View source for Living Single

{{Short description|American television sitcom (1993–1998)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox television
| image                = Living Single (Warner Bros. Television sitcom) logo.svg
| caption              = 
| genre                = [[Sitcom]]
| creator              = [[Yvette Lee Bowser|Yvette Denise Lee]]
| starring             = [[Queen Latifah]]<br>[[Kim Coles]]<br>[[Erika Alexander]]<br>[[Kim Fields]]<br>[[Terrence C. Carson|T.C. Carson]]<br>[[John Henton]]<br>[[Mel Jackson]]
| theme_music_composer = Queen Latifah
| open_theme           = {{Theme song|"We Are Living Single"|Queen Latifah}}
| composer             = [[John Barnes (musician)|John Barnes]]<br>Jamey Jaz<br>[[Stu Gardner]]<br>Bill Maxwell (season 5)
| country              = United States
| language             = English
| num_seasons          = 5
| num_episodes         = 118
| list_episodes        = List of Living Single episodes
| producer             = Roxie Wenk Evans<br>Patricia Rickey
| executive_producer   = Yvette Lee Bowser<br>[[Tom Anderson (producer)|Tom Anderson]]<br>[[Roger S.H. Schulman]]<br>Bill Fuller<br>Jim Pond
| location             = [[Warner Bros. Studios Burbank|Warner Bros. Studios]],<br>[[Burbank, California]]
| camera               = [[Videotape]]; [[Multi-camera setup|Multi-camera]]
| runtime              = 22 minutes
| company              = [[Sister Lee Productions]]<br>(1994–1998)<br>(seasons 2–5)<br>[[Warner Bros. Television Studios|Warner Bros. Television]]
| network              = [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]]
| first_aired          = {{Start date|1993|8|22}}
| last_aired           = {{End date|1998|1|1}}
}}
'''''Living Single''''' is an American television [[sitcom]] created by [[Yvette Lee Bowser|Yvette Denise Lee]] that aired for five seasons on [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] from August 22, 1993, to January 1, 1998. The show centers on the lives of six [[New York City]] friends who share personal and professional experiences while living in a [[Brooklyn]] [[brownstone]].

==Episodes==
{{Main|List of Living Single episodes}}
{{:List of Living Single episodes}}

===Plot===
''Living Single'' centered on six friends in their 20s living the single life in [[Prospect Heights, Brooklyn|Prospect Heights]], [[Brooklyn]].<ref>"Fatal Distraction". ''Living Single''. Season 1, Episode 16. First aired January 9, 1994.</ref>

The series focused on two different households in one brownstone, one shared by a trio of independent women and another shared by two male friends who had known each other since childhood while living in [[Cleveland|Cleveland, Ohio]]. In the first apartment, Khadijah James ([[Queen Latifah]]), a hard-working [[editing|editor]] and [[publisher]] of the fictional urban independent magazine ''Flavor'', lived with her sweet but naive cousin Synclaire James ([[Kim Coles]]), an aspiring actress who worked as Khadijah's receptionist and had an affinity for [[Troll doll]]s, and her childhood friend from [[East Orange, New Jersey]], Regina "Régine" Hunter ([[Kim Fields]]), an image-conscious boutique buyer who was on a constant search for a well-to-do man to spend her life (and his money) with. Later in the series, Régine became a costume assistant for the soap opera ''Palo Alto''. When the soap was canceled, she became a wedding planner and left the apartment to move in with her fiancé Dexter Knight ([[Don Franklin]]). Maxine "Max" Shaw ([[Erika Alexander]]), a sharp-tongued [[Lawyer|Attorney]] and Khadijah's best friend from their college days at [[Howard University]], frequently stopped by to share her unique insights and the events of her day, to make sure that the girls' refrigerator wasn't overstocked, and to start trouble with Kyle, looking for any chance to make his life worse.

