I really miss this show on Thursday nights. I first tuned in because I liked Queen Latifah but soon liked all the other characters, especially Maxine Shaw, Attorney at Law, and Kyle. The episode where they finally got together was a scream and the cliff-hanger for that season. I couldn't wait until the fall season began. I agree that the well-decorated apartments and designer duds were out of sync with the incomes of the characters, but it was fun. Also interesting about the characters in the context of their upscale lives were their eating habits. They were constantly noshing on high-fat snacks, never expressing concern about gaining weight. Imagine Monica in Friends being that carefree about food. In the end, these were humorous young people engaged in active social lives during the early days of their careers.
38 Reviews
I like it
SanteeFats7 June 2013
Warning: Spoilers
I have the entire series. I like the show because the characters are pretty well developed with two pair that are similar. The first pair is Sinclaire and the apartment handyman Overton. They are both slow players in their relationship and both are fine with that. The other pair is Max the over sexed, man using, lawyer and the commodities broker Kyle. Kyle rooms with Overton upstairs from the three girls that live together. Although Max has her own place she is over so much and eats so much free food she might as well live with the others. I find the humor very funny and the cutting remarks that are exchanged between every one makes me laugh. All in all this is one funny show.
Where My Girls At?
hillari14 December 2000
Great little sitcom that unfortunately was up against "Seinfeld" for a good portion of its run. FOX did not handle the exit of the series with any kind of finesse; in fact, it was done very sloppily, with the show being cancelled, and then brought back for a few poorly done episodes. Regine the golddigger had finally gotten engaged to a rich man, but her wedding was never shown. Her character was abruptly written out after that happened. Synclair and Overton had just about become non-entities after their characters were married. There was this preposterous storyline that had Max becoming pregnant courtesy of a sperm bank, then finding out that Kyle was the donor. Khadijah was just left hanging. A bad end for a funny show that deserved better.
Living Single....the apartments, lifestyles and clothes are not realistic? Yeah, they are.
papiz_girl19 June 2009
I love, love, love Living Single!! It is TRULY one of my favorite shows of ALL TIME. It had some truly great story lines and was funny as all get out....and it "looked" like me.;-) Now, what I am not understanding are the comments suggesting they could not afford their lifestyles. THAT IS SO NOT TRUE.
Think about it: Kyle and Overton - Kyle is a SUCCESSFUL stockbroker and Overton is THE Handyman for the building. So, would it not be correct to assume that their apartment had a HUGE discount for Overton's services? And, can we not also deduce correctly that since Kyle IS a successful stockbroker ON THE RISE with NO KIDS and NO WIFE, it is completely feasible he can afford the apartment, his designer clothes, and art collection not only WITH Overton, but by himself as well?
The girls: Khadijah OWNS her magazine. Though struggling, she is STILL a business owner. Regine was a buyer for a high-end boutique, THEN a wardrobe assistant for a MAJOR soap opera and eventually, an Event Planner for WEALTHY clients. Now granted Synclaire is a receptionist, but she is ALSO an actress. She has to make decent money on the side from that. Last, but not least, Max lives across the street in the same neighborhood. She is a successful lawyer, has been a partner in a top law firm AND an Alderwoman and is now the TOP attorney in the NYC Public Defender's office. I'm thinking EACH one of these "tenants" HAD to make a MINIMUM of $50k per year in NYC, with Kyle, Max, and possibly Khadijah on the higher end of $75-85k or better, wouldn't you agree?
To state my case :-)......this is the 90's in BROOKLYN. Even if these apartments were $3600 per month, which IS about practicable for BROOKLYN brownstones at that time, why can't we not assume that each one of these ladies could afford $1200 each per month? Or, in Kyle's and Overton's case, $1800 a piece BEFORE Overton's "live-in" Handyman's discount is applied, making the apartment surely close to, if not free? Or, in Max's case, approx $2000 per month for rent on a PARTNER's salary, a partner who comes from a FAMILY of LAWYERS (i.e. wealthy parents)? I just do not see a huge disparity, if any, between their lifestyles and their incomes.
