Living Single is an American television sitcom created by Yvette Denise Lee, which aired on Fox from August 22, 1993, to January 1, 1998, lasting five seasons. 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
Plot Living Single centers on six friends in their 20s who live in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn."Fatal Distraction". Living Single. Season 1, Episode 16. First aired January 9, 1994.
The series focuses on two different households in one brownstone, one shared by a trio of independent women and another shared by two men who have been friends since childhood while living in Cleveland, Ohio. In the first apartment, Khadijah James (Queen Latifah), a hard-working editor and publisher of the fictional urban independent magazine Flavor, lives with her sweet but naive cousin Synclaire James (Kim Coles)—an aspiring actress who works as Khadijah's receptionist and has an affinity for Troll dolls—and Khadjia's childhood friend from East Orange, New Jersey, Regina "Régine" Hunter (Kim Fields)—an image-conscious boutique buyer on a constant search for a well-to-do man with whom to spend her life, and his money. Later in the series, Régine becomes a costume assistant for the soap opera Palo Alto. When the soap is canceled, she becomes a wedding planner and leaves the apartment to move in with her fiancé, Dexter Knight (Don Franklin). Maxine "Max" Shaw (Erika Alexander), a sharp-tongued Attorney and Khadijah's best friend from their college days at Howard University, frequently stops by to share her unique insights and the events of her day, to make sure that the girls' refrigerator isn't overstocked, and to start trouble with Kyle, looking for any chance to make his life worse.
Kyle Barker (T.C. Carson) lives in the second apartment with Overton Wakefield Jones (John Henton). Overton is the friendly but bucolic maintenance man for the owner of their building and the one next door. He holds a deep affection for Synclaire and plenty of hilarious homespun wisdom for everyone else. Kyle is a stockbroker whose constant verbal sparring with Maxine does little to mask their obvious sexual attraction to each other. Kyle and Maxine pursue a sexual relationship, but when he decides to take a job in London and invites her to join him, she turns him down.
Maxine subsequently becomes distraught over her decision and, after legally defending a man who claimed to be the second coming of Jesus (Harold Perrineau), she begins to take her life more seriously. Through a series of events, Maxine decides that her purpose is to become a mother. She pursues pregnancy via IVF, and unknowingly selects Kyle's sperm donation based on a list of qualities she would like for her child. Kyle returns in the series finale, and the two reconcile.
Overton and Synclaire also get together, and their relationship culminates in marriage by the end of the fourth season. In season five, they move in together, leaving Overton and Kyle's apartment open for new character Roni DeSantos (Idalis DeLeon), a New York-area D.J. It is 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 joins a comedy improv troupe where she gains the attention of Tony Jonas, a Warner Bros. Television executive, who casts her as a nun for a new comedy series he is developing.
Along with trying to make Flavor a success, Khadijah also looks for Mr. Right. She eventually finds him in childhood friend Scooter (Cress Williams), with whom she leaves the brownstone one last time in the series finale.
Cast and characters Regular cast Queen Latifah – Khadijah James, Howard graduate and 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 (episodes 1–115), Khadijah and Synclaire's gossip-loving roommate; Khadijah's childhood friend. Erika Alexander – Maxine "Max" Felice Shaw, strong-willed attorney, Khadijah's best friend and former college roommate at Howard, who grew up in Mount Airy, Philadelphia; spends most of her time at the women's apartment. T.C. Carson – Kyle Barker (episodes 1–107; guest appearance in episode 118), 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 (Season 5), Khadijah and Regine's new roommate; aspiring songwriter.