Kyle Barker ([[Terrence C. Carson|T.C. Carson]]) lived in the second apartment with Overton Wakefield Jones ([[John Henton]]). Overton was the friendly but bucolic maintenance man for the owner of their (and neighboring) building, who held a deep affection for Synclaire and plenty of hilarious homespun wisdom for everyone else. Kyle was a [[stockbroker]] whose constant verbal sparring with Max did little to mask their obvious sexual attraction to each other. Kyle and Max pursued a sexual relationship, but when he decided to take a job in London and invited Max to join him, she turned him down. Maxine subsequently became distraught over her decision and, after defending a man who claimed to be the second coming of [[Jesus Christ|Jesus]] ([[Harold Perrineau]]), she began to take her life more seriously. Through a series of events, Max decided that her purpose must be to become a mother. During the insemination process, she unknowingly picked Kyle's sperm specimen based on a list of qualities she would like for her child to have. Kyle returned in the series finale, and the two reconciled. Overton and Synclaire also got together, and their relationship culminated in marriage by the end of the fourth season. In season five, they moved in together, leaving Overton and Kyle's apartment open for new character Roni DeSantos ([[Idalis DeLeon]]), a New York-area D.J., to move in. It was eventually revealed that DeSantos had a fling with Ira Lee "Tripp" Williams III, ([[Mel Jackson]]), a songwriter whom Khadijah and Régine allowed to move in when Synclaire's room became available. Synclaire joined a comedy improv troupe where she gained the attention of Tony Jonas, a [[Warner Bros. Television]] executive who cast her as a nun for a new comedy series he was developing.

Along with trying to make ''Flavor'' a success, Khadijah also looked for Mr. Right. She eventually found him in childhood friend Scooter ([[Cress Williams]]), with whom she left the brownstone for the final time in the series finale.

==Cast and characters==
===Regular cast===
* [[Queen Latifah]] – Khadijah James, [[Howard University|Howard]] graduate and [[editor-in-chief|editor]] and [[publisher]] of ''Flavor'', an independent magazine devoted to the interests of the African-American community.
* [[Kim Coles]] – Synclaire James-Jones, Khadijah's good-natured cousin and roommate; receptionist at ''Flavor'' and aspiring actress. The role of Synclaire was originally intended for Queen Latifah's long-time friend and collaborator, [[Monie Love]], but she was unable to take the part.
* [[Kim Fields]] – Regina "Regine" Hunter <small>(episodes 1–115)</small>, Khadijah and Synclaire's gossip-loving roommate; Khadijah's childhood friend.
* [[Erika Alexander]] – Maxine "Max" Felice Shaw, strong-willed [[Attorney at law|attorney]], Khadijah's best friend and former college roommate at [[Howard University|Howard]], who grew up in [[Mount Airy, Philadelphia]]; spends most of her time at the women's apartment.
* [[Terrence C. Carson|T.C. Carson]] – Kyle Barker <small>(episodes 1–107; guest appearance in episode 118)</small>, [[stockbroker]] and Overton's roommate; Max's verbal sparring partner and on-again-off-again love interest.
* [[John Henton]] – Overton "Obie" Wakefield Jones, Kyle's roommate and the brownstone's [[handyman]]; Synclaire's sweetheart, also co-owner of the apartment complex the gang lived in. 
* [[Mel Jackson]] – Ira Lee "Tripp" Williams III <small>(Season 5)</small>, Khadijah and Regine's new roommate; aspiring songwriter.

===Recurring cast===
* [[Chip Fields]] — Laverne Hunter, Regine's mother
* [[Rita Owens]] — Rita James <small>(Seasons 1–4)</small>, Khadijah's mother
* [[Michael Warren (actor)|Michael Warren]] — Ed James <small>(Season 4)</small>, Khadijah's father
* [[Barbara Montgomery]] – Nana James <small>(Season 2)</small>, Khadijah's grandmother
* [[Khalil Kain]] — Keith <small>(Seasons 3–4)</small>, Regine's boyfriend and artist
* [[Don Franklin]] — Dexter Knight <small>(Season 5)</small>, Regine's boyfriend turned fiancé
* [[Cress Williams]] — Terrence "Scooter" Williams, Khadijah's childhood friend and boyfriend
* [[Isaiah Washington]] — Dr. Charles Roberts <small>(Season 4)</small>, Khadijah's anesthesiologist and boyfriend 
* [[Heavy D]] - Darryl, Regine's boyfriend <small>(3 episodes)</small>
* [[Wayne Federman]] – Fred Meyer, Maxine's law office colleague <small>(Season 2, Ep. 10 & 19; Season 3, Ep. 11)</small>
* [[Shaun Baker (actor)|Shaun Baker]] — Russell Montego, [[Jamaicans|Jamaican]]-born music editor at ''Flavor'', in love with Regine.
* [[Bumper Robinson]] — Ivan Ennis <small>(Seasons 3–4)</small>, ''Flavor'' copy aide and [[journalism]] major at [[New York University]], in love with Khadijah.
* [[Idalis DeLeon]] — Roni DeSantos <small>(Season 5)</small>, popular New York City [[deejay]] and Tripp's love interest

