Kim Coles on How Living Single Was the Blueprint for FRIENDS | Leading Ladies of the ‘90s
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- Опубліковано 5 бер 2021
- ET’s Kevin Frazier sits down with Kim Coles to talk about her sitcom journey; including how things ended on ‘In Living Color,’ how ‘Living Single’ may have inspired the start of ‘Friends’ and how she navigated the television space as a Black woman in the ‘90s.
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I would prefer to watch Living Single. I love these women.
Same. And it was a shame they were never acknowledged. And the producer of the network was the same, and he admittingly stole the idea and created Friends.
Me too!!!! GrovelandGal12 I prefer watching " Living Singles" Did not like Friends. Kim Coles was telling the truth about the differences in pay for african american actors and actresses and the verses white american actors and actresses. Bottom line white people who are actors and actresses get paid better than black actors and actresses. I love!!! Kim Coles positive energy. She is still a beautiul!! person inside and out.
I do also. The female cast of this show were sexier. Plus this show cast more Women than men, which was correct and certainly more appropriate!
True facts!
@@jaspergreatllc2465 how is that correct?
Living single is never outdated, you can still watch it today and enjoy it ! The actors had great energy and charisma! I loved when Kim Fields & Queen Latifah’s mother was on the show, the dynamics was wonderful! Best show that showed young black “buppies” and professionals in different career genres! We need a reboot! I would love to see it! ❤️💕
Truth. I still do watch it.
I actually think Living Single is WAY FUNNIER than Friends!!
They are funny they are no different just white actor's and actresses.
There is nothing funny or charming about friends
I love Living single! Friends was cool but a lot of the humor i just didnt get or connect with like I did with Living Single.
We all do
I agree...Friends was more like a soap opera, with the Ross/Rachel storyline, with some comedy thrown in.
I am not African American and this show was one of my all time favorite shows growing up. I even went to a live taping and the whole experience was amazing.
Wow! I’m jealous. After hearing Kim Coles talk about how awesome the set was, the chemistry they had and all the guests that loved being on the show, I would have loved to see a live taping. Also I LOVE Kim Coles.
That’s sounds soo cool mann!
Cool 😎
Thank you blm
I’m so jellllly!!!!
The fact that she was only on "In Livin" Color" for 1 season *but I could have sworn it was more* proves what an impact she made on that show.
Seriously cause I was just sitting here puzzled at how it was only 1 season she’s a force
Wait that's it? 😳
@@rudolphmcneill515 Yupp. Isn't that crazy ? ! She was only on the show for just one season but it feels like more.
@@christopherdieudonne It does. That is so weird to me. Damn.
I swear I was thinking the same thing. I'd put money on it that she was on for several seasons 🤷🏾♂️😳
I'm white and this is one of my favorite shows ever. Anyone who thought it was a "black" show wasn't watching. It's in re-runs where I live and I LOVE watching them all over again! (And NOT a fan of "Friends.")
Friends was just too goofy for me. But I love Seinfeld
@ Ditto. I LOVE Seinfeld and find it WAY funnier than Friends. No offense to Friends fans.
The issue is Hollywood saying “this is too black” when there’s so many shows with all “white” casts that we’ve watched over the years and all ethnicities can relate. Why is that? Because we’re all human. The terms racism, white and black are a joke and were created to keep us divided. We really are one human race with many different ethnicities. I never regularly watched friends when it aired. I’ve seen episodes here and there and enjoyed them. Now that I know Friends was ripped from Living Single and the cast of Friends was offered more money makes me never wanna watch Friends again.
@@TheShai17 I didn't watch Friends b/c it was so unrealistic (like all shows set in NYC practically). Also, it wasn't nearly as funny.
@@purselmer5931 I see. Thank you for commenting 😃💛🤗
She’s so vulnerable, so authentic! So very beautiful inside and outside
Back in the 90s, in my 20s, Living Single was THE show to watch. Fox 5 had the younger audiences locked: Martin, Living Single, In Living Color, New York Undercover. The characters looked like me, talked like me. I related to them. It BUGS me “Friends” got the red carpet treatment. That show is a damn empire! It’s EVERYWHERE.
“Living Single” today is a show in reruns that new audiences are seeing for the first time.
Living Single even had a soundtrack that was 🔥 I hope I still have the cd.
Yess bomb line up!!!!
That lineup was killer on FOX. Those were the DAYS!
