These four sitcoms are some of the most loved shows in TV history, and they still run in reruns and streaming today. This One Gotta Go card puts them together: Living Single, Martin, A Different World and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
Three shows stay on your rewatch list forever, and one is canceled. Think about the theme songs you can still sing, the characters you loved and the episodes that made you cry or laugh until it hurt. Then make your pick and share your favorite episode with the group.
The 4 choices on this card
A. Living Single
Living Single followed a group of friends in Brooklyn, led by Queen Latifah, and many fans say it inspired later shows about friends in the city. It was smart and funny. Some feel it gets less attention than the others, which makes it a fair cut.
Keep it if: You loved Khadijah, Synclaire, Regine and Max and think the show was ahead of its time.
B. Martin
Martin starred Martin Lawrence playing many characters, with Gina and the crew bringing nonstop laughs. It is hugely quotable. Its humor is loud and over the top, which makes it a candidate to cut for people who prefer gentler comedy.
Keep it if: You still quote Martin and his characters and think the show is one of the funniest ever made.
C. A Different World
A Different World followed students at the fictional Hillman College and inspired many young people to consider HBCUs. It tackled serious topics with heart. Some viewers found it slower than the others, which makes it a possible cut.
Keep it if: You loved Whitley and Dwayne, and the show made you dream about college life at an HBCU.
D. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air made Will Smith a star, with one of the most famous theme songs in TV history. It mixed comedy with powerful moments. Its huge popularity means some people feel they have seen it enough, which makes it a bold cut.
Keep it if: You can rap the whole theme song and still get emotional about the episode with Will's father.
Our take
We would cut A Different World, though it is a very close call and its impact on HBCU enrollment is real. Living Single, Martin and Fresh Prince are the shows people still quote most often, from catchphrases to theme songs. The most fun debate usually comes down to Martin against Fresh Prince, since both are comedy giants with fans who know every line. Ask everyone to do their best impression of a character from their pick. Theme songs welcome.
How to play this card with friends
- Read the four choices out loud.
- Everyone picks the one they'd eliminate at the same time.
- Explain your pick. This is where the fun starts.
- Use the follow-up questions below to keep it going.
Follow-up questions to keep the debate going
- Which classic sitcom had the most quotable writing?
- What is the best TV theme song of the 90s?
- Which show should get a reboot?
- What classic Black TV show would you add to this card?
Want more debates like this? Get the One Gotta Go card game for game night, family dinners and road trips. Shop the decks.
Black TV Classics: quick answers
Did A Different World increase HBCU enrollment?
A Different World is widely credited with inspiring interest in historically Black colleges and universities during its run. Many people have said the show influenced their decision to attend an HBCU, and educators have often pointed to its positive impact. It remains a frequently cited example of TV influence.
Did Living Single inspire Friends?
Living Single premiered in 1993, about a year before Friends, and both followed a group of young friends living in New York. Many fans and cast members have pointed out the similarities, and the comparison is often discussed when people talk about the show's influence.
