Here's Why 'Girlfriends' Is An Iconic Show for Black Women
Joan. Maya. Toni. Lynn.
If you’re an a late 80’s baby or early 90’s baby you know these names and you know exactly why they’re strung together. As soon as that song comes on, you know the vibes. You can probably even visualize the intro clip in your mind. And while it’s hard to believe this show debuted 19 years ago during a time when there was still a variety of black TV shows to choose from, it’s influence still holds weight today.
Executive producer Mara Brock Akil (who’s written for Moesha, executive produced The Game and created Being Mary Jane) alongside executive producer Kelsey Grammar, chronicled four very different and dynamic Black women living in Los Angeles and showed us how they individually and collectively exemplified Black girl magic. Each woman’s character was so distinct (and hilarious) yet as a group they were still unified. Who could forget? And while Girlfriends is certainly not the first sitcom based around a group of Black women (I would never disrespect Livin’ Single like that!) it did usher in these ideals of the importance of your girlfriends, for a new generation at the the turn of the millennium. Before there was Insecure, there was Girlfriends.
Recently Tracee Ellis Ross announced via Twitter that her former co-stars would be joining her on an episode of Black-ish and I’m confident every Girlfriends fan audibly rejoiced.
After Girlfriends, each actress has achieved individual success through a variety of movies, TV series, talk shows and reality TV. But they’ve yet to reunite on screen since the show’s ending in 2008. This is going to be epic, y’all. So in honor of the upcoming episode (airing October 8th) let’s take a look back at four of the most unforgettable girlfriends to ever grace black TV.
Joan
Joan Clayton. Joan Clayton, Esq. Yes, honey the HGIC is a successful attorney working in downtown Los Angeles and navigating the ups and downs of her career, relationships and friendships. Played by Tracee Ellis Ross, Joan is the most corporate of the bunch and is hilariously uptight. But with her signature big, curly hair and bad-ass power suits who could be mad at it? Joan’s love life is a struggle throughout the series as she constantly battled with the doubts she could have it all. She’s quirky, upbeat and at times downright corny, but she’s the glue that holds this group together and the kind of best friend we all need.
Toni
If you’re looking for the modern day version of Hillary Banks, it’s definitely Toni Childs. Toni and Joan grew up together in Fresno, California. And while she may hail from humble beginnings (she grew up poor and on a farm) she’s a far cry from a humble woman. The self-proclaimed “cute one” has exclusively expensive taste in her wardrobe, lifestyle and men. Toni (played by Jill Marie Jones) and Joan’s longstanding friendship takes some serious hits throughout the series and we were all left wondering if it could ever be repaired. Toni is self-centered, arrogant, model-esque and hilariously can never remember Mya’s son’s name (I cackle at “Jacuzzi”). But beyond all the superficial layers, she’s a sweetheart with a sensitive soul. She may cause lots of eye-rolls but she’ll definitely keep any girlfriend on their toes…in expensive heels that is!
Mya
Sassy, quick-witted, hard-working and not one to mess with! Mya Wilkes is the street-wise girlfriend who’ll gather you without missing a beat. She’s Joan’s assistant turned-housewife and super successful author. Played by Golden Brooks, Maya doesn’t hide that’s from the hood but throughout the series we see her grow into a more polished and well-rounded character. She and Toni are often at odds because of this difference in personalities. Maya and her husband (also her high school sweetheart) endure very tumultuous times throughout the series, but ultimately black love prevailed. Mya is the girlfriend you call for some real talk and/or if you need hands thrown on your behalf.
Lynn
Ok, full disclosure: Lynn is definitely my favorite girlfriend. I can’t relate to her at all but she’s so darn loveable! Lynn Searcy (played by Persia White) met Toni and Joan while in school at UCLA and as bi-racial child, it wasn’t until she met them that she began embracing her black side. And it shows. Chile, the amount of times I have hollered at Lynn’s attempts to be more Black or her all around free-spirited ways. Lynn is fearless in her often discussed sexual adventures, she’s vegan, bohemian, and although she hails from a wealthy background she rebels and winds up working the oddest jobs ever. She’s lived with every character mentioned above and then some as she struggles to find her own independence, and her true self, throughout the series. There’s a deeper journey there, but damn it is hilarious.
Girlfriends was the show that many of us could relate to as young black teenagers and women.
It was relateable, timely, enlightening and the show this generation needed to remind you of why no matter what’s going on in life whether it’s going wrong or right: we will always need our sisters.
Now sing it with me: “my girrrrrlfriennnndssss, there through thick and thin”
