So, those of you who have been keeping up with Clacking in Color know that I’ve had a little, um, free time lately. I won’t get into the disheartening explanation behind that. Instead, I’ll focus on the benefits of suddenly being made redundant. Let’s see … I’ve had time to clean the microwave. I’ve also had time to read again which really is a plus. Oh, and I’ve had the divine opportunity to peruse my massive DVD collection and pop in some old favorites … such as the complete first season of Living Single.
Does anyone remember this show? Surely I can’t be the only one, right?
Well, for those of you who may be pulling a blank, let’s hop into our proverbial DeLorean for a trip back to the 90s … when the possibility of seeing more diversity on TV seemed just around the corner. Since its debut in 1993 on FOX as a part of its primetime African-American line-up, Living Single became a staple in Black households and a few White ones too. Heck, the show may have featured a capable cast of coffee-skinned folks but that certainly didn’t mean it was limited to just African-Americans. Personally, I think what people liked to see were six dissimilar friends living their hilarious lives in a Brooklyn brownstone. It made for good TV.
Just ask Queen Latifah.
Now, there’s a name that I’m sure you’re familiar with. It’s no secret that the sitcom helped launch her acting career … and may have put her on the road to becoming an Academy Award nominee. I think we can all agree that House Party 2 didn’t. It’s such a shame that she seems to forget Living Single whenever the cast has a reunion. Yeah, I said it. Y’all know I love the Queen! I’m just keeping it real. However, I digress.
Anyway, let’s break it down, shall we? Latifah played magazine editor Khadijah James, arguably the show’s central character who seemed to be the chief in her circle of female friends. Think Sarah Jessica Parker of Sex and the City … minus the golden tresses … the wooden acting … and injected with a whole lot of sass. The hilarious Kim Coles was absent-minded Synclaire James, Khadijah’s troll-loving cousin. Erika Alexander, who played the often forgotten role of cousin Pam on The Cosby Show, stole scenes as the spunky Maxine Shaw … and Kim Fields, Tootie of NBC’s 80s classic The Facts of Life, was Regine Hunter, resident diva, man-eater, fashion guru … and my personal favorite. The chick had it goin’ on.
Rounding out the cast was T.C. Carson as the debonair Kyle Barker, a sparring partner for Maxine, and John Henton as the loveable Overton Wakefield Jones, handy man extraordinaire and future husband for Synclaire. Some people like to call the show a Black version of Friends. I like to call it perfection. Tomatoes, tomahtoes, eh?
Even with a bit of a cast shake-up in its final season, Living Single was still a pretty solid sitcom. The show ended in 1998 … when I was a sixth grader. Now, nearly two decades later, I can still recall my favorite moments from the sitcom such as Regine trying to seduce Grant Hill on a piano, Maxine begging Kyle to pretend to be her boyfriend to impress an old love interest, Khadijah hilariously facing an old rival on the basketball court, Maxine’s slow motion run after ruining Regine’s dress at an upscale party, Synclaire finally marrying Overton … and of course the episode that had the girls as a Supremes style singing group in the 1960’s.
Not surprisingly, most of these moments are from the seasons after season one … which haven’t been put out on DVD yet. The first season was released in 2006. It’s been six damn years since that release and Warner Brothers is tap dancing on my last nerve — which brings me to the point of this week’s column.
Why the heck haven’t the remaining four seasons been released?
Well, word on the street is that the first season didn’t sell so well, but I don’t know if I’m buying that. Oh, look at that — I made a pun. Anyway, a simple visit to Amazon will show you that customer demand for season two is very high. Quite frankly, I’m tired of having to find episodes on YouTube. I want to own them. Luckily, TV One airs repeats of Living Single, but I’d much rather have it on DVD. I find it interesting that all five seasons of Martin are on DVD, yet Living Single couldn’t receive similar treatment. If I recall correctly, both shows aired back-to-back. I remember laughing with my folks and being happy to have two solid comedies.
So, what’s it going to take to get the other seasons released? A petition? A hundred man march? I’m open to suggestions, people. Perchance Queen Latifah can make up for her missed appearances by asking Warner Brothers to get a move on it. Maybe that would help. Either way, I hate to see my season one DVD case sitting alone without the other seasons to keep it company.
