Tall, Dark, and Morris Chestnut

Summary

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

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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.

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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]

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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)

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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

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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.

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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.

Transcript

[Erica Alexander]

Coming up on Reliving Single.

[Kim Coles]

Now this is an interactive episode. We swapped out one sexy guest star for another very sexy guest star.

[Erica Alexander]

John used to call him Mo. What up Mo Nut.

[Kim Coles]

I still say rigged.

[Erica Alexander]

Just need you to understand that we don't want to work under these conditions. But I'm fine. Rigged.

[Kim Coles]

Rigged. I tell you. The psychiatrist comes in and says, okay, look, how long do you need?

[Erica Alexander]

T.C.

[Kim Coles]

Carson? I'm gonna get your ass. I know where you live. You hear me?

[Erica Alexander]

Your own mother voted against you.

[Kim Coles]

Yeah, I'll set up with her later. I'll tell. Welcome back to Reliving Single, the official unofficial living Single Rewatch podcast. Now when we last left off in part one, we left the girl with a major hard on when a new sexy neighbor moves upstairs. And it's frigging Morris Chestnut. And if Yvette didn't make it painful enough, Fox made it a competition where the audience decides who gets Morris Chestnut.

[Erica Alexander]

Um, why are you whispering?

[Kim Coles]

Kim, Just get with it. Stop playing. Try it.

[Erica Alexander]

And everybody in America got to vote. Everybody. But not everybody was satisfied with the result. So today we're gonna do a do over. Woo hoo.

[Kim Coles]

Right, Because I thought it was. No, excuse me. Because I thought it was rigged. So what we're gonna do is we're gonna tally it up, retally up the votes ourselves.

[Erica Alexander]

Okay?

[Kim Coles]

And run a new contest.

[Erica Alexander]

Okay, Tell em how was it rigged? Cause you didn't win. I'm sorry. Right, so we sent out a new number to a selected group of people to call in and vote for their favorite matchup. Here's our phones right here. Here we go. Get your phone so we can.

[Kim Coles]

Oh, it's ringing.

[Erica Alexander]

Oh. Oh it is. Okay, here we go.

[Kim Coles]

Hello. You're voting for Khadijah.

[Erica Alexander]

Mom. What?

[Caller/Guest]

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[Erica Alexander]

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[Kim Coles]

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[Narrator/Ad Voice]

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[Erica Alexander]

See for [e-mail] it's time for the rewind where we watch and relive living single with you. Here we go. This week we are reliving single season one, episode 19 mystery date, where Overton and Sinclair's sweet new romance hits a few bumps after their friends chime in with some not so great advice. With mixed signals of flyin', things get awkward fast.

[Kim Coles]

And also remember that fine new neighbor from love thy neighbor. Well, Khadijah, Max and Regene all compete for his affection and erection. What.

[Erica Alexander]

Way?

[Kim Coles]

This is written by Becky Hartman, directed by Ellen Gittleson. The episode guest stars. Ok, we swapped out one sexy guest star for another very sexy guest star.

[Erica Alexander]

So we swapped out for Morris.

[Kim Coles]

Morris Chestnut.

[Erica Alexander]

There's something for everyone there.

[Kim Coles]

Yes. And Morris Chestnut, where is he from?

[Erica Alexander]

He was Ricky Baker and Boyz n the Hood. Come on. A role that made him a household name. And he's really grounded, I think, as an actor. And he was lovely to work with, don't you think?

[Kim Coles]

Yes, yes, he was very lovely. And 30 years later, he is still a fine man and he's a wonderful, great actor. Now, this is an interactive episode. 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. How did they vote?

[Erica Alexander]

I think it was a phone bank. Like, we didn't have social media or anything. I think it was just like you could call in and vote for the lady that you wanted to see him go out with.

[Kim Coles]

And I call B.S.

[Erica Alexander]

Why do you call B.S.

[Kim Coles]

I don't think they had any process for voting. And that's why we gonna redo it right now. That's right. So may the best woman Max win. Roll it. Oh, well, can I help you with it?

[Caller/Guest]

No, I think I can handle it.

[Erica Alexander]

By the way, I'M Hamilton, like the Greek God?

[Caller/Guest]

No, I think there's a Greek God named Hamilton.

[Erica Alexander]

Well, there is now.

[Caller/Guest]

It was nice to meet you all. I guess I'll be send you guys a run.

[Erica Alexander]

Oh, yes. All right.

[Kim Coles]

Walk that way.

[Erica Alexander]

Oh, that's Hamilton. First of all, there's a callback to the, you know, regime doing that little date lap.

[Kim Coles]

Cheating.

[Erica Alexander]

Right. And even you are sort of bitten by the bug. Like, you have now asked him three times. Can I help you with that? You asked him the first episode, the part one, and you've asked him twice so far. Well, can I help you with that? What?

[Kim Coles]

Hey. So they're using their wilds.

[Erica Alexander]

Using their wilds, yes.

[Kim Coles]

And they all have different ones. And when you don't have as big of titties, you have to be helpful. So I think that's why Max is asking that.

[Erica Alexander]

But we don't know if he likes big titties, so, you know, you don't know what the man likes yet. You're just working all the magic that you have.

[Kim Coles]

What dude doesn't like big titties?

[Erica Alexander]

There's some guys who, like, can't put that whole thing in my mouth. You know, they. Everybody has their preference.

[Kim Coles]

No, that's true. So what is it like for someone to be the object of all these women desire? And that's more his chestnut.

[Erica Alexander]

I like that he plays that. He doesn't get it. He's not witnessing that. This.

[Kim Coles]

Oh, he must be clueless. Yeah, yeah, he's got to be clueless. Like, oh, really?

[Erica Alexander]

So it's clear that he's 100% clueless. And he's just like, oh, I made a joke and they're laughing. Okay, yeah, yeah. So that takes something to have to play. Cause it's obvious that these women are throwing themselves at him, but he has to play as if it's no big thing. Don't forget that we know that he's a doctor. We know all these things that our neighbor, upstairs neighbor, has found out for you all. I'm grateful. I'll be honest. I'm grateful I didn't have to be part of the brouhaha.

