ReLiving Single – "Shady Besties"

Podcast: ReLiving Single
Hosts: Erika Alexander & Kim Coles
Episode: Shady Besties
Date: October 8, 2025

Overview

In this episode of ReLiving Single, Erika Alexander and Kim Coles revisit “Friends Like These” (Season 1, Episode 21) of Living Single. Through laughter, candid reflection, and personal anecdotes, the hosts dive deep into the challenges of friendship—especially when money and loyalty are at stake. The episode explores the arrival of Khadijah’s college friend Jackie, whose return disrupts the group’s dynamic, and the larger questions of trust, boundaries, and the “pact” that sustains enduring friendships.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Complicated Role of Money in Friendships

[01:14]

• Kim and Erika open with a discussion about money and its impact on relationships, asking “Do you think that the love of money is the root of all evil?”
• Kim shares a personal story about lending money to a friend and feeling betrayed when that friend appeared flush with new clothes but failed to pay her back.

  “She told me she needed it for rent. So we not friends no more.” – Kim Coles [02:02]

• Erika reflects on how financial inconsistencies often signal deeper unreliability in relationships.

2. Episode Recap: "Friends Like These"

[03:22]

• Khadijah’s old college friend Jackie shows up, prompting tension—especially from Max, who remembers Jackie’s outstanding debt to Khadijah.
• Max is immediately wary:

  “Her Spidey sense, it’s like, uh, uh, you know it…” – Kim Coles [03:47]

• Erika enjoys the role reversal where “the moocher has been mooched—Max has been dethroned” [08:25].
• Kyle and Overton’s B-story, involving pet fish and a puppy, adds comic relief and underlines themes of nurturing and one-upmanship.

3. Behind-the-Scenes and Guest Stars

[04:15]

• Jackie is played by Charnelle Brown (of A Different World). Hosts recall the tight community between Living Single and A Different World due to Yvette Lee Bowser’s connections as a writer.

  “That’s wonderful that we have these…the greats, and we get to play with all the greats.” – Kim Coles [05:20]

• Guest star Arsenio Hall is celebrated for uplifting Black and Brown entertainers on his talk show:

  “He laid out the red carpet for them to come and shine.” – Kim Coles [14:22]

4. Deeper Analysis: The Friend Dynamic

[06:03]–[20:07]

• Jackie’s presence throws off the balance, especially for Max, who feels displaced both as Khadijah’s confidant and as the group's resident moocher.
• Erika discusses jealousy and the challenge of seeing a close friendship shift:

  “I mean, not just space and possession…but also displacement. Yes, I was her best friend. And now you are.” – Erika Alexander [18:04]

• Kim explores how Khadijah interprets Max as “strong and independent,” which may mask times Max also needs support, compared to Jackie who is more openly needy.
• Discussion of how unreliable friends may reveal deeper truths about our own boundaries and history.

5. Real-Life Parallels & Friendship Maintenance

[38:09]–[48:55]

• Erika and Kim reflect on their own “32 years” of friendship, drawing parallels to Living Single’s on-screen bonds.
• They share moments of conflict and repair—like Kim kicking Erika out of her trailer or Erika calling out Kim’s gossip, revealing how setting boundaries and making repairs are vital for lasting friendship:

  “We made a pact…we're always gonna come back to love.” – Kim Coles [27:51]
  “I do think repair is important.” – Erika Alexander [46:13]

• Both admit to being stubborn, and laugh about their tendency to want to be “right”—but stress the importance of trust, growth, and accountability.

6. Memorable Quotes & Reflections

• “You don’t have to earn rest.” – Kim Coles quoting her therapist [33:03]
• “The moral of this story is friendship can endure if you choose it powerfully and make the pact to do so.” – Kim Coles [54:34]
• “Friends matter.” – Both hosts [54:45]

7. Black Excellence & Cultural Commentary

[32:03]

• The hosts joyfully riff on Black excellence, line dances, natural hair, and the layers of cultural pride linked to their show’s legacy.

8. Listener Question: “If Living Single Had More Seasons…”

[49:40]

• Kim would want Sinclair and Overton to have twins (“Sincloverton” and “Overclair”) and dreams of Idris Elba guest starring.
• Erika once envisioned Max’s parents being revealed as deceased, affecting her backstory, and jokes that Michael Jackson or Nelson Mandela should have had guest roles.

Notable Moments & Timestamps

• On the ‘pact’ of friendship:

  “We made a pact to each other. No matter what, we're always gonna come back to love.” – Kim Coles [00:04, 27:51, 47:59]

• Arsenio Hall’s importance:

  “He was already giving us a space before anyone had seen us.” – Erika Alexander [15:55]

• Boundary setting between real-life besties:

  “[To Kim] I like you. I really do…But we’re not gonna be able to sustain working together with you constantly coming at me with these stories. Please, you have to find another outlet.” – Erika Alexander [43:49]

• Repair after conflict:

  “[On being kicked out] I walked out with my head up out of that janky trailer.” – Erika Alexander [44:44]

• On jealousy:

  “I just thought about that…this is a lot to do with jealousy. I mean, not just space and possession…but also displacement.” – Erika Alexander [18:04]

• Kim’s personal take:

  “But now we see the truth.” – Kim Coles [25:08]

Friendship Wisdom & Takeaways

Ingredients for a Healthy Friendship

[36:18–37:19]

• Truth and honesty
• Shared values and growth
• Accountability
• Quality time and trust
• Support (emotional, mental, financial)
• The art of listening versus fixing
• Willingness to repair after conflict

Lasting Pact

• Returning to love, even after disagreements, is a key to longevity.

Iconic Cultural Cameos

• Celebrating trailblazers like Arsenio Hall for making space for Black excellence on television.

Summary

“Shady Besties” is a heartfelt and humorous exploration of friendship—on screen and off—through the lens of Living Single’s enduring impact. Through stories of lending money, setting boundaries, and navigating jealousy or disappointment, Erika Alexander and Kim Coles demonstrate that real friendships are built on honesty, vulnerability, and a willingness to return to love after conflict. Whether discussing the dynamic between Khadijah, Jackie, and Max, or opening up about their own 32-year bond, the hosts deliver both “woo woo woo” wisdom and plenty of laughs, inviting both devoted fans and new listeners to reflect on what makes friendships survive—and thrive.