How’s that for living the single life?
Clacked by Jaylen Christie 
on Jul 17, 2012 @ 11:00 EST5EDT
Right on about releasing the rest of the seasons. I loved that show–my whole family loved that show. My favorite character was Synclaire. She was the loveable clueless one. Living single was the black Friends? Okay comparison, but Living Single had more pizzazz and Flavah than Khadijah’s magazine. Sorry Friends fans, but its true. :-) But anyway, a ton of shows that aren’t nearly as funny or developed as Living Single all earned their seasons on DVD. In some way, Living Single was better than Martin–IN SOME WAYS. And you’re absolutly right, many of the memorable episodes are after season one and finding stuff on Youtube is a mess. My idea for trying to get the rest of the seasons on DVD is writing fan letters to the actors. Perhaps Queen thinks she is too good for a reunion–she’s blown up, but come on, that show gave her a boost to her career and apparently, her head. Love her, though!
*POST AUTHOR*
Queen Latifah better get it together! LOL And yes, I agree with you about Living Single being better than Martin in some ways. Martin was over the top fun. Living Single was more down to earth and solid. I yearn for these kinds of shows on TV again.
Here’s an even bigger question: Why hasn’t Sony released the last five seasons of The Jeffersons? They’ve begun licensing titles like The Facts of Life and Diff’rent Strokes to Shout! Factory, but no movement on The Jefferson.
Warner Brothers is notorious for releasing one season of a series, not being happy with the sales, and dropping the rest like a hot potato. They released and killed such DVD releases like Night Court, Knots Landing and Falcon Crest. One the bright side, Warners also does have a fairly new service called Warner Archives in which they are offering DVDs “manufactured on demand.” With this program, they have released subsequent seasons of “dead” retail releases, so Living Single could still be a possibility for release through the MOD program. My advice – send Warner Brothers an email and let them know you want the show. They need to see the demand to go through the process of mastering the episodes for DVD.
*POST AUTHOR*
Oh, good point, Chuck! It is a crime that the other seasons of The Jeffersons haven’t been released. Fans want their shows on DVD dammit! LOL If they aren’t selling well then why not just put multiple seasons in a case? I believe The Cosby Show did that with their seasons 5 & 6 release. I’ll have to try this Warner Archives. Thanks for the suggestion!
And 227! Another Sony property that they’ve let languish.
*POST AUTHOR*
Now, that is a damn shame. 227 was pretty entertaining. Maybe I’ll do a column on that show. After all, Jackee’ did become the first African-American chick to win an Emmy.
That I did not know. Cool!
Another great column. I say that because you make me want to watch a show that I didn’t back when it was originally broadcast. Also, was there ever a more ionic time travel device than the DeLorean? Its an imagery that anyone immediately grasps. Thanks to you, I now look forward to Tuesday as much as I do to Wednesday.
*POST AUTHOR*
Otto, I’ve gotta say that your comment was one of the nicest ones I’ve received since starting this weekly column. Thanks so much for always taking the time to read Clackig in Color! Please find Living Single on YouTube! The show was awesome! And in regards to the Deloreon, hmmm… I don’t know if there is anything more iconic. LOL I’m a big Back to the Future fan. Perhaps I’ll try using another form of time traveling imagery for my next column. :-)
The Time Tunnel, a Tardis, the Time Machine just done have the cool of a DeLorean. And a column ( or columns) written by you about the Back to the Future movies would be the s***.
*POST AUTHOR*
I only like two of the three Back to the Future films…so we’ll see. LOL And thanks again, Otto! You’re awesome, dude!
I agree with you. Warner Brothers needs to release the final seasons of Living Single. Queen Latifah would be the one to “set it off”. Living Single was a great family show. It was good to see African Americans doing their thang! They were a positive influence to the younger generation.
Keep up the great work you are doing Jay. I look forward to clacking with you on Tuesday. And by the way……….after the rain comes sunshine!!!
*POST AUTHOR*
Thank you kindly! :-)