the messiness of family life. After all, none of us are perfect, and neither are our families.
But even in all the chaos, there’s love. Julius works multiple jobs to provide for his family, sacrificing his own comfort so that his kids can have a better life. Rochelle, while tough, clearly wants the best for her children. It’s not always said out loud, but the love is there, in the sacrifices, in the discipline, and even in the bickering. It reminds me of the Bible’s instruction to parents in Ephesians 6:4—bringing up children with discipline and instruction in the Lord. That’s exactly what we see in Chris’s family: imperfect people doing their best to love and guide each other, even when it’s messy.
For Christian viewers, this hits home. We know that family life can be hard, but we also know that family is a gift from God, something to be cherished, even when things get tough. The Rock family shows us that family isn’t about perfection; it’s about showing up for each other, day in and day out, no matter what.
Race and Resilience
Now, you can’t talk about Everybody Hates Chris without acknowledging the show’s bold, unapologetic exploration of race. Chris faces racism in nearly every episode—at school, in his neighborhood, even in the way people look at him on the street. And yet, the show handles these issues with such deftness, using humor to expose the absurdity of racism while also showing how deeply it affects Chris and his family.
For Christian viewers, this is an important conversation. The Bible tells us that we are all created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27) and that in Christ, there is no division between Jew and Greek, slave and free (Galatians 3:28). Racism is a direct contradiction to these truths. Watching Chris navigate a world that sees him as “less than” simply because of his skin color reminds us of the importance of standing up against injustice.
What’s impressive about the show is that Chris doesn’t let the racism he faces define him. He’s resilient. Sure, it hurts, and sometimes it feels overwhelming, but Chris keeps pushing forward. There’s a strength in him that’s inspiring, and it’s a reminder that, as Christians, we’re called to persevere in the face of injustice. We’re called to love our neighbors, to treat everyone with dignity, and to fight for a world where people are judged not by their race but by the content of their character (Matthew 22:39).
Humor as a Tool for Truth
And let’s not forget the humor. Everybody Hates Chris is a comedy, after all, and Chris Rock’s signature style of sharp, sometimes biting humor is on full display. The jokes often cut deep, pointing out the absurdities and injustices of the world in a way that makes you laugh and think at the same time. The show’s irreverence might make some Christian viewers pause, but I think there’s something valuable in the way Rock uses humor as a tool for truth-telling.
Humor, when used well, can shine a light on things that are hard to talk about—like race, poverty, and family struggles. The Bible talks a lot about the importance of wisdom and discernment, and I think humor can be a way of exercising both. Proverbs 17:22 tells us that “a cheerful heart is good medicine,” and while Everybody Hates Chris isn’t exactly The Brady Bunch, it offers a kind of healing through laughter. It helps us face the hard stuff without being consumed by it.
Of course, not every joke lands perfectly for a Christian audience. There are moments where the sarcasm might feel a bit too sharp, or the humor a little too edgy. But overall, the show manages to balance its irreverence with heart. It’s a reminder that laughter is a gift, something that helps us navigate life’s ups and downs with grace and perspective.
What It All Comes Down To
At the end of the day, Everybody Hates Chris is more than just a funny sitcom about a kid growing up in the 1980s. It’s a story about family, perseverance, and resilience. It’s about facing hardship with humor, about standing tall in the face of injustice, and about the beauty of imperfect but loving relationships.
From a Christian perspective, there’s a lot to appreciate here. The show doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff, but it also doesn’t wallow in it. Instead, it invites us to laugh, to think, and to reflect on the things that matter most: family, love, justice, and faith. Sure, it’s not a “Christian” show in the traditional sense, but it offers plenty of moments where you can see God’s truth at work, even if it’s not explicit.
So, if you’re looking for a show that’s funny, real, and full of heart, Everybody Hates Chris might just surprise you. It’s not perfect—what show is?—but it’s got enough substance, humor, and honesty to make it worth watching. And if you keep an open mind and a discerning heart, you’ll find plenty to appreciate from a Christian viewpoint.
Final Rating: 8/10