Carrie Bradshaw's rent controlled apartment on Sex and the City in MANHATTAN on the UPPER EASTSIDE in 2002 was approx $750 per month. (In Season 4, she was looking for apartments around that price range after her building went co-op and she wasn't sure if she would be able to purchase it).
So, my point is (and to sum this sermon up lol).....if Carrie did this on her own with multiple pairs of $450+ shoes in Manhattan on a writer's salary (no matter if we are in TV Land *wink*).....tell me why my beautiful, each successful in their own right, black "family" cannot REALISTICALLY afford their digs in Brooklyn with three apartments and SIX incomes between them.......TOGETHER.....IN THE NINETIES....WITH NO RESPONSIBILITIES.....AND UNDER THE BILL CLINTON ADMINISTRATION??? I'm just saying.......:-)
Think about it: Kyle and Overton - Kyle is a SUCCESSFUL stockbroker and Overton is THE Handyman for the building. So, would it not be correct to assume that their apartment had a HUGE discount for Overton's services? And, can we not also deduce correctly that since Kyle IS a successful stockbroker ON THE RISE with NO KIDS and NO WIFE, it is completely feasible he can afford the apartment, his designer clothes, and art collection not only WITH Overton, but by himself as well?
The girls: Khadijah OWNS her magazine. Though struggling, she is STILL a business owner. Regine was a buyer for a high-end boutique, THEN a wardrobe assistant for a MAJOR soap opera and eventually, an Event Planner for WEALTHY clients. Now granted Synclaire is a receptionist, but she is ALSO an actress. She has to make decent money on the side from that. Last, but not least, Max lives across the street in the same neighborhood. She is a successful lawyer, has been a partner in a top law firm AND an Alderwoman and is now the TOP attorney in the NYC Public Defender's office. I'm thinking EACH one of these "tenants" HAD to make a MINIMUM of $50k per year in NYC, with Kyle, Max, and possibly Khadijah on the higher end of $75-85k or better, wouldn't you agree?
To state my case :-)......this is the 90's in BROOKLYN. Even if these apartments were $3600 per month, which IS about practicable for BROOKLYN brownstones at that time, why can't we not assume that each one of these ladies could afford $1200 each per month? Or, in Kyle's and Overton's case, $1800 a piece BEFORE Overton's "live-in" Handyman's discount is applied, making the apartment surely close to, if not free? Or, in Max's case, approx $2000 per month for rent on a PARTNER's salary, a partner who comes from a FAMILY of LAWYERS (i.e. wealthy parents)? I just do not see a huge disparity, if any, between their lifestyles and their incomes.
Carrie Bradshaw's rent controlled apartment on Sex and the City in MANHATTAN on the UPPER EASTSIDE in 2002 was approx $750 per month. (In Season 4, she was looking for apartments around that price range after her building went co-op and she wasn't sure if she would be able to purchase it).
So, my point is (and to sum this sermon up lol).....if Carrie did this on her own with multiple pairs of $450+ shoes in Manhattan on a writer's salary (no matter if we are in TV Land *wink*).....tell me why my beautiful, each successful in their own right, black "family" cannot REALISTICALLY afford their digs in Brooklyn with three apartments and SIX incomes between them.......TOGETHER.....IN THE NINETIES....WITH NO RESPONSIBILITIES.....AND UNDER THE BILL CLINTON ADMINISTRATION??? I'm just saying.......:-)
An absolute FOX classic!
Catherine_Grace_Zeh23 January 2006
"LIVING SINGLE," in my opinion, is an absolute FOX classic! I don't think I've seen every episode, but I still enjoyed it. It's hard to say which episode was my favorite. However, I think it was always funny when a mishap occurred. I always laughed at that. It would have been nice if all the main characters stayed with the show throughout its entire run. It seems that no one stays with a show throughout its entire run. Everyone always gave a good performance, the production design was spectacular, the costumes were well-designed, and the writing was always very strong. In conclusion, even though it can be seen on Oxygen now, I heartily recommend you catch it just in case it goes off the air for good.
