ReLiving Single Podcast Summary

Episode: “Do Women Gossip More Than Men?”

Hosts: Erika Alexander & Kim Coles
Guests: Jason Lee, Big Les (Leslie Seagar)
Date: November 5, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of ReLiving Single revisits the classic Living Single Season 1 episode “A Tale of Two Tattles” to dissect the trope that women gossip more than men. Hosts Erika Alexander and Kim Coles, joined by Jason Lee (Hollywood Unlocked founder and media personality) and surprise special guest Big Les, share personal stories, reflect on the nature and impact of gossip, and explore how gossip—for better or worse—shapes personal relationships and Black popular culture. Additionally, the episode features behind-the-scenes insights and celebrates the cultural legacy of Living Single with love and laughter.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Who Gossips More: Women or Men?

• The episode launches with playful banter about gossip stereotypes.
• Erika and Kim joke about each other’s “gossipy” tendencies:
  • Erika: “If that’s the case, that means the biggest gossip in your community is probably doing you a public service.” (02:25)
  • Kim: “You’re doing community service. You’re doing the Lord’s work.”
• Jason Lee reframes his own reputation:

  “When people think I do gossip, I’m not gossiping. I’m literally just telling the truth as I see it.” (00:27, 45:04)

• The group agrees both genders gossip—men may just call it something else or do it differently:
  • Kim: “Men absolutely gossip. What do you think?” (22:50)
  • Erika: “Although I think men get treated as if they don’t. Come on, where do they shop, talk?” (23:00)
  • Sports, business, and “shop talk” are highlighted as male-coded gossip.

2. Gossip as Social Glue

• Erika, citing her anthropologist sister, reframes gossip as an ancient human tool for intelligence gathering and tribe-building. (01:22)

  “Anthropologists actually say gossip is an important part of the social fabric.” (01:22)

• Kim: “It’s not just yapping. It’s how we create our tribes and networks.” (01:33)
• Both hosts reflect on how gossip can foster connection rather than simply being malicious.

3. Personal Boundaries and Gossip

• Erika shares a personal story about being labeled “difficult” on a show, demonstrating how gossip can impact reputations:

  “Somebody said... that I was difficult. If you have strong opinions, you can be seen as difficult. If you’re a woman, you can be seen as difficult...” (13:23)

• Kim relates behind-the-scenes cast gossip and reputational challenges:

  “We were called difficult because we were asking for the best...” (15:33)

• The pair discuss the blurred line between advocacy and being perceived as challenging, especially for women and Black actors.

4. Technology, Gossip & The Evolution of Connection

• The episode spotlights how cell phones changed the landscape of communication and, by extension, gossip.
  • The group reminisces about payphones vs. always-on connectivity.
• Erika on pre-digital solitude:

  “You weren’t tethered… I enjoyed the time when I could just be alone with my thoughts.” (10:34–10:57)

• The storyline’s comedic mishaps with cell phones (butt dials, wrong messages) are compared to today’s digital pitfalls.

5. Inside the Living Single Episode: “A Tale of Two Tattles”

• Synopsis: Regine’s gossip threatens friendships, as she unwittingly provides her comedian boyfriend with material from her friends’ private lives; chaos ensues, and everyone realizes they’re guilty of sharing too much.
• Fun fact: Writer Warren Hutchinson, the episode’s actual writer and first Black male writer on the show, appears as the club’s warmup comic (20:00).
• Kim’s Showbiz Anecdote: She nearly joined “Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper” but held out for her own show—ultimately landing Living Single:

  “I wanted to do my own show... but a year later, Living Single.” (06:56–07:33)

• The group explores comedians’ use of real-life material and the awkwardness when personal stories are borrowed or exposed. (20:44–21:32)

6. Gossip in the Media & Public Eye

• Reflection on gossip’s centrality in entertainment journalism.
• Kim shares how she managed being the subject of a tabloid scandal, revealing trade tricks of gossip journalism (e.g., the use of “an insider says” for legal protection):

  “We just say that it’s true that someone told us this thing. So it is really... quite an industry.” (30:51)

