Supported by Media Kenya Barris, Creator of ‘Black-ish,’ Is Said to Seek an Exit From ABC Photo Kenya Barris and his wife, Dr. Rainbow Edwards-Barris, at the Golden Globe Awards in January. His topical comedy series on ABC, “black-ish,” is in its fourth season. Credit Photo Bank, via Getty Images Kenya Barris, the A-list writer-producer behind the ABC comedy “black-ish,” has grown frustrated with his home network and is examining the possibility of making an early exit from his contract, according to three people familiar with the negotiations.
Mr. Barris, 43, has also begun talks with Netflix, the streaming titan that has poached superproducers like ABC’s Shonda Rhimes and Fox’s Ryan Murphy with eye-popping pay packages and promises of artistic freedom.
Mr. Barris’s deteriorating relationship with ABC stems, in part, from the network’s decision to pull an episode of the show that examined race relations in America in pointed fashion, according to the people briefed on the situati..