Girlfriends (2000 TV series)
Girlfriends is an American sitcom television series that premiered on September 11, 2000, on UPN and aired on UPN's successor network, The CW, before being cancelled in 2008. The final episode aired on February 11, 2008. When Girlfriends returned in 2007 for its eighth season, it became the longest-running live-action sitcom on network television that was on air during that time.
It was one of the highest-rated scripted shows on television among African-American adults 18–34, including its spin-off The Game.
Episodes
Broadcast history
The series debuted on UPN on Monday September 11, 2000. After airing for several years on the network at 9/8C on Mondays, The CW moved Girlfriends to Sundays at 8/7C. The ratings plummeted. On October 9, 2006, Girlfriends, along with The CW's other African-American programs, moved back to Mondays. At this point, Girlfriends returned to its original time slot.While UPN was still airing new episodes of Girlfriends, the network also began airing reruns five days per week. When the show moved to The CW network after UPN merged with The WB network, MyNetwork TV picked up the rights to air reruns of Girlfriends, although they eventually discontinued this. WE tv, a network with primarily women's programming, later acquired exclusive rights to air the limited-release episodes on Sundays and exercised an option to not allow broadcast television networks re-broadcast rights to these reruns.
The final two episodes recorded before the 2007–08 Writers Guild of America strike aired back-to-back on Monday, February 11 at 9/8c. However, this was not a 2-part episode. The timeslot was planned to be moved to Sundays due to the writer's strike and the returning of The CW's reality series. On February 13, 2008, it was announced by a The CW representative that a proper series finale would not be done because it would be too expensive, also confirming the show's cancellation. A retrospective episode was to be aired on The CW Network to conclude the eight-year series. However, the characters' storylines would receive no resolutions as the retrospective/series finale did not come to pass. The network offered the actors only half of their usual episodic salary to take part, and the actors collectively turned them down.
Characters
Main
- Joan Carol Clayton, Esq. is considered the unofficial "den mother" of the group, as she frequently looks out for her friends even at the expense of dealing with her own problems, which are plentiful throughout the series. Originally from Fresno, Joan met Toni when they were children and met Lynn in college; Maya is her assistant at the law firm. She has always had relationship problems and gave up her law career to pursue her dreams. She and Toni clash several times throughout the series, resulting in ending and reconciling their friendship. Major incidents involved Joan inadvertently revealing Toni's cheating to Greg, and Joan's jealousy of Toni's marriage to Todd, but their friendship officially ends by the end of Season 6 when Joan fails to appear for Toni's custody hearing. For much of Season 7, Joan mourned the loss of her friendship with Toni, eventually opting to resent and belittle her in front of the group. At the end of Season 7, she became engaged to Aaron Waters, whom she met while rehabilitating homes in New Orleans damaged by Hurricane Katrina; she moved into his home while Aaron was deployed to Iraq and rented her house to Lynn.
- Maya Denise Wilkes is a former assistant to Joan and a housewife/author. Maya is from Compton, California and is married to her high school sweetheart, Darnell. They have one child, Jabari. Maya is the sassiest of the group, and is often at odds with Toni over her ego-driven lifestyle. She is a devoted wife and mother, and is frequently depicted with stronger religious convictions than the rest of the group. Maya is the most "working-class" member of the group, especially in earlier seasons. In the first few seasons Maya was more obviously "from the hood", with the associated stereotyped speech and mannerisms. However, as she becomes more successful and interacts more extensively with the legal and publishing industries, she exhibits fewer stereotypes; while still obviously from a different social background as the rest of the group, she is no longer as caricatured. In early seasons, Maya's marriage to Darnell imploded after she had an emotional affair with an acquaintance. Later, after she launches a career as a self-help author, they reunite. In Season 8, the couple endured a miscarriage and later explored the possibility of adopting a baby girl.