Living Single #1
lharrigan19 August 2006
I love the show. I record all episodes on Direct TV every day shown on Oxygen. Thank you Oxygen! My 8 yr daughter has become a very big fan of Queen Latifah through watching Living Single reruns. I love the witty banter shared by the girls and their male friends upstairs. I love that all the girls were successful in their own careers and always supported each other. I want to know why Regine left the show so abruptly? That final episode of her marriage proposal left so many unanswered questions. The writers for the show were so very creating for the first 4 years but they let the fans down with the final season ending with some many hanging story lines. I vote for a Living Single reunion.
Favorite Show of All-Time
jessicar_cummings21 January 2008
I never knew how much I missed this show until the first season came out on DVD, and then I couldn't wait to watch every episode all over again.When the show first came on back in the 1990s I was still a teenager but wanted my life to turn out like theirs. Living in a big city with my college friends and still being able to hang out with people from my childhood. Now that I am in my mid 20s some of those things have come true; I have a friend who acts like Max, I still hangout with several of my childhood friends, and I got a Kyle and Overton, we just don't all live in the same area. Point to all of this is they just don't make shows like this anymore. I watch crime drama now, but I still like a good laugh now and then, even though the show was fictional a lot of the issues they discuss were real topics. Me and girlfriends watched the episode when Max started dating Regine's ex and it caused friction between them, we sat and laugh at the episode but we discussed how that would hurt our friendship. I really miss this show and will always be a Living Single fan.... hurry up and bring out the rest of seasons on DVD!!!!!!
Great Show
shulma200229 January 2008
I also never watched "Seinfeld" because I liked this series. It cheered me up every Thursday after returning from visiting my late dad at the nursing home. Thanks to the cast for cheering me up. I also enjoyed "Martin" and "A Different World".These were all Thursday comedies. Thankfully, I can now see "Seinfeld" on endless re-runs on Fox. These shows went across racial lines. The actors could have been any race. Who'd ever think that Queen Latifah would become such a big star? She was nominated for an Oscar. She just won the SAG Award, too. The writing was crisp and biting. Very funny series. Why isn't this series shown on re-runs?
Question to fans of this Show
sdj19771977197712 August 2006
While Synclaire, could be annoying---I think her quirkiness brought something special to the show and that the show would not have been the same with out her. I loved the show and I am constantly searching for a download of the song that Kyle (T.C. Carson) and Khadijah (Queen Latifah) sang at Overton (John Hinton) & Synclaire's (Kim Cole) wedding. It is titled, "With This Ring" Does anyone know where I can get a copy of this song. It is extremely important. If you know where I can get it from please e-mail me at [email protected]. Or if you can tell me where I can get the lyrics that works as well. Also does anyone know what Maxine (Erica Alexander) is doing now? I haven't seen her in any other projects.
If I could give less I would.
crashoverideryanking3 February 2020
Seen it before nothing new and no I do not mean friends which came after. Waa not a fan of the casting in most cases there wee much better a tors of colour at the time. Also the scripts were mediocre and felt hastily written. Just not my cup of tea at all gave it a good try but alas negative stars if I could but I cant so one star it is
Intelligent & Humane
Athanatos13 October 2001
The foundation of most sitcom humor is the weaknesses of characters; this show is a priceless exception. The writers should be so proud to have presented us with characters who were strong and loving and fun to watch.
The Forerunner To Friends: Amusing, Light-Hearted -Yet Far More Intelligent
wchngliu15 July 2010
Living single was lauded as the African-American version of Designing Women and Friends. With the latter show being a forerunner to Living Single.
Like Friends, it was based in New York- only this time in Brooklyn and as opposed to just 3 guys and 3 girls, there were 2 guys and 4 girls who all hanged out in a little apartment.
The show's ensemble cast was one of the best, let alone in a Black sitcom; Queen Latifah was superb as Khadijah- she was laid-back but also, had a no-nonsense yet still firm attitude. Erika was at times hilarious as Maxine, Kim Fields was very, very good as Regine and managed to be sharp and sweet too. My favourite was Synclaire (notice the spelling, there is an 'e' at the end of it); played by actress and later TV host, Kim Coles. She was by and large the Black version of 'Phoebe' from Friends. Kooky- yet subtle, quirky and silly. Which is good!
