# T.C. Carson & John Henton Reveal the Biggest Snakes on Living Single!

“Living Single,” the groundbreaking 1990s sitcom that premiered on August 22, 1993, on Fox, captured the hearts of audiences with its all-Black cast and relatable stories of friendship and ambition in New York City.

Starring Queen Latifah as Khadijah, Kim Coles as Synclaire, and featuring T.C. Carson as Kyle Barker and John Henton as Overton, the show was a cultural phenomenon, dominating ratings among African-American viewers for its five-season run. However, behind the laughter, T.C. Carson and John Henton have exposed shocking behind-the-scenes drama, revealing betrayals and systemic inequities that tainted the show’s legacy.

T.C. Carson, who played the suave Kyle Barker, dropped a bombshell about his abrupt exit in the fifth season. As the unofficial spokesperson for the cast, Carson often voiced collective concerns to producers about scripts and treatment. He revealed being misled by the writers, who assured him they’d “never break up the group” when he inquired about his character’s storyline involving a move to London.

Yet, mere minutes after filming his departure scene, his lawyer called to confirm he was fired. Carson attributed this to the studio’s discomfort with his advocacy, stating that African-American actors were expected to “shut up and do the job” without questioning authority. His dismissal left fans reeling, as Kyle was a vital character whose absence diminished the show’s charm.

John Henton, portraying the lovable Overton, echoed Carson’s frustrations, shedding light on the unfair treatment compared to “Friends,” the NBC sitcom that debuted a year after “Living Single” in 1994. Henton pointed out glaring disparities: “Friends” cast members earned up to a million dollars per episode while “Living Single” actors saw no such figures.

Additionally, “Friends” filmed on the prestigious “big lot” with top amenities, whereas “Living Single” was relegated to the “ghetto lot” without air conditioning or proper craft services, prompting a cast walkout. The ultimate betrayal came when Fox moved “Living Single” from its Sunday slot to Thursday nights, directly competing with “Friends,” a strategic move that favored the latter’s rise as a cultural juggernaut while “Living Single” faded after five seasons.

Both actors also addressed the lack of recognition for “Living Single” as the blueprint for “Friends.” With strikingly similar premises—six friends navigating life in New York City—Henton expressed frustration over the lack of credit, noting that while imitation can be flattering, no acknowledgment was given to their pioneering show.

Carson emphasized the cultural impact of “Living Single,” which broke stereotypes by showcasing Black excellence through characters like Khadijah, a magazine editor, and Kyle, a Wall Street broker with dreadlocks.

Despite its premature end and the “snakes” in the industry, as Carson and Henton call out, “Living Single” remains a cultural touchstone. It’s time for this trailblazing series to receive its due recognition, not as a footnote, but as the original blueprint of 90s sitcom success.