'Friends' Stole Living Single's Idea?: "I Was Mad" - John 'Overton' Henton's Reaction

comedyhype.com/ - In another part of our interview with actor and comedian John Henton, we ask the veteran comedian what his reaction was when 'Friends' premiered. Instagram: @ComedyHype & Twitter: @ComedyHype_ Shot by @_whoisty_

[@lamontking87]

That was a nice lineup in living colors , Martin , living singles 🔥🔥🔥 those was the days tv was good

[@MachineGunMouth]

And then new york undercover after living singles...

[@kenrickeason]

Take off the nostalgic glasses..

[@cosmicneuromelanatedgoddess]

Yes

[@kendallrivers1119]

@Kenrick Eason, uh, brother those shows are even more popular today then they were back then and are funnier now as the people who grew up with them are adults and get the humor better. Not many shows today, especially black comedies are gonna be classic like these shows

[@donnyrob3642]

Its never happened since the 90s nowadays not so much

[@mummydustcrackers]

Living Single has the best intro song of all time. Queen Latifah did her thing.

[@Jsv-w1v]

True

[@IsmokeHiphopLive]

facts

[@jerbojones]

Man I've said this before. I have the instrumental as my ringtone

[@stankpaige4083]

@Jihad Da God your Point...oh yeah your "GOD" so you can judge...right

[@andrebarnes6750]

Yes. Loved it.

[@money313868]

Y'all remember Kyle seduced the hell out of Max when he sung "My Valentine" at the Jazz club?

[@ingridjackson7113]

Hell yes!!! I think it's the best rendition of that song.

[@marquanagriffin1915]

Yesssss love his voice

[@ozzieedwards143]

Oh yes...I'm sure she creamed her panties. Lol

[@patttysimoneee]

Yes 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@loree2503]

One of my favorite episodes!

[@MinutesB4Midnight]

If you were singing the theme song in your head while watching this, please like😂😂😂

[@1993ladyangel]

that's funny that's exactly what I was doing. lol

[@rudyjobe498]

Woooooord!!!!!😁

[@stonerlife5512]

Damn you

[@cynthiamcneil8514]

9/25/2019 Just watched it yesterday with my grandson loved it then love it now

[@D.HONDA444]

I love the theme frfr. That beat is nice❤

[@jasonrafaelgirardi6136]

Overton sounds exactly the same, LoL! 😂😂😂😂😂 He has such a unique voice.

[@verzatilebrown8878]

Explains why Friends had no black people on it🤔

[@xman9190]

What? How does this explain why Friends had no black people on it?

[@verzatilebrown8878]

@@xman9190 it was not stated as a fact geesh......

[@verzatilebrown8878]

@@xman9190 hell MADTV had a mixed cast they even poked fun at friends for not having black people on it

[@xman9190]

@@verzatilebrown8878 Whatever! I still don't get it.

[@mobilebornminneapolisraise4882]

Gabrielle Union was on friends!!!

[@IDankLobster]

Living single had soul & comedy. Friends is corny af Living Single > Friends All day

[@thadonjuan2339]

FACTS!

[@holbertbillmaxey7334]

Living single is history. You can't just erase !""""""

[@christopherayettey4390]

Friends is far from corny af!!! Let's be real my niggas!!!

[@antoniojames9493]

ALL DAY!!!!!!

[@mocitymedia92]

@@christopherayettey4390 Foh with that mayo shit

[@blachubear]

Hell even Drew Carey said this in a TV Guide interview back in the mid 90's. When I read it, the water I was drinking went in the wrong pipe and made me choke a bit because I thought to myself "WOW, a white man called out the creator of "Friends" of stealing the idea of "Living Single"?!!!

[@condohatesme]

blachubear Whoa!

[@Buisness1]

In actuality! Living Single WAS based on quite a bit of reality. I was living in NY in the 90s in area of Brooklyn that was VERY nice, middle class. I was working at a funeral home in Harlem. All my friends were up and coming professionals. Now we are all in out 50s and 60s having done will in the 90s and moved on. The 80s and 90s NY for blacks was GOOD. Plenty of work and opportunities.

[@denno3124]

@@Buisness1 You're the first I ever heard say 80s NY was good for Blacks.

[@chandraanjelica5608]

I've always like Drew Carey. He's just a real one. Even on the price is right he don't be sugar coating shit. He be looking at the people all types of crazy lmao not to mention he always Used to cut MiMi's ass so hard 😂😂😂 and Mimi would cut ass right back pure comedy. Let alone when Wayne Brady, Drew Carey and the rest of the crew get together, they are absolutely HILARIOUS.

[@mrharmon100]

@Razh 80 wat did Seinfeld steal???

[@denzelreid4834]

So Friends is a ripoff series of Living Single.

[@WayzUp112st]

Exactly learn new shit every day and I'm 50

[@Lanaxparillaxwife]

Basically a trash version of living single

[@remayes77]

Yes it is

[@guru_basketball_kiero]

I never looked at it like that but I can see it after all these years. Even though I don't watch Friends at all

[@revans100591]

Yep they took the characters from Living Single and made white cheesy versions of them with different jobs.