Another Friends- like character was Kyle- he was the show's version of Ross but he was less goofy and more reserved, he came off as being very 'dashing' and exquisite in contrast. Almost posh-like. And last but not least was Overton- he was the more laid-back, easy going, fun loving guy.
Arguably, most of the jokes and funnier moments were much better handled and executed well; thus, it stood out more than NBC's worldwide hit, Friends. Each character had their own agendas, as well as individual personalities and the actors all had depth and they brought something different to them to make them as likable as interesting as they are.
I also noticed whilst watching a few of the episodes that there seemed to be an air of intelligence, especially in the writing that made this head and shoulders above many other black sitcoms. Not just in the 90s but the early 00s as well. For instance, whilst Synclaire was portrayed as being an 'air-head' in many respects, she was also very loyal, compassionate and had a innocent and endearing charm about her. Nearly child-like that is. The scripting of Living Single was excellent.
One's initial viewing of this show would be this is a 'chick' show, but for a so-called chick sitcom, Living Single was both clever AND amusing.
I read also that like many sitcoms over the last decade, Living Single fell foul to terrible writing towards the last couple of open-ended episodes of the final season, which later resulted in its cancellation by network Fox- only for the series to be brought back and wrapped up in the final 3 eps.
Living Single was very under-rated as a show; the characters were well developed and story-lines were well-written; the writers did extremely well in juggling and handling both the humour and drama.
The rights were never bought in the UK, and so I don't recall Living Single ever being shown on terrestrial and satellite TV over here. But I have watched a couple of the episodes on-line and for me, it is a really good sitcom. It's a shame that U.S TV has stopped making sitcoms such as this nowadays. Sitcoms that put a smile on your face and with an ongoing plot line, because right now, the TV market is currently saturated with reality TV and drama.
Overall, it was and still is amusing, light-hearted and one of the most intelligent sitcom shows around. Living Single may not have been an outright sitcom classic, yet it was terrific fun that during the 00s its relatively short success was later followed by the likes of 'Girlfriends'- another sitcom that was remarkably similar to Living Single in many respects.
Living Single was a show that was fresh and unique that deserved to be handled much, much better than it was by Fox.
Like Friends, it was based in New York- only this time in Brooklyn and as opposed to just 3 guys and 3 girls, there were 2 guys and 4 girls who all hanged out in a little apartment.
The show's ensemble cast was one of the best, let alone in a Black sitcom; Queen Latifah was superb as Khadijah- she was laid-back but also, had a no-nonsense yet still firm attitude. Erika was at times hilarious as Maxine, Kim Fields was very, very good as Regine and managed to be sharp and sweet too. My favourite was Synclaire (notice the spelling, there is an 'e' at the end of it); played by actress and later TV host, Kim Coles. She was by and large the Black version of 'Phoebe' from Friends. Kooky- yet subtle, quirky and silly. Which is good!
Another Friends- like character was Kyle- he was the show's version of Ross but he was less goofy and more reserved, he came off as being very 'dashing' and exquisite in contrast. Almost posh-like. And last but not least was Overton- he was the more laid-back, easy going, fun loving guy.
Arguably, most of the jokes and funnier moments were much better handled and executed well; thus, it stood out more than NBC's worldwide hit, Friends. Each character had their own agendas, as well as individual personalities and the actors all had depth and they brought something different to them to make them as likable as interesting as they are.
I also noticed whilst watching a few of the episodes that there seemed to be an air of intelligence, especially in the writing that made this head and shoulders above many other black sitcoms. Not just in the 90s but the early 00s as well. For instance, whilst Synclaire was portrayed as being an 'air-head' in many respects, she was also very loyal, compassionate and had a innocent and endearing charm about her. Nearly child-like that is. The scripting of Living Single was excellent.
One's initial viewing of this show would be this is a 'chick' show, but for a so-called chick sitcom, Living Single was both clever AND amusing.
I read also that like many sitcoms over the last decade, Living Single fell foul to terrible writing towards the last couple of open-ended episodes of the final season, which later resulted in its cancellation by network Fox- only for the series to be brought back and wrapped up in the final 3 eps.
