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I have always followed the program since back in that slot where either before or after we would be treated to that great drama from Showtime Networks called “Soul Food”. Goodness, I know the US is great in that they cancel stuff if it does not perform well, but I got to admit Soul Food was a cool program and I enjoyed the back to back showcase from SABC1.

However perfect the program was, it went through a roller-coaster ride in scheduling on the channel but I, just as many, kept watching our favorite 30minutes of fun, useless fights and Joan’s craziness. I still can’t believe “Joan” Tracee Ellis Ross is Diana Ross’ child, I know that Ross should have sparked something but I never went there until a couple of years back a friend mentioned it me. I was stunned and had to remember that Tracee was just acting, she is not like that in real life… I hope.

I should admit that ever since the premier of the show I have always enjoyed Joan, Lynn, and William’s characters, as for Maya and Tony… not that much love.  If you forgot what they look like, here is a reminder.
Joan

Maya

Lynn    

William

And....
Tony

However, I would choose Maya over Tony. I just found Tony to be too much and she just seemed to complain with almost every line that came-out of her mouth. When she got pregnant with her white baby daddy, it was as if someone in the writing stuff really detested the women and wanted to ruin her image in Hollywood. I see why she resigned. Her relationship with her Jewish boyfriend was TOXIC largely due to her. I have to admit that I enjoyed how she  annoyed Maya and Darnell by calling their son with wrong names. It is reported that she only used the correct name only twice. The real name is JABARI, my most memorable names she called the poor child include: "Jumani, Gymboree, Jujube, Jabooboo, Jafifi, Jimy Crack Corn, Jungle Jim, and Juwanna Mann, amongst others."

I know Maya can be a bit much but the good thing about her wit is that, it’s really funny. She has a unique way of delivering her lines which is hilarious to me. Its interesting that Lynn holds no less than five post-graduate degrees and her character was made to struggle throughout the past seven seasons. I guess that is what they call an EDUCATED FOOL!

The show has consumed my heart and my thoughts in ways in which I am left wondrously happy but a little sad at the news of the show being cancelled, after eight wonderful seasons on air. The worst is that their broadcast station “The CW” refused to pay for what is referred to as the most expensive episode of the show. Although the show went through a period of boring episodes and useless dialogue it quickly returned to its zinger with witty commentary and very intelligent jokes to really define its audience amongst the clutter of sitcoms.

I have laughed so hard when William’s new wife, Monica, told William that she cannot trust him and kept falling as a symbol of trust because William was supposed to catch her and she on the other hand was not going to tell William that she is falling.
Monica

Poor William was supposed to detect when Monica is about to fall and make a dash to catch her. Then trust would be restored to the relationship. That never happened and Monica fell hard on the floor 3 times, although William was close to her every time she fell but kept getting distracted. Ouch! PS: Did anyone notice that huge hair Monica had on, it looked as if it got bigger with every thud!

The most sensible corner of my heart requires me to recognize the brilliant dialogue between Maya and Lynn which has really offered fans of this program much to laugh about the whole season. It is interesting that as this show ends, it has already given birth to a three year old child in a form of a spin-off series called “The Game” which is currently on air on the very same network which airs Girlfriends.

Not to forget Darnell,Maya's husband, the only character on the show to have portrayed an African relationship where the man is present throughout the problem, but remained together with Maya, the entire show history. Yes, they did split, cheated on each other but they found their way back to each other.

He looks so good in the picture, Maya would have made hundreds of babies.

Do you still remember the first Darnell. Let me remind you.


I do however, have something to impart, I have fallen head over heals for the theme song of this show. I think Angie Stone has done a remarkable job. This song is the best theme song for a television series, well written, appropriate and perfect; second to Gilmore Girls, Six Feet Under and The West Wing.

It was announced that the series finale will not be done because The CW offered the girls to host a clips show for half their usual episode salary and the girls collectively turned it down; lawsuits against The CW to follow.

This is interesting from both parties; obviously a statement is made either by the network or cast of the show. Whatever their reasons, it is sad to know that after Joan’s failed proposal to Aaron and Aaron’s mega proposal to Joan which was quite sweet and very much down Joan’s alley of “I want a story to tell my kids” type proposal. Thing's will be bumpy for the two. Nevertheless, It was a nice end to season seven.


The Final Season - Has This to Offer:

•  Joan's Husband is called to war, and leaves Joan...maybe or maybe not! Something about Mexico vs Iraq? hmmmm
• Lynn hits the big time her singing career and begins to flaunt it.
• Maya refuses to listen to the doctor and looses the baby - has a miscarriage! Denials hits Maya hard.
• Guess who does not have a bank Account... the new music star. Wink Wink!
• William and Monica become parents. William has issues about pregnancy and sex.
• Maya starts popping pills to deal with grief!
• William considers leaving his job
• Lynn's record company pushes her release back because they don't know how to market her music because she is not "black" enough!

Tonight at 20:30 is the premier of the eighth and final season of Girlfriends on SABC1. The season was affected by the writers strike and has little episodes to offer. Chances are some might not find some of the episodes exciting as the other seasons, but I am confident that loyal fans will find it exciting, if not to bid it farewell.

Some of the most Memorable Storylines

• Joan 1year "sex-less-ness" and her one night stand quest
• Joan's sex addict boyfriend "Sean"
• Toni cheating on Greg with Clay and contracts Chlamydia
• William’s girlfriend Yvonne who was a police officer and got shot in the line of duty
• Joan’s hair falling out due to stress
• Maya’s relationship with gift giving Stan (Cheats on Darnell)
• Toni opens her own real estate company
• Joan dates Chris ( younger men) and does drugs
• Lynn moves in with William and they become sex buddies
• Toni goes short and white with Todd
• Maya lends a three-book deal. “Oh Hell Yes....”
• Joan and William own a restaurant

Much like Sex In The City, I believe fans of the show will miss our Girlfriends. I will miss most the dialogue between Lynn, Maya and Joan not to mention William’s interesting take on any scene.

The Observers Reviews
Great sitcom about BLACK women
Universal but AMERICAN
WITTY and truly funny but often DRAMATIC

By The Observer

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