[@chloeyreynolds]

Please don't forget about what happened to New York Undercover!!! Like if you miss them all😭

[@WillWilsonII]

So that's why I didn't know about Friends at first. I was watching Living Single. I made the right choice.

[@MachineGunMouth]

All races can enjoy living singles but friends is definitely for the white folks. We cant make the show too black, then they'd cut us short. Hence shows like Roc or south central. And yet married with children, Seinfeld, freinds etc got about 10 years each...

[@melliemel32]

WillWilsonII TRUE!! ~~Jesus is Lord~~

[@504mrp]

Huh Bruh.. Right!

[@drdread9896]

I didn't know about friends until I was grown and I was a kid when living single was on

[@private9260]

@@MachineGunMouth i loved Roc as a kid!!! I just mentioned the show the other day. You never hear about it, it's like it didn't exist.

[@ababebay]

Anytime 'friends' came on...it was time to go to sleep.

[@TaRonThomasTv]

😭😂😭 big facts!

[@sonnywoods6846]

100% I was like WTF is this shit, is there something else?

[@deronreed2945]

lol

[@desamania]

I never understood what white people saw in that show, however, I’m not white.

[@llnative5716]

I’m black n I love both shows cuz I gave it a chance n y’all should too

[@mrmaxxx94]

Everybody knows that friends jacked living single and of course all the money was put on friends, however living single had all the better talent imo, Hollywood is stone cold racist, nothing new

[@TheConnieLee]

Mr Maxxx, yes, and Black folk still race to be a part of it.

[@harvident5703]

@@TheConnieLee so true

[@anthonycoleman9593]

@@TheConnieLee That's where the money is.

[@bluemoongy1151]

@ohsevenoneWhat does family album have to do with friends other than theyre both made by some of the same people?

[@StreetnastyEntertainment]

💯⚫Facts💯

[@Moose-iz1uo]

I never knew about Friends until YEARS later. Fox had Martin, Living Single, and New York Undercover.

[@youngtied2092]

Martin was on hbo

[@maximilliongreen8356]

New york undercover was my shit! Best intro theme ever.

[@benhub3932]

@@youngtied2092 no it was in fox

[@_1Brick1_]

How was that even possible? It was like one of the biggest shows

[@familydiaz5006]

Yess you know your tv history sir ny undercover my ish

[@italioraucci]

"Living Single" , "friends"... Rhythm and Blues, Rock and roll. They steal what we create and call it their own.

[@larryanderson7282]

italioraucci also country music

[@fitawrarifitness6842]

The creations of the enslaved, belongs to the enslaver.

[@yaktown1985]

True

[@ceemichaels1877]

italioraucci Factz!!!

[@jessicalee3702]

All the time😵😤😖😡

[@clarkrachel26]

I always think living single is way better friends

[@getbread33]

Way better! Friends was boring!

[@christopherayettey4390]

Because you're a looser

[@TyTurner1996]

Way WAY better

[@Kassy_1234]

Rachel Clark -The black and white and grey. I’m grey. Friends & Seinfeld might be considered too white for some, but it’s far from the truth. Most people choose based on race. I go for any kind of funny - varying humor

[@denno3124]

@@Kassy_1234 I never liked Friends and I'm a big Seinfeld fan. Living Single was funny. Period. Never felt Friends but also never thought of it as the white Living Single...that's interesting.

[@mauricepickens5782]

no disrespect. they always stealing . hmmmm.

[@luvbig41]

Ain't no disrespect.......FACTS. Heck Black people started Rock N Roll.

[@mauricepickens5782]

luvbig41 Elvis Presley stole from chuck berry

[@luvbig41]

@@mauricepickens5782 Hell yea. Elvis Presley stole the songs also. Just like many white artists did.

[@getbread33]

Facts! Since day one!

[@jevana33]

No need to say "no disrespect"; THEY ARE ALWAYS STEALING STUFF!

[@janaysgabfest1811]

“EVERYBODY KNOWS WHAT WE DID” WE DEFINITELY DO!!! LIVING SINGLE IS THE BLUEPRINT!! Overton was DEFINITELY one of my FAVORITE characters on the show!! 👏🏾👏🏾🥰🖤

[@TerrellKRyans]

Thursday nights on Fox was Martin, Living Single, and New York Undercover. I even remember when The Simpsons aired on Thursday nights.

[@Insightstostrength]

NEW YORK UNDERCOVER WAS LIFE!!!!!! It doesnt get its credit either! GREAT memories

[@chrisdinkins3891]

The original Law and Order for the hood

[@woke1497]

What year ?? Like 94 95 lol

[@kendallrivers1119]

@@chrisdinkins3891 more like a 90s Miami Vice with hip hop flavor lol.

