ReLiving Single: "Tall, Dark, and Morris Chestnut"

Podcast: ReLiving Single
Hosts: Erika Alexander & Kim Coles
Episode: Tall, Dark, and Morris Chestnut
Date: September 24, 2025

Main Theme & Purpose

In this lively, laughter-filled episode, Erika Alexander and Kim Coles revisit Living Single Season 1, Episode 19, “Mystery Date”—the memorable installment featuring guest star Morris Chestnut. This episode is a deep dive into the show’s unique blend of romance, competition, and friendship, reflecting on how Living Single invited its audience to participate in storylines. The hosts blend behind-the-scenes insight, personal perspectives on competition, black love, and body positivity, along with reflections on how the show shaped and reflected the culture.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The “Mystery Date” Plot & Interactive TV

• Setup: The episode centers around a new, attractive doctor neighbor—played by Morris Chestnut—and the competitive dynamics that ensue as the female leads vie for his affection.
• Interactive Twist: Audiences were invited to vote on which woman Morris’ character would date—a novel approach at the time.

Notable Quote:

“At the time, you know, we were. We were number one in black and Latino households. So I think they were just trying to do stuff that was fun. And so what happened is the audience voted for which one of our Living Single ladies would go out on a date with a heartthrob, Dr. Hamilton.”
— Erika Alexander (04:36)

• Hosts’ Skepticism: Both hosts cast doubt on the legitimacy of the voting process, with Kim repeatedly exclaiming, “I still say rigged!” (00:11, 26:07)
• “Do Over” Voting: The hosts comically stage a new on-air phone voting segment, re-living their competitive spirits.

The Guest Star: Morris Chestnut

• Background: Recognized for “Boyz n the Hood” and described as “really grounded… lovely to work with.” (04:28)
• Hosts’ Admiration: Both reflect on Chestnut’s professionalism and genuine personality.

“He never played his looks. He just looks good. And he’s always had it.”
— Kim Coles (07:28-07:46)

• On-Set Nicknames:

“John used to call him Mo. What up, Mo Nut. Mo Nut.”
— Erika Alexander (07:46)

Physical Comedy & Authentic Competition

• Iconic Scene: Kim reveals that running across the couch to chase the guest star wasn’t scripted—she just went for it as part of her competitive nature.

“No, it wasn’t. I’m just naturally competitive, so… The whole point was to get to the door before they did. And that was not written.”
— Kim Coles (07:53, 08:23)

• Female Competition: Both hosts reflect, in good humor and seriousness, on the theme of women competing for a man—a storyline they found both silly and, in some ways, at odds with their actual personalities.
  • Kim, “I hated the storyline. I hated the storyline… Me as Max playing Max, thought that would never happen.” (16:50-17:24)
  • Erika compliments Kim’s candor for expressing discomfort with the trope. (17:55)

Gender Roles, Dating Advice, and Black Love

• Dating Dynamics:

  • The hosts explore advice given within the episode—playing it cool vs. being authentic—and critique sitcom tropes of miscommunication.
  • Kim: “Do men value that chill energy over, like, genuine excitement in dating?” (10:04)
  • Erika: “There are guys who appreciate no games…” (10:17)

• Vulnerability of Sinclair & Overton:

“Once you've done something, it doesn't feel real. So you doubt yourself... and so they're susceptible, they're vulnerable.”
— Kim Coles (12:26)

Style, Body Image, and the 90s Look

• The hosts celebrate the unique style and body confidence of the cast:
  • “Dana has some of the best in the world. Y’all all had fantastically gigantic tits. And it was beautiful.”
    — Kim Coles on Queen Latifah’s style (24:16)
  • “You looked stunning. The hair wrap, the dress. You looked really, really pretty.”
    — Erika to Kim (23:12)

Gendered Competition – Genuine or Forced?