===Guest cast===
* [[Cylk Cozart]] – Brad Hamilton, Regine's boyfriend who turned out to be married <small>(Season 1, Episode 1)</small> 
* [[Freda Payne]] – Miss Harper <small>(Season 1, Episode 2)</small> 
* [[Thomas Mikal Ford]] – Michael Edwards, Synclaire's date <small>(Season 1, Episode 3)</small>
* [[Jeffrey D. Sams]] – Greg, Maxine's ex-boyfriend <small>(Season 1, Episode 4)</small>
* [[Kellita Smith]] - Susan, Greg's fiancée <small>(Season 1, Episode 4)</small>
* [[Miguel A. Nunez]] – Goldie <small>(Season 1, Episode 6 & 20)</small> 
* [[Montrose Hagins]] – Shirley Shortridge <small>(Season 1, Episode 7)</small> 
* [[Marcus Giamatti]] – Jack Peabody <small>(Season 1, Episode 7)</small>
* [[Dominic Hoffman]] – Patrick <small>(Season 1, Episode 8)</small>
* [[Isabel Sanford]] – Mrs. Ryan <small>(Season 1, Episode 10)</small>
* [[Ed McMahon]] – as himself <small>(Season 1, Episode 12)</small> 
* [[Flip Wilson]] - as himself <small>(Season 1, Episode 12)</small>
* [[Dres (rapper)]] – as himself <small>(Season 1, Episode 12)</small>
* [[Nia Long]] – Stacey Evans, photographer for ''Flavor'' and Kyle's date <small>(Season 1, Episode 13)</small>
* [[Terrence Howard]] – Brendan King, Maxine's college-aged boyfriend <small>(Season 1, Episode 17)</small> 
* [[Cree Summer]] – Summer, Overton's date <small>(Season 1, Episode 18)</small>
* [[Kelvin Mercer]] - Morris King, <small>(Season 1, Episode 18)</small>
* [[Morris Chestnut]] – Hamilton Brown, the new upstairs neighbor <small>(Season 1, Episode 18 & 19)</small>
* [[Michael Jai White]] – Steve <small>(Season 1, Episode 20)</small>
* [[Charnele Brown]] – Jackie, Khadijah's college friend <small>(Season 1, Episode 21)</small> 
* [[Arsenio Hall]] – as himself <small>(Season 1, Episode 21)</small>
* [[Mark Curry (actor)|Mark Curry]] – Tony Ross, Regine's boyfriend, a standup comedian <small>(Season 1, Episode 25)</small>
* Adam Lazarre-White - Alonzo Ford <small>(Season 1, Episode 24 and 27)</small>
* [[Cheryl Miller]] – Denise Hatcher, Khadijah's school basketball rival <small>(Season 2, Episode 2)</small><ref name=basketballgreat>"[https://www.newspapers.com/image/156647959/ Basketball Great a Guest Star on 'Living Singe']". ''Associated Press''. The Daily Journal (Franklin, Indiana). August 21, 1994.</ref>
* [[Branford Marsalis]] – as himself <small>(Season 2, Episode 2)</small><ref name=basketballgreat/>
* [[Tamlyn Tomita]] – Mary, business client of ''Flavor'' <small>(Season 2, Episode 5)</small>
* [[Franklin Cover]] – Professor Fletcher, Synclaire's teacher <small>(Season 2, Episode 6)</small>
* [[Michole Briana White]] — Olivia Imogen Jones <small>(Season 2 Episode 7 & Season 4 Episode 24)</small>, Overton's sister
* [[Gilbert Gottfried]] – Lawrence J. Friedlander, telemarketing company owner <small>(Season 2, Episode 10)</small>
* [[Diana Bellamy]] – Judge Glazer, the judge at Maxine's trial <small>(Season 2, Episode 10)</small>
* [[Elayne Boosler]] – Dr. Sheridan, Regine's doctor <small>(Season 2, Episode 11)</small>
* [[John Capodice]] – neighborhood ice cream man <small>(Season 2, Episode 11)</small>
* [[Deion Sanders]] – as himself <small>(Season 2, Episode 12)</small>
* [[Rosie O'Donnell]] – Sheri, Khadijah's high school friend <small>(Season 2, Episode 14)</small>
* [[Bobby Bonilla]] – as himself <small>(Season 2, Episode 16)</small>
* [[Shemar Moore]] – Jon Marc, Synclaire's study partner <small>(Season 2, Episode 18)</small>
* [[Phil Morris (actor)|Phil Morris]] – Preston August, Maxine's boss and former boyfriend <small>(Season 2, Episode 19)</small>
* [[Phil LaMarr]] – Joe, friend of Regine's boyfriend <small>(Season 2, Episode 19)</small>
* [[Vanessa A. Williams]] – Hellura, Kyle's date <small>(Season 2, Episode 22)</small>
* [[Kadeem Hardison]] – Marcus Hughes, ''Village Voice'' reporter <small>(Season 2, Episode 23)</small>
* [[Roberto Durán]] – as himself <small>(Season 2, Episode 23)</small> 
* [[Jenifer Lewis]] – Delia Deveaux, talk show host <small>(Season 2, Episode 25)</small>
* [[Will Ferrell]] – talk show guest <small>(Season 2, Episode 25)</small>
* [[Q-Tip (musician)]] - Roberto Hughes (Season 2, Episode 26)
* [[Bill Erwin]] – Mr. Foster, store owner <small>(Season 2, Episode 26)</small>
* [[Regina King]] – Zina, possible new roommate <small>(Season 2, Episode 26)</small>
* [[CCH Pounder]] – Nina Shaw <small>(Season 3)</small>, Maxine's mother
* [[Gladys Knight]] — Odelle Jones <small>(Season 4)</small>, Overton's mother
* [[Antonio Fargas]] — Otis Jones <small>(Season 4)</small>, Overton's father
* [[Denise Nicholas]] — Lilah James <small>(Season 4)</small>, Synclaire's mother
* [[Ron O'Neal]] — Clinton James <small>(Season 4)</small>, Synclaire's father
* [[Kenny Blank]] - as Damon Barker  <small>(Season 4)</small>, Kyle's brother 
* [[Grant Hill]] – as himself <small>(Season 3, Episode 3)</small>
* [[John O'Hurley]] – as Jean Luc Gerard, Regine new boss <small>(Season 3, Episode 5)</small>
* [[Eartha Kitt]] – as Jacqueline Richards, Kyle's client <small>(Season 3, Episode 8)</small>
* [[Alonzo Mourning]] – as himself <small>(Season 3, Episode 10)</small>
* [[CCH Pounder]] – Nina Shaw, Maxine's mother <small>(Season 3, Episode 11)</small>
* [[Burt Ward]] – as himself <small>(Season 3, Episode 11)</small>
* [[Dean Cain]] – as himself <small>(Season 3, Episode 11)</small>
* [[Cris Carter]] – as himself <small>(Season 3, Episode 12)</small>
* [[Michael Boatman]] – as Brent, Palo Alto Actor <small>(Season 3, Episode 13)</small>
* [[Dorian Gregory]] – as Mountie Robeson <small>(Season 3, Episode 13)</small>
* [[Melvin Van Peebles]] – Warner Devant, Regine's date <small>(Season 3, Episode 16)</small>
* [[Mario Van Peebles]] – Cole Front, Regine's date <small>(Season 3, Episode 16)</small>
* [[Brian McKnight]] – as himself <small>(Season 3, Episode 17)</small>
* [[Jasmine Guy]] – Dr. Jessica Bryce, Khadijah's therapist <small>(Season 3, Episode 19)</small>
* [[Dorien Wilson]] — Rev. Leslie Taylor, pastor at the group's church <small>(Season 3, Episode 23; Season 4, Episodes 6, 16 & 24)</small>
* [[Monica (singer)|Monica]] – Marissa, Khadijah's date's sister <small>(Season 3, Episode 24)</small>
* [[Giancarlo Esposito]] – Maxine's client <small>(Season 3, Episode 24)</small>
* [[Tatyana Ali]] – Stephanie James, Khadijah's half-sister <small>(Season 3, Episode 25)</small>
* [[Jack Carter (comedian)|Jack Carter]] – Ray Kellum, eccentric man <small>(Season 3, Episode 26; Season 4, Episode 9)</small>
* [[Bobcat Goldthwait]] – mugger <small>(Season 3, Episode 27; Season 4, Episode 1)</small>
* [[Tone Loc]] – as Lester Tate, picked on Kyle in high school <small>(Season 4, Episode 8)</small>
* [[Vivica A. Fox]] – as Darryl's fiancée <small>(Season 4, Episode 9)</small>
* [[Jeff Blake]] – as himself <small>(Season 4, Episode 10)</small>
* [[Sullivan Walker]] – as Dr. Booker Burghardt Mountebank <small>(Season 4, Episode 12)</small>
* [[Evander Holyfield]] – as himself <small>(Season 4, Episode 15)</small>
* [[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar]] – as himself <small>(Season 4, Episode 15)</small>
* [[Susan L. Taylor]] – as herself <small>(Season 4, Episode 15)</small>
* [[Estelle Harris]] – as Esther Brooks, owner of the brownstone <small>(Season 4, Episode 15)</small>
* [[CeCe Winans]] – as LaTrice, in the choir of the group's church <small>(Season 4, Episode 16)</small>
* [[Sherri Shepherd]] – comedian <small>(Season 4, Episode 17)</small>
* [[Joseph Marcell]] — Reese, the women's house cleaner <small>(Season 4, Episode 19)</small>
* [[Jim Brown]] – as himself <small>(Season 4, Episode 20)</small>
* [[Tracy Vilar]] – as Ava Rivera <small>(Season 4, Episode 22)</small>
* [[Desmond Howard]] – as himself <small>(Season 4, Episode 24)</small>
* [[Marsha Warfield]] – Agnes Finch, cruise social director <small>(Season 5, Episodes 1 and 2)</small>
* [[Montell Jordan]] – as himself <small>(Season 5, Episode 2)</small>
* [[Vincent Mason]] - as Christopher Thompson (Season 5, Episode 3)
* [[Cedric Ceballos]] – as himself <small>(Season 5, Episode 3)</small>
* [[Chaka Khan]] – as herself <small>(Season 5, Episode 6)</small>
* [[Keyshawn Johnson]] – as himself <small>(Season 5, Episode 7)</small>
* [[Tionne Watkins|Tionne 'T-Boz' Watkins]] – hitchhiker <small>(Season 5, Episode 8)</small>
* [[Harold Perrineau]] – Walter Jackson, Maxine's client <small>(Season 5, Episode 9)</small>
* [[Joyce DeWitt]] – as herself <small>(Season 5, Episode 12)</small>
* [[DJ Premier]] as Keyshawn King (Season 5, Episodes 9 and 12)