[@liznzen]

I loved Living single just watch all 5 season on Hulu ....Max and Khadija were my favorites we need more shows like that on tv now

[@Buisness1]

In actuality! Living Single WAS based on quite a bit of reality. I was living in NY in the 90s in area of Brooklyn that was VERY nice, middle class. I was working at a funeral home in Harlem. All my friends were up and coming professionals. Now we are all in out 50s and 60s having done will in the 90s and moved on. The 80s and 90s NY for blacks was GOOD. Plenty of work and opportunities.

[@ThexDynastxQueen]

It's on Hulu?!! Oh snap yes! Been stuck trying to watch reruns on random channels as I didn't think anyone was streaming it so thanks!

[@juanshaftpatel7488]

you must love bbc

[@kendallrivers1119]

Nothing like it at all. Black comedies in general have fallen off quality and actual humor since Tyler Perry's mediocre sitcoms. Shows like this or Martin or The Steve Harvey Show, Moesha, The Parkers, Girlfriends, The Wayans Bros, Roc etc don't exist anymore.

[@dre.dp.3465]

kendall rivers omg yaaaaaasssss💯💯

[@MaleahsDiary]

It's so nice to see him in 2019!

[@WWBCMedia1]

He look like that cool uncle you kick it with on Sundays. Would love to have a beer and play spades with one day

[@teelavonne27]

Hell he’s exactly that! Our family gets together & he’s still the life of the party my Uncle John, my mom (his big sister) & cousins definitely throw down on a card table 😂 he like watching sports, very much info family, still does comedy shows etc… Don’t know if he wants to pop back on television but who knows lol.

[@ReadLoveListen]

Living Single is WAAAAAAY better than Friends. I watch it on Hulu weekly.

[@tnawcwvictoria]

Same here, I'm more of a Living Single Guy and yes, I watched some episodes of Friends out of my curiousity, I mean I LOVE Jennifer Aniston, but I didn't find the show all that funny and I thought the show was overrated, IMO My family and I LOVE Living Single and every Thursday Night, Living Single, Martin, The Crew during the 95/96 Season which was also WAY better than Friends and New York Undercover which my dad and I liked WAY better than its sister show Law & Order (my mom is a Law & Order Fan), in fact, Dick Wolf created L&O, Undercover, Nasty Boys and Players and he also Co-Produced Miami Vice

[@xavieraduran]

Agreed! I never liked Friends.

[@writersblockpublishingllc8905]

I binge watch Living Single all the time 🤣🤣🤣

[@Megahustla313rd]

Both are classic shows to me

[@abrahamjackson6019]

I've never watch one single episode of that show...

[@lavettatolliver5346]

I have to admit, I did catch a few episodes of friends once Living single went off the air. I never really got it ( I was sick and laid up). I couldn't relate. They lived in a very expensive part of town and only two had decent jobs. They seemed quite silly to me. Now living single was relatable. Most of the cast were college-educated, The maverick, (Max) had her own place. One had his own business. Even Synclair was in school and had a job at the same time. They covered "real things and were actually funny. I can remember just about every line in every episode. I still DVR the reruns. No favorite episode can be mentioned because I can't choose just one. The one when they had the cat funeral, the one where Regine fed the dog chocolate, the one when they sent the dear Jon letter, Regine got caught on the roof with her boyfriend,,,,so many..sorry for the long post, but we are in Quarantine.

[@lanouek]

I preferred living single over friends.. Characters were way more interesting. Im boring Canadian white though, so I found friends was even more boring.

[@NorthPhilly-zr7xc]

Well that makes sense lol tf

[@cheenjoopearl]

There is soul in you somewhere Kimberly if you preferred Living Single. ;-) Just sayin'!

[@great159]

@Phil Ad Please don't recommend that to her. She can date who she wants to date.💯

[@great159]

@@cheenjoopearl She doesn't have to like ANYTHING black in order to have "soul". I know black people who can't dance so I guess they have NO "soul" according to YOUR comment.💯

[@cheenjoopearl]

@@great159 "so I guess they have NO 'soul' according to YOUR comment" No sweetheart, that was you...emphasis on "I guess" and then in the first clause of YOUR comment to emphasize YOUR point when YOU said, "She doesn't have to like ANYTHING black in order to have 'soul'. For future reference, leave me out of your public need to argue with yourself. Thank you.

[@TeddyStrongBear]

It’s obvious Friends we’re culture vultures!! But, nothing beats the original Living Single!

[@larrysmith8030]

@@lewisjones411 all of them copied off of Martin!

[@denisejohnson3578]

@@larrysmith8030 naw! Martin did a little to much bafoonary on some scenes.

[@larrysmith8030]

@@denisejohnson3578 yes but the concept for Friends and Living Single all came from Martin !

[@thadonjuan2339]

@@denisejohnson3578 what was bafoonary about Martin?

[@micmaliss]

Extreme props for the term "Culture Vultures!"

[@Hardy34]

Living Single over friends all day. Yea its definitely a show for the Culture, but it was such a good show, that all races can enjoy it.