Yes,Sundays Living Color,Roc on either Thursday or Wednesday nights,Their Thursday nights were🔥 New York Undercover,South Central 🙌 Ahhh the Good Ole'Days😪
@@TheShai17 So did NY Undercover.
Living single should of had at least 7 seasons. I would love to see a reboot. Even if they did a limited series reboot like they did with Mad about you.
God, I hated "Mad About You." But YES to a reboot of "Living Single!"
@@purselmer5931 LOL I hated that show too. Weird how some of the dumbest shows are getting reboots.
Yes! But there was a Mad Abouut Youu reboot?! Mad About You is one of those shows I fell for by accident. I just got caught in a binge and loved it. They were just such a realistic couple. I have to find this special.
@@Strawberryfearsforever maybe I should check it out again. I haven’t watched since the first 5 episodes back in the late 80’s.
@@Strawberryfearsforever yes the reboot episodes are now on Amazon prime.
I’m white and I grew up watching Living Single. LOVVVVED that show. I hope there’s a reboot
Living single is my favorite show I love them all.i still watch the reruns all the time.friends had no blacks on it where in New York you do not see one black person.living single had white Chinese all kind of people on the show.thats why we love that show.
I'm Mexican American and I grew up watching this show. My family never discriminated against shows that were "geared" towards specific races or cultures. I appreciate them for exposing me to such a rich and eclectic mix of tv, movies, books and music. My kids will have the same upbringing, I want them to understand that things like love, laughter, joy, and friendship are universal and bring us all together. When I went to college my roommates and classmates were black, and they were surprised and happy that I knew living single; just shows how having something as simple as a favorite tv show in common can bring people together.
@Black Queen it's simply how we raise our children. If we teach them simple things as love, compassion, care and kindness, they're going to spread that love. I cant wait to show my kids the amazing things I grew up with.
Whew 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 THAT PART
@Lexi M beautifully said 💖
I lost my mom in 95 and when I see this show, it just gives me back that feeling of being home again. I miss the 90s. My siblings and I used to love this show and two are gone. It just makes me feel like they are watching with me.
So sorry for you the loss of your loved ones. My Dad died and I get the same feeling when I watch Unsolved Mysteries because it was our show ❤️
Growing up as a Jamaican, that "hey mon" family was such a treat to our family because of the accuracy. Lots of laughs.
Kim Coles She was the most genuine person on the show meaning character everybody had a genuine spirit but something about her spirit it just was so refreshing
Yes! Her as a person period. I loved her on In Living Colour and was sad when she didn’t return, and didn’t know why. Now we know.
I’m watching living single on Hulu right now
Right
Me too
It on Hulu !! Yay 😀
I just finished watching it! Max is my favorite character. She's iconic. Khadijah is a close second.
I did too
I loved that john and kim played married again on one on one. Then max and kyle made a cameo on half and half with their “daughter”
And most recently they both made a cameo on black lightning, who is played by scooter
👏🥰
They Are gifted
I love that!
🔥🔥🔥
👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
They were also the foundation for “Girlfriends.”
Sex in the city was a ripoff of gf
Meh, not quit Girlfriends
@@ertfgghhhh Sex and the City came out two years earlier sooo
@@reseyworld the premise didnt.......
But there would not have been "Girlfriends" or "Sex and the City" without "Golden Girls" or "Designing Women" before them. The fabulous foursome of women is magical! 😊
We all know this, nobody denies that Friends bit off of Living Single
Facts
FACTSSS!
Factsss
Hmm a lot of people don’t tho bc I brought it up to a friend and he was shocked
It used to be denied for years.
I still love Kim Coles aka Sinclair!!! I wish they’d come back together! 🤞🏼
What I am most pleased about is that we are paying homage, showing appreciation, and giving these legends their flowers...NOW! Well-Deserved!
As an old white lady I loved this show. It was better than Friends because you’re all different. Watching Queen Latifah running her own magazine and did it her way. She was a queen already and then she got better. Kim Fields is still Tootie but Regine was so good. Bring it back.
I’m soooo glad people are finally talking about this!!!! Asss muchhhhh assss I love FRIENDS!!! They need to own up that they copied this phenomenal BLACK SHOW!!!!!
