"The Parkers" (1999) TV series 1999-2008

User Rating:

5.3/10   

Creators:

Ralph Farquhar
Sara V. Finney
Vida Spears

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Release Date:

30 August 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot Keywords:

Interracial Relationship | Character Name In Title

Awards:

6 wins & 11 nominations

Cast

Mo'Nique	...	Nicole 'Nikki' Parker (111 episodes, 1999-2004)
Countess Vaughn	...	Kimberly Ann Parker (111 episodes, 1999-2004)
Dorien Wilson	...	Professor Stanley Oglevee / ... (111 episodes, 1999-2004)
Jenna von Oÿ	...	Stevie Van Lowe (108 episodes, 1999-2004)
Ken Lawson	...	Tyrell 'T' Radcliffe / ... (108 episodes, 1999-2004)
Yvette Wilson	...	Andell Wilkerson (101 episodes, 1999-2004)

Also Known As:

Mo'Nique (USA) (working title)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

Columbia/Sunset Gower Studios - 1438 N. Gower Street, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Big Ticket Television

Trivia:

Countess Vaughn (Kim) was pregnant though most of the fourth season.

Quotes:

Professor Stanley Oglevee: [after discovering his dog in the Parkers' dryer] Wha... what happened?
Nicole 'Nikki' Parker: I guess we didn't use enough Bounce.
Professor Stanley Oglevee: What kind of freaks are you people?
Nicole 'Nikki' Parker: Now, that depends on the type of freak you're looking for.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "The Boondocks: Riley Wuz Here (#1.12)" (2006)

One of the funniest Black US sitcoms I have seen

The Parkers was the spin-off of Brandy's sitcom 'Moesha' and whereas the latter was often much more of a dramedy-type of show, this show was purely made for laughs. Mo'Nique is outrageously funny as Nikki Parker and is arguably the main star of The Parkers. her constant obsession with the Professor is one of the funniest things about this show. although it is also one that got on viewers nerves as well.

I have to say I was never a fan of 'Moesha' and so I was very surprised by The Parkers when I watched a couple of episodes of this sitcom a couple of years ago because it was a totally different type of comedy show. The emphasis was predominately driven by clean humour, physical comedy and laugh out loud comic situations and mishaps, which are some of the most important elements for any good sitcom, regardless of its target audience and whether it is a Black or White sitcom.

It was strange though that the professor, Stanley, of whom had a strong dislike of being stalked by Nikki for a large part of the show, later on as it progressed, decided he did have feelings for her after all. That, in particular, made no sense whatsoever. he was your usual pleasant and nice guy still. Nonetheless, the remaining characters Kim, Andell, Stevie and T were all interesting, and it was also great to see Jenna Von Oy back on screen, this time as one of Kim's friends Stevie, after her earlier stint as Six in the much successful early 90s sitcom,'Blossom'.

It was such a shame The Parkers ended so early, and although the last episode was rather rushed and out-of-sync with the actual plot of the show, at least it was wrapped up in the end. The one thing that I wished had happened but of which it didn't, was for Stevie and T to get together and consummate their relationship.

Still, The Parkers was and probably still is one of the very rare Black sitcoms televised back in the day, and one of which was consistently funny throughout and attracted a good number of viewers.