[@tristinhall1275]

What is 'the culture'?

[@Hardy34]

Tristan Hall, "Culture," means Black/African American Culture

[@tristinhall1275]

@@Hardy34 how come nothing else is called the culture seeing how there's more than one culture

[@Hardy34]

It was a term that was coined by black Americans, that gained popularity through hip hop. But I have seen other ethnic groups use this term to for their own individual cultures. For example Mexicans for Mexican culture, Irish for Irish culture, Koreans for Korean culture, etc. Its just synonymous with Black Americans because it was originated by us. As long as you use the term to describe your individual Culture, not your skin color, I dont see a problem with other ethnicities using the term "Culture."

[@haloindia5934]

@@Hardy34 they be so press they don't have a culture

[@iamnotpablo]

I've NEVER sat through an entire episode of Friends. It's like eating a dry sandwich.

[@RyuBlack93]

☠☠☠☠🤣

[@Splexsychiick]

Facts

[@zaria_treasuress]

Same here, can’t remember finishing one full episode

[@a.mp.m7340]

@Russiawarrior ! Wow, that's stupid.

[@nandib570]

Exactly....BORING as all get out and not funny at all.

[@michellelove34]

We don't need their validation. Everybody know what's up!

[@blazebaby89]

Living Single >Friends ANY DAY ♥️

[@yourotherbrother8]

blazebaby89 ANY (I can not stress this enough) DAY!!!

[@lewisjones411]

@@yourotherbrother8 LIVING SINGLE 4EVER FUCK FRIENDS!

[@MachineGunMouth]

Damm str8 and i mean ANYDAY!!!

[@davidskyler1000]

Friends>>>all TV shows ever made

[@davidskyler1000]

@@lewisjones411 fuck you

[@jamiedale5785]

Never saw an episode of friends. ABSOLUTELY still watching living single

[@luvbig41]

I tried to watch Friends but just couldn't get into it. It was corny.

[@yummylemons172]

@Jihad Da God Maybe because you can watch Friends reruns they are on every other damn network while Living Single is only shown on one network on weekdays when no one is really home another example of how racist shit is

[@davidskyler1000]

Go watch , it's the best show of all time

[@RamiJedd]

Living single is boring asf ..

[@vincentking8551]

THANK YOU ALL BLACK PEOPLE !!!!!!!!!! I thought it was just ME - I tell people ALL the time and I don't care if they get mad "They ain't MY FRIENDS" - NEVER seen an episode and NEVER wanted to!!!! Some of US Black Folks actually like US and we can just watch US and be happy. Add seinfeld, sex and the city and 99% of these corny white shows to MY list of NEVER seen them and NEVER want to !!!! I'm old school so I own ALL 5 seasons of Living Single on DVD and I watch em over and over and over !!!! '

[@TheChamp1_1]

Everybody knows this. It was just so obvious at least to me.

[@newclothes8165]

yeah it was obvious

[@newclothes8165]

@Craig Carson Right. Its like comparing Knight Rider to Blue Thunder.

[@kendallrivers1119]

@Craig Carson nothing alike? Are you for real?! LOL literally the same shows with different races: Six twenty something friends living in New York. That doesn't sound like the same damn show? smh go ahead and kiss their behinds if you want to though.

[@ceemichaels1877]

TJ The Champ Factz!!!

[@ceemichaels1877]

kendall rivers Exactly friends was literally a Duplicate copy of Living Single, i began saying that it was literally a white version of it, but they were too similar that I realized Friends just copied off Living Single!!

[@Tradingnoobs]

Make sure to support LIVING SINGLE!!!! They were super talented, maybe we can stream it and run their checks up!! Like Reddit did for GameStop!

[@charlesearly8821]

A ‘Living Single’ reunion show will be DOPE!!!

[@thejazzman210]

"Friends" was horseshit, plain and simple. "Seinfeld" was lit, but "Friends" was a blatant take from "Living Single".

[@momashala2115]

Wow😲 I never knew

[@tranquilwaters4051]

You're so right! Thank you!!🤗

[@chuyozuna2398]

thejazzman210 just started watching Seinfeld , I love it, friends however no thanks cuhh

[@Westside19th]

thejazzman210 Seinfield had tha same humor as FRIENDS🤔🤔🤔

[@jaimesmith2266]

Seinfeld had some funny episode i used to watch it because of kramer he was funny as hell😁

[@kandibrown9950]

Overton>Joey Sinclair>Pheobe Regine>Rachel Latifah>Monica Max(female)>Chandler(male) Kyle>Ross

[@SylentONE]

Kandi Brown Yep. Carbon copies

[@larrysmith8030]

@@SylentONE nope they all copied off of Martin! Hell Friends even had the same fat plumber from Martin!

