How Living Single Paved the Way for Friends
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How Living Single Paved the Way for Friends
Many fans may not realize that Friends was heavily inspired by Living Single, an all-Black sitcom that premiered just a year earlier in 1993.
Before Friends debuted on NBC, Living Single aired on Fox, following six friends in their 20s navigating life and careers in Brooklyn, New York. Like Friends, the characters lived in two apartments in the same building, creating a similar dynamic.
However, Living Single portrayed successful Black professionals. Khadijah James (Queen Latifah) owned Flavor magazine, Maxine Shaw (Erika Alexander) was an attorney, and Kyle Barker (T.C. Carson) worked on Wall Street. In contrast, Friends focused more on creative and service jobs, with Rachel starting as a waitress and Joey struggling as an actor.
In a 2019 interview, Queen Latifah revealed that Living Single was originally pitched to NBC before landing on Fox. Warren Littlefield, NBCâs former President of Entertainment, admitted in 2012 that the network was aware of Living Single and wanted to create something similar with a white cast.
In 1994, Friends premiered on NBC and quickly became a massive hit, overshadowing Living Single in ratings. While Friends received widespread recognition and marketing, Living Single remained popular among Black audiences but didnât get the same mainstream push.
Though Friends became a cultural phenomenon, Living Single laid the foundation for ensemble sitcoms about young adults in New York City. Today, it remains a fan-favorite and a significant part of TV history.
Have you seen Living Single? Drop a â if you have!
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How Living Single Paved the Way for Friends
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