How Black-ish ended up back on ABC's fall schedule: Anthony Anderson said it would be "problematic" if the show was held for midseason

The Hollywood Reporter

"I thought it would be doing a disservice to our audience and to our show to have our voices muted and not have the show come back until midseason," Anderson said during an ABC press call today. "That was my conversation with the powers that be, and everyone came to an accord." One day after announcing in June that Black-ish would return at midseason, ABC changed course and moved the Season 7 premiere to fall. Creator Kenya Barris credits ABC Entertainment president Karey Burke for being willing to listen. Barris also discussed the Oct. 4 half-animated election special, which he said was Tracee Ellis Ross' idea. “The special was a happy accident because we were trying to figure out how to still have a presence, especially in an election year,” Barris said. “We wanted to make sure the show had a presence at this time, and (could) rally people to the polls.” ALSO: Watch Black-ish's promo for Season 7 that hails essential workers.