[@rosecapitalgroupinc]

Pretty much

[@SylentONE]

@larry smith hadn’t even thought of Martin. You make a compelling point. But if you go that route. Technically everybody’s copying Three’s Company. Martin is a very different show compared to Living Single. mainly because the show is focused on one (Martin) central character. Where Living Single revolves around several main characters and more serious themes. Albeit I’d argue that Martin and Cosby Show paved the way for LS

[@larrysmith8030]

@@SylentONE yeah man i forgot about Three's Company! That's what set the foundation for all of those types of shows! You're so correct!

[@joshmarcus78]

I showed Living Single to my millennial girlfriend and she was hooked by the intro.

[@rosecapitalgroupinc]

@NEGUS MBARKA Read his comment again bro...lmao I'm sure he'll accept your apology.

[@rosecapitalgroupinc]

@NEGUS MBARKA Oh okay so I guess you were born an idiot because he was actually praising the show.

[@tristinhall1275]

@NEGUS MBARKA you're a fucking idiot

[@Tidwell1988]

Joshua Marcus millenial girlfriend? Hope u wasnt 12 when living single came out, Boy u robbin da cradle? U make her sound like yo pet, stay off them school yards lol

[@joshmarcus78]

@@Tidwell1988 Yes true, Im old, shes young. She's cute, Im not ugly so it working out. being 41 now 13 years is not a far leap lol

[@bgustinjr]

Overton was my favorite on the show. Glad to see everyone doing well. :)

[@darebel1377]

Living Single was great. The title song by Queen Latifah was super lit and made you want to watch the show. "keep ya head up, what?!!! keep ya head up, righhhhhttttt?" 💯💯🔥🔥

[@rammtitajones5697]

.....HOME GIRL STANDING TO MY RIGHT!!! BAAP BAAP BADADUBAAAA!!! :)

[@heyheyhey40]

Whenever “Friends “ came on TV, I would listen to the theme song and then change the channel. I’ve never seen a whole episode of that show.

[@arcademcFLy]

no lie i heard the intro song and changed the channel ASAP !!!

[@ozzieedwards143]

Whatever happened to The Rembrandts....oh that's right they were ONE HIT WONDERS .

[@heyheyhey40]

Carl Tanner From Gin Alley The “black” version of friend was called Living Single. And it was actually BEFORE friends. Friends copied off of it.

[@revans100591]

You didn't miss anything I watched a few seasons and saw nothing special. Just a bunch of white people acting goofy or overdramatic on television. Except that time they tried to sucker black folks into watching the show by having one of the characters date a black woman.

[@ozzieedwards143]

@@revans100591 Exactly...but sure as hell wasn't gonna let one the women date a black man.

[@frederickifill3107]

I been said friends copied off of living single I been said that shit smh....just how two and a half men copied off of the Wayans brothers smh think about it

[@verzatilebrown8878]

Okay good one

[@SylentONE]

frederick ifill Saved by the bell copied different world.

[@cosmicneuromelanatedgoddess]

Damn exactly 😂

[@kendallrivers1119]

Gilmore Girls was a white The Parkers lol btw I'm just being funny I'm not serious because that'd be ridiculous.

[@privateprivate5302]

I can't correlate the Wayans Bros-2 1/2 -men thing...I'm tryin' but I just don't see it bruh

[@deemcclain1145]

26 years later, I have never seen one episode of Friends, however, I believe I have watched every episode of Living Single countless times. Still one of my favorite shows. Talented cast that can never be duplicated!

[@jmer3536]

Living SIngle was funny at the time and STILL is funny today.

[@Lucylou7070]

Yes - no matter how often I watch the reruns I still laugh myself silly. We need more programs like that: funny yet reality based.

[@glorymosbyfloyd3878]

I mainly remember Living Single on Thursday's after Martin at 8pm and before New York Undercover at 9pm That was the hottest lineup ever

[@cosmicneuromelanatedgoddess]

Still binge watching"living single" 🥂

[@wendyeshelman4229]

I love Living Single!! I still watch loyally!! There should be a reboot for real. Imagine all the viewers. Just sayin' #thebest

[@ScorpioQueen70]

Im watching it now!! Lol

[@arizonaFIREent]

No reboots are trash

[@wendyeshelman4229]

Dude, that's your opinion. Bless your heart.@@arizonaFIREent

[@pamelajackson69]

Living Single was, in my opinion, one of the greatest sitcoms ever!! I still regularly stream the series on Hulu and unlike so many of it's predecessors and successors, the show holds up just as well today as it did back in the early 90's. For years I've heard rumors of a series re-boot and since this is the show's 30th anniversary, there is no better time than the present!! I'd love to see it happen, or at the very least an updated reunion show featuring all cast members (Queen Latifah did not appear in the reunion special). Because of my love of Living Single, I actually attempted to watch "Friends" but I just never could get into it. It always pissed me off that even though "Friends" was nothing but a direct attempt to rip off a FAR SUPERIOR show and in my opinion, as well as many others, failed miserably at doing so, in terms of quality of content, it still reached the level of success that it did because of the way it was advertised, promoted, and supported. Even with the popularity of Living Single and the success in the ratings for Fox, the show never got anywhere near the same attention or support from the network. Though the shows were on different networks, (Living Single was on the FOX Network and Friends was on NBC), both were Warner Brothers productions. The final nail in the coffin for Living Single was the network moving them from Sunday nights, which had been their home from the beginning, to put the show on Thursday nights in direct competition with the very show that stole their premise

[@Docmananoff]

I watched Living Single...but never watched one full minute of Friends.