[Kim Coles]

Yeah, yeah, we'll get into that.

[Erica Alexander]

I know we will. He was lovely to work with. He was kind. He was easy to work with and easy to be around. He's got a lovely personality.

[Kim Coles]

I really do. You know, he never played his looks. He just looks good.

[Erica Alexander]

No, right, right.

[Kim Coles]

Yeah.

[Erica Alexander]

And there's a. That's distinct. There didn't seem to be a self consciousness about. Yes, I'M playing. You know, the dark chocolate, tall, delicious, yumm.

[Kim Coles]

And it just shows you when you got it, you got it. You ain't got to play it.

[Erica Alexander]

Right. Right.

[Kim Coles]

And he's always had it.

[Erica Alexander]

John used to call him Mo. What up, Mo Nut. Mo Nut. I was like, I don't think you should call him that to his face. Monut.

[Kim Coles]

Only Johnette can get away with that. So the minute he comes in, we all running for him. And people ask me all the time, running across the couch. Was it scripted? No, it wasn't. I'm just naturally competitive, so.

[Erica Alexander]

And agile.

[Kim Coles]

Yes, Max is competitive, definitely as written. But I happen to be a jock. I was. I was a jock. Oh, Erica. E could move.

[Erica Alexander]

You flew. Did you even take off your shoes?

[Kim Coles]

I took off everything going across that couch.

[Erica Alexander]

You did? Yeah, I remember the shoes came. There's a jacket there. Everything.

[Kim Coles]

Jacket, everything. And it sort of.

[Erica Alexander]

Phew. And the whole point was to get to the door before they did.

[Kim Coles]

Yeah.

[Erica Alexander]

And that was not written. No how. Where were you supposed to be? Where was it written for you to be?

[Kim Coles]

They all go for the door. They didn't say how. I mean, that's up to the people. I knew that I needed to go. I was on the further side. I could have gone around and done all that. But why? There is no obstacle. Ain't no mountain high enough.

[Erica Alexander]

Ain't no couch bouncy enough. Overton and I did it last night. That's right. We kissed. Passive is back, dear. Don't you read? Oh, you know, I did feed something in Cosmo. Mm. Then you know that for most men.

[Kim Coles]

It'S all about the chase.

[Erica Alexander]

As soon as the thrill is gone, so are they.

[Kim Coles]

Regine's advice to Sinclair. I mean, so it taps into the old adage, the rule. You're supposed to act aloof to keep someone intrigued. Yeah, but she ain't doing that right now.

[Erica Alexander]

She's not. She took her man. Listen, there were dire straits. She was about to lose her man to that other curly haired girl who has real hair. Got some nerve to talk about her hair. Like, those curls are natural. Like mine were natural. They were not. Hold on, hold on.

[Kim Coles]

Ringing.

[Erica Alexander]

Yes, hello? Mystery date. Redo from Axe.

[Kim Coles]

Okay.

[Erica Alexander]

No Regine. Okay. Any reason why?

[Narrator/Ad Voice]

Why?

[Erica Alexander]

Just to f. With her. Okay. Nice. Okay. Yes, of course I'll tell her. Yes, of course I'll tell her. Mm. Thank you.

[Kim Coles]

Who is that? What do you mean?

[Erica Alexander]

Cece Carson. Yes. Payback's a bitch, isn't it?

[Kim Coles]

Don't worry, T.C. carson. I'm gonna get your ass. I know where you live. You hear me? In the meantime, let's go back to this show. Do men value that chill energy over, like, genuine excitement in dating?

[Erica Alexander]

I think there's this rule that you shouldn't, you know, you should make yourself a little aloof, a little available. But I think there are guys who are like, just tell me, do you like me? You wanna be with me? I think there are men who appreciate no games or just. Or maybe I don't like to play games. And the guys I've been with have been appreciative of it.

[Kim Coles]

So you're saying that the relationship between Sinclair and Overton thrives because it's authentic?

[Erica Alexander]

Yes.

[Kim Coles]

They're not playing games.

[Erica Alexander]

Right.

[Kim Coles]

Okay, I buy that. Why is Sinclair taking advice from Regean?

[Erica Alexander]

Because she's doubting herself. Right. Because she made this kiss. She did it on impulse. And she's decided we'll find out if she does take the advice from her. But she's thinking about it because it's like, well, she obviously has more experience with men. She must know something. I don't know. Meaning Sinclair doesn't know.

[Kim Coles]

Hello. Hi. Yeah. You want to vote for who?

[Erica Alexander]

Yes. Yeah.

[Kim Coles]

No, no, no. Of course. That was one for Max.

[Erica Alexander]

That was for Max. Oh, good for you.

[Caller/Guest]

I'mma go to see how my baby's doing this month.

[Erica Alexander]

Wait. Oh, O.G. o.G.

[Caller/Guest]

Man, look, when dating, the worst thing one can do is appear too eager. Play it cool, my brother.

[Erica Alexander]

Yeah.

[Caller/Guest]

Yeah, thanks. You saved a relationship, man. Well, I do what I can, you know.

[Erica Alexander]

Yeah.

[Caller/Guest]

Okay. Hello.

[Erica Alexander]

Hello. Nice talking to you. Yeah.

[Caller/Guest]

I got her right where I want her now.

[Kim Coles]

Okay. Wow. So Kyle. Kyle insists Overton must play it cool with Sinclair in order to keep control of the situation while also keeping her interest. Bad advice collides when Sinclair and Overton have a very short conversation.

[Erica Alexander]

We're each listening to two very jacked up people. They really jacked up, you know, Nature found its way on its own. Why are we listening to these folks who claim to be experts at it and obviously not really successful?

[Kim Coles]

Once you've done something, it doesn't feel real. So you doubt yourself.

[Erica Alexander]

Right.

[Kim Coles]

And so they're susceptible, they're vulnerable. And so, you know, unfortunately, Kyle's advice sucks. What would you tell Overton instead?

[Erica Alexander]

I think that Kyle, knowing that this is his boy and he's finally getting what he wanted ahead of schedule. Cause we know that Overton has a six year plan to get this girl. It's like, you got her. Go for it. Go for it, the advice should be to go for it and have a good time and, you know, treat her well, which he knows he's going to. Cause he knows what kind of man he is. But this whole like, play it cool, like, what is that?