@@georgefloyd4190 it literally was stated on this Interview that the creator of Friends copied Living Single. Sorry you just discovered Friends wasn’t an original concept and copied off black and other people of color’s ideas like what has gone in music and clothing
@@georgefloyd4190 people of color include people of Latin , African, Asian, Pacific Islander, Native American/indigenous.People whose culture makes up American culture literally. Where do you think spices, music like blues, rock, anything popular comes from, clothing that is popular. Mainstream takes from these cultures. Even country is influenced by people of color. Not acknowledging you truly don’t understand why all these cultures mentioned are important to what it is to be American. It’s well known Friends was copied off Living Single. If you are just learning this, glad to educate you. It’s important for people to learn. It was stated in this interview, so not sure why you are questioning this on an interview you took time to watch. It’s at around the 14 minute mark. Go watch it yourself
@@georgefloyd4190 you do know that there are black, brown , Asian, Pacific Islanders who came to US before Slavery was started and ended. Indigenous people are closely related to East Asian people. There is historical documentation of people of African descent coming freely to the Americas. This is easily found in google. People different cultures from Oceania, Asia, Africa, South American, Central America, the Caribbean came to the US and brought their cultures which thus influenced American (US) culture. No one brought them over.
@@floridababe05248 I wasn't referring to them welfare.
@@floridababe05248 This person is clearly being a troll. Please ignore them.
As a Latina she’s wrong, living single was WAY BETTER than friends. The episode on breast cancer was the first time I was exposure that as a little girl. They hit real topics. I loved Kim coles character too
Who had breast cancer? Kim Fields had a breast reduction. But ive never seen anything about breast cancer
Yes living single was way better then friends facts 😎
@@jrgreen7303 right?!
It wasn’t better than Friends. A lot of you just like to hate on Friends because it was obviously a super white show that most people seem to like and supposedly copied this one. It still does not make “Single” better.
@@IWantToMature85 you do know it’s possible for people to genuinely like black shows, right?
Someone doesn’t have to be lying if they say they like a black show more than a white show.
Y’all really confused because y’all genuinely don’t think black peoples can deserve more than white people. We can’t be smarter or prettier or anything and if someone thinks we are, they have to be lying.
FOH
Kim Coles, so classy even after all the Wayans did her dirty.
How they do her dirty ?
Spill the tea
@@uniqueaesthetics1403 they might be talkin' optics wise. Kim only lasted one season on In Living Color so that's probably what they meant 🤷🏽♀️
@Ryan Francois Everybody, including Keenan, knew that Kim Coles was way funnier and more talented than the sister, but Kim Coles kept getting pushed to the side. The sister of the creator/producer got the best skits and opportunities (preferential treatment) even though she was a "just okay" entertainer.
@@keptbygrace6221 black people are allowed to practice nepotism! It was a win win for both of them!
i love the transparency actors can have about old shows, they just can't be this honest when the shows are still fresh
Ugh, this makes me so happy, nostalgic and emotional because Living Single never got their just due until now. They also never got the money they deserved and people don't want to acknowledge the racial disparities. No "Living Single" equals No "Friends". The End
For me, “Living Single” was the African-American version of the “Golden Girls”. Khadijah was Dorothy, Sinclair was Rose, Regine was Blanche and Maxine was Sophia.
Oh snap! I never thought of it that way. Great comparison.
I read somewhere that Golden Girls was the exact blueprint the writers used to create Living Single. So that's very perceptive of you.
Omgggggg yessssss
I thought the same thing. I also believe the show with Carrie Bradshaw was a younger version of Golden Girls. The show is Sex in the City.
Wow I never thought of that.
Living Single was my show back then. She gives good energy and conversation.
She’s an underrated icon. Every show she was on she was the funniest!
I LOVED living single!!! I was like 10 years old and probably didn’t understand half the jokes because I was so young but it was one of my fave shows
Me 2
I never watched Friends, I LOVED living single
Living single will never get old! It is just too good
I watched living single in 2020 and I loved every second of it. I was born in 1997 so I’m currently in my early 20’s
Same (22)
@@watermelondreasymone7144 I just turn 23 in December
I’m 21 turning 22 in December.
Literally cannot stand Friends, but this show looked like it would’ve struck a chord with UK audiences - Shame we never got to see it
if you have Hulu all 5 season are on Hulu. This was the show to watch on FOX back in the 90s.
U can watch all the seasons on hulu I still watch it
YESS!! I’m can’t stand Friends either, it’s sooo boring! I completely agree! I would’ve loved to see this!