[@davidskyler1000]

Then watch it's the best show ever made

[@midwestkrazy83turner50]

@@davidskyler1000 lmao..smh please just stop

[@Docmananoff]

David Dagnaisser Thanks for the laugh. 😆😆

[@davidskyler1000]

@@Docmananoff I'm sorry for spreading the truth

[@Docmananoff]

@@davidskyler1000 ...yeah....

[@lonniedobbins]

*THAT'S WHY YOU WAS REMOVED FROM BROADCAST!* *Professional Black People!* Great Articulation From All! T.C. A 100% Image Very Rarely Seen Of Young Black Men. The Positive Influence Of His Part As "OVERTON" AN ENGINEER, Was Another Positive Image Not Seen. Can't have those images on when they *Shifted To HIP HOP!*

[@erykahbadu-berries7763]

He is speaking the absolute truth!! Everyone who grew up watching Living Single knows they were the blueprint and the others COPIED! Even today, I still love the show!!

[@VinceBowmanComedy]

I never knew Friends was based on In Living Single. I guess because I'm not a big Friends fan as I am a Living Single fan.

[@privateprivate5302]

off topic, but...a lot of young people don't know "Cruel Intentions " -with Sara Michelle Gellar and Ryan Phillipe was based on "Dangerous Liasons -with Glen Close and John Malcovich"

[@badgyrl310]

I didn't know Friends copies Living Single. I never watched an episode of Friends, so I couldn't name a character or tell you what the show was about. I never knew of any similarities of the shows, but this is not new. The mainstream has been copying us and then claiming it as their own for years now.

[@PiSceS-3884]

Centuries !

[@peacefulblessed2114]

Living Single was the show, I watch it today. I love intro song and New York background, man I miss the black shows. We now have to pay to watch them. Those was the days

[@DetroitLives313]

John Henton is great! I loved "Living Single". I would like to see him in another show now.

[@t694rt6]

Never watched friends no desire to

[@geraldjohnson3216]

I had more desire to go to rehab for tryin to watch friends.i got help n stuck with livin single.

[@mynameismyname1813]

I’ve never seen an episode of friends a day in my life but I’ve seen every episode of Living Single...Twice 💯💯✌🏾

[@FrancescaA00]

I never watched Friends but I loved Living Single.

[@cecesmith9474]

Damn I never thought about that. This is so true. Hollywood is so messed up.

[@evohumans]

Living Single is a great show, it will always have a special place in my sitcom memory bank.

[@ISghj]

I m always living single

[@onlyplayaseattacoswiththei9433]

I bet 😂

[@vicariblu2885]

friends can never top living single. that was my show, i love and miss all yall...

[@jasonism.]

I never watched Friends or Seinfeld while they originally aired,because of Martin & Living Single. I watched Seinfeld later,but Friends was too corny. I never could get into friends.

[@ThePubliusValerius]

Seinfeld is my favorite show of all time - buuuut Friends sucked. I never watched one single entire episode of it. And Living Single is one of my favorites for sure. Great show, great cast.

[@quietstormaps]

Watching old episodes as I'm typing this. Living Single will never get old always a classic!.

[@andreasmiff]

I’ve never seen an episode of Friends and I’ve never been interested🤷🏾‍♀️ Living Single has been one of my faves TILL THIS DAY!!!🙌🏾🙌🏾

[@SylentONE]

You single?

[@andreasmiff]

Retro-DADE happily married & pregnant🥰

[@InternetWealthSchool]

Friends was and still funny as hell but I like both shows

[@blackthumbred4219]

Say John..don't worry ya people hated Friends because we knew it was a knock off of Living Single..much love.

[@InternetWealthSchool]

Actually alot of people said they liked both shows and had no idea it was a knock off, well they were both very different once you actually watch

[@MMTT7sALd]

Friends is like the most overrated show ever people think that shit is so amazing 🙄

[@ajsassy788]

MMTT7sALd Even their theme song was whack! Lmao

[@arizonaFIREent]

Yeah never saw what the big deal was about it either

[@mollypercocet1718]

It is

[@Alexz_Archivz]

Wow, I never thought about Friends was a carbon copy of Living Single... possibly cause I never watched Friends, LOL!

[@bakgammon]

🤣🤣 it makes so much sense now. Living single was way more authentic and full of soul

[@ivygirl9119]

Friends was just one of those usual white sitcoms that laughed after EVERYTHING.🙄 It was like Full House

[@munchkineatsalotvent9899]

YES basically I use to watch full house, Family matter , Girlfriends n the fresh Prince. Living Single n friends never appeal to me because I was still a child.