==Home media==
[[Warner Home Video]] released the complete first season of ''Living Single'' on DVD in [[DVD region code#1|Region 1]] on February 14, 2006. The remainder seasons were released from 2017-18.<ref>[http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Living-Single-Season-2/23593 Living Single - HOORAY! Warner Archive Announces 'The Complete 2nd Season' 3-disc MOD set will finally be available in mid-Septembers] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819021233/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Living-Single-Season-2/23593 |date=2017-08-19 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Living-Single-Season-3/23749 Living Single - Warner Archive Announces DVDs for 'The Complete 3rd Season' MOD release is available online during the second half of November] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171021060252/http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Living-Single-Season-3/23749 |date=2017-10-21 }}.</ref><ref>[http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Living-Single-Season-4/24019 Living Single - The Next-to-Last Season, 'The Complete 4th Season,' is Now Scheduled! MOD title will be available online in March from Amazon/CreateSpace and the WBshop!].</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Living-Single-Complete-Fifth-Season/dp/B07D57L8CS/|title=Living Single: The Complete Fifth Season|date=6 June 2018|via=Amazon}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
!DVD name 
!Episodes
!Region 1
|-
| The Complete First Season
| align="center"|27
| align="left"| February 14, 2006
|-
| The Complete Second Season
| align="center"|27
| align="left" |September 19, 2017
|-
| The Complete Third Season
| align="center"|27
| align="left" |November 21, 2017
|-
| The Complete Fourth Season
| align="center"|24
| align="left" |March 20, 2018
|-
| The Complete Fifth Season
| align="center"|13
| align="left" |June 5, 2018
|}