Living Single was very under-rated as a show; the characters were well developed and story-lines were well-written; the writers did extremely well in juggling and handling both the humour and drama.
The rights were never bought in the UK, and so I don't recall Living Single ever being shown on terrestrial and satellite TV over here. But I have watched a couple of the episodes on-line and for me, it is a really good sitcom. It's a shame that U.S TV has stopped making sitcoms such as this nowadays. Sitcoms that put a smile on your face and with an ongoing plot line, because right now, the TV market is currently saturated with reality TV and drama.
Overall, it was and still is amusing, light-hearted and one of the most intelligent sitcom shows around. Living Single may not have been an outright sitcom classic, yet it was terrific fun that during the 00s its relatively short success was later followed by the likes of 'Girlfriends'- another sitcom that was remarkably similar to Living Single in many respects.
Living Single was a show that was fresh and unique that deserved to be handled much, much better than it was by Fox.
Put the episodes on DVD
LNPoind7 October 2007
How long do we have to wait for Season 2 to come out on DVD!! This show was a forerunner of Friends, Sex in the City, and Girlfriends. I am hoping for more Living Single. And not the chopped up episodes in syndication. We've waited long enough I believe for this show to get it's proper treatment. I'll say it again. And again. How long do we have to wait for Season 2 to come out on DVD!! This show was a forerunner of Friends, Sex in the City, and Girlfriends. I am hoping for more Living Single. And not the chopped up episodes in syndication. We've waited long enough I believe for this show to get it's proper treatment.
Looking for New DVD of second season
deborahjabori20 October 2007
I also Would like to know when the second season of Living Single is coming out on DVD. Please Let me know how to find OUT.I enjoyed Living Single very much It was good to see a black TV show that was good and not made blacks too stupid. The actors were great, Max got to be a little over the top. But all in all the show was in good taste. The way Kim Fields was written out was not good, but we don't know all the details of why she left. As a fan it would be great to get updates on the DVD releases on a regular bases. I have only recently watch Friends in reruns the show seems to be really silly. Living Single touch on some important topics at times. I really appreciated the way Overton's role changed and grew.
Not a Bad One in the Bunch
view_and_review19 March 2024
Let me rank my favorite "Living Single" characters in order from most favorite to least favorite.
Khadijah James (Queen Latifah) because she was level headed, smart, and sensible.
Regine Hunter (Kim Fields) because she was hilariously haughty and stylish.
Maxine Shaw attorney at law (Erika Alexander) because she brought that no nonsense edginess and toughness that came with being a lawyer.
Overton Wakefield (John Henton) because he was a country bumpkin that unintentionally said some funny stuff.
Synclaire James (Kim Coles) because she was so simple it was funny. She was a the "Living Single" version of Golden Girls' Rose.
Finally there's Kyle Barker (T. C. Carter), the male version of Regine except even haughtier (if there is such a thing).
And on any given episode the order could change. The fact is I liked every character even with their flaws and blameworthy characteristics, and as a result I loved the show.
Khadijah James (Queen Latifah) because she was level headed, smart, and sensible.
Regine Hunter (Kim Fields) because she was hilariously haughty and stylish.
Maxine Shaw attorney at law (Erika Alexander) because she brought that no nonsense edginess and toughness that came with being a lawyer.
Overton Wakefield (John Henton) because he was a country bumpkin that unintentionally said some funny stuff.
Synclaire James (Kim Coles) because she was so simple it was funny. She was a the "Living Single" version of Golden Girls' Rose.
Finally there's Kyle Barker (T. C. Carter), the male version of Regine except even haughtier (if there is such a thing).
And on any given episode the order could change. The fact is I liked every character even with their flaws and blameworthy characteristics, and as a result I loved the show.
So funny!
jules-cham-157-84187826 February 2024
Warning: Spoilers
This show is just great!! It is funny, and to see black stars showing up in the show is just everything. What i love especially is the fact that the main characters r real looking women. They differ in bodytypes and don't match the beautystandsrds like on every other show.
Only season 5 is not keeping up with season one to four. Kyle leaving the show and being replaced by the new roommate and Russell doesn't really catch me. The energy between Kyle and Max (who is actually my favorite character on the show) carries a lot of the show imo, so from season 5 on something is missing.