[@geraldjohnson3216]

I agreed i rather watch benson

[@ThexDynastxQueen]

Yeah it was like a grown up Full House minus the kids. I loved Full House as kid tho yet I cannot explain why. Then years later my little sister also became addicted to Full House too with it's reruns. It's got some weird intergenerational power over kids that I predict our kids will probably be watching Full house too lol.

[@Whattaurieloves]

Ivy Girl uh uh Friends was kinda corny. Full house was kinda good...at least to me. Lol

[@chuyozuna2398]

Ivy Girl agree full house was cheesy but still entertaining to watch

[@JaySpoonn]

Living Single will NEVER be forgotten no matter how many years pass. The young black kids in the 90's when internet didn't exist🤣sat in front of a TV tuned in to see the next Episode of Living Single (And ready to sing the intro with their siblings, friends, and family).

[@SSSDiva171]

I was a Living Single fan from beginning to end. If I am home from work, I will watch the reruns. I still enjoy that show.

[@Dres_Anatomy]

Overton Wakefield Jones!

[@LaCheleWallace]

That's all they do is steal from us. Love everything about us, creatively and in the entertainment space, but _cain't_ stand the people. _Friends_ came in w/ they lil' corny behinds and made hand over fist. I'm talkin' hundreds of thousands to millions. Meanwhile, the cast of _Living Single_ had to fight in order to have clean dressing rooms. They were sabotaged. Black artists are treated so poorly. They'd never treat Jennifer Aniston poorly. If she had an issue, it would get resolved w/ rainbow sprinkles and smiley faces. I've seen _Friends._ That show was hella corny. Not funny whatsoever. All the cast members were corny. Some of them kept speaking through they nose too. It's like _Dang, what's wrong wit 'em?_

[@MrReturn2sender]

Living Single is a comfort show for me. Feeling down, Living Single is a cure. All time favorite.

[@dotchrenee]

Overton had his own business 💯

[@TiffLove01]

I remember this. I didn't watch friends until later because of living single. I was a child but I knew then what they were doing.

[@buster60341]

I take Living Single over Friends everyday of the week

[@davidrahman389]

I loved the professionalism of these actors, I deeply admired the friendship of Kyle and Overton who demonstrated real life brothers like those of my own family. And I loved the ladies who were as real as the summer sun. You were excellent ladies and gentlemen and. TC Carson's singing voice blew me away!!!

[@antoniomcmahon3499]

Imma keep it a buck, I'm black AF, grew up in projects, the whole nine and to be honest..Friends was just better in my opinion. Ok, they got copied, hellooo, that's Hollywood, do they want credit for being the first.. or the better show. Sure imma get some "hate" coming my way via @s..me myself, I dont subscribe to Tribalism, no matter who's starring in it, I want to be entertained first and foremost. And I was just entertained by Friends more.

[@teedegree728]

Yep. Same. I bought the series and still watch it whenever it comes on. Friends is funny. And I love Living Single too but those last two seasons...naw🤷🏽‍♀️

[@bari2man]

I liked both myself. I felt more of a chemistry on Living Single than friends though. But too be honest I think it would be been an interesting pairing if they did Sinclair and Phoebe

[@antoniomcmahon3499]

@@bari2man haaaaa, man..those two together as a sitcom, that would be funny!

[@christinm.8135]

Living Single was the first show I can remember, past or present, that had an ensemble cast. Everybody had an important role and it was great. My kids even watch right now and its so nostalgic for me to watch with them ❤

[@40acresnewdealcominstr8out7]

Living Single is the real deal 👍😁 Friends was biting Living Single's style 👎😠

[@larrysmith8030]

They all copied off of Martin! Martin ,Tommy , Cole , Jenna , Pam , and Shanene! 3 men and 3 women! Martin was about to be cancelled so they replaced Martin with Living Single! 3 men and 3 women the same concept!

[@dahoskins109]

I'm watching the clown episode now🤣

[@sassygreen5024]

I ant gon lie I'm black and I did watch friends. But like I said I'm black MY OWN SHOWS CAME 1ST .

[@ddigirly]

I loveeeeeee living single! I know the whole song.

[@reptroiskingofthecity403]

I respect him... Did a stand up routine... FUNNY AS HELL!!! Shocked the hell outta me, but he's a respectable bruva

[@HHH80]

1st Love Living Single and Friends both are great shows but, Living Single is funnier. 2nd Friends was a spin-off of Mad About You that was a hit on NBC a year before Living Single. So in other words, after two years, they gave Lisa Kudrow her on show based on Living Single and goofy character ain't Hollywood great...lol

[@kenrickeason]

I use to watch "Mad About You" all the time as a kid and no "Friends" wasn't a spin of "Mad About You".. where are you getting that from?