[Kim Coles]

I think this is what drives sitcom, is this trope of miscommunication. They did very well in Three's Company. And gender roles play into miscommunication. Very much so because she's getting her bad advice from Regine and then over to getting the bad advice from Kyle. But it's also masculine and feminine. Right?

[Erica Alexander]

And women shouldn't be too aggressive and men shouldn't be too this. And all the rules. And how have we procreated and continued the civilization this far? I'll never know.

[Kim Coles]

So what's your real life example? Because I know you got one where miscommunication, you know, where it happened to you. Yeah.

[Erica Alexander]

There's a guy that I had a crush on and I, my, my gaydar wasn't working yet. He was actually gay. He's charming and he was interested in me as a friend. But the gaydar didn't go off, so it caused a little chaos as I was trying to be at. It was not like, why are my feminine wiles not working? He was so like, oh, Kim, friends. And someone later said, you know, he's gay. I was like, oh, oh, oh my. I didn't know. And then it opened up the ability to be able to be friends now, now that I understood that. So that's chaos. Okay, hold on.

[Caller/Guest]

Oh, oh, oh.

[Kim Coles]

Hello. No, no, man, this ain't Pizza Hut. All right, no, good luck.

[Erica Alexander]

Bye bye. Good luck.

[Kim Coles]

Are you by any chance from Philadelphia?

[Caller/Guest]

Yeah, I'm from Mount Airy.

[Kim Coles]

Stop it.

[Erica Alexander]

Now.

[Kim Coles]

I grew up there, right around the corner from Ishkabibbles.

[Caller/Guest]

You know, they got the best hoagies in the city.

[Erica Alexander]

Mmm.

[Kim Coles]

Tastes good just to say hoagie, Hoagie, Hoagie, hoagie.

[Caller/Guest]

Yeah, that felt good, didn't it?

[Kim Coles]

Hoagie.

[Caller/Guest]

You know, I was out back and I smelled something amazing coming from this kitchen.

[Erica Alexander]

What is that?

[Kim Coles]

Oh, just a little tri colored corkscrew.

[Erica Alexander]

Pasta and a marinara sauce with capers and sun dried tomatoes which I sun dried myself.

[Caller/Guest]

Well, this sounds like something needs to be settled on the black top.

[Erica Alexander]

We could go right in.

[Caller/Guest]

Hey, I got a minute. Hey, Jersey, what you got? Come on.

[Kim Coles]

I gotta say, I tell you, that's crazy.

[Erica Alexander]

I love this whole scene.

[Kim Coles]

I love it.

[Erica Alexander]

What do you think about the ladies game here? So we got Philly Yeah, Philly. Food or basketball?

[Kim Coles]

Frankly, I gotta go right now. Look, even though I want Max to win, and you're doing pretty good here, by the way. Y' all doing pretty good right now. I think that the lead is, for some reason, Khadijah.

[Erica Alexander]

Okay. Why?

[Kim Coles]

I'm gonna be honest. Because he seems to be down with sports, and men love sports. They actually. Their eyes glaze over with everything until you talk about a.

[Erica Alexander]

Okay.

[Kim Coles]

Yeah. And somehow, you know, it just makes their testosterone go.

[Erica Alexander]

Okay. And so to have a. See a woman be able to play like, oh, we could. We could sell this on the court.

[Kim Coles]

Exactly. But the deal is not sealed, because if that basketball smelled like a meatball, she'd have had him.

[Erica Alexander]

Right? Okay.

[Kim Coles]

But that man's playing hard to get. He's getting hard to get. I think he's doing really well.

[Erica Alexander]

Do you think he's onto it now?

[Kim Coles]

I think he's. He'd be a fool not to be. But you know what? If you've been good looking your whole life, maybe people always fighting for you, so you just accept it. Like, after a while, when you got to be famous, there's a part of me that actually starts to look past people seeing me. Did you know?

[Erica Alexander]

Do you do that? I get that. I get that.

[Kim Coles]

I stopped seeing them, like, 17. I'm not even kidding. Like, start going, got you. I had to so I could move through.

[Erica Alexander]

Yeah, got you.

[Kim Coles]

And if you come up to me, no problem. But I can't every.

[Erica Alexander]

You can't take it all in.

[Kim Coles]

Hey, is that so? I think that with a good looking person, they probably start to look past.

[Erica Alexander]

Those things, especially if they're not shallow. If they're shallow, like, ooh, come on, come on, come on. Get it. I like that. All right, good. Now I know you did not like this storyline.

[Kim Coles]

I hated the storyline. I hated the storyline.

[Erica Alexander]

Tell us why. I can guess, but tell us why.

[Kim Coles]

I thought it was ridiculous. You have to understand. Okay, so girls high. Hey, let's get in that. Let's get in girls high.

[Erica Alexander]

You hear me?

[Kim Coles]

This is where I come from. Talk about Philly. I'm from the Philadelphia High School for Girls.

[Erica Alexander]

Yes, you are.

[Kim Coles]

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.

[Erica Alexander]

Ah.

[Kim Coles]

To be clear. Gotcha. So even though I'm getting that this is just a story trope, me as Max playing Max, thought that would never happen.

[Erica Alexander]

Mm.

[Kim Coles]

You don't want to put yourself in a position if they had said, we compete for money, I could see how it was a like, okay, whoever wins. But it wasn't that. It's like we wanted that. Like, oh, he's like, so that means that we're desperate.

[Erica Alexander]

We're desperate.

[Kim Coles]

And I never thought they were desperate. Probably that was maybe when I said, I'm going back to my trailer to write my comeback piece, I just didn't feel good in my body. And I know that's Erica Alexander reacting. I'm playing a role, but also as the character. I absolutely didn't think that is where she should be.

[Erica Alexander]

I like that because, you know, a lot of actors would just like, let me just read these lines and get this check right quick. So where do you want me to go? Where do you want me to stand? What do you want me to do? And I love that you're being honest about your personal feelings about it. And not to mention, just like you, Erica Alexander, who was trained at Girls High and got this beautiful new playing field. Like, no, you will not be competing against other people for something like love.