But it was great to rewatch the show in 2024!
Only season 5 is not keeping up with season one to four. Kyle leaving the show and being replaced by the new roommate and Russell doesn't really catch me. The energy between Kyle and Max (who is actually my favorite character on the show) carries a lot of the show imo, so from season 5 on something is missing.
But it was great to rewatch the show in 2024!
Black females only
BilltheChillThrill19 June 2020
I like these "Friends" much, much better!
teejay-48 March 2004
"Friends" before there were "Friends", Living Single was a far more relatable slice of New York City life and a far funnier one! Set in 1990's Brooklyn, this story of three female roommates living in the same apartment building as two male roommates, with a single-dweller thrown in was good fun to watch. The ensemble cast was great with Erika Alexander one of the stand-outs at the always mooching Max and Kim Fields as the mercenary Regine. And the rest of the cast blended nicely to make for a very funny sitcom. Each character had its own special sparkle, the dialogue was realistic, and the situations fun. If I had to choose between reruns of "Friends" or reruns of "Living Single", I'd take "Living Single" 7 days a week and twice on Sundays! An all around fun show!
wanting to buy living single series
djoh6985195 February 2011
I love this show and i bought the first season. Will there be other seasons for sale. I want to buy the entire season. So if anyone know anything about when and if it will be publish or ready for sale let a chick know. I miss this show so much. What can we do to purchase the series. Let me know if we need to write someone for them to put this show on the market because it is worth every bit of money that its worth. Other shows are on sale and I feel like this should also be on sale. Thanks so much a very true fan of living single... My favorite show is when kyle and max got together and went to the hotel to get busy and Kim Fields was being nosy and trying to find them too funny.
Living Single Follow Up
patridia22 September 2008
Warning: Spoilers
Actually in the last episode, Max and Kyle ended up leaving together, Regine became engaged to a rich man, Synclair and Ovalton, of course, are married and Khadijah is still dating Scooter from what I remember. But, they are now showing the Living Single marathon on TV ONE. Once the marathon is over, I believe it will be shown on a regular basis in what used to be "Martin's" slot (7:00pm) (8:00pm) and maybe (9:00pm). The one hour reunion show aired Monday, September 23, 2008 just before the marathon began. It featured all the main characters except Queen Latifah. They discussed how "Living Single" came about, how they all got their parts, and the experiences they shared working on the show together.
BLACK WOMEN ROCK
douglasjordane30 September 2020
THIS IS THE FIRST BLACK FEMALE BUPPIES THEME, STARTED IN THE 1990s SITCOM ERA. QUEEN LATIFA AND KIM FIELDS WERE ALREADY SUCCESSFUL IN THEIR RESPECTIVE TALENTS. HOWEVER, IT WAS A CHALLENGE WHETHER THIS NOTORIETY COULD COMPETE IN THE COMEDY SITCOM GENRE. SURPRISINGLY, NOT ONLY DID IT WORK, IT EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS AND EXCELLED IN THE INDUSTRY.
BLACK SITCOM COMEDY ALWAYS HAD A PLACE IN THE INDUSTRY, BUT THE LOOK, FEEL AND THE THEME OF THE SHOW WAS VERY DIFFERENT FROM WHAT WE HAD COME TO EXPECT FROM SUCH PRODUCTS. THIS WAS THE PRECURSOR TO ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL LEAP INTO BLACK WOMENS COMEDY LEADS -WITH "GIRLFRIENDS" BEING THE SHOW THAT STARTED THE NEW MILLENNIUM OFF IN THE 2000s. BLACK SITCOMS, HISTORICALLY, HAVE MALE LEADS -OR PRIMARY CHARACTERS.
THIS SPEAKS TO THE NOTION THAT FEMALES ARE NOT THAT FUNNY IN COMEDY-ESPECIALLY NOT BLACK FEMALES. NOW WE FORGET "I LOVE LUCY" FROM BACK IN THE DAYS: MAUDE, RHODA, MARY TYLER MOORE. HOWEVER, THE RATINGS RISK OF FEMALE LEADS WAS STILL VERY REAL IN SPITE OF FORGING GENDER EQUALITY AND WOMENS RIGHT.