Really?
Really? Preciate u bc I been looking for this show on DVD for about 10yrs!
I watch Living Single every other day on my hulu, one of the best shows ever
"Friends" is one of my all-time favorite sitcom shows of the 90's, but even I can admit, "Living Single" was what created "Friends" and reason for many other ensemble casting of friends living their 20 somethings life.
I’m Latina and I still watch re runs of Living Single on Hulu.
♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
ethnicity doesn't matter, this show can literally appeal to anyone, it's that good!
This show was my introduction to Queen Latifah, I love her so much.
You had never heard her music or seen her before Living Single??
Right. I heard a few of her songs but I think I connected to who she was through the show. Idk if I really knew who she was till then but I was young when the show started
Through this show Latifah was able to show how broad her talents were besides just being a rapper.Her acting, basketball skills and singing was able to be shown throughout the series.
@@dantefreely5850 I'm 23 so yeah I've never heard her before this show
She's an absolute GEM😍 I love her energy and spirit! Living single would come on and me and my siblings would be jamming in front of the television lol🤭 I grew up to them, learned from them. There has never been and will never be another!
This show is still my absolute favorite of all time. I still watch on a very regular basis on Hulu. It’s my go to show!
Kim Coles was my favorite on Living Single and she’s still funny
It's around the 14 minute mark where Friends is discussed
Thanks 👌🏾
Thank youuuu
14:00
Okay I'll stop watching at 13:59 😆
I'm so GLAD they did this interview. More of this!!!!
The difference between Friends and Living Single is soul
Kim Coles is so talented. I enjoyed her on In Living Color but she got to really shine on Living Single. I wish they'd do a reunion show.
What a great journey Kim Coles had. Living Single was an awesome show! I wish they would give this show more respect!
Love Kim Coles! That woman was it back in the day! Living Single along with In Living Color was must watch tv in its time
Indeed 🙌🏾👏🏾💛
Living single was the best!
Seen every episode of Living Single and still refuse to watch one episode of Friends. Sick of black media getting the Pat Boone treatment.
Everybody forgets she and John Hinton had a reoccurring role on one on one they were Spirit’s parents
Oh shiiiiittttt
Wow...didn't know this.
One on One
There was an episode of Living Single where Regine moved out and Sinclair developed a cigarette habit. That episode is so funny to me.
Boy that brings back lots of memories. How I miss living single. I would definitely watch a reboot.
Wow! This interview was very enlightening. Love me some Kim Coles. Such a sweet spirit. God had something much better for you. You were awesome in Living Single.
I wish Living Single had lasted 7 seasons. I would have liked to see Regine and Russell get married in the finale
Regine got engaged 💍 to a millionaire philanthropist a few episodes before the finale!
@@Tampabruh I hate we didn’t even see her get married.
@@lakeciagoedken208 The show was supposed to run until April or May (end of that current tv season) but the executives wanted to save money and end the series on new years( or the ChristmasHoliday) !
@@Tampabruh that sucks they never really got a good ending
I would have love to see that too but knowing Raggine character FOX would not have had the budget to have that kind of blowout wedding lol
Living Single is my favorite show, I still watch it.
She’s such a great spirit- I hope she continues to prosper
Living Single is a great show. The episode when Sinclair had to work with a spoiled kid actor was funny. Kim is a great comedian. She was hilarious on several Frasier episodes.
One of my all time favorite shows! We need a Living Single reunion!
They should do a Living Single special, I love that intro theme it's 🔥🔥
"Woo woo woo. Woo woo woo" I still say that today 😁
ON HULU now! I binge watched it and the finale snuck up on me since it was half of the regular episodes :/ BUT I LOVED how they ended the episode. Everyone had something to do and happy about it.
She's such a lovely spirit. I wish her the best!
This show is amazing! Rewatched it during quarantine and it’s still just as funny as I remember it being back in the day. ❤️❤️❤️ reboot please!!!!
One of the best TV lineups in HISTORY.Fox on Thursday night in New York was: 8pm: Martin, 8:30pm: Livin' Single, 9pm: New York Undercover.Then have some drinks, head out to " The Sugar Shack" on Jerome Ave ( Bronx) Comedy and after party.Capone ( host) and DJ Brucie B.....GOOD TIMES, plus my days offs were Friday/ Saturday.
