I'm So Over Q & 9 Other Things I Discovered Re-Watching Moesha

Mo-to tha-E to tha. Ya’ll know the theme song. Who didn’t love “Moesha” back in the day? Even though Moesha was far from perfect, it was great to see images of black people who weren’t living lives of complete dysfunction. We related to the characters, sang along with the theme song, which I’ve attached below, and couldn’t wait to see how all the drama was going to play out. But re-watching this show today is a bit different. Check out the things I discovered re-watching Moesha.

//www.youtube.com/v/r1AOXI0eBL8?version=3&hl=en_US

Bad Boys Aren’t Cute Forever

The biggest thing that struck me watching the series again, was just how annoying and immature Q seemed to me. Back in the day, I was so down for Q. I thought he was cute, he had a nice little bad boy edge to him and he just seemed like the perfect match for Moesha. But honey, watching it the second time around, it’s oh so painfully clear that Q is nothing but a young fool. Sure, he no doubt genuinely cared about Mo but the things I didn’t think were a big deal as a kid, are glaring red flags today. I mean, there was one episode where Moesha asked Q to dress up for a dinner she and her friends were preparing at her house, and the boy acted like she asked him to wear a skirt…and still showed up in his standard baggy clothes.

Ray J was quite funny

By now, ya’ll know Ray J is far from a MadameNoire favorite. And as I watched the show the second time around, I was waiting to clown him for his subpar acting skills and general lameness. But actually, Ray J’s character Dorian delivered some of the funniest lines in the show. And actually, when things got emotional, as Frank decided to ship him off to boot camp and he begged to stay, claiming he was going to do better, I was touched. I know you’re going to find this hard to believe; but on several occasions, Ray J’s acting was better than Brandy’s. Maybe I just rocked some of your worlds, but check the footage, it’s really apparent. Maybe that’s why, throughout the show’s run, Ray J played three different characters. Charles, pictured above, himself and Dorian.

Countess Vaughn

If I were to pick the most talented person of the cast, it would definitely be Kim Parker, Countess Vaughn. It’s no wonder that she got her own spin-off. Her comedic timing is impressive, even today. That in conjunction with Mo’Nique portraying her loud and obnoxious mother, there was no way the show wasn’t going to do well.

Lahmard Tate, Larenz’ Brother, Is Hilarious

I do not remember Lahmard Tate in this series. But he filled the void Kim left when she left in season 6. Like his predecessor, he brought plenty of unexpected laughs. And also like Kim, Lahmard’s character, Jermone was chasing after one of Moesha’s friends. But though Hakeem didn’t want to have anything to do with Kim, Niecy and Jermone ended up becoming an item, though she tried to hide it from everyone else on campus.

Niecy was a shady friend

I was watching the episodes out of order and saw that by the time Niecy and Moesha were in college there was some type of beef between the former friends. I couldn’t remember what happened. But once I went back and watched, I saw that after Niecy had an unexpected break up and Hakeem was upset because Mo was running around with Q, just as friends. The two fell into each other’s arms and ended up kissing each other right as Moesha walked into her dorm room. Now, most friendships will suffer mistakes and even some betrayal, but kissing my man, a boy, you’ve known and been dissing for years, is pretty low down.

//www.youtube.com/v/iy8fOw8nhio?version=3&hl=en_US

You Will Hear A Full Song

Remember back in the ’90’s sitcoms would often feature musical guests. Well, what I noticed watching Moesha is that when musical guests came through, they usually got to perform whole verses or the entire song on the show. Think I’m lying? Check out the video of Chico DeBarge performing most of “Iggin'” above.

//www.youtube.com/v/cSixUn0rSCg?hl=en_US&version=3

Was it weird when Boyz II Men came on set?

It wasn’t until Brandy’s “Behind The Music” aired that I learned she and Wanya of Boyz II Men dated. I had no idea, despite the “Brokenhearted” video. But watching the season, the second time around, I saw that Boy II Men popped up for a concert when Moesha was in college. Though the group and Moesha were only on screen together for a very hot second, I still wonder was this before or after their relationship had ended and if it was odd being on set with your current or former boo thang.

Hakeem and Moesha

Though I wasn’t a fan of Q the second time around, I don’t know if I necessarily wanted her to end up with Hakeem either. Though I really liked both of them…I just wanted them to do the friend thing. The chemistry just wasn’t there for me. Plus there was the fact that Hakeem took forever to let his true feelings be known. I remember back in the day, I wanted Mo to do a little something with Usher. I have to watch some more to see if I still feel the same. What I will say though, is that even though Moesha had the big three: Q, Hakeem and Usher’s character, Jeremy, there were plenty of flirt buddies and dates in between. Nothin’ wrong with that.

Everybody and their momma was on this show

I’ve been re-watching Moesha for just the past few weeks, but already I’ve seen all types of big names in the black community. And not just musical guests either. We mentioned earlier that Usher was on the show but did you know that’s where he debuted as an actor? Then Ginuwine was on the show, not singing but just a part of Q’s touring group. Then there was Maya and Darnell from “Girlfriends.” (Darnell was actually a jerk on his episode.) There was Kobe, Lil Kim and even former president and CEO of the NAACP, Kwesi Mfume.