"LIVING SINGLE" WAS OUR BLACK WOMENS "THREE'S COMPANY." LIVING SINGLE WAS THE FRIVOLITY OF YOUNG ADULTS LIVING TOGETHER CAREFREE! VERY FUN AND FUNNY TO WATCH-NO MATTER WHAT THE NETWORKS FEARED. IT WAS A SMASHING SUCCESS THAT ENDED TOO ABRUPTLY. IT WAS A CONTROVERSIAL CULTURAL CANCELLED.
BLACK SITCOM COMEDY ALWAYS HAD A PLACE IN THE INDUSTRY, BUT THE LOOK, FEEL AND THE THEME OF THE SHOW WAS VERY DIFFERENT FROM WHAT WE HAD COME TO EXPECT FROM SUCH PRODUCTS. THIS WAS THE PRECURSOR TO ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL LEAP INTO BLACK WOMENS COMEDY LEADS -WITH "GIRLFRIENDS" BEING THE SHOW THAT STARTED THE NEW MILLENNIUM OFF IN THE 2000s. BLACK SITCOMS, HISTORICALLY, HAVE MALE LEADS -OR PRIMARY CHARACTERS.
THIS SPEAKS TO THE NOTION THAT FEMALES ARE NOT THAT FUNNY IN COMEDY-ESPECIALLY NOT BLACK FEMALES. NOW WE FORGET "I LOVE LUCY" FROM BACK IN THE DAYS: MAUDE, RHODA, MARY TYLER MOORE. HOWEVER, THE RATINGS RISK OF FEMALE LEADS WAS STILL VERY REAL IN SPITE OF FORGING GENDER EQUALITY AND WOMENS RIGHT.
"LIVING SINGLE" WAS OUR BLACK WOMENS "THREE'S COMPANY." LIVING SINGLE WAS THE FRIVOLITY OF YOUNG ADULTS LIVING TOGETHER CAREFREE! VERY FUN AND FUNNY TO WATCH-NO MATTER WHAT THE NETWORKS FEARED. IT WAS A SMASHING SUCCESS THAT ENDED TOO ABRUPTLY. IT WAS A CONTROVERSIAL CULTURAL CANCELLED.
Favorite show!
francoischristana1 August 2021
Imagine you moving away to college and you decide to get an apartment with your childhood friend, college roommate or family member their will be plenty moments of laughter, crying, arguments and happiness but you always stick it out with each other. This show is full of comedy never a dull moment. What makes it even better it was based in the 90s and it's a black sitcom enjoy!
I'M STILL WATCHING and LIVING SINGLE
vkbyxwj5 February 2022
This is one of the first shows that aired on expanding, new stations like CW, at a time when shows about Black lives were aired. There were a few that were not to my pleasure, but Living Single (and Girlfrieds) were my favorites. They were in my age group when it first aired, same work environment, had roommates in college and had same conversations and didn't m funny,
I loved EVERY show. The scripts were great, the characters didn't appear to be acting because the flow and energy was on point. Everyone had their own lives, jobs, etc. I know people who resemble the characters and that's a good thing!
The station abruptly cancelled the show right before it could qualify for syndication. A petition went out, Black radio fanned the flames! Our came back for a final season.
A little trivia: This show was to be called "Friends". The actors didn't care for the name, but came up with Living Single. The producers were pleased with the ratings, however, once "Friends" premiered, the producers, execs, etc. Abandoned Living Single.
I loved EVERY show. The scripts were great, the characters didn't appear to be acting because the flow and energy was on point. Everyone had their own lives, jobs, etc. I know people who resemble the characters and that's a good thing!
The station abruptly cancelled the show right before it could qualify for syndication. A petition went out, Black radio fanned the flames! Our came back for a final season.
A little trivia: This show was to be called "Friends". The actors didn't care for the name, but came up with Living Single. The producers were pleased with the ratings, however, once "Friends" premiered, the producers, execs, etc. Abandoned Living Single.
See also
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