30+ years after Living Single debuted on television, the chemistry between Erika Alexander and TC Carson remains as powerful as ever. On a recent episode of the ReLiving Single podcast, Alexander and Carson reunited with Kim Coles to revisit their time on the iconic sitcom.
But what started as a nostalgic look back quickly turned emotional when Alexander opened up about Carson’s unexpected departure from the show and the void it left behind.
“I missed you,” Alexander told Carson through tears. “You were my comedy partner. And so doing things without you was weird. Because I actually didn’t even know how to be Max…without you.”
It was one of the most candid moments in the podcast’s history. Alexander, who played Maxine Shaw, the razor-sharp attorney and love interest to Carson’s sophisticated stockbroker Kyle Barker, didn’t hold back as she described how foundational their on-screen relationship was to her performance.
“The architecture of Max exists inside of a conversation and a duel with a man named TC Carson, who’s playing Kyle,” she said. “It was like somebody might have just… cool… like take your twin, rip your soul out of you, and then say go.”
Carson, clearly moved by the tribute, responded with humility and gratitude, emotions he also shared during his interview with The Quintessential Gentleman in honor of the show’s 30th anniversary.
In that interview, Carson spoke openly about the cultural impact of Living Single and why he felt a responsibility to advocate for richer, more authentic portrayals of Black men on screen. “I saw real early what the show meant to my community. What the show meant to young brothers,” he said. “I felt we had a responsibility to make sure that we didn’t become buffoons.”
That sense of duty, however, came at a cost. Carson revealed that his pushback on creative direction ultimately led to his firing. “Even though ultimately, it’s what got me fired, I don’t regret anything I pushed to do on that show,” he shared. “All of those fights and pushbacks were important, which is why the show is what it is today.”
For many of us, the Max and Kyle dynamic was more than just a classic “will-they-won’t-they” trope; it was a portrayal of Black love, intellect, and professional ambition. Alexander affirmed that sentiment, comparing their chemistry to classic duos: “Like Fred Astaire needs his Ginger… you are the best comedy partner I could ever have.”
As the trio, Alexander, Carson, and Coles, reflected on Living Single’s legacy, it became clear that their bond is still deeply rooted in love, respect, and an unwavering commitment to Black storytelling.
Three decades later, Living Single remains more than a sitcom; it’s a cultural landmark. And for the cast, the relationships they formed both on and off screen are what continue to make it unforgettable.
Photo Credit: Instagram – OfficialTCCarson
