The Parkers
The Parkers is an American television sitcom created by Ralph Farquhar, Sara V. Finney and Vida Spears. The series ran for five seasons from August 30, 1999, to May 10, 2004, on UPN as a spin-off to Moesha. It stars Mo'Nique, Countess Vaughn, Mari Morrow, Dorien Wilson, Jenna von Oÿ, Ken L. and Yvette Wilson. The show centers on the relationship between a mother and daughter, Nikki and Kim Parker, who reside outside of Los Angeles in Santa Monica, California, with both attending Santa Monica College. The series was produced by Big Ticket Television, in association with Saradipity Productions and Regan Jon Productions, with Bill Boulware, Ralph Farquhar, Sara V. Finney, Vida Spears and Andrea Wiley serving as executive producers. 110 episodes were produced.
Premise
This comedy series centers around a mother and daughter who both attend Santa Monica College. Nikki Parker was forced to drop out of high school, nearly 20 years earlier, when she discovered she was pregnant. As the time arrived for her daughter to go to college, Nikki decided to go as well as a way to get an experience and education that was taken from her so many years earlier. Through a series of hilarious situations, Nikki has to adjust to the fact that her daughter is growing up, while Kim realizes that Nikki has a lot more going on in her life beyond being a mother.Cast and characters
Main
Kim Parker : A ditzy college student and Nikki's daughter. Although she can be shallow, Kim has a kind heart and is close with Nikki. Kim is also a lead singer in the music group Free Style Unity, which also includes Stevie and T. At the end of the series, she fails out of Santa Monica College but becomes a successful fashion designer.Nikki Parker, née Alexander : A boisterous, confident single mother, who embraces college life to the fullest. She is in love with Professor Oglevee, despite his apparent hatred of her. In the series finale, she eventually wins him over after five years of chasing him and they get married.Desiree Littlejohn : Initially, the Parkers' neighbor and Nikki's friend. She only appears in the first season and is uncredited as a regular after six episodes. She is not seen after episode 13. It was stated that creator, Ralph Farquhar, wrote her off because he wanted a stronger dynamic with another one of his characters. She was replaced by Yvette Wilson.Professor Stanley Oglevee : A handsome professor at Santa Monica College. Although he prides himself on his intelligence, he often becomes embroiled in hare-brained schemes, often due to his own foolishness. Although he is initially repulsed by Nikki's affections, he eventually declares his love for her, and they marry in the series finale. Stevie Alison Van Lowe : A sarcastic, intelligent white college student as well as Kim's best friend. Stevie is from an affluent family and has a tempestuous relationship with her mother. She is also a member of the music group Free Style Unity, alongside Kim and T. Upon graduating from Santa Monica College, Stevie attends UCLA and goes into business with Kim.Thaddeus Tyrell "T" Radcliffe : A flirtatious, attractive college student as well as friend to Kim and Stevie. He is also a member of the music group Free Style Unity. At the end of the series, T goes on to attend Berklee College of Music.Andell Wilkerson : Nikki's level-headed best friend. Andell originated as a regular character on Moesha and appears on The Parkers in a recurring role during the first season; she became a main character in the middle of Season 1. From Season 3 onward, she is the owner of a restaurant called Andell's. At the end of the series, she marries her boyfriend, Lester.Recurring
Mel Parker : Nikki's rich ex-husband and Kim's fatherErica Willis Regina Foster : A snobbish and stuck-up colleague of Nikki, Kim, and Stevie's at Santa Monica College and also a member of the Triple-A Sorority.Joe Woody : Works in the cafeteria at Santa Monica College. He previously played Coach Vines on Moesha.Veronica Cooper : On-and-off girlfriend of Professor Oglevee and occasional nemesis of Nikki.Sophia Van Lowe : Stevie's mother.Gertrude "Gertie" Lowe : The organ player at Mount Zion, where Nikki is the choir director. She is occasionally a nemesis of Nikki. She has also known Nikki and Andell since high school.Frederick "Freddy" Jones : A flamboyant fashion design student who often has a conflict with Kim.Hakeem Campbell : Kim's longtime friend and former crush. He was previously on Moesha.Niecy Jackson : Kim's best friend. She was also on Moesha.Symone : A backup singer in the group Free Style Unity in Season 1.Chandra Carrington : Colleague of Nikki and Kim's at Santa Monica College and also a member the Triple A Sorority.Jerel Goodrich : Kim's boyfriend turned fiancé; later ex-husband.George and Shirley West/Alexander : Nikki's adoptive parents.Constance McFarland : Nikki's haughty older sister.Tiffany McFarland : Nikki's niece.Quincy DeJohn : Nikki's biological father.Camille Oglevee : Professor Oglevee's mother. She tried to convince Kim to drop out of college to work for her.Aunt Rita : Nikki's aunt, who turned out to be her biological mother. She explained that she was unable to raise Nikki due to her career.Evelyn "Nana" Smith : Nikki's grandmother, who comes onto Professor Oglevee while visiting Nikki.Broadcast
Syndication
The Parkers has aired in syndication on BET, Centric, Fuse, UP, TV One, VH1, and MTV2.Currently, the series airs reruns on Cleo TV and Dabl.
The series started streaming on Netflix on October 1, 2020.