- Lynn Ann Searcy was Joan and Toni's roommate at UCLA and lived with Joan for eight years before the series begins. Lynn holds five post-graduate degrees. Born in Virginia to a black father and a bipolar white mother from a wealthy family, Lynn was adopted by a white family in Seattle. She did not embrace her black background until college, where she met Joan and Toni. When Joan decides it is time for Lynn to move out of her home, Lynn reluctantly becomes more independent by taking on various, mostly menial jobs; during this time, she displays pyromaniacal tendencies when she doesn't get to act as she wishes. She previously lived with Toni, William, Maya, and Sivad ; and shared a garage with then-boyfriend Vosco before moving into her own apartment. She produces a documentary on the HIV/AIDS pandemic, focusing on African-American women. While Lynn is depicted as the most sexually adventurous of the group, she also dates frequently. She is most attracted to artistic and spiritual men, and over the course of the series has relationships with a Jamaican immigrant, a poet, a pastor, and a musician named Finn. She was also briefly married to William. Her romantic involvement with Lenny was the catalyst for her to search for her biological father. After dating Finn, she discovers that music is her passion, and starts a band called Indigo Skye. Lynn is often considered the bohemian of the group, with her carefree nature and down-to-earth personality, and is a vegan. By Season 8, she had signed with "Dirty Girl" Records.
- Antoinette "Toni" Marie Childs-Garrett has been Joan's friend since childhood, they attended elementary, high school and college together. Toni grew up in a poor farm family with an alcoholic mother in Fresno, California. Toni is considered the selfish and popular one of her girlfriends and is the self-proclaimed "cute one" of the group. During the first season she despised Maya, but ultimately embraced her friendship. Toni is a real-estate agent who eventually opens her own brokerage. She rekindles her romance with Greg Sparks, but he dumps her when he learns she cheated on him with Dr. Clay Spencer. Toni unexpectedly finds love with Todd Garrett, a white, Jewish plastic surgeon, whom she marries after a short courtship. After a rocky year-long marriage, the two separate after Todd moves to New York. Toni and Todd have a baby called Morgan. They fight over custody, but at the end of the 6th season work out their issues. Joan misses the custody hearing leading to the fight that ends Toni and Joan's friendship. Toni moves to New York so Morgan can be closer to Todd, but has maintained her friendships with Maya and Lynn.
- William Jerrowme Dent, Esq. is the girls' closest male friend. He is senior partner at Goldberg, Swedelson, McDonald and Lee. Hailing from Kansas City, he is portrayed as somewhat of a "mama's boy", but possesses self-confidence and a dry sense of humor. After being left at the wedding altar by the woman he loved, Yvonne Blackwell, he reluctantly gets back into the groove of dating, including Donna, Kara, senior partner Sharon Upton Farley, and the at-times vicious Monica Charles Brooks. Fearing that Joan would beat him to the altar, he eloped with Lynn on a whim; he realized that he wanted to find true love and they ultimately divorce. He later realizes that Joan is the right woman for him, but after three months of courting, the two end their relationship. He became a sperm donor for his sister Linda and her same-sex partner, and regards the baby as his "nephew-son." He is also co-owner of the J-Spot restaurant with Joan. In later seasons, William forges a tight bond with Darnell. During Season 7, he was working on his marriage with Monica. According to his mother, his middle name is spelled with two "R"s, and a silent "W".
- Monica Charles Brooks-Dent is William's wife. All four of the girlfriends hated her. In the seventh season, they slowly and later fully accept Monica as their friend as Monica does the same. Although engaged to William, the two date twice before; they meet at a bar the first time. Since the last time William proposes to her in Monaco, he has occasionally had doubts about ever doing so. Eventually he marries her, but on their wedding day he has too much to drink and confesses that he has had and still has doubts about marrying her. Monica leaves William in Season 7 but returns shortly after the girlfriends go to Chicago to persuade her to get back together with William. On their visit, they discover that Monica, due to her father's dementia and her mother's power of attorney, has been cut off from her family fortune, so Joan offers Monica a job at the J-Spot. William is thrilled about Monica's return until she demands half of what he earned while they were married. They manage to slowly rebuild their relationship but constantly clash at the J-Spot. In the Season 7 finale, they get back together. By Season 8, Monica was pregnant and is seen spending more time with the other three girlfriends, particularly Joan.