==Production==
[[Queen Latifah]] and [[Kim Coles]] both had development deals with Fox.<ref name=twice>Bash, Alan (December 17, 1994). "[https://www.newspapers.com/image/293131203/ Single and Loving it...Twice]". ''USA Today''. Chillicothe Gazette (Chillicothe, Ohio).</ref> In March 1993, Fox announced that Queen Latifah and Coles would star in a comedy sitcom called ''My Girls'', about roommates in New York City.<ref>Cerone, Daniel (March 27, 1993). "[https://www.newspapers.com/image/89952068/ Networks Give Fall TV Pilots a Chance to Fly]". ''Los Angeles Times''. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. C11.</ref> The character of Khadijah was created for Queen Latifah. Khadijah is an entrepreneur who started an urban-lifestyle magazine, much as Latifah is an entrepreneur who started her hip-hop record label.<ref>Kloer, Phil (July 13, 1993). "[https://www.newspapers.com/image/403649810/ Fox to Get Early Start on Fall Season Debuts]". ''The Atlanta Constitution''. p. D8.</ref> Fox changed the show's name to ''Living Single'' three weeks before its television debut.<ref>"[https://www.newspapers.com/image/540390421/ Fox Changes Name of Show]". ''The Daily Advertiser'' (Lafayette, Louisiana). July 30, 1993. p. 4.</ref>