Recurring cast Chip Fields — Laverne Hunter, Regine's mother Rita Owens — Rita James (Seasons 1–4), Khadijah's mother Michael Warren — Ed James (Season 4), Khadijah's father Barbara Montgomery – Nana James (Season 2), Khadijah's grandmother Khalil Kain — Keith (Seasons 3–4), Regine's boyfriend and artist Don Franklin — Dexter Knight (Season 5), Regine's boyfriend turned fiancé Cress Williams — Terrence "Scooter" Williams, Khadijah's childhood friend and boyfriend Isaiah Washington — Dr. Charles Roberts (Season 4), Khadijah's anesthesiologist and boyfriend Heavy D - Darryl, Regine's boyfriend (3 episodes) Wayne Federman – Fred Meyer, Maxine's law office colleague (Season 2, Ep. 10 & 19; Season 3, Ep. 11) Shaun Baker — Russell Montego, Jamaican-born music editor at Flavor, in love with Regine. Bumper Robinson — Ivan Ennis (Seasons 3–4), Flavor copy aide and journalism major at New York University, in love with Khadijah. Idalis DeLeon — Roni DeSantos (Season 5), popular New York City deejay and Tripp's love interest
Guest cast Cylk Cozart – Brad Hamilton, Regine's boyfriend (Season 1, Episode 1) Freda Payne – Miss Harper (Season 1, Episode 2) Thomas Mikal Ford – Michael Edwards, Synclaire's date (Season 1, Episode 3) Jeffrey D. Sams – Greg, Maxine's ex-boyfriend (Season 1, Episode 4) Kellita Smith - Susan, Greg's fiancée (Season 1, Episode 4) Miguel A. Nunez – Goldie (Season 1, Episode 6 & 20) Montrose Hagins – Shirley Shortridge (Season 1, Episode 7) Marcus Giamatti – Jack Peabody (Season 1, Episode 7) Dominic Hoffman – Patrick (Season 1, Episode 8) Isabel Sanford – Mrs. Ryan (Season 1, Episode 10) Ed McMahon – as himself (Season 1, Episode 12) Flip Wilson - as himself (Season 1, Episode 12) Dres (rapper) – as himself (Season 1, Episode 12) Nia Long – Stacey Evans (Season 1, Episode 13) Terrence Howard – Brendan King (Season 1, Episode 17) Cree Summer – Summer (Season 1, Episode 18) Morris Chestnut – Hamilton Brown, the new upstairs neighbor (Season 1, Episode 18 & 19) Michael Jai White – Steve (Season 1, Episode 20) Charnele Brown – Jackie (Season 1, Episode 21) Arsenio Hall – as himself (Season 1, Episode 21) Mark Curry – Tony Ross, Regine's boyfriend, a standup comedian (Season 1, Episode 25) Adam Lazarre-White - Alonzo Ford (Season 1, Episode 24 and 27) Cheryl Miller – Denise Hatcher, Khadijah's school basketball rival (Season 2, Episode 2)"Basketball Great a Guest Star on 'Living Singe'". Associated Press. The Daily Journal (Franklin, Indiana). August 21, 1994. Branford Marsalis – as himself (Season 2, Episode 2) Tamlyn Tomita – Mary, business client of Flavor (Season 2, Episode 5) Franklin Cover – Professor Fletcher, Synclaire's teacher (Season 2, Episode 6) Michole Briana White — Olivia Imogen Jones (Season 2 Episode 7 & Season 4 Episode 24), Overton's sister Gilbert Gottfried – Lawrence J. Friedlander, telemarketing company owner (Season 2, Episode 10) Diana Bellamy – Judge Glazer, the judge at Maxine's trial (Season 2, Episode 10) Elayne Boosler – Dr. Sheridan, Regine's doctor (Season 2, Episode 11) John Capodice – neighborhood ice cream man (Season 2, Episode 11) Deion Sanders – as himself (Season 2, Episode 12) Rosie O'Donnell – Sheri, Khadijah's high school friend (Season 2, Episode 14) Bobby Bonilla – as himself (Season 2, Episode 16) Shemar Moore – Jon Marc, Synclaire's study partner (Season 2, Episode 18) Phil Morris – Preston August, Maxine's