ABC (Wed., Aug. 8, 9:30 P.M. ET)
C-
Sheryl Lee (Making a Living) Ralph and Phyllis Yvonne Stickney play the latest variation on the odd-couple theme. They're sisters—Ralph the studious, serious type, Stickney the jive-talking free spirit—who co-own a beauty parlor. Too bad the writing isn't as pretty as the leads.
Four writers are credited (and should be blamed) for this pilot episode, which seems stuck in second gear. The stars have a nice chemistry and struggle nobly with the clichés, but such secondary performers as Morris (Purple Rain) Day and Ja'net (Good Times) DuBois look like they're about to lapse into a Stepin Fetchit shuffle as they wait to deliver their lines.
Can't say as I blame them. Despite the I show's title, this is a throwback to the days I when all TV shows stereotyped black characters and had them toss around words like "chile" or "baby." The sitcom moves to its regular time slot of 9:30 on Friday. Don't get too attached: This one won't be a permanent fixture.
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