[Kim Coles]

So even with everything we've got, he's a doctor, he's looking good, but we have to what, stumble over ourselves. There was no reason psycholog in our psychological profiles that this was going on. Except for maybe Regine.

[Erica Alexander]

Except for maybe regime.

[Kim Coles]

Agreed. Other than that, I don't get it. So. Yeah.

[Erica Alexander]

Oh, ring. Ah. Hola. Ah, gracias por so participacion. See Porn. Gracias. Claro. Ck. Okay, bye. Bye, Max.

[Kim Coles]

So they both stand each other up. Sinclair and Overton, which makes no sense. Are they doomed lovers? They like Ms.

[Erica Alexander]

Right. This sort of mismoments of timing. And he's waiting for her and you're posing and looking and he goes upstairs and she comes out of the door and she's looking for. It's just.

[Kim Coles]

And you call that the comedy of errors.

[Erica Alexander]

I think it's called a comedy of errors when things move in different places. But you know, the audience gets to see it, the mismatches and the missed moments. But the main players don't. And I think it happens in real life too. These moments. That's why it feels so real, like, oh, she just left. Oh, here he comes. Oh, the audience is with you.

[Kim Coles]

You can do that in of this format where you have a live audience, you kind of need those types of things to happen.

[Erica Alexander]

They're in on it with you. And this is what we talk about them being another character and another energy.

[Kim Coles]

Yes.

[Erica Alexander]

They're there with you and they want to see you win.

[Kim Coles]

So when your friends are in their relationship troubles, are you, like, supportive, or you like tough love?

[Erica Alexander]

I'm supportive. I'm supportive. What about you?

[Kim Coles]

I'm tough love, of course.

[Erica Alexander]

What do you mean? Okay, so when does tough. So in this situation, how would tough love come into play?

[Kim Coles]

Okay, let me just take that back a bit. I'm supportive by giving them tough love.

[Erica Alexander]

Okay. All right. Very good.

[Kim Coles]

And by the way, that's probably why people don't ask me my opinion about their relationship.

[Erica Alexander]

You're very much a suck it up, get it together.

[Kim Coles]

Hey, you know, come on. We invite hell upon us. But, you know, the thing is, if you're in something, you want some. You think, oh, well, they're asking me. They're asking me because they know I'm like that. So I'm gonna just tell them straight.

[Erica Alexander]

Like, you know, I think it's important to find out. What result does your friend want? Like, one of my best friends, I was going through a difficult relationship, and I thought she was gonna take my side. And she did not take my side. Not because this, the man that I was with, was right or wrong. She was like, there's things that you're doing and not doing. Like, you can only change yourself. You can't change someone else.

[Kim Coles]

No.

[Erica Alexander]

So it was like sort of tough love. But she was like, no, you need to look at yourself. It's not even about him. He's gonna have his behavior, but what are you gonna do about it?

[Kim Coles]

Okay. To me, that's the beauty.

[Erica Alexander]

Yeah.

[Kim Coles]

Because a tough love, it's always usually about, where are you in your life that you have attracted this experience.

[Erica Alexander]

Exactly. When you look at that, that changes it all.

[Kim Coles]

Because we often don't. We want what we don't need, but sometimes we need what we don't want.

[Erica Alexander]

Or we think we know what we want or need, and the universe has other plans.

[Kim Coles]

Maybe the need is the want.

[Erica Alexander]

Maybe the need is the want. The want is the need. And having wants and needs is what messes it all up.

[Kim Coles]

If you want that need, the need wants you.

[Erica Alexander]

The need always wants you. That's. That we can agree upon.

[Kim Coles]

Let's write a book.

[Erica Alexander]

Come on, now. To think I wasted a whole day wondering if you still liked me.

[Caller/Guest]

Let's make a promise that we'll never act as childish again.

[Erica Alexander]

Pinky swear. Hey.

[Caller/Guest]

I'm on my way out, but I was wondering if you and I can get a drink or something later.

[Kim Coles]

I'd love to.

[Erica Alexander]

As a matter of fact, we can.

[Caller/Guest]

Go right now, hey, that works for me. Listen, I'll meet you in the hallway in a few.

[Erica Alexander]

Okay, let's talk about all of this. First of all, you looked stunning. The hair wrap, the dress. You looked really, really pretty.

[Kim Coles]

Thank you. That was a beautiful mud cloth.

[Erica Alexander]

Yeah.

[Kim Coles]

Thought I flattened my titties a little too much. But you know what? I'm glad to represent.

[Erica Alexander]

Glad that you represented. You look beautiful. Each lady brought their best. Really?

[Kim Coles]

Phyllis.

[Erica Alexander]

Phyllis. Yvonne Stickney. She plays with that look so well. Suits her. And that's really her. Who she is.

[Kim Coles]

No, let's say she is. Yeah, yeah.

[Erica Alexander]

We used to do stand up together back in the day. She would show up at the Apollo like that, and the Apollo would immediately love her because she came representing and all that.

[Kim Coles]

And that was a 90s look. Please.

[Erica Alexander]

One of the best to do it. And you were one of the best to do it, too.

[Kim Coles]

Oh, well, thank you. Thank you, thank you.

[Erica Alexander]

Let's talk about. Regine looked a little older. We were sitting here saying she looked like she was a little grown up.

[Kim Coles]

She did look a little mortician. Is that what Amber said? Yeah, like she was in the knockoff of the Godfather.

[Erica Alexander]

Right, right. There you go. And then Khadijah's wearing a jacket, like one of her suit jackets. Not even really trying to be extra extra, but just being herself, which is important.

[Kim Coles]

Right. But you don't have to when you have ta tas like that. Dana has some of the best in the world. Y' all all had fantastically gigantic tits. And it was beautiful.

[Erica Alexander]

We were working our magic. Speaking of working magic, Sinclair and Overton are in the bathroom. Not the bathroom getting bath. The bathroom getting down.

[Kim Coles]

What?