boss and former boyfriend (Season 2, Episode 19) Phil LaMarr – Joe, friend of Regine's boyfriend (Season 2, Episode 19) Vanessa A. Williams – Hellura, Kyle's date (Season 2, Episode 22) Kadeem Hardison – Marcus Hughes, Village Voice reporter (Season 2, Episode 23) Roberto Durán – as himself (Season 2, Episode 23) Jenifer Lewis – Delia Deveaux, talk show host (Season 2, Episode 25) Will Ferrell – talk show guest (Season 2, Episode 25) Bill Erwin – Mr. Foster, store owner (Season 2, Episode 26) Regina King – Zina, possible new roommate (Season 2, Episode 26) CCH Pounder – Nina Shaw (Season 3), Maxine's mother Gladys Knight — Odelle Jones (Season 4), Overton's mother Antonio Fargas — Otis Jones (Season 4), Overton's father Denise Nicholas — Lilah James (Season 4), Synclaire's mother Ron O'Neal — Clinton James (Season 4), Synclaire's father Kenny Blank - as Damon Barker (Season 4), Kyle's brother Grant Hill – as himself (Season 3, Episode 3) John O'Hurley – as Jean Luc Gerard, Regine new boss (Season 3, Episode 5) Eartha Kitt – as Jacqueline Richards, Kyle's client (Season 3, Episode 8) Alonzo Mourning – as himself (Season 3, Episode 10) CCH Pounder – Nina Shaw, Maxine's mother (Season 3, Episode 11) Burt Ward – as himself (Season 3, Episode 11) Dean Cain – as himself (Season 3, Episode 11) Cris Carter – as himself (Season 3, Episode 12) Michael Boatman – as Brent, Palo Alto actor (Season 3, Episode 13) Dorian Gregory – as Mountie Robeson (Season 3, Episode 13) Melvin Van Peebles – Warner Devant, Regine's date (Season 3, Episode 16) Mario Van Peebles – Cole Front, Regine's date (Season 3, Episode 16) Brian McKnight – as himself (Season 3, Episode 17) Jasmine Guy – Dr. Jessica Bryce, Khadijah's therapist (Season 3, Episode 19) Dorien Wilson — Rev. Leslie Taylor, pastor at the group's church (Season 3, Episode 23; Season 4, Episodes 6, 16 & 24) Monica – Marissa, Khadijah's date's sister (Season 3, Episode 24) Giancarlo Esposito – Maxine's client (Season 3, Episode 24) Tatyana Ali – Stephanie James, Khadijah's half-sister (Season 3, Episode 25) Jack Carter – Ray Kellum, eccentric man (Season 3, Episode 26; Season 4, Episode 9) Bobcat Goldthwait – mugger (Season 3, Episode 27; Season 4, Episode 1) Tone Loc – as Lester Tate, picked on Kyle in high school (Season 4, Episode 8) Vivica A. Fox – as Darryl's fiancée (Season 4, Episode 9) Jeff Blake – as himself (Season 4, Episode 10) Sullivan Walker – as Dr. Booker Burghardt Mountebank (Season 4, Episode 12) Evander Holyfield – as himself (Season 4, Episode 15) Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – as himself (Season 4, Episode 15) Susan L. Taylor – as herself (Season 4, Episode 15) Estelle Harris – as Esther Brooks, owner of the brownstone (Season 4, Episode 15) CeCe Winans – as LaTrice, in the choir of the group's church (Season 4, Episode 16) Sherri Shepherd – comedienne (Season 4, Episode 17) Joseph Marcell — Reese, the women's house cleaner (Season 4, Episode 19) Jim Brown – as himself (Season 4, Episode 20) Tracy Vilar – as Ava Rivera (Season 4, Episode 22) Desmond Howard – as himself (Season 4, Episode 24) Marsha Warfield – Agnes Finch, cruise social director (Season 5, Episodes 1 and 2) Montell Jordan – as himself (Season 5, Episode 2) Cedric Ceballos – as himself (Season 5, Episode 3) Chaka Khan – as herself (Season 5, Episode 6) Keyshawn Johnson – as himself (Season 5, Episode 7)