One of the more remarkable new programs on television this fall is the new UPN sitcom "The Parkers." Not because it's new, different or even good -- it's none of the above -- but because somehow, some way somebody decided that what the world really needs is a spin-off of "Moesha."
Now, "Moesha" isn't the worst show in the world. (Although its star, Brandy Norwood, is among the world's worst actresses.) But it's a pretty poor excuse for comedy.And the thought that spreading the extremely limited talent that has been available to "Moesha" into a second show is indeed remarkable.
"The Parkers" spins Countess Vaughn and her character, Kim, into the new series. Moesha's best friend enters college and. somewhat to her distress, discovers that her mother, Nikki (Mo'Nique) tags along and registers right beside her.
Ralph Farquhar, who is an executive producer of both shows, acknowledges that there's some danger in taking Vaughn out of "Moesha."
"We love having the spin-off, but Countess Vaughn's was probably one of the most popular characters on 'Moesha,' save Moesha," he said. "In fact, she was. And we were very concerned about removing her from that and finding someone to replace that on "Moesha," but I think (executive producer) Vida (Spears) has something up her sleeve."
That something up her sleeve, as it turns out, is the addition of Brandy's real-life brother, Ray J, to the cast. But whether that's going to work remains to be seen -- like his sister, he can sing but he can't act.
As for "The Parkers," Farquhar says this a show is about "two women who are committed to getting through life together," which sounds oh-so-high-minded. But "The Parkers" is low comedy about to brassy, man-crazed women.
To make matters even worse, Nikki sets her sights on one of her professors (Dorien Wilson). This comedy is so low it's downright embarrassing.
About the best thing you can say about "The Parkers" is that, at a time when the established networks don't have much in the way of minorities in lead roles on their series, this show provides a few minority actors, writers and producers jobs.
If only they had turned out something that was actually worth watching.