TV Show review
Review basis: 8 seasons, 121 episodes · through May 5, 2025
October 10, 2018 · 43 min · TV-14 · Returning Series
Woke Score
Lower is better
Review
All American follows Spencer James, a talented Black football player from South Central LA's Crenshaw neighborhood, recruited to play at Beverly Hills High School. The story follows the collision of two families from different socioeconomic and racial worlds, inspired by real NFL player Spencer Paysinger. Prominent elements include a central Black lesbian character Coop with ongoing storylines about family rejection and relationships, Olivia Baker's podcast and school activism addressing racial discrimination and Black Lives Matter, and repeated focus on race, class privilege, and police interactions.
Breakdown
These are the editorial factors and ratings behind our score for All American.
Woke representation / casting
Prominent Black actors lead as characters from Crenshaw in competent, central roles contrasting affluent Beverly Hills. Coop lesbian is a main cast member with sustained visible identity arc. Racial dynamics emphasized in premise and dialogue.
Woke political dialogue
Olivia's podcast addresses discriminations against the Black community. Season 3 integrates Black Lives Matter movement and school activism. Characters discuss racial profiling and police encounters.
Identity-driven story themes
Premise centers racial and class identity collisions. Recurring central queer storylines follow Coop's lesbian identity, family rejection, and relationship. Black community experiences foregrounded across seasons.
Western institutional / cultural critique
Depicts racism, privilege, and police issues in affluent settings. Positive framing of BLM activism in season 3. Focuses on race rather than broader anti-patriarchy or anti-capitalist messaging.
Woke character or canon changes
Not relevant. Original story loosely inspired by real life.
Anti-woke backlash and complaints
Scattered viewer comments on Reddit, IMDb, and reviews call out "too political," Black Lives Matter focus, or "woke agenda," especially season 3 onward. No major organized campaigns or widespread news controversy.
Creator track record context
Nkechi Okoro Carroll (61) centers Black characters and race/class issues. Greg Berlanti (71) known for LGBTQ representation. Producer Robbie Rogers (72) publicly advocates LGBTQ causes. Writer Natalie Abrams (62) identifies as queer and promotes representation.
Production