Creator [[Yvette Lee Bowser]]'s initial goal was to develop a show about herself and her friends that would change the portrayal of young Black people on television. Her overall goal was to portray Black characters positively and less stereotypically. She also noted that the women represented on ''Living Single'' are four different sides of herself, saying in an interview, "I've been as ditsy as Synclaire, as superficial as Regine, as bitter as Max, and as focused and driven as Khadijah."<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Peoples|first=Betsy|date=1996|title=A Serious Sitcom Success|journal=Emerge|volume=7}}</ref>

In May 1997, Fox announced that it had ordered 13 episodes of the fifth season of ''Living Single'' but would be delayed until January 1998.<ref>Bauder, David (May 21, 1997). "[https://www.newspapers.com/image/256597618/ Fox Adding Quintet of Shows to Its Lineup]". ''Associated Press''. Daily Record (Morristown, New Jersey).</ref> Three months later, Fox made a change to its fall schedule, delayed the airing of a new comedy called ''Rewind'', and decided to debut ''Living Single''{{'}}s fifth season on September 11.<ref>Jackson, Terry (August 27, 1997). "[https://www.newspapers.com/image/554185662/ 'Living Single' Returns to Fox]". ''Knight-Ridder Newspapers''. York Daily Record (York, Pennsylvania).</ref> The final episode of the fifth season aired on January 1, 1998.<ref>McDonough, Kevin (January 1, 1998). "[https://www.newspapers.com/image/565383694/ 'Living Single' Bows Out With a Double Shot]". ''Intelligencer Journal'' (Lancaster, Pennsylvania). p. A10.</ref><ref>Sterngold, James (January 2, 1998). "[https://www.newspapers.com/image/124115058/ Despite Some Advances, Television Remains 'A Boys Club']". ''The New York Times''. The Arizona Republic.</ref>