[Erica Alexander]

I always appreciated John Hinton for his fresh breath. And we enjoyed those moments. We really did. It was fun. It was fun. It was fun. It was not a bad job to come. Come to school that day. And I like that scene where they get that special shot, you know, they had to make that shot in the mirror happen, you know, so to line it all up and we kiss. And so it was really sweet. And we made this pact to just be ourselves.

[Kim Coles]

Yes. And by the way, you're doing in the bathroom, I guess Overton has no bedroom. Maybe they didn't have the budget for it.

[Erica Alexander]

Maybe they didn't have the budget for his bedroom yet.

[Kim Coles]

So you know what? I looked good. And Regean looked, you know, lovely. But he chose the great Queen Latifah as Khadijah. No shade dairy. Even though we redoing this, by the way. Cause I still feel like the rope wasn't held right. And I'm doing all right in this, but.

[Erica Alexander]

Kank, kank, kank, kank, kank. You know, you've mentioned this before, that Dana is very comfortable in her body and she knows how to use her body. It's elegant. Yeah, it's elegant. And movement.

[Kim Coles]

And when she's walking, she's like this sort of floating and whatnot. Don't sweat that.

[Erica Alexander]

Right, right. And, you know, her hair is always bouncy and behavy. It was really something.

[Kim Coles]

Beautif.

[Erica Alexander]

Yeah. Yeah. I wanna remind you, the way this show was shot is that we shot the show and then we shot three alternate endings, meaning three alternate date. Like, who did he choose based on who the audience would vote for? And then they. I believe they inserted that. That, you know, that was the one that aired, supposedly.

[Kim Coles]

I still say rigged, but whatever.

[Erica Alexander]

Rigged? Why?

[Kim Coles]

I don't know. I never understood the voting process and how that they could get those votes in real time.

[Erica Alexander]

Maybe there was some hanging chads or something.

[Kim Coles]

Yeah, there's defin. This is definitely a hanging chad situation. Because, by the way, you shoot that ending.

[Erica Alexander]

Yes.

[Kim Coles]

And it feels awful, like you've been passed over by dodgeball.

[Erica Alexander]

Here's what's interesting, is that you, Erica, didn't like the theme of this. You, Erica, would not compete for a man. You, Max, would not compete for a man.

[Kim Coles]

I don't think she would. I don't think.

[Erica Alexander]

Why are you a woman that you lost? That Max lost?

[Kim Coles]

Because I'm competitive, Erica. And so is Max competitive. So I just thought.

[Erica Alexander]

It's a beautiful dichotomy. I get it.

[Kim Coles]

Yes. You can be inside of something and oppose it and yet still wanna win.

[Erica Alexander]

I'm sorry, that's a lot. That's a lot.

[Kim Coles]

But, you know, was the audience biased toward us? Is she a good match?

[Erica Alexander]

I don't know if. You know, maybe because she's Queen Latifah. The Latifah agents in command, you know, maybe they chose her because of that. I don't know.

[Kim Coles]

I don't know. Well, I thought it was rigged. Certainly biased. It was bought and bossed by now.

[Erica Alexander]

What would you have, Fox, would you have felt this way? Regine won.

[Kim Coles]

Sorry, that's too ridiculous.

[Erica Alexander]

Why is it too ridiculous?

[Kim Coles]

What do they have in common?

[Erica Alexander]

She's feeding him. She's gonna feed him. We don't know enough about him to know why he would choose any one of them.

[Kim Coles]

That's true, but I just think. Okay, so let's just assume that dudes are kind of the same have template. You can feed a dude and get them. He just didn't look like that type who was eating that much spaghetti. So, you know, I had hoagies. He know what that meant. Hoagies. Hoagie. Oh, it's in the first part of the hoagie. Hoagie. Come on. I'm making a different promise. Woo.

[Erica Alexander]

Go ahead. Go ahead.

[Kim Coles]

It was all in good fun.

[Erica Alexander]

Well, listen, I'm glad I wasn't in.

[Kim Coles]

That's the timer.

[Narrator/Ad Voice]

That's time.

[Kim Coles]

Time.

[Erica Alexander]

Okay, okay, okay. Here we go.

[Kim Coles]

Okay, let me count them.

[Erica Alexander]

Count them.

[Kim Coles]

The tally is in. I'm ready. I'm ready. This was a good.

[Erica Alexander]

Okay, good. All right, Amber, drum roll. And the winner is.

[Caller/Guest]

And that's how I became so fascinated by this softness.

[Erica Alexander]

Um, yeah.

[Kim Coles]

Well, check us out, right?

[Erica Alexander]

I'd love to hear more about your med school stories, but I gotta wash my hair. Hey, wait, wait, wait.

[Caller/Guest]

Just one more thing, sweetheart.

[Erica Alexander]

Yes.

[Caller/Guest]

You see, the drinks were 2.75 each, right? You include the tax and the tip, and your half comes at 6.84.

[Erica Alexander]

You did this to me. I thought y' all was my people. Rigged.

[Kim Coles]

Rigged, I tell you. And you know what? I ain't taking it no more. It's not fair. And I don't think that you did it right.

[Erica Alexander]

Erica, this is fair and square. I tallied the votes myself.

[Kim Coles]

You sure?

[Erica Alexander]

I am. Your own mother voted against you.

[Kim Coles]

Yeah, I'll set up with her later. I'm telling you. What the hell, Zach, man, come on.

[Erica Alexander]

Now that you see what kind of man he turned out to be, would you have wanted to be with him? Yes.

[Kim Coles]

I want to be the one to turn him away. Max wants to be the one.

[Erica Alexander]

What would you have done if at the end of a date he said, oh, by the way, tallied the drinks in this show? Please.

[Kim Coles]

That would be horrible.

[Erica Alexander]

How do you think the date would have gone if Max had won?

[Kim Coles]

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. We were fighting for this thing, that we didn't even know who he was. We didn't really find out much about him. And then she finally goes on a date and finds out not only is he a bore, he's freaking measerly.

[Erica Alexander]

He's stingy, he's a boar and he's a meser man. Right, right. Is that interesting that you're right? You all didn't spend any Time getting to know him. You just had a list of things that our neighbor from the episode before said. But yeah, it was a woman.

[Kim Coles]

Like men in that. Am I wrong for that? You know, sometimes you go just for looks.