• Erika and Kim discuss Black entertainers’ complicated relationship with gossip columns and cultural invisibility or hypervisibility:

  “If the paparazzi are not at your door... that means you’re not valuable.” (31:46)

7. Jason Lee on Gossip, Boundaries, and Media Ethics

• Jason unpacks his rise from tough beginnings to media mogul, stressing empathy and the difference between “gossip” and “truth-telling”:

  “Gossip is when you just create a rumor for clicks... versus getting the facts or the tea, which for me is truth, trust, transparency.” (59:31)

• He details his boundaries (e.g., not attacking children or outing people), and his regrets—most notably, an on-air insult directed at Jennifer Hudson that he later publicly apologized for. (50:31–52:21)
• On ethical reporting:

  “I called Khloe first and said, hey, this is what we got…” (59:44–60:18)

8. Surprise Guest: Big Les (Leslie Seagar)

• Big Les—the iconic silhouette from the Living Single opening credits—joins the group, sharing her journey from gymnast to legendary dancer and choreographer.
• She highlights the challenges and triumphs of being a visibly Black, curvy woman in the dance and entertainment industries:

  “For me to be able to do like double backs and double twists... with large breasts and thick thighs... I've been doubted for so many years. But you don't realize what you're doing is affecting people...” (64:34)

• Erika and Kim shower her with flowers for her representation and lasting impact.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the Value of Gossip:

• Erika: “Gossip brings people together. You and 19, right?” (26:09)
• Kim: “If everyone’s spilling the tea, does that make Regine the leader of the gossip squad or just its loudest member?” (25:39)

On Setting Boundaries:

• Jason Lee: “The line for me has always been, don’t attack children... and don’t out people.” (46:33)

On Reputation and Truth:

• Jason Lee: “I’m not gossiping. I’m literally just telling the truth as I see it...” (45:04)
• Kim Coles: “We were called difficult because we were asking for the best of the best... That is perceived as being difficult. Someone else could go, this is collaborative.” (15:33)

On Representation:

• Big Les: “You don’t realize what you’re doing is affecting people... thank you for representing or being a girl of your size... making me believe that I didn’t have to be a size 2 or that I could be brown.” (64:34–65:54)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Gossip Debate Begins: 00:00–01:11
• Anthropological View of Gossip: 01:11–02:15
• Personal Boundaries and Early Set Stories: 02:32–03:42
• Living Single Episode Recap: 04:56–09:36
• Cell Phone Revolution & Solitude: 09:36–11:13
• Reputation and Industry Gossip: 13:23–15:55
• Gossip & Gender Stereotypes: 22:50–23:53
• Kyle’s Cell Mishap (‘Butt Dial’): 17:25–18:43
• Comedians Using Real-Life Material: 20:44–21:32
• Media Industry Tricks & Kim’s Tabloid Story: 30:51–32:51
• Jason Lee’s Ethics/Borders on Gossip: 46:33–47:52
• Surprise Guest: Big Les: 61:32–65:54

Episode Highlights & Takeaways

• Gossip is universal and complex: Both men and women do it; it serves as entertainment, connection, and, at times, cultural survival—but can also be weaponized.
• Personal experience + cultural observation = rich storytelling: Cast and guests blend “Living Single” nostalgia with candid testimony about the realities of showbiz gossip.
• Boundaries and reflection matter: Jason Lee’s evolution and regret over past mistakes shows the personal and professional weight of what’s said in public.
• Representation and legacy: The inclusion of trailblazers like Big Les underscores the ongoing significance of visibility and breaking barriers in Black pop culture.
• Empathy and self-awareness: All guests touch on the need for empathy, humility, and learning from missteps, especially when holding public influence.

Final Thoughts

The episode ends on a celebratory note—with the cast giving flowers to Big Les and cheers for Jason Lee’s career journey—while reaffirming that gossip, though double-edged, is intrinsic to human relationships and community. As Erika sums up:

“But, you know, gossip, brings people together. That’s U N I T Y right there...” (27:35)

Whether you adore Living Single or are simply fascinated by the ways gossip shapes our lives and culture, this episode’s blend of humor, candidness, and remembrance is essential listening.