United Paramount Network, abbreviated as UPN, was one of the representatives of the golden era of television. However, not all good things last forever, and UPN went through several different acquisitions by various parent companies until broadcasting completely stopped in 2006, after just over a decade in the business. The now-defunct network was ultimately replaced by The CW, which recently underwent a re-branding of its own.
UPN was the home of some of the greatest hit sitcoms we’ve ever seen. Admittedly, some of them weren’t born great; shows like Moesha, Girlfriends, Half & Half, One on One, and The Parkers weren’t as recognized during their original airings. However, they evolved into something great along the way and remained in syndication for years after they concluded since they hadn’t only garnered a dedicated fanbase but were ultimately recognized as significant contributions to the history of television comedy.
So, without further ado, let’s begin … also, please note that this list doesn’t adhere to any particular order.
Moesha
Moesha was an American television sitcom that aired on UPN from 1996 to 2001. Starring Brandy Norwood as Moesha Denise Mitchell, the series focused on the life of a Black upper-middle-class family through Moesha’s eyes. Her father was a successful businessman who, following the death of Moesha’s mother, married Dee, the vice principal of Moesha’s high school.
The show dealt with typical teenage themes and social issues like premarital sex, teen pregnancy, sexuality, race relations, mental health, drug use, and all the typical issues most teenagers face on a daily basis. In fact, Moesha was the first Black-cast sitcom to feature an episode entirely devoted to teens and non-heterosexuality.
Moesha was eventually canceled after its sixth season following a ratings drop. However, subsequent international syndication revived the interest in the show, and Norwood expressed interest in reviving the show.
The Parkers
The Parkers was actually a spin-off from Moesha, centered on a low-income mother and daughter who both attend Santa Monica College. Nikki Parker, who dropped out of high school after discovering her pregnancy 20 years prior, decides to go to college along with her daughter Kim as a way to get the education she missed while pregnant with Kim.
The sitcom received mixed reviews initially due to its outrageous characters, but the ratings were a massive success for UPN, and it was the most popular show among African-American audiences, way ahead of The Steve Harvey Show. As the show progressed, its ability to relate to many audiences, especially young people, contributed to its growing popularity.
Girlfriends
Girlfriends is an American sitcom created by Mara Brock Akil, who, at the time, became recognized as the youngest African-American female showrunner and executive producer in the entertainment industry. The show ran since during the 2000’s on UPN and continued airing on UPN’s successor, The CW before eventually getting canceled in 2008.
The show explores the lives, relationships, and personal growth of four African-American women living in Los Angeles. It focuses on their friendships, romantic endeavors, careers, and challenges they face in their daily lives. It also explores issues such as race, sexuality, and gender; all mixed up in humor, drama, and pretty insightful social commentary on various other themes.
The CW ended the show due to poor ratings, but the syndication runs have exposed it to more and more audiences, and the number of people demanding a proper ending to the beloved sitcom continues to grow.
Half & Half
The plot of Half & Half focuses on the lives of two estranged paternal half-sisters who end up becoming friends after moving into the same San Francisco apartment building. What makes the show interesting is its character portrayal. Mona is more street-smart, cynical, and prone to impulsive decisions, and she resents Dee Dee —her half-sister — because she grew up in a well-off and privileged household.
Dee-Dee, on the other hand, is really charming and optimistic but also naïve at times, and the show derives its humor from their juxtaposition. Throughout the series, however, the sisters resolve their past resentments and learn to trust and lean on each other for help and support as they navigate their own personal problems in love, family, and work.
One on One
One on One aired from 2001 to 2006 on UPN, centering on the life of Flex Washington, a single father and sportscaster, and his teenage daughter, Breanna. The series follows their challenges and humorous moments as Flex navigates parenting and his career while Breanna deals with typical teenage issues.
The first four seasons of the show are an absolute treasure, but the quality diminished later on. Still, following the series’ ending, it was broadcast on various local television networks and online by various networks and streamers, proving that it withstood the test of time—as only quality can.
Final Thoughts
Reflecting on the legacy of UPN’s sitcoms reveals a transformative journey in television history. The shows we presented you with, though initially underrated and underestimated, evolved into cultural staples, proving their enduring appeal and significance — especially since all are still available on streaming.