[Erica Alexander]

Yeah.

[Kim Coles]

Listen, it can turn you on, but the thing is, it's the person that turns you on ultimately, that. That turns you off.

[Erica Alexander]

Right. Love that. So no matter what, it was written that no matter who went on a date with him, it would turn out to be a dud.

[Kim Coles]

Yeah.

[Erica Alexander]

Everybody wins then, right?

[Kim Coles]

Yeah. I didn't win Morris Chestnut, but I won my dignity.

[Erica Alexander]

There you go. There you go. I love when actors get to break the fourth wall that way. We see earlier episode Kim Fields does it and we get to see Queen Latifah do it here. Just really talking directly to the audience. You did this to me. I thought you was my people.

[Kim Coles]

Yeah, I love it.

[Erica Alexander]

Yeah, it's fun.

[Kim Coles]

I love it. And plus, 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. I mean, frankly, whether I enjoyed this or not, I'm sure for people felt like real fun to feel invited and to predict the end of the show. And this is before we had, by the way, computers and all these other things, people had done it, and people were doing it with shows with contestants and things like that, who you sang, but not rarely was it done on the sitcom.

[Erica Alexander]

I don't think it had been. I don't think it had been that way. So it brought the audience right there with you. I love that. Ultimately, it says how much we love them and they love us too. You know what's hit me? Rewatching these episodes? Every single character raised the bar and set their own standard of excellence. Mm.

[Kim Coles]

Max. She went from legal powerhouse to community advocate. Khadijah built a media empire for the culture before the Internet.

[Erica Alexander]

That's right. And Sinclair, who went from assistant to actress with heart and hustle and regime, from boutique bombshell to event planner. Boss.

[Kim Coles]

Boss. And just like our girls on Living Single, our friends, you at home are making moves like launching your side hustle and landing your dream jobs. And Lexus is right there with you, helping you reset the bar.

[Erica Alexander]

You understand something. This is not just a point A to point B journey. It's about riding in a car that meets your vision. Sleek, powerful, luxurious, comfort. So good it feels like a spa day in traffic. Woo.

[Kim Coles]

Because that's how Lexus makes me feel. Amazing.

[Erica Alexander]

Yes.

[Caller/Guest]

This episode is brought to you by Progressive Insurance. Do you ever find yourself playing the budgeting game? Well, with the name your price tool from Progressive, you can find options that fit your budget and potentially lower your bills. Try [e-mail] Progressive Casualty Insurance Company and affiliates Price and coverage match limit by state law. Not available in all states.

[Narrator/Ad Voice]

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[Erica Alexander]

All right, y', all, welcome to the Reverb brought to you by Lexus. Y' all know this is where we reflect and connect and talk about how the episode's themes still echo in the culture. Because just like our stories, Lexus keeps raising the bar. That's the standard of amazing.

[Kim Coles]

So one thing Living Single always did well, maybe doesn't get enough credit for is how it showed that black love in all its forms. And it didn't have to be tragic or over the top. It could be awkward, poetic, petty, soulful, sexy, sometimes all in the same episode.

[Erica Alexander]

That's absolutely correct. Absolutely right. So whether it was Sinclair and Overton being pure hearted and goofy or Max and Kyle sparring their way into something deeper, relationships were rarely so rarely centered that way on tv. And most television shows featured black love always showcased it after it was found. Living Single was the first of its kind showing young black professionals in pursuit of it. So what are some of your earliest moments of seeing black love on television?

[Kim Coles]

Well, I always have to go to Martin Luther King and Coretta Scott King because we saw them on television all the time. They were holding hands at marches. She was always by his side, unfortunately, because he was assassinated. They showed the pictures of her and the grieving process, but she was long suffering in the most beautiful way. And he was living the dream for us all together. And they had children. And so I see that as a beautiful example of not only black love, Black family, black sacrifice, but also American values. But they also sacrifice themselves for the cause.

[Erica Alexander]

My God, I've I think I've told you before. My aunt went to Boston University with them, and my aunt told me he was besotted with Coretta. He just thought she was just the most. So that's, I mean, what we saw in those photos was really, he just thought she was so talented and so beautiful and like Coretta. Coretta is my girl. So that was real. We've got so many options. We've got Kunta Kinte and Belle.

[Kim Coles]

Oh, come on. They was jumping the brooms.

[Erica Alexander]

Jumping the brooms. That's real. That's real. That's real. And even in the most difficult of times and the most. And we know that that happened for black folks at that time. As much pain as we were going through, we were finding each other. So that was on television. George and Weezy.

[Kim Coles]

George and Weezy. Come on. That's one of the best of all time.

[Erica Alexander]

Come on.

[Kim Coles]

Say what you want about George. They were at odds. But he loved.

[Erica Alexander]

Oh, love himself. Some wheezy.

[Kim Coles]

Wheezy.

[Erica Alexander]

George. Beautiful. Love. Love, yes. James Evans of Florida Evans, which we know. And actually it was Florida. Well, it was Esther Rolle who said that she was the one who introduced the black father to television. They didn't want to give her this woman who was living in the projects in Chicago. They didn't want to give her a husband. And she said, you must give my children a father. And so she fought to get this.

[Kim Coles]

James Evans character, still pushing the propaganda that, you know, that we weren't. We didn't have families or didn't know how to. After hundreds of years of destroying the infrastructure of black, you know, unity and family.

[Erica Alexander]

We're talking to tv. But the first time I saw this movie was on tv. Claudine, you know, Diane Carroll and James Earl Jones. So even though it was a movie, I'm gonna call that one, you know, that Love.

[Kim Coles]

And I saw it on tv, too.

[Erica Alexander]

I didn't see things. So for me, it was tv. And the bubble bath he made with that dish soap, I just imagine that all of her bodily oils were stripped.

[Kim Coles]

And by the way, as much as I love Diane care whether that they gave her a ton of kids with no father.

[Erica Alexander]

That's it. That's it.

[Kim Coles]

This is us, Sterling.

[Erica Alexander]

Yes.

[Kim Coles]

And my friend Susan Caleche Wachin. We did a play together, off Broadway. I love you, Susan. She's such an amazing actress.

