In 1996, the world of sitcoms got better.
Moesha debuted and helped change the way Black sitcoms were seen, and did so from the view of a teenage girl.
The show became so iconic that even 27 years later, it can be seen playing faithfully on streaming services.
If you haven't seen an episode of the show recently, you need to reevaluate your life. Here are 19 reasons why you need to rewatch the show...like, right now:
1. Moesha's fashion is responsible for a lot of popular trends.
2. Everyone wanted the "Moesha braids" then and even more now.
3. It showed the beauty of a two-parent household.
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A show centered around a Black family doesn't always have to include outrageous scandals and drama, and Moesha proved that. The Mitchells were middle class, and the series showed the beauty of a two-parent household, even though Dee, played by Sheryl Lee Ralph, was her stepmom.
4. Moesha had the best friend group.
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Today, people are obsessed with having friends that meet their "aesthetic." Moesha, although fictional, had the perfect example of a diverse friend group. Hakeem, Kim, and Niecy brought different styles, mindsets, and laughter to the friendship.
5. Moesha showed the importance of sisterhood.
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Having one best friend is a blessing, but when you have two? That's a dream! Although Moesha, Kim, and Niecy had their differences, the show highlighted the importance of sisterhood, especially while transitioning into adulthood.
6. The episodes are extremely relatable.
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Being a teenager is...a lot different now than it was in the '90s, but Moesha episodes are still relatable. How often have you gone out with a guy your dad didn't like? How long did it take for you to grow a bond with your stepmom? Did you ever sneak out? Moesha did.
7. It's one of the best coming-of-age shows to hit the small screen.
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Throughout the series, Moesha is just navigating through life. She went from being in high school to college by the end of the series, and viewers watched the character learn and grow from her mistakes. While other times they saw her make the same mistakes again, which definitely happens in real life.
8. It's laugh-out-loud funny.
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I can't watch an episode of this series without laughing. The family comedy jokes were SEASONED! I don't know who was funnier between Moesha, Kim, Hakeem, and even Andell. Even the more serious episodes had some humor to them.
9. Rewatching means you can see the early life of Countess Vaughn as Kim Parker.
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First, this role was made for Countess Vaughn, and no one could've embodied this character better. Kim Parker was the fun friend that everyone needed in their lives. She was stylish, a talented singer, and always kept it real with her friends. Plus, her obsession with Hakeem is one for the books.
10. Sheryl Lee Ralph. That's it. That's the sentence.
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Dee was THE stepmom of the decade! Although it took a minute for her and Moesha to come together, she always held the Mitchell household DOWN!
11. Frank and Dee Mitchell were HARDWORKING parents.
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People have thoughts about how Frank handled certain situations, but the fictional character wasn't a bad father. As a car dealership owner, he provided the best life for his children, and Dee was an assistant principal. They were a hard-working couple, even though there were some issues. Television needs more of this simplicity.
12. Moesha had boyfriends every girl in the '90s dreamed of having.
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Talk about a loaded roster. Teenagers date; it's common, so of course, that had to be seen on the show. Between dating Q, Aaron, Ohaji, Jeremy, and more, why wouldn't you want to watch these episodes again?
13. The theme song was a hit.
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Name a series with a better theme song — I'll wait. Time's up, because I know there isn't one. There's nothing skippable about this intro; honestly, I'm singing it as I write this sentence.
14. The show gave viewers original music, specifically from CPQ.
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Campbell, Parker, and Q formed a group called CPQ. The talent displayed in this series is unmatched. Hakeem, Kim, and Q formed a group with a few bops also.
15. It showed that friends can become family.
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There were a lot of heartfelt moments on Moesha. Hakeem's father wasn't around, so Moesha's family always welcomed him while cracking jokes. Frank even went with him on a father-and-son retreat.
16. Moesha was a media girlie.
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Moesha had her heart set on becoming a writer. She interned at a magazine company for a few episodes and was a student reporter at her school's newspaper. It gave great insight into the various paths you can take to attain your dreams.
17. The show gave viewers the spin-off, The Parkers.
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There would be no Kim and Nikki Parker without Moesha. As the show began to move in a different direction, when Moesha started going to college, Kim went to a community college with Nikki on their own show.
18. It showed a Black girl always voicing her opinion.
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Yes, there were times when Moesha was wrong and could've handled things differently, yet the character always spoke up for herself, no matter who she was up against. Even when she was afraid to do so, she showed the importance of not only standing up for yourself, but also standing up for others in their time of need.
19. Lastly, it's a cult classic so you know there's something in this series for everyone to love!
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People constantly complain about the type of shows that are currently on television. So, why not rewatch a classic to get that nostalgic feel. You can get inspired by the fashion, laugh at some of our old school phrases, and appreciate great writing.
Now that you've decided to rewatch the show, because I know I did a great job convincing you, which episode are you watching first? Let me know in the comments!
You can currently stream Moesha on Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, and Paramount+.
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