TL;DR
In this episode of ReLiving Single, Erika Alexander and Kim Coles revisit Living Single S1E4, “A Kiss Before Lying,” where Maxine and Kyle’s electric tension begins to bubble over. They’re later joined by writer Rob Horn, who brings powerful insights on storytelling, identity, and what it meant to write for Black women as a gay white man in the ‘90s sitcom world.
Introduction
What do you get when a snarky lawyer and a smooth-talking stockbroker go toe-to-toe on screen? Fireworks. In “A Kiss Before Lying,” Max and Kyle’s playful animosity starts inching toward something juicier. Erika Alexander and Kim Coles break it all down in this week’s ReLiving Single, joined by none other than writer Rob Horn.
It’s a heartfelt, hilarious, and unexpectedly moving look at one of Living Single’s most pivotal early episodes.
Max and Kyle: The Heat Turns Up
Max and Kyle have never been ones to hold back. This episode sees their flirtatious feud sharpen into genuine interest. Erika describes Max’s denial of her feelings as “emotional dodgeball,” while Kim marvels at how the chemistry between the characters was both magnetic and chaotic.
They also touch on how rare it was in ‘90s television to see two Black characters explore tension that wasn’t immediately sexualized or stereotyped. It was layered, slow-burn romance at its best.
A Kiss Before Lying: The Setup
The title of this episode says it all—honesty is on trial. The storyline cleverly weaves personal truths with comedic moments, forcing Max and Kyle to confront what they’re hiding behind all that sass and sarcasm.
Erika and Kim reflect on the emotional intelligence in the script. “We weren’t just cracking jokes,” says Erika. “We were telling emotional truths—quietly and loud.”
Enter Rob Horn: Behind the Pen and Page
Midway through the podcast, the women welcome Rob Horn, a key writer from Living Single‘s first season. Rob shares his journey from growing up in a conservative environment to becoming one of the show’s sharpest voices. His ability to understand marginalization—being gay in a heteronormative world—gave him an unusual edge in writing authentically for women of color.
Kim praises Rob’s ability to thread the needle between comedy and character. “You gave us nuance when people expected caricatures,” she says. Rob, ever humble, credits the cast for trusting the words.
Writing Black Joy with Authenticity
Rob explains how his own identity shaped his writing. He didn’t write for Black women as an outsider—he wrote with empathy, curiosity, and respect. Erika notes how important it was to have writers who weren’t afraid to go deeper than the punchline.
Together, the trio reflects on the importance of intention in representation. “We weren’t trying to tick boxes,” says Rob. “We were telling the truth through comedy.”
Fun Fact & Expert Insight
Fun Fact: The iconic kitchen scene between Max and Kyle was almost cut for time—but test audiences loved it so much, it stayed.
Expert Insight: Media critic Dr. Robin R. Means Coleman says shows like Living Single worked because they didn’t sidestep emotional truths for laughs—they layered them, making the comedy more resonant and real.
Wrap Up
“No Lie” is more than just an episode—it’s a celebration of storytelling that dares to be intimate, funny, and deeply human. Erika, Kim, and Rob give us a masterclass in crafting connection—on screen and behind the scenes. Whether you’re in it for the sparks or the stories, this episode is a gem.
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