Christine Houston facts for kids

Christine Houston, born in Chicago, Illinois in 1935, is a famous American writer. She created the popular TV show 227 from the 1980s. She also wrote for other shows like The Jeffersons and Punky Brewster. Besides TV shows, Christine Houston writes plays and novels, such as Laughing Through The Tears.

How Christine Houston Started Writing

Christine Houston wrote her play Two Twenty Seven while studying at Kennedy-King City College (KKC) in Chicago. She once said she wrote the play because a friend dared her to. Even though she was more used to acting, she wanted to try writing.

The Idea for 227

Houston thought deeply about what to write. She remembered growing up in apartment building 227 in Chicago. Her childhood experiences, especially with a friend's mother, inspired the play. The play quickly became very popular with her classmates.

The theater department at KKC asked her to develop the play. Students then performed it. Houston never thought she was a comedy writer. She believed that life always has funny moments. This idea helped make the show a success. 227 showed daily life and humor, which many people enjoyed.

The Birth of the TV Show 227

Christine Houston's writing style grew stronger after she entered several contests. Eight years later, people in Hollywood noticed her play. They wanted to turn Two Twenty Seven into a TV show.

How 227 Came to TV

NBC first saw Two Twenty Seven during a tour performance. Actress Marla Gibbs invited them to watch. NBC quickly decided to make Two Twenty Seven into its own television series.

Houston and Gibbs met after Houston won an award. Houston wrote an episode for The Jeffersons. Later, after The Jeffersons ended, Houston and Gibbs focused on Two Twenty Seven. Gibbs showed the idea to NBC, CBS, and ABC.

Changes to the Show

When Two Twenty Seven became a TV show with NBC, some things changed. The story moved from the 1950s to the 1980s. The location changed from Chicago to Washington, D.C.. Also, the name "Two Twenty Seven" became the numbers "227". Christine Houston worked as a writer for 227 for three years. The show finished in 1990.

Awards and Inspiration

Christine Houston's TV series was a big step for African-Americans in television. She was the first African-American woman to be credited on TV for her writing. She also won the NAACP Image Award for Playwriting.

Teaching and Mentoring

Today, Houston teaches at Chicago State University. She is a very important role model for her students. One student said they were inspired by her history and how much they learned from her. They also admired that she still came to class every day in her 70s.

Houston's story shows how art can reflect life. She never let her difficult background stop her talents. She is an inspiration to many students and individuals. She is honored during Black History Month for her great work.

Journalist Brandon Hampton calls Christine Houston "a living legend and a celebrated educator." Houston always wants others to succeed, especially young people. She said she would share all she knows with her students. She believes it's "never too late and you're never too old" to learn. This belief led her to enroll in KKC to show her three teenage sons that learning has no age limit.

Christine Houston's Recent Work

Even after 227 ended, Christine Houston stayed busy. She continued to care for her three children and husband. She also kept creating new works.

Writing for Everyone

After graduating from KKC, she attended Chicago State University (CSU). There, she continued writing novels like Laughing Through The Tears. Houston wants to write about more than just the Black experience. She wants to be a writer for all people. She aims to show "the good, the bad and the ugly" in life.

Today, Christine Houston is a playwright professor. She teaches in the Communication, Media and Theatre Department at Chicago State University. Her most recent work is finishing her novel Laughing Through The Tears. This book is about a wife dealing with the loss of her husband.

Houston also co-wrote a textbook called The Screenwriter's Guidebook: Learning from African American Film and Television Writers. She wrote it with Christine List. This shows she always looks out for her students. She helps guide them toward a brighter future in writing.