Blackink over at False Hustle done put the vortex on me and pulled me in. Let’s go with my top 7 TV crushes from high school on back. With one notable exception, these are not really in an order.
Whitley Gilbert When I was in high school, there was NO RAP! Whitley was queen. For any of a dozen, dozen reasons, but one that’s high on my list that most people would never think of was that molasses Southern drawl. Them that knows know I dig GRITS. As far as television characters went, Whitley was number one on that list, even surpassing the magnificent Daisy Duke.
Denise Huxtable. The Gordon Gartrelle affair threw me off a little, but as the years wore on, I had to agree with Cockroach: Denise was a BURGER! Double Deluxe Bacon Burger, even. YesSIR!!
I used to WISH girls at my school looked like that. Not that I would’ve had enough game if there had been some, but still. She even had that little alterna-style before it was really in fashion.At times, it was a bit much, but it worked for her. And for me. Not to mention that she had extremely good-looking friends, too. Their school must’ve been a barbecue.
Judy Hoffs Holly Robinson played on several shows through the years, but it was her first role that had me crushin’ the worst. In a theme that would be repeated often if this list were longer, I basically watched the show for her. I was never a fan of cop dramas; I didn’t like dramas, period. But 21 Jumpstreet? YesSIR!! Holly Robinson-Peete differs from most of the women on the list, because I was actually met her. She wasn’t my top crush at the time, but seeing her in person moved her back up the list with the quickness.
Lisa Turtle This is the one that used to make me mad. Screech, though? Saved By The Bell was another one of the shows I only looked at to see my television crush, and even in that random watching, I saw enough to drive me up the wall. All them hook-ups and whatnot, and she had to get with Screech? Not NO Black dude in whole Bayside High was tryina holla? That was sickening. Screech, though? I mean, Screech wasn’t even Urkel. At least Urkel was on some genius-level academics. Screech was just a nerd. Ugh. The brothers at Bayside didn’t represent at all.
Laura Winslow Speaking of girls who had the nerds on lock, maaaaannn… Continuing on the theme of shows I only watched occasionally, and then because of my crush on a co-star, Laura was bad. Whatever there was to laugh at Urkel about, you couldn’t front that he had excellent taste. Laura was like that around-the-way girl that everybody knew was the truth. No exotic, curly hair, no over-the-top fashions, she was just plain ole good-lookin. Like, if all these really were people that I knew, Laura’s probably the one my mom would’ve been rootin for.
Before we get to number one, I’ll throw in some honorable mentions:
- Colonel Wilma Deering - Buck Rogers in the 25th Century
- Tootie Ramsey
- Winnie Cooper (yeah, I was on the kool-aid.)
Number one is, of course, the incomparable, the lovely and talented Thelma Evans. I say it half-jokingly, but it’s true: Thelma Evans was one of the women that let me know I was straight - even before I was aware that there was an alternative. Actually, it was a triumvirate: Thelma, Mona from Car Wash, and the woman on the Ohio Players album cover, Honey. Between the three of them, I was verrry clear on what I liked, from an early age. But as far as television crushes? Thelma had it on lock for far longer than anybody else. She had me from first run to years and years of syndication. As one factor, think about this: Thelma rocked just about every Black woman hairstyle there was. Fro? Check. Perm? Check. Braids? Check. Jheri curl? Well… Fortunately, the jheri curl had not yet come into style. That would’ve been a travesty. But she probably could’a rocked the Soul Glo too.
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Let’s see….(insert going back in time harp music)
Cree Summer - Yep, her character was nutty as a Snickers bar…but still
Richard Roundtree’s daughter who was also on the show (can’t remember her name)
The other chick on the show that dated Sinbad
Jayne Kennedy
Thelma Evans - No Doubt
Denise Nicholas
Shelia E.
Sheena Easton
Nia Peoples
Kim Coles
Pam Grier
Carla on that cartoon “Kid Video”
And all the rest you mentioned above.
I think we may have covered most of them, but I know there’s more I’m missing. Add ‘em.
Don’t have a list but .. if i did Nichelle Nicoles would be on it, and near the top.
Now, this was strictly television right here, but Denise Nicholas? She was a QUEEN! You ever watch her in Let’s Do It Again? That chick was ’bout it!
Kid Video…i only vaguely remember that joint. I don’t even remember the characters.
Richard Roundtree’s daughter on A Different World…her name on the show was Kim. I don’t remember her real name. I used to hold out hope for Freddie, too. She was cute. A little too ditzy for me, but cute.
Hillary and Ashley from Fresh Prince were real knockouts, too. At least in the last few seasons after Ashley’d grown up a bit.
Thanks for the shout, Avery. I’m much obliged. And I’ve got to say, that’s the best picture of Lisa Bonet that I’ve ever seen.
Back in my school days, my homeboys and I used to debate who was more of a dime: Whitley or Denise? As I recall, my answer pretty much switched up depending on the time of day. There really wasn’t a second place.
I’d like to send a shout out to:
Dawn Lewis
Wendy Rachel Robinson
My first true TV crush was Vernee Watson. She played the girlfriend to Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs’ Freddie “Boom-Boom” Washington on Welcome Back Kotter.
Vernee Watson!! i knew who she was as soon as i saw the name! she definitely could’ve made the list, only i didn’t know her name. i even remember the scene when he was talmbout he “didn’t want her goin’ out with those Staten Island dudes.” she was fine, fine, fine. lookin back, there were only a handful of Black actresses playing the bit roles, and they were on practically every show.
maybe one day later, i’ll run a post with the women that woulda been my tv girlfriends if i had been older. or somethin.
Thelma was all-time. Sis’ was dyn-o-mite! Lisa Turtle of SBTB was a doll who showed up as Alfonso Ribeiro’s gf on some “In The House” episodes.
Glad I wasn’t a shorty when Tatiana was portrayin’ Ashley Banks. I was one when Denise Nicholas was “Miss McIntyre” was on “Room 222″. Loved the way “Jason” said her name. Speakin’ of “Room 222″ there was an actress on that joint named Ta’Tanisha. (sighs)