==Crossovers==
*''[[The Crew (1995 TV series)|The Crew]]'': In the episode "The Mating Season", Regine becomes a passenger on a flight and argues with a sassy stewardess in hopes of upgrading to first class. In another episode, "The Worst Noel," Synclaire also becomes a passenger.
*''[[Half & Half]]'': [[Erika Alexander]] and [[Terrence C. Carson|T.C. Carson]] reprised their roles of Maxine Shaw and Kyle Barker on the UPN sitcom, ''Half & Half'' (a series produced by ''Living Single'' creator [[Yvette Lee Bowser]]). In the episode ("The Big Performance Anxiety Episode," third season), ambitious law student Dee Dee learns that her mother's co-star,Kyle, in a play is engaged to Maxine, Dee Dee's idol. However, her mother gets Maxine's beau, fired because she fears he will take attention away from her. The episode also revealed that Maxine and Kyle remained a couple and were the proud parents of their seven-year-old daughter named Kyla.

==Syndication==
''Living Single'' started reruns in syndication on September 22, 1997, through various Fox, UPN, and WB affiliates; these were later CW affiliates in terms of UPN and WB. The series formerly reran on [[USA Network]], [[Logo TV]], [[BET]], [[VH1]], [[MTV2]], [[Bounce TV]], and [[Oxygen (TV network)|Oxygen]]. Syndication carriage on the local level fizzled out in 2006. Reruns of the series currently run daily on cable networks [[TV One (American TV channel)|TV One]], [[Dabl]],<ref>https://www.dabltvnetwork.com/shows/living-single</ref> and [[WCIU-TV|WCIU]]. As of January 11, 2018, all episodes began streaming on [[Hulu]],<ref>https://www.hulu.com/series/living-single-df59d585-ed41-4700-a7ae-76942b6ad1dc</ref> and on [[HBO Max]] as of September 22, 2022.

==Reunion specials==
An hour-long retrospective special, ''Living Single: The Reunion Show'', aired on [[TV One (American TV channel)|TV One]] on September 22, 2008. [[Kim Coles|Coles]], [[John Henton|Henton]], [[Kim Fields|Fields]], [[Terrence C. Carson|Carson]] and [[Erika Alexander|Alexander]] reunited to share fond memories with the fans. [[Queen Latifah]] and [[Mel Jackson]] were unavailable to participate. The special featured clips and revealing secrets of the cast from the show's five-year run.

From August 24 to 26, 2018, TV One aired a weekend marathon of "Living Single" to highlight the 25th anniversary of the show. [[Kim Coles|Coles]], [[John Henton|Henton]], [[Kim Fields|Fields]], and [[Terrence C. Carson|Carson]] reunited once again to share memories with the fans, to share their thoughts on the characters they portrayed and provided a tribute to Rita Owens (Queen Latifah's real-life and TV mother), who had passed in early 2018. [[Queen Latifah]], [[Erika Alexander]] and [[Mel Jackson]] were unavailable to participate.

== Reception ==
During ''Living Single''{{'}}s first season, it consistently garnered higher ratings than ''[[Martin (TV series)|Martin]]'', which aired in the time slot immediately before it on Thursday nights, and it quickly became the fourth highest-rated show aired on [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] among their 12 current series.<ref>Braxton, Greg (February 6, 1994). "[https://www.newspapers.com/image/356054568/ 'Living Single' Shakes Off Criticism]". ''Los Angeles Times''. Austin American-Statesman (Austin, Texas).</ref>