[@OneLoveRSR]

@CulCre You're incorrect. Friends wasn't a spin off of Mad About You. Ursula came on Friends after the fact. Lisa Kudrow's own words: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m2SraoGkipWjraM

[@boox130]

I've never watched a full episode of Friends a day in my life

[@flyfoxicre8tionz538]

Friends is the Elvis, Justin, and Eminem of sitcom 🤐😖😭

[@arizonaFIREent]

Waaaaa waaaa waaaa do you need a tissue for your tears

[@chrissmith8216]

@@arizonaFIREent shut up troll

[@joehaygood552]

Eminem is unique

[@chuyozuna2398]

Shawatha G no disrespect Eminem like that cuhh

[@GreedomWorldwide]

Fuck Friends. Living Single was beautiful and inspirational. Thank you 🖤

[@sirkoes187]

I was 10 years old when Living Single started. Growing up in Los Angeles Black shows was what I related to. Like John said Black professionals on TV. That was positive role models. Nowadays Rappers and Materialistic woman. So sad. Miss the 90’s. Feeling nostalgic

[@pauletteliggett8117]

1 of my favorite episodes was Overton's & Sinclair's wedding. Love the song Kyle aka TC and khadisha sang aka Queen Latifah, loved her wedding gown too.

[@a.mp.m7340]

Let us be real honest Living Single stole from the Golden Girls, like common the females in Living Singles are exact copies of Golden Girls. The only thing Living Single did was add Overton and Kyle which in turn Friends stole the concept of. So that's the real story. I have never been a fan of Friends but I know my Living Single and my Golden Girls love me both shows and seen the resemblance. True fan of both speaking.

[@a.mp.m7340]

@Luciferus get over yourself, stop being so technical.

[@a.mp.m7340]

@Luciferus Oh how it thrills me to know that just below my comment are comments saying the exact same thing, but instead there on how it was Friends that stole from L.S. I wonder if you had the same energy to let them know what you told me. Thing is, I can see your point but it's so filled with contradiction that I can't take it seriously. How can someone steal something that is a basic human interaction. Yet, in every L.S. topic the "Friends" situation always seems to be there. I took the time to go through some of the comments that represent my theory. Guess what I found, you nowhere to be found. If you believe you have the gall to try and call me out, please don't sound so hypocritical when you do. You finding yourself trying to show me my misstep yet refuse to show others who are saying the same as me but in a slight right step theirs. That, is "genuinely absurd."

[@a.mp.m7340]

@Luciferus So, your argument back is that, one I didn't speak on the topic at hand. Something that I did do, I even said that I saw you're point so, hilariously disproven. Two, that perhaps English may not be my "first language," wow what a come back. And thirdly, if not the prior, than I am "full of shit." I gave you facts and examples while putting you on the spot for being a hypocrite. And the best you got to combat (you like how I used that) my argument with is shitty insults. Usually, I say 'do better,' but I believe this is the best you got. I hope this wasn't too much for you to read much less comprehend.

[@a.mp.m7340]

@Luciferus 🤫

[@kenart94]

'Living Single' was ten times better than 'Friends'

[@democracyisdying8225]

When I was young I always new friends ripped off Living Single, but I loved Jennifer Anniston. I never watched either of them, but Living Single was groundbreaking. It was a sitcom centered around a group of friends with no true main character. That model was used by friends, that 70s show, to an extent, Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother, and basically every good sitcom since Living Single.

[@vedahunt852]

I still watch the reruns. This was the best show on TV....period

[@funkyfishproductions1850]

John you are family to me!!! I grew up watching Living Single!!! Also, every thing you've done!!! Just know you got a fan forever in me!!! I know they got it on demand and other media options but I have to buy it cause its more than just a show it's CULTURE!!! 😎😎😎Shalom

[@Mercenary-1914]

I know I will get flack for this, but I didnt like Living Single or Friends. However, MARTIN was my show!

[@Sjblock89]

Mercenary 1914 I didn’t care for Martin Living Single was always my favorite during the original run 😎

[@gullah_hawk21geechee84]

I'll raise the bar and say I liked both LMAO

[@Mercenary-1914]

@@gullah_hawk21geechee84 word!

[@ladyo8297]

Living single was my show and still is. I still watch it even tho i seen them all. Never gets old

[@tengu-1949]

That's serious props that _This is Us_ made a reference to Living Singe, as that show is NBC, same as _Friends._

[@DragonMasterSubo]

The thing that really stings is that it's not just that they took the idea (6 friends in NY), they took actual storylines (the two love/hate friends that get together in the end over having a baby, the 2 friends who go from friends to married). Things that seemed 'natural' in Friends were done first on LS.

[@starmontfortune353]

They literally copied the characters and the relationship of the characters but made minor changes. Khadijah and Synclaire cousins. Maxine and Khadijah college friends. Synclaire the eccentric one, Overtone the goofy/dummy…etc. Sorta reminds me of Otis Blackwell. He wrote, singed and danced for Elvis. Elvis would mimic what Otis Blackwell showed him and went on to be famous.

[@aveuch]

But Rachel is white Régine. Here Max is closest to Ross.

[@rishellpryor5411]

I still watch living single. Love Queen latifah singing the theme song.