[Erica Alexander]

By the way. Have you heard him say that any actress that plays a love interest must be brown like him?

[Kim Coles]

Who?

[Erica Alexander]

Sterling K. Brown.

[Kim Coles]

Oh, wow.

[Erica Alexander]

He has said, no, I will not do. I will not kiss or have any love relationship without someone who is brown skinned like him.

[Kim Coles]

But how rare was it back in the day to see something about black love that wasn't tragic or dramatic or, you know, just honest and quirky? It was very hard because actually, most of those things, outside of the comedy sitcom were very tragic. No, no, that's real.

[Erica Alexander]

Yes, you're right. You're right.

[Kim Coles]

Do you think that your characters, Overton and Sinclair, helped normalize tenderness?

[Erica Alexander]

I think so. And I can only say it felt beautiful to play. But you hear the fans say, I'm so glad that the two of you were sweet and tender. Like we see these over sexualized images of women and men and to love. To know that there was a good guy and a good girl that could come together was powerful to see, to know that that was possible, to know that I could carry myself a particular way and still get a great guy. So I love that it was. It hadn't been seen much and that we got to play.

[Kim Coles]

But how has that changed since living single? Has it been more complicated? Is it?

[Erica Alexander]

I think we as human beings are always complicated around love and love relationships. I think we have, you know, our science, you know, like what happens to our body when we see something that we want. And then we have the rules that are being put on us by society and social media and what you should want and what you shouldn't want. So it's really complex and confusing. And in the end, I think you have to just be yourself and resonate a particular way so you can attract the type of person that you want.

[Kim Coles]

So, I mean, do we have responsibility to portray black love?

[Erica Alexander]

I think we always say that black folks are not a monolith. There's many versions and many permutations of us, and we're human and we're trying to figure it out. I think that we have a responsibility as creators to create those. Those projects, to create those. A view into a look into black love and black life that we want to show the world. So I think we have that responsibility, whether or not the networks and I always call it, you know, the suits in the office want to show that as another. As another story. But I think we have a responsibility to show all the mosaic of who we are for sure.

[Kim Coles]

I think, you know, we also need to not just lean on the fact that it's on screen. In books, there are amazing love stories and novelists, and we have people like Sister Soldier, who is a friend. And I appreciate there's so many people. We should probably put a list up, put underneath the comments, y' all, the types of books that we should be looking for, these stories and learn how to, you know, turn off your devices and go in search of different versions of us so that you feel complete. It shouldn't always have to be delivered to you on a screen. Right. There's too many ways for you to.

[Erica Alexander]

Get it and maybe not even narrative. I'm sure there's plenty of folks who are writing, you know, the how to, you know, be the best version of yourself so that you can attract the best version of your. Of your mate. I'm sure there's plenty of that. So go seek it. And I always say, just be curious.

[Kim Coles]

Yes, Right. Seek it. Be it. True Blue.

[Erica Alexander]

Y' all know about True Blue? You know about True Blue? It's the segment where we hear from you. Maybe you have a question, a thought, a comment. We will watch, we will hear, we will read, we will experience you, and we will answer it right now. True Blue. Enjoy. Who's gonna be our lucky person today?

[Narrator/Ad Voice]

All right, so we have a. A written letter this time. And I'm going to read this email. This person has two questions for you.

[Kim Coles]

Right.

[Narrator/Ad Voice]

But just FYI, I'm just going to read the. I. I think you should hear what she has to say.

[Erica Alexander]

Thank you.

[Narrator/Ad Voice]

Okay, so this is Renee from Atlanta, Georgia, and she says, hi, beauty queens. Although I am a part of the younger crowd. She's from 1999. That's when she was born. Let's be clear. Yet I still took so much inspiration from living single, and I feel like my personality stems from knowing you four ladies on screen. You're an example I hadn't seen before and encouraged me to live in my truth and do the things that made me feel free and happy. My friends say I'm a Khadijah and Max of the group, and I wish I grew up in the 90s instead of being born right at the end. Your characters and even doing a little research and listening to your lives, you women have influenced the woman I've become today, and I'm continuing to become. I truly love you all and everything you have shown to the world, even if there are times you feel like you're not reaching someone, you definitely are.

[Erica Alexander]

That's so sweet.

[Kim Coles]

Beautiful.

[Narrator/Ad Voice]

Very sweet. I thought you should. I thought you guys should hear that. Okay, so her question. Renee's question, she says, what was your favorite favorite set and why set on the show? On the show.

[Kim Coles]

I love the roof.

[Erica Alexander]

Ooh.

[Kim Coles]

Yeah. I thought the roof was fun.

[Erica Alexander]

That was nice. It was. Ooh, that was nice.

[Kim Coles]

The roof was nice. The roof was fun. Yeah. What about you?

[Erica Alexander]

I was gonna say the office, but because I had my own, you know, my domain. But the living room, the place where we gathered most. The living room, you know, there was.

[Kim Coles]

That was very familiar.

[Erica Alexander]

Very familiar. Places to sit and be. And, you know, we were always looking for new things to do while we were in there. Even there's a part in this episode where you take your coat and flip it up before sitting down. Like, you have to find new ways to be in this space. And so the living room where we gathered.

[Kim Coles]

Yeah.

[Erica Alexander]

And had our Thanksgiving dinners and all the things. That's true.

[Kim Coles]

Yeah, that's true.

[Erica Alexander]

But the roof is a good one. Good one. Yeah.

[Narrator/Ad Voice]

And her other question is a little bit longer. She says, while doing press tours, I know you said it wasn't as big as other shows on other networks. However, a tour is a tour. Were there any places on the press tours that you felt your audience really valued and appreciated you while you were there? For example, anytime Beyonce goes on tour, she goes to Houston or Atlanta. The energy is different and much more dynamic. What was that city or space for you? And if not on a tour, where do you think you got the most of your.

[Kim Coles]

So I gotta say something. Cause this is what I remember about press tours. And. Thanks for the question. It's not like what you think. We are actually in rooms, and the press tour is for the press to come, so we're not really engaging with the audience. If that were the case, we would've felt it, and they would've seen how very dedicated and loving and loyal and rabid our fans were. And, in fact, I wish it was more like that because I think those executives who lived in offices and pored over numbers, as opposed to look at the fan engagement, would have seen that they had an opportunity that I didn't think that they took advantage of.