Throughout its run, ''Living Single'' became one of the most popular [[African-American]] sitcoms of its era, ranking amongst the top five in African-American ratings in all five seasons.<ref name= A1>Bash, Alan (January 26, 1995). "[https://www.newspapers.com/image/157247425 2 Tales of Singles in the City, Yet Strangers in the Night]". ''USA Today''. The News Journal (Wilmington, Delaware). p. D1, D2.</ref><ref name= A2>Zurawik, David (May 6, 1996). "[https://www.newspapers.com/image/598841434/ Blacks, Whites Have Divided Taste in TV]". ''The Baltimore Sun''. Kenosha News (Kenosha, Wisconsin). p. 13.</ref><ref name= A3>de la Viña, Mark (February 26, 1996). "[https://www.newspapers.com/image/187175280/ Surveys Show Blacks, Whites Mostly View Their Own on TV]". ''Philadelphia Daily News''. p. 7.</ref><ref name= A4>Johnson, Allan (April 18, 1997). "[https://www.newspapers.com/image/168352742 The Difference Between Black and White Viewers a Study in Contrast]". ''Chicago Tribune''. p. Tempo 1, Tempo 3.</ref> Newspaper critics contrasted ''Living Single'' with the NBC sitcom ''[[Friends]]'' which was inspired by the post-college experiences of [[Marta Kauffman]] and [[David Crane (producer)|David Crane]] and in development around November 1993 after the cult show premiered.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Roots|first=Kimberly|date=2020-02-03|title=Friends' David Schwimmer Apologizes for Diversity Comments: 'I Didn't Mean to Imply Living Single Hadn't Existed'|url=https://tvline.com/2020/02/03/friends-david-schwimmer-living-single-apology-diversity-controversy/|access-date=2021-03-09|website=TVLine|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name= twice/><ref name= A1/><ref name= A2/><ref name= A3/><ref name= A4/> ''Living Single'' featured successful Black characters including an attorney, a stockbroker, and a business owner, in contrast to ''Friends'', which featured a White cast including a waitress, a folk singer, and an unemployed actor.<ref name= A1/> Show creator [[Yvette Lee Bowser]] was disappointed that [[Warner Bros. Television]] did not promote ''Living Single'' nearly as much as it did ''Friends''.<ref name= littlehelp>Braxton, Greg (February 1, 1996). "[https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-02-01-ca-30941-story.html 'Single' Asks for a Little Help]". ''Los Angeles Times''. p. F24.</ref>

''Living Single'' was never one of the highest-rated programs among audiences during its run from 1993 to 1998. Indeed, the show had struggled to break into lists of top television programs viewed by larger audiences and never broke into the Top 50, though it was a higher performer for the Fox network itself. Those who loved and watched the show regularly have told show creator Yvette Lee Bowser that they connect with its characters, love the cast, and are inspired by the positive, elegant, and professional portrayal of Black people on television. Bowser noted that "People say our characters remind them of themselves, their friends or their relatives. They all know someone like one of the characters."<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Anonymous|date=1997|title=The 9 Lives of 'Living Single'|journal=Ebony Magazine|volume=53|pages=94–96}}</ref>

===Awards and nominations===
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Awards and nominations for ''Living Single''
|-
! Year
! Awards
! Category
! Performer
! Result
|-
| rowspan="6"| 1998
| rowspan="6" |[[Image Awards]]
| Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series
| [[Erika Alexander]]
| {{won}}
|-
| Outstanding Comedy Series
| 
| {{won}}
|-
| Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series
| [[Queen Latifah]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series
| [[Kim Coles]]
| {{won}}
|-
| Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
| [[Terrence C. Carson|T.C. Carson]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
| [[John Henton]]
| {{nom}}
|-
|}

In 1995 and 1996, ''Living Single'' was nominated for [[Primetime Emmy Award]]s for Outstanding Lighting Direction (Electronic) for a Comedy Series (Bryan Hays).<ref>"[https://www.newspapers.com/image/155282060/ Nighttime Nominees: A Complete Rundown]". ''The Los Angeles Times''. July 21, 1995. p. F30.</ref><ref>"[https://www.newspapers.com/image/158797542/ And the Emmy Nominees Are]". ''The Los Angeles Times''. July 19, 1996. p. F22.</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{official website|https://web.archive.org/web/19961023004723/http://www.foxworld.com/singindx.htm}} ''(archived)''
*{{IMDb title|id=0106056|title=Living Single}}
{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Comedy Series}}

[[Category:1993 American television series debuts]]
[[Category:1998 American television series endings]]
[[Category:1990s American black sitcoms]]
[[Category:1990s American romantic comedy television series]]
[[Category:American English-language television shows]]
[[Category:Television series by Warner Bros. Television Studios]]
[[Category:Television shows filmed in California]]
[[Category:Television shows set in Brooklyn]]
[[Category:Television shows set in New York City]]
[[Category:Fox Broadcasting Company sitcoms]]
[[Category:1990s American multi-camera sitcoms]]