VIDEO: Sneak Peek & Synopsis of Tonight's 'black-ish' Season 1, Episode 16 "Parental Guidance"

Bow’s parents come to town, but Pops and Mama Ruby might not be too happy to see the in-laws! Preview tonight’s black-ish, “Parental Guidance,” airing at 9:31pm ET|PT on ABC.

One of the best things about black-ish is watching Dre (Anthony Anderson) share life lessons with the Johnson kids, and last week’s episode was no different! Junior (Marcus Scribner) had a bully at school and Dre was determined to help his son by teaching him about “the dozens”—insulting and talking trash about the other person until they basically fold up and cry. Now, I wasn’t quite sure about the historical/cultural anthropology Dre presented for the origins of this practice, but it was funny nonetheless. And Junior was good at trash-talking…maybe too good. After he insulted his mother (Samsonite bags under her eyes) and got in trouble at school for bullying, Bow (Tracee Ellis Ross) made sure Dre reined in their son. Johnsons have a strong tradition of dominating in “the dozens,” but that power comes with great responsibility 😉

In tonight’s episode, “Parental Guidance,” written by Corey Nickerson, directed by Michael Schultz, and guest-starring Anna Deveare Smith as Alicia (Bow’s Mother), Beau Bridges as Beau (Bow’s Father), Jenifer Lewis as Mama Ruby:

Dre, determined to make up for the no-frills, last-minute wedding he and Bow had, organizes an amazing vow renewal for their 15th anniversary. But when Bow’s hippie-dippy parents, Alicia and the very white Paul show up unannounced — bombshells are dropped and old disagreements re-ignite between the two families, especially with Pops and Ruby. (via ABC)

We’re finally meeting Bow’s parents, and from the looks of this sneak peek below, the in-laws will not be pleased about the reunion! Check out the clip (thanks to Access Hollywood) which features Mama Ruby/Pops “welcoming” Alicia/Beau—there are back-handed compliments and a HUGE revelation about how many years Bow and Dre have actually been married:

I mentioned this last week during my live tweeting, but I LOVE how current black-ish is! The Selma and Game of Throne references are hilarious and so spot-on in terms of our contemporary pop culture. Of course, watching the in-laws trying to out-do one another in terms of their participation in the Civil Rights Movement is great. Also, is Zoey (Yara Shahidi) finding out she was born before her parents married going to cause any lasting issues???

Take a look at these images from “Parental Guidance” that show us a little more of the lead up to Bow and Dre’s vow renewal celebrations and remember to tune into ABC at 9:31pm ET|PT for the new black-ish. I’ll be live tweeting while we watch, so come join in!