- Moesha
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Moesha 
Season 1 castGenre Sitcom Created by Ralph Farquhar
Sara V. Finney
Vida SpearsStarring Brandy Norwood
William Allen Young
Countess Vaughn (1996–1999)
Sheryl Lee Ralph
(1996–2000)
Marcus T. Paulk
Lamont Bentley
Yvette Wilson
(1996–2000)
Shar Jackson
Fredro Starr
(1996–1998)
Ray J (1999–2001)Theme music composer Kurt Farquhar Composer(s) Kurt Farquhar Country of origin United States Language(s) English No. of seasons 6 No. of episodes 127 (List of episodes) Production Running time 22–24 minutes Production company(s) Regan Jon Productions1996-1997
Saradipity Films
Jump at the Sun Productions (1997–1999)Big Ticket Television
Paramount TelevisionDistributor CBS Television Distribution Broadcast Original channel UPN Picture format 4:3 Original run January 23, 1996 – May 14, 2001 Chronology Related shows The Parkers Moesha is an American sitcom series that aired on the UPN network from January 23, 1996 to May 14, 2001. The series stars R&B singer Brandy Norwood as Moesha Mitchell, a high school student living with her family in the Leimert Park neighborhood of South Central Los Angeles.
Contents
Overview
The show focused on the life of a middle class African-American family through the eyes of a typical girl. Her father Frank, a widower and Saturn car salesman (and later owner of his own dealership, Brothers Saturn), has married Dee, the vice-principal at Moesha's school, much to Moesha's dismay. The series was created by Ralph Farquhar, along with the writing team of Sara V. Finney and Vida Spears. The settings for the show include the Mitchell household and the teen hangout, The Den.
Issues addressed
See also: Very special episodeThe show dealt with real teen social issues such as teen pregnancy, drug use, race relations, premarital sex, the death of a parent, and day-to-day issues teenagers faced at home and school. In one of the most controversial episodes, "Secrets and Lies," the Mitchell family learned from Frank's Aunt Hattie that he is the biological father of Dorian, whom the Mitchells and Dorian himself believed to be Frank's nephew. The shocking news of Frank's infidelity during his first marriage turned the family upside-down and resulted in Dorian's rebellion and Moesha's relocation from her home.
Cast and characters
Primary cast
- Moesha Mitchell (played by Brandy Norwood) - Like many teens, Moesha is trying to find her place in life. At every turn, Moesha—along with her friends and family—experiences new challenges and hilarious situations associated with the pressures and demands of growing up in an often confusing world. Moesha is headstrong, independent and at times stubborn, but stands up for what she believes is right.
- Frank Mitchell (played by William Allen Young) - A Saturn dealer and father to Moesha and Myles. Originally believed to be Dorian's uncle, he is later revealed to be the young man's father.
- Deidra "Dee" Mitchell (played by Sheryl Lee Ralph, Seasons 1–5, recurring in Season 6) - An educator attempting to master two additional careers — as wife to Frank and stepmother to Moesha and Myles.
- Kimberly "Kim" Parker (played by Countess Vaughn, Seasons 1–4) - Moesha's boy-crazy best friend who has a crush on Hakeem.
- Myles Mitchell (played by Marcus T. Paulk) - Moesha's pesky younger brother.
- Hakeem Campbell (played by Lamont Bentley) - A frequent visitor to the Mitchell household, he is Moesha’s lifelong friend and neighbor, and later boyfriend.
- Andell Wilkerson (played by Yvette Wilson, Seasons 1–5) - Moesha's older friend and owner of the neighborhood hangout, The Den.
- Niecy Jackson (played by Shar Jackson, Seasons 2–6, recurring in Season 1) - Moesha's friend and confidante who could never keep a secret.
- Quinton "Q" Brooks (played by Fredro Starr, Seasons 2–3, recurring thereafter) - Moesha's longest-running love interest.
- Dorian Long (played by Ray J, seasons 5-6) - Moesha and Myles' cousin, who is later revealed to be their paternal half-brother.