[Erica Alexander]

Good answer. Yeah. The press. And sometimes you sit in a room and they all come to you one by one, one by one. Or sometimes you sit and it's a, you know, somebody else on a feed or they didn't have Zoom at the time, but you're just sitting there waiting. And they would each come in. Believe it or not, Fox was one of the biggest networks in Hawaii. And I remember going to Hawaii. We went there for. We have to tell our earthquake story sometime. But they love us. 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. Like, the love was there for us in Hawaii. And I didn't know that Fox was as popular as it was there. So they love us in Hawaii. They love us everywhere. And I don't say that like flippant, but I remember these Samoan girls coming, and I was like, I had never met Samoans. And here they were saying that they love this show.

[Kim Coles]

So shout out. Aloha.

[Erica Alexander]

Aloha. Love you. Oh, yeah.

[Kim Coles]

Fantastic.

[Narrator/Ad Voice]

And can you actually tell your the Hawaii story?

[Kim Coles]

The Northridge earthquake rocked California, and they kept us on for some reason. Our show, we were made to come.

[Erica Alexander]

To work every day.

[Kim Coles]

We made to come to work every day, even though it was still having these aftershocks. But they had to engage a psychiatrist to come evaluate us, to give them, I guess, insurance, right?

[Erica Alexander]

Or just to make sure they were okay to take the time off. Right? Because they had to get the.

[Kim Coles]

Cause we were saying, look, we're stressed out.

[Erica Alexander]

We're not going to work.

[Kim Coles]

We can't go to work. You got to tell them about that psychiatrist child.

[Erica Alexander]

Oh, that was a long story.

[Kim Coles]

It was hilarious.

[Erica Alexander]

It was two psychiatrists, two black women. They were very smart to get us. Two black women. And I talked to them first. I said, so just so you know, know, we're fine. We're really okay. And especially me. I'm really fine. I'm okay. I'm okay. There's no problem. There's no problem at all here.

[Kim Coles]

Berserk, crazy.

[Erica Alexander]

We're fine. And so we just need you to understand that we don't want to work under these conditions. But I'm fine. Everybody else is just great. But I'm fine. I'm fine. I said, we're fine, but we need a little time off. You know, you've got Latifah, who's. Who's from New Jersey. She doesn't know from an earthquake. And I'm from New York. What do I know about this? And everybody else is. They're okay, but I'm fine. I'm fine. So we had this meeting, and what I should say underneath all this is that you and I were scheduled to go to Hawaii for a FOX event that was happening the next week or something. So I think that we understood that if we got released, we could go on to Hawaii.

[Kim Coles]

The psychiatrist comes in and says, okay, look, how long do you need?

[Erica Alexander]

Now I feel like I have.

[Kim Coles]

She was trying to give all these excuses, and whatever she said, uh, she.

[Erica Alexander]

Did, how long do you need?

[Kim Coles]

And we looked around like, is she saying what we think she's saying? Basically, she was saying, look, you ain't got to do none of that. You need two weeks, three weeks, a month, two months. We gonna hook you up. And that's exactly what girlfriends did. And Kim was like, well, you Know what I think? I think, you know what? She's looking around like, what, one week, two weeks or.

[Erica Alexander]

Two weeks?

[Kim Coles]

Yeah, two. Two weeks. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, that'd be fine.

[Erica Alexander]

And they said fine. She was like.

[Kim Coles]

She wrote that up.

[Erica Alexander]

Two weeks, huh? I'll make sure the network knows. All right, y' all take care now.

[Kim Coles]

And we went out of there like, hallelujah. We got on that plane. Got on that plane, went to Hawaii.

[Erica Alexander]

And went to a beautiful restaurant with the Balladeer. I went with the Balladeer. Richard came back tan and looking good.

[Kim Coles]

And so there you go. Sometimes bad things happen. But don't lose hope, because behind every.

[Erica Alexander]

Class, double date of line, plus they gave us a stipend, so we didn't have to pay for dinner.

[Kim Coles]

We didn't have to pay for nothing. We was looking good and laid.

[Erica Alexander]

And by the time we came back, the town had settled down. They were fine.

[Kim Coles]

Oh, we were all good. There were few ladies, you know, multiple few glasses. Apartments collapsed.

[Erica Alexander]

It'll be fine.

[Kim Coles]

Many people, unfortunately, didn't make it. But guess what?

[Erica Alexander]

What we did.

[Kim Coles]

We were ready. Don't forget to send your questions and comments to reliving single. Podcasteartbeat.com. that's it. We'll answer it.

[Erica Alexander]

We will answer it. This is what we do.

[Kim Coles]

Yes.

[Erica Alexander]

And new stories come every week. Make sure you follow us on all the podcast places, watch us on YouTube because we're really cute. We are. And we're having the time of our lives.

[Kim Coles]

And don't forget to like or subscribe and watch all the way through. And we'll see y' all next week. Aloha.

[Erica Alexander]

Hello. They say they're going to watch. They say they're going to watch. Thank you.

[Kim Coles]

Reliving Single is hosted by me, Eric Alexander, and me, Kim Coles. Reliving Single is a production of Heartbeat in association with Color Farm Media.

[Erica Alexander]

Executive produced by Kevin Hart, Jeff Clanigan, Eric Eddings, Leslie Guam, Erica Alexander and Ben Armand.

[Kim Coles]

The show is produced by Kim Coles.

[Erica Alexander]

Amber Watson is our senior producer.

[Kim Coles]

Our associate producer is Kenny Jackson.

[Erica Alexander]

Our other associate producer is Electra Telesford. Our video editor is Nee Kirschman.

[Kim Coles]

Our sound engineers are Eric Hicks and Cedric Wilson.

[Erica Alexander]

Production supervision by Razak Boykin and Brett Calkins.

[Kim Coles]

Additional production support from Alex Atkins and Z. Taylor.

[Erica Alexander]

Special thanks to B.K. augustine and Dr. E J. Johnson.