My Unpopular Opinion of the Sitcom "The Parkers"

My unpopular opinion about the sitcom “The Parkers”

I was in middle school during the original run of The Parkers and I am still waiting on the Freestyle Unity Reunion Tour. My excitement for this show has not faded much twenty years later. Despite having a nostalgic appreciation for this show now that I have re-watched it, there are some things I want to discuss. My favorite characters have changed. My villains have changed. And most importantly, I understand that this show worked in the early 2000s. Let’s face it, if social media would have been what it is today then, it would have crucified these characters weekly over the homophobic and body shaming this show did. Yet, Nikki Parker, Kim Parker, Tee, Stevie, Professor Olgevee, and Andelle, these characters were a memorable hot mess outside of the comedic relief they provided. Let me explain.    

·        Now that we are adults can we all agree that Nikki and Professor Olgevee were in a committed relationship the entire series? It all started in Season 1 when Nikki took care of him after she knocked him out during Tae-Bo class (Season 1 Episode 4). While Nikki was nursing him back to good health the two were getting to know each other and connecting. Professor Olgevee simply told Nikki that she was a great woman who did not have to come on as hard as she did. And let us not forget how he went to her house (with a gift, I might add) to apologize for “Veronica’s behavior”. Even though it was giving an apology for neglecting to inform her that he had a girlfriend. The two then had a brief moment. It was brief, but a moment nonetheless.

·        As season 1 continues we see the two continue to develop the dynamic of their dysfunctional situationship. For example, during episode 15, after Veronica rejected The Professor’s proposal and Nikki and Mel decided against reconciling, The Professor ran right over to his “stalker” for a “pity dance”. Professor Olgevee had a genuine concern for Nikki’s safety once everyone discovered the child Nikki adopted from the mentor program (Shakilla) was troubled (Episode 12). The way he comforted her once he realized his twin brother had deceived her (Episode 16). Not to mention, during episode 18, Nikki asked Professor Olgevee a hypothetical question relating to Veronica dying and him choosing her, to which he replied, “Maybe”. As the series continues the couple exhibits evidence of being in a relationship. A dysfunctional relationship, however, a relationship indeed. For instance, the couple shared every major holiday. The couple formed relationships with each other’s family. The couple was always together (yes, I am aware that Nikki forced herself into Professor Olgevee’s spaces). However, Nikki and Professor Olgevee were indeed a couple. Last but not least, every time Nikki moved on to a new man, he lost all his marbles. Granted, I could dedicate an entire blog post to their relationship, but we don’t have that type of time.

·        The most egregious act of this show was how everyone called Professor Olgevee, The Professor as if they were playing a game of Clue.

·        What in the world did Veronica do for a living? She literally traveled the world and played Stanley like a fiddle. Yet, we never knew what she did for a living. She was indeed a “Tommy”. (Reference to the hot sitcom Martin)

·        Veronica did not want Professor Olgevee she just wanted to keep him from Nikki.

·        Nikki’s parenting was questionable. One minute she and Kim were best friends, and then when Kim would conduct herself as such, Nikki would reprimand her. Even down to Nikki moving in with Kim as a consequence of Nikki’s poor decision-making skills. Nikki hung out with Kim and her friends, expected Kim to pay half the bills, then wanted to enforce curfews, micromanage her decisions, and impose her desires onto Kim. During season one, Nikki sabotaged Kim. In episode 7, Nikki declined an offer made to Kim by Camille (Professor Olgevee’s mother). She was to have her fashion designs featured in an Atlanta boutique. However, Nikki told her no, so Kim could focus on her academic career. An academic career Kim voiced throughout the entire series she did not want. The same academic career Kim used only as a means to create and maintain a social life. Then in the final episode, we discovered that Kim was severely short on credits and would not be graduating. To make matters worse, throughout the series, Kim continued to design clothes. Therefore, why did Nikki have to decline an offer given to Kim? Only for Kim to continue designing clothes and continue to disregard school? 

·        Speaking of Kim getting the short end of the stick, the show did her love life dirty. For starters, her relationship with Jerel. There was no reason why she should have rejected Jerel to stay with Aaron. It was obvious from the start of Kim’s relationship with Aaron, that he was broke and needed a place to stay. Everything about Aaron suggested, opportunist. He already had a girlfriend. He moved in with Kim instantly. He took credit for gifts he never purchased. Yet, Jerel returns after advancing in his career to rekindle their relationship and she rejects him to stay with Aaron. Be fuckin forreal! Not to mention her high school boyfriend Michael. On the show Moesha, Michael did not play about Kim. There was an episode where he read Niecy and Moesha like a book over Kim. Then they bring him back only to kill him off. Again, be fuckin forreal. Lastly, I will mention, the father and son blind date duo (season 2 episode 14) where Kim and her boyfriend had to break up because of their parents. Even her relationship with Regis and KB, it just felt like Kim always received the short end of the stick on this show.

·         Speaking of having the worst luck with dating, poor Tee. Ironically, he habitually dissed the possibility of dating Kim during season 1. Only for him to end up single and heartbroken. Listen, he and Stevie should have never dated. Then when they dated he turned into an “insecure mama’s boy”. Then during the HIV awareness episode (the awareness episode every 90’s and early 00’s Black sitcom elected in), he falls madly in love with Chilli’s character (season 5 episode 14), only to discover she is HIV positive. Despite not rejecting her, we never see them or their relationship after that episode.

·        Why was Stevie rich and smart yet enrolled in community college?

·        If Kim’s father had better living conditions and was financially stable why didn’t Kim live with him instead?

·        Now, why is Adam Lazarre-White (Nikki’s boyfriend Kenny) always the actor who acts as the karmic boyfriend? In every 90’s and early 00’s Black sitcoms when he was the boyfriend he was always the perfect boyfriend who did everything right and said everything sweet, only to get dumped so the girlfriend could return to the distant “soul mate”.

·        Now how come whenever we saw Mel Jackson (Nikki’s fiancé Johnnie) on a 90’s and early 00’s sitcom we knew that was a sign that that show was nearing the end?  

As I mentioned, I could write an entire thesis on Nikki and Professor Olgevee’s relationship. Despite my unpopular opinions, I love this show and what it represents. Nikki had an entrepreneurial spirit and was ambitious despite being overbearing and selfish. Professor Olgevee was a Black male college professor engaged in every activity on campus and involved with the tenants' association of his complex. Tee was creative, ambitious, and tender-hearted who dedicated himself to his education and musical endeavors. Kim was talented. Absolutely talented. She could sing, design clothes, and took pride in her self-care. Although Stevie needed a therapist, she was a good friend who helped Kim and Nikki with whatever problem they seemed to throw her into. Through its comedic relief, this show featured, education, talent, business ownership, church, friendship, and family of a Black close-knit community. For that, I will always say, “Not too much on this show.”  Comment below what 90’s/00’s sitcom you want me to analyze next.