- Darnell Leroy Wilkes is Maya's husband. He and Maya married at a young age and had Jabari. Darnell was an airport baggage handler, before becoming a mechanic at a local car repair shop. For a while, he was a NASCAR pit crew mechanic. After Maya's affair with Stan Wright the two divorce. In earlier seasons, he felt threatened by Maya's relationship with Joan, Toni and Lynn; he ultimately put his issues aside and became friends with them. After his divorce, he dated a woman named Lena whom Maya disliked because she still had feelings for Darnell. At Lena and Darnell's wedding Maya professed her love for Darnell. The two reconcile and begin living together again in Season 6. In the end of Season 7 Darnell accepts an offer to buy back his garage and get Maya and Jabari a new house in L.A. After suffering a miscarriage, the couple considers adopting a baby girl.
Recurring
- Jabari Darnell Wilkes: is Maya and Darnell's son. He was born when Maya was only 16 years old. A running gag in the series is Toni's habit of mispronouncing his name by calling him names such as Jumanji, Gymboree, Jujube, Jacuzzi, Jalebi, June bug, Djibuti, Jaboobooboo, Jamal, Jafifi, Jamiroquai, Jimmy Crack Corn, Jungle Jim, Juwanna Mann, Jeep Cherokee, Jolly Rancher, Jakarta, Jingle-jangle, Jehoshaphat, Jambalaya, Japetso, Jaboomboom, Jappuccino, and Jam On It. Toni has said his name correctly only twice. He was depicted to be a sweet innocent child but once he entered his teen years he seemed to be a little more dimwitted and rebellious.
- Jeanette Woods: is Maya's no-nonsense mother who won't hesitate to put a switch to her adult daughter. She babysat Jabari while he was younger, and also rented out her garage for Lynn and her then- boyfriend Vosco to live after Joan kicked her out of her house. She initially took an instant dislike to Joan's "sadiddy" behavior towards Maya's style, but eventually grew to accept her. She and Maya also butt heads when she decides to sell her home to move in with her boyfriend Earl. Jeanette was seen throughout Seasons 1–7.
- Ronnie: is Maya's cousin and hair stylist. In the series he helped sell her semi-biographical book. He owns two beauty salons called Situations and Situations Deux. He is last seen at the ending of season 7 as Aaron proposed to Joan.
- Peaches: plays Ronnie's boyfriend. He is a hair stylist at Situations and had a short stint as Joan's assistant and temporary confidante after Maya goes to work as William's secretary after William becomes Senior Partner. Peaches is last seen at the ending of season 7 as Aaron proposes to Joan.
- Sherri Childs: Toni's oldest sister whom she resents for leaving the family due to their mothers alcoholism but reconciles their differences and she becomes Toni's Bridesmaid. She appears in two episodes in season 3.
- Davis Hamilton: owner and operator of the girls' favorite restaurant/hangout spot, 847. He and Joan flirted with each other, and almost went away for a romantic weekend while both were involved with other people. However, during Season 4, in the aftermath of Joan's breakup with Brock, she runs into Davis at a movie theater. She learns that Davis had lost the restaurant and also ended his relationship with his fiancée'. They talk about how they missed the opportunity to start a relationship, and ultimately decide to just remain friends.
- Charles Swedelson - managing partner at Goldberg, Swedelson, McDonald and Lee who is also Joan's and William's supervisor. Though highly professional, he is known to have a roving eye for the ladies, and tends to use "hip-hop" euphemisms towards Joan and William to appear more laid back and sociable. Mr. Swedelson was seen throughout the entire series run.
