LIVING KRINGLE

Living Single
Season 1 (1993)

When my sister was in the 5th grade she started to suffer from insomnia.  My parents tried everything to help her sleep, eventually making the ultimate concession: they let her have a TV in her room.  True, it was my great-uncle’s ancient television and it only got a couple of blurry channels but this was a big deal, as my mom was pretty strict in monitoring how much TV we watched.  Some nights I was allowed to watch with my sister as she tried to get sleepy and I only ever remember watching two things.  One was the shopping channel (sure to help induce sleep).  Endless descriptions of faux jewelry (it was always jewelry) may not sound too exciting but TV in the bedroom was such a novelty that I didn’t care.  The other thing we watched was Living Single.

An ugly Christmas sweater before it was an ironic hipster thing

I liked the show then and I love it now, as it encapsulates 90s nostalgia for me but it also stands on its own merits.  It’s got a great cast and a very catchy theme song but even better it’s got this terrific holiday episode.  In “Living Kringle” sunny Synclaire (Kim Coles) is feeling the Christmas spirit, as evidenced by some truly amazing holiday-themed outfits that she sports throughout the episode.  Her harried friends and roommates, however, are less enthusiastic about celebrating the holidays.  Synclaire throws a tree trimming party but one by one they leave early, to pursue boyfriends and work.  

A depressed Synclaire takes off (leaving behind a detailed note on how to find her).  She ends up at a seedy bar where she bonds with the grubby patrons, including a down and out Santa Claus.  Meanwhile her friends one by one discover the extremely thoughtful Christmas gifts that Synclaire left for them.  Each gift ties into a happy Christmas memory they shared earlier in the episode.  Max gets tickets to a dance recital to remind her of her childhood role as the Rat King in The Nutcracker.  Khadijah gets a starfish for the top of her tree, Regine gets a Barbie Corvette, Kyle a homemade Kwanza gift and Overton a VHS (it was the 90s, remember) tape of his favorite Christmas special, “The Little Elf That Could.” 

The Little Elf That Could and an Overton that can't

The friends all rush to Synclaire’s side and join with her and the bar patrons in singing carols. There’s also a nice play on the “Real Santa Shows Up” trope when the Santa Synclaire has been chatting with disappears. She starts a speech about how maybe he was the real deal when he suddenly reappears, as he was just in the bathroom.  It’s a nice little fake-out that acknowledges the clichés that pop up in episodes of this type.

This episode is just brimming with holiday cheer.  It’s equal parts heartwarming and humorous, as it plays with familiar tropes while remaining original and entertaining.  There are a couple of great song performances (including a memorable version of “Sleigh Ride” lead by Queen Latifah) and references to just about everything Christmas-related that you can imagine.  There's also a great bit in which Regine smashes one of those musical cards that won't stop playing that Synclaire gives her.  It’s a shame that the series as a whole doesn’t get more credit (and isn't fully available on DVD), as this Christmas episode alone proves that is a show worth watching!

Crimson velvet vest-dress and giant jester Santa brooch: She's got the look!

Recurring Themes: Nobody Likes Fruitcake & A Group Sing Finale

Christmas Quotient: 5

See It, Skip It, Own It?
Own this one, as repeat viewings, just like Synclaire’s thoughtful gifts, are guaranteed to get you in the Christmas spirit!