Ep 1. 1. Judging By The Cover

Living Single season 1 episode 1, titled "Judging By The Cover", is a delightful introduction to the world of Khadijah James (Queen Latifah) and her roommates, Synclaire (Kim Coles), Maxine (Erika Alexander), and Regine (Kim Fields).

The episode opens with Khadijah working late at Flavor, her magazine, and heading home to her gorgeous Brooklyn brownstone. We're introduced to Khadijah's roommates, Synclaire and Regine, as they're getting ready for a night out. Regine is the epitome of '90s fashion, decked out in a crop top and high-waisted skirt, while Synclaire is a bit more conservative in a sweater and slacks. Khadijah joins them briefly before crashing in her own room.

The next morning, we see Maxine joining the crew as she moves in after breaking up with her boyfriend. Maxine is the opposite of Regine, dressed in black and sporting a short haircut. She's tough and no-nonsense, which clashes a bit with Regine's more bubbly personality. Nevertheless, they all come together to support Synclaire, who has an audition at a local theater.

The rest of the episode revolves around Synclaire's audition and her friends' attempts to help her prepare. They offer her advice on her monologue, coach her through her nerves, and even help her pick out a new outfit. The audition itself is a delight, as we see Synclaire's talent shining through despite some early flubs.

Throughout the episode, we also see Khadijah balancing her work at Flavor with the demands of being a landlord. She's forced to confront a tenant who hasn't paid rent in months, which leads to a humorous confrontation involving a fake gun and a failed attempt to collect rent.

As the episode wraps up, we see that Synclaire got the part and is ecstatic. Her friends all celebrate with her, and we get a sense of the strong bond between all of them. Regine gets a surprise visit from her ex-boyfriend and manages to resist his charms, showing a bit more depth to her character. Maxine even cracks a smile at one point, hinting that there's more to her than meets the eye.

Overall, "Judging By The Cover" is a fun and light-hearted introduction to the world of Living Single. The characters are all well-developed, with distinct personalities and quirks that make them instantly lovable. The writing is sharp and witty, with plenty of one-liners and pop culture references that will delight '90s kids. And the cast is stellar, with Queen Latifah leading the charge and the supporting players all holding their own.

Whether you're a fan of classic sitcoms or just looking for a good laugh, Living Single season 1 episode 1 is definitely worth a watch.