Guest appearances
- Adrian Lester; Ellis Carter
- Aldis Hodge; Matthew Miles & Derwin Davis
- Angie Stone; Darla Mason
- Anne-Marie Johnson; Sharon Upton Farley
- Bebe Moore Campbell; Herself
- Bernard Parks; Himself
- Bernie Casey; Edward Dent
- Bern Nadette Stanis; Herself
- Beverly Johnson; Herself
- Big Boi; Himself
- CCH Pounder; Dr. Myers
- Cee Cee Michaela Harshaw; Yvonne Blackwell
- Car'ynn Sims; Chevonne Brown
- Chante Moore; Herself
- Charnele Brown; Beverly
- Christina Vidal; Samantha Stephens
- Chrisette Michele; Herself
- Christopher Darden; Himself
- Chuma Hunter-Gault; Greg Sparks
- Cindy Williams; Lisa
- Common; Omar
- Coby Bell; Jason Pitts
- Danny Bonaduce; Himself
- Darius McCrary; Antoine Childs
- David Groh; Michael Goldberg
- Dawn Wells; Herself
- Dawnn Lewis; Linda Dent
- Demond Wilson; Kenneth Miles
- Dondre T. Whitfield; Sean Ellis
- Donnie McClurkin; Himself
- Don Franklin; Stan
- Doug Spearman; Man
- Drew Sidora; Sage
- Duane Martin; Preston C. Hall
- Erykah Badu; Herself
- Evan Ross; Himself
- Harry Lennix; Earl
- Hosea Chanchez; Malik Wright
- Isaac Hayes; Eugene Childs
- Idris Elba; Paul
- Jackie Collins; Herself
- James L. Avery, Sr.; Dr. Couch
- Jason Pace; Dr. Todd Garrett
- Jenifer Lewis; Veretta Childs
- Jennifer Baxter; Kelly Pitts
- Jill Scott; Donna Williams
- Joan Pringle; Carol Clayton
- Joe Torry; Mel
- Jo Marie Payton; Annette Miles
- John L. Adams; Vosco
- John Salley; Byron
- Jonelle Allen; Eleanor Charles
- Kadeem Hardison; Eldon Parks
- Karen Austin; Sandy Bickle
- Katt Williams; Rick Beatty
- Kellie Shanygne Williams; Cecily
- Kelly Rowland; Tammy
- Kelsey Grammer; Himself
- Kenya Moore; Kara
- Kimberly Elise; Reesie Jackson
- Kurt Loder; Himself
- Laila Ali; Herself
- Laivan Greene; Herself
- Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs; Leonard James
- Lil' Zane; Himself
- Loretta Devine; Judge Vashti Jackson
- Malik Yoba; Brock Harris
- Marcia Clark; Herself
- Master P; Himself
- Melvin Van Peebles; Kenneth
- Michael Warren; Bill Clayton
- Mo'Nique; Herself
- Orlando Jones; Dr. Lucas
- Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth; Trina
- Phil Morris; Dr. Clay Spencer
- Quddus Phillipe; Xander
- Reverend Al Sharpton; Himself
- Richard T. Jones; Aaron
- Rockmond Dunbar; Jalen
- Rhonda Ross Kendrick; Laurie
- Sandra Bernhard; Marcia
- Saul Williams; Sivad
- Shar Jackson; Niecy
- Shawn Harrison; Peaches
- Sinbad; Himself
- Steven Cojocaru; Taz
- Suzanne de Passe; Herself
- Tasha Smith; Shandara Duranni
- Terrell Davis; Himself
- Terri J. Vaughn; Tasha
- Tia Mowry; Melanie Barnett
- Traci Bingham; Candy
- Tracy Vilar; GiGi
- Tricky; Finn
- Una Damon; Myoshi
- Wayne Brady; Derek Tyler
- Wendy Raquel Robinson; Tasha Mack
- Wendell Pierce; Anthony Jackson
Awards
Spin-off
A 2006 episode of Girlfriends entitled "The Game" featured guest star Tia Mowry as Joan's cousin Melanie Barnett, an aspiring medical student, who wants to give up her future to follow her professional athlete boyfriend to San Diego. That episode was the launching pad for The Game, a spin-off series, which was canceled by The CW television network. In April 2010, BET announced that it would pick up the series, which aired new episodes until the August 5, 2015 series finale.Home media
Soundtrack
Track listing
- Erykah Badu - "Vibrate On"
- Jill Scott - "Golden"
- Angie Stone - "Wish I Didn't Miss You"
- Corinne Bailey Rae - "Put Your Records On"
- Algebra - "I Know"
- Amy Winehouse - "Stronger Than Me"
- Estelle - "All Comes Back to You"
- Chrisette Michele - "Girl Respect Yourself"
- Chaka Khan - "Disrepectful"
- India.Arie - "I Am Not My Hair"
- Dre - "Soulmate"
- Persia White - "Choices"
- Lira - "Feel Good"
Streaming
It is also set to stream on Netflix from 2020.