• Kim and Erika debate whether their characters (and they, personally) would compete for a man, ultimately agreeing that the story played on competitive tropes but didn’t resonate with their real values.
  • “You can be inside of something and oppose it and yet still wanna win.”
    — Kim Coles (26:52)

The Ingenious “Bait and Switch” Ending

• The much-coveted doctor neighbor is ultimately revealed as a bore and miser, no matter which lady wins, showing the pitfalls of going for looks alone.
  • “It sounds like they wrote it to go that way no matter what. … And maybe that’s how they fixed this episode in my eyes, that he was a dud."
    — Kim Coles (29:56)

Breaking the Fourth Wall

• Erika and Kim praise the episode’s use of direct address and audience engagement—rare for sitcoms at that time.
  • “It also acknowledges that the people had voted. So in a way, it invites the people in. And that's the real fun of it.”
    — Kim Coles (31:13)

The Legacy of Living Single & Depictions of Black Love

• Both hosts reflect on how Living Single portrayed Black love honestly, showing all its quirks and beauty.

  • “Living Single was the first of its kind showing young black professionals in pursuit of it.”
    — Erika Alexander (34:23)

• They discuss the broader cultural impact, bringing in examples from TV history (The Jeffersons, Good Times, Martin Luther King & Coretta Scott King).

• Sinclair and Overton’s Relationship: Both agree the sensitive portrayal of their relationship helped “normalize tenderness” on screen.

  • “I'm so glad that the two of you were sweet and tender … to know that I could carry myself a particular way and still get a great guy.”
    — Erika Alexander (38:15)

Audience Letters: “True Blue” Segment [41:00+]

• Fan Letter: Renee, a younger fan, shares how the show inspired her to live authentically. [41:31]
• Favorite Set:
  • Kim: “I love the roof” (42:43)
  • Erika: “The living room, you know, there was… the place where we gathered most.” (42:53)
• Press Tours & Fan Love:
  • Both recall being especially embraced in Hawaii by Samoan fans:

  “I remember being engulfed by a bunch of Samoan girls. Big Samoan girls with all this hair, like, Sinclair, Max, how you doing? They would hug us, and it was like, oh, my God.”
  — Erika (44:40)

Behind the Scenes & 90s TV Realities

• Earthquake & Production Disruption: The hosts share a humorous story about negotiating time off following the Northridge Earthquake, which led to an impromptu Hawaii trip. [45:41-47:50]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Kim, on competing for men:

  “Girls High… One thing they did not teach us is that we were going to compete. We were going to compete for men. We’re going to compete with men.” (17:02)

• Erika, on being supportive:

  “I’m supportive. I’m supportive. What about you?” (20:41)

• Kim, on “tough love”:

  “I’m tough love, of course.” (20:45)

• Erika, on the audience “vote”:

  “I thought y’all was my people. Rigged.” (29:05)

• Kim, on dignity over a dud date:

  “I didn’t win Morris Chestnut, but I won my dignity.” (30:50)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Mystery Date Setup & Competition: 03:27–05:45
• Interactive Voting, Phone Calls: 01:45–02:45, 10:04–11:56
• Morris Chestnut Arrival & Behind-the-Scenes: 04:28–07:46
• Discussion on Female Competition: 16:50–18:22
• Date Ending/”He’s a Dud”: 29:05–30:48
• Fourth Wall & Audience Engagement: 31:13
• Black Love on TV, Cultural Reflections: 34:06–40:51
• Listener Mail (“True Blue”): 41:00–45:41
• Earthquake Story & Going to Hawaii: 45:41–48:19

Final Reflection

This episode blends sharp humor with honest self-reflection and cultural commentary. Erika and Kim continue to draw the audience into the world of Living Single, celebrating its pioneering representation of Black love, friendship, and individuality, while poking fun at their own competitive natures and the show’s 90s flair. The legacy of the show as a touchpoint for Black audiences—past, present, and future—is made deeply personal through stories, laughter, and honest critique.

For New Listeners

You’ll get insight into classic sitcom writing, the real-life personalities behind the characters, and how interactive TV once brought fans into the action—plus plenty of 90s nostalgia, laughs, and love.