Living Single is my favorite sitcom. Love Kim
This interview was done so well!!!! Great job Kevin & Kim. She has such a refreshing personality and her positivity is so beautiful!Thank you for sharing your story with such grace and truth. Loved the Show and love all of you!
I loved Living Single and I enjoyed Friends. Both shows were good.
Living Single deserved better! It was the first time I saw myself reflected on screen
Everybody know friends was the white Living singles , living singles the reason there was friends , girlfriends, BET Sistas
Really? I didn't know that. I never watched Friends.
Amen amen and amen
Friends caused living single to get canceled
I'd rather watch Living Single anyday. Cannot stand Friends.
Living Single was everything. I say that Living Single was based off of Golden Girls
Living single was and is one of my fav shows!. Friends can’t compare IMHO… love it … Living color too…back in my day…🥰
Thanks, ET for a proper full delicious dose of Ms. Coles! Kim Coles, I really miss your brilliant story telling!
I miss Living Single, too! Woo woo woo! ❤️😘
OMG in living color!! Loved it soo much. I used to watch it with my dad as a kid. I didn’t even realize it was the same person that was in living single
Just watched this show actually. Definitely a blueprint for "friends"
Worst thing they did was let Kyle go though, show was not nearly as engaging after he left.
It didn't feel the same, true. But Kyle was arrogant and after a couple episodes, I honestly didn't really miss him.
I loved vf him and max though the chemistry max was savage 😂
I didn’t know that he left, but I think it’s disrespectful for some to call it better than Friends. My brother watched it a lot and I rarely laughed.
@@IWantToMature85 not better but a copy version its not friends but that and the golden girls are similar and comedy is perspective because its funny to me
Kim Fields also left. I missed the dynamic between Kyle and Max.
I'm team Kim Coles, all day, everyday! You ROCK, my sista! Much love, gratitude & respect!
This is my show! One of the BEST shows of the 90’s
How can you NOT love her?!! I hope Living Single does come back!!
Living Single comes on ALL THE TIME!! On BET and TV1, like everyday! And I love it!! It’s my new favorite old show to watch 😂
So grateful to see watch this she is an unsung actress w great talents! Shes also so stunning!!!
As a young white girl and I loved Living Single! I didn’t watch other Fox shows and casually watched other sitcoms like seinfeld, but LS was my comfort show. Kim Coles’ character. was so cute.
Living Single was my favorite show back in the day! I just loved the whole cast!
Kim looks beautiful. I’m so glad I grew up in this era.
Living Single was an incredible show and still is. My son started watching the show at age 14 and still watches it. He is 18 now.
I’m watching this entire series right now and it still slaps!! It’s SO good!
I still watch this show til this day, I absolutely love them. Wherever I am in the world, this show makes me feel at home.😊🥰
Kim Coles is one of my favs. She's so genuine and grounded. The dynamics of Hollywood continue to overlook people like her. The entertainment industry is very shallow. Yet, Kim holds no bitterness. I've only watched maybe 2 episodes of Friends. I thought it was marginally funny at best.
My mom loved this show!
I never got into Friends, I never liked that show. But I never missed an episode of Living Single, loved that show. I still watch it.
Friend sucked
I watch Living Single everyday!!! My favorite show! If a reboot it has to be just as great! Don’t mess up a GREAT thing
They should at least do a reunion for HBO Max. (Being that it's a Warner Bros. Show - but licensed to Hulu at the moment)
I still watch living single to this day... LEGENDARY!!
In living color, was a blessing to a lot of people.
And bring back the same writers. They did a great job!
I still watch Living Single on Hulu. Black people just living their lives. These ladies were all hilarious❤️
The first and real one, Living Single!!!!! 💜
I grew up watching Kim Fields and Erika Alexander, listening to Queen Latifah and found Kim Coles on In Living Color. They made timeless magic and will always be loved by the culture. Bingeing on them right now. ❤❤❤
I grew up watching this show i love it , its part of my childhood..
I like Kim coles. She seems to be a level-headed person. I can tell that she has been through a lot.
I was a kid at the time the show was airing and I must say I loved watching Living Single as well as In Living Color, Martin, and the Sinbad Show.
She's still got that drop dead gorgeous smile! Soon underrated!
{1970s 1980s 1990s} Three best Decades of meaningful, caring, respectful and loving Sitcom Shows. Thus far in Television 📺 History.