Watch Living Single
- TV-PG
- 1993
- 5 Seasons
-
7.7 (6,856)
Living Single is an American television sitcom that initially aired from 1993 to 1998. The show features an ensemble cast that includes well-known actors like Queen Latifah, Kim Coles, Erika Alexander, T.C. Carson, John Henton, and Kim Fields. The plot revolves around the lives of six friends living in a Brooklyn brownstone.
The show debuted in 1993 and quickly became popular among viewers. It was praised for being one of the few television shows to feature young, professional black women as the main characters. The show's creator, Yvette Lee Bowser, drew inspiration from her own experiences as a young black woman living in New York City.
Queen Latifah plays the role of Khadijah James, the editor of a small New York City magazine. Khadijah is strong-willed, independent, and fiercely loyal to her friends. Her best friend, Sinclair (Kim Coles), is a naive and loveable optimist who is always looking for the silver lining in any situation.
Erika Alexander plays the role of Maxine Shaw, a sarcastic lawyer with a no-nonsense attitude. Maxine is often seen as the voice of reason among the group and is unapologetically outspoken. T.C. Carson plays the role of Kyle Barker, a successful stockbroker with an arrogant streak. Kyle is often at odds with his roommate, Overton (John Henton), who is a kind-hearted handyman with a love for all things old-fashioned.
Lastly, Kim Fields plays the role of Regina Hunter, a childhood friend of Khadijah's who moves into the brownstone in the show's final season. Regina is a successful real estate agent who often clashes with the other characters due to her competitive nature.
The show's themes range from societal issues faced by black women, relationships, careers, and struggles of being single in the city. It explores issues of race, sexism, classism, and homophobia in a way that is both truthful and humorous. The show was praised for how it was unapologetically and humorously black; and the characters were well-rounded, three-dimensional, and aspirational.
The show had a significant influence on pop culture and was known for its fashion-forward wardrobe and catchy theme song. Its success paved the way for other television shows featuring predominantly African-American cast, like Martin, The Jamie Foxx Show, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
Although Living Single was an excellent show, it faced many challenges during its lifespan. The show was dropped twice before being picked up by the Fox network, and it faced several time slot changes, which hurt its ratings. Its cancellation in 1998 was met with controversy as the show was still popular and had a loyal fan base.
In conclusion, Living Single had a significant impact on television and pop culture. It broke barriers for black women and showcased them in a new and positive light. The characters were well-written and reflected the experiences of people of color living in New York City. Even though it faced many struggles during its lifespan, it remains an important part of television history and is beloved by its fan base to this day.
Living Single is a series that ran for 5 seasons (118 episodes) between August 23, 1993 and on