Recurring cast
- Bernie Mac as Bernie Mitchell, Moesha's uncle and Frank's brother; Andell's boyfriend (Seasons 1–5)
- Ricky Harris as Javon 'J.W.' Willis, a mechanic working for Frank; Andell's boyfriend (Seasons 1–3)
- Merlin Santana as Ohaji, Moesha's first boyfriend (Season 1)
- Kara Brock as Sara, a friend of Moesha, Kim and Niecy (Season 1)
- Christian Coleman as Freddie (Seasons 1-2)
- Nicole Pantenberg as Teresa, a friend of Moesha who butts heads with Kim (Season 2)
- Dwight Woody as Coach Vines (Seasons 2-3)
- Antwon Tanner as Michael, Kim's boyfriend (Seasons 2-3)
- Usher as Jeremy Davis, a love interest of Moesha who attended Bridgewood (Season 3)
- Dru Mouser as Haley Dillard, Moesha's first friend at Bridgewood (Season 3)
- Dante Basco as Marco, a classmate of Moesha's at Bridgewood (Season 3)
- Jaime Elysee as Morgan, a classmate of Moesha's at Bridgewood (Season 3)
- Monica McSwain as Mary Ellen, a classmate and rival of Moesha's at Bridgewood (Season 3)
- Jo Marie Payton as Bernetta Campbell, Hakeem's mother (Seasons 4–6)
- Alexis Fields as Alicia, a rival and later roommate of Moesha and Niecy (Seasons 4–6)
- Jon Huertas as Antonio, a friend of Hakeem (Season 4)
- Brandon Quintin Adams as Aaron, Moesha's boyfriend (Season 4)
- Lahmard Tate as Jerome, Hakeem's friend and love interest of Niecy (Seasons 5–6)
- Marissa Jaret Winokur as Theresa, Moesha's roommate (Season 5)
- Olivia Brown as Barbara Lee, Dorian's birth mother (Season 6)
Episodes
U.S. Television Ratings
Season Season Premiere Season Finale TV Season Ranking Viewers
(in millions)1st January 23, 1996 May 21, 1996 1996 #141[1] 3.5[1] 2nd August 27, 1996 May 20, 1997 1996-1997 #134[2] 3.5[2] 3rd August 26, 1997 May 19, 1998 1997–1998 #141[3] 4.0[3] 4th October 6, 1998 May 25, 1999 1998–1999 #137[4] 3.3[4] 5th August 23, 1999 May 22, 2000 1999–2000 #130[5] 2.4[5] 6th September 4, 2000 May 14, 2001 2000–2001 #130[6] 3.3[6] DVD release
On September 27, 2011, CBS Home Entertainment released Moesha- The First Season on DVD in Region 1 via Amazon.com's CreateSpace program. This is a Manufacture-on-Demand (MOD) release, available exclusively through Amazon.com.[7]
DVD Name Ep # Release dates Region 1 Region 2 Region 4 The Complete 1st Season 14 September 27, 2011[8] TBA TBA The Complete 2nd Season 24 TBA TBA TBA The Complete 3rd Season 23 TBA TBA TBA The Complete 4th Season 22 TBA TBA TBA The Complete 5th Season 22 TBA TBA TBA The Complete 6th Season 22 TBA TBA TBA Spin-off
Given her popularity for four seasons on Moesha, Countess Vaughn left the show in 1999 for her own show, The Parkers, which premiered on August 30, 1999 on UPN. It centered on the adventures of Kim attending community college with her mother, played by comedian Mo'Nique. Leaving Moesha, Yvette Wilson joined the cast of The Parkers as Andell in 2000.[9]
Several Moesha cast members (including Brandy Norwood) made crossover appearances on The Parkers.[10]
Opening credits
There have been four versions of the opening credits theme song.
- Used for Season 1
- Used for Season 2
- Used for Season 3, which was nearly identical to the season 2 version, but with elements from the first theme, as well
- Used for the last three seasons
Although the same recording of the theme song was used for the last three seasons, A different opening was used for each of the last three seasons.
- Season 1 showed Moesha dancing in front of a fountain, walking with friends, dancing in a driving car,and playing a game of Chess,..winning, while waving at a guy as he walks away # Season 2 & 3 had the same scenario as season one but had some changes. Moesha was still dancing in front of the fountain but with a bass player behind her. Instead of being with just her friends, she was shown to be playing basketball and baseball with her friends and family, driving with her friends and once again having a meal at the diner served by Andell with her family.
- Season 4 showed the cast around the neighborhood and shows Moesha, Kim, and Niecy dancing at the fountain.
- Season 5 showed the cast as Norwood lip-syncs to the theme song.
- Season 6 showed the cast as Norwood lip-syncs to the theme song. The same as Season 5 but with a twist. Since Yvette Wilson left to join the cast for The Parkers and Sheryl Lee Ralph's character became a recurring cast member in the show, Norwood is shown lip-syncing over where Yvette Wilson and Sheryl Lee Ralph once were in the Season 5 opening.
Cancellation
By the sixth season, ratings for Moesha had dropped and UPN opted not to renew the series for a seventh season. The series ended on an unresolved cliffhanger with Myles being kidnapped by a rival of Dorian, Moesha considering moving in with Hakeem, and an unknown positive pregnancy test being found in the trash at Moesha's dorm room. Entertainment Weekly reported that certain plots were to be resolved on The Parkers,[11] but the storylines were never resolved.
Syndication
The series aired in syndication on UPN, Fox and The WB affiliates from 2000–2003, then on WGN America from 2005 to 2009. It began airing on The N in 2005, but ceased in 2009.
In the UK, Moesha aired on Channel 4 from 1996 until 1998, only showing the first three seasons. It also aired on Nickelodeon UK (edited for kids viewing) from 1996 to 2000 showing the first four seasons, Paramount Channel UK and Trouble TV UK.
Since 2008, The show has been running in syndication in Spain, Italy, Israel, Russia, France, Germany, Ireland, Holland, UK, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Liberia, Jamaica, Japan, China, India, Korea, Singapore, Brazil, Australia, and Mexico.
Awards
Year Award Category Recipient 1997 NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Youth Actor/Actress Brandy Norwood 1998 Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Countess Vaughn 2000 SHINE Awards Comedy Episode For episode "Let's Talk About Sex" References
- ^ a b "Complete TV Ratings 1995-1996". http://fbibler.chez.com/tvstats/recent_data/1995-96.html. Retrieved 02-12-2010.
- ^ a b "Complete TV Ratings 1996-1997". http://fbibler.chez.com/tvstats/recent_data/1996-97.html. Retrieved 02-12-2010.
- ^ a b "The Final Countdown". Entertainment Weekly Published in issue #434 May 29, 1998. http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,283382,00.html. Retrieved 02-12-2010.
- ^ a b "TV Winners & Losers: Numbers Racket A Final Tally Of The Season's Show (from Nielsen Media Research)". GeoCities. June 4, 1999. Archived from the original on 2009-10-29. http://web.archive.org/web/20091029011819/http://geocities.com/Hollywood/4616/ew0604.html. Retrieved 02-12-2010.
- ^ a b "TV Ratings 1999-2000". http://fbibler.chez.com/tvstats/recent_data/1999-00.html. Retrieved 02-12-2010.
- ^ a b "The Bitter End". Entertainment Weekly Published in issue #598 Jun 01, 2001. http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,256435,00.html. Retrieved 02-12-2010.
- ^ http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005FHXHGM
- ^ "Moesha Season (1996) Season 1". Amazon.com. 2011-10-29. http://www.amazon.com/Moesha-Season-1/dp/B005FHXHGM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317270522&sr=8-1. Retrieved 2011-10-29.
- ^ "'The Parkers' Win Big Laughs As No. 1 Show In Black Households". Jet (Johnson Publishing Company) 97 (18): 58. 2000-04-10. ISSN 0021-5996.
- ^ "Why TV's 'The Parkers' Remains a Hit With Black Viewers For a Second Season". Jet (Johnson Publishing Company) 98 (20): 62–63. 2000-10-23. ISSN 0021-5996.
- ^ Rice, Lynette (2001-06-06). "'Band' On the Run". ew.com. http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,129333,00.html. Retrieved 2009-07-19.
External links
- Moesha at the Internet Movie Database
- Moesha at TV.com
- Moesha at epguides.com
- Moesha at The-N.com
Categories:- 1996 American television series debuts
- 2001 American television series endings
- 1990s American television series
- 2000s American television series
- American television sitcoms
- Black sitcoms
- Black television drama series
- English-language television series
- High school television series
- Teen sitcoms
- Teen dramas
- Television series by CBS Paramount Television
- Television shows set in Los Angeles, California
- UPN network shows
- Brandy Norwood
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