I wonder what made the producers decide that Willis should be the one to have a steady girlfriend as opposed to Kimberly having a love interest of her own, given that she was the oldest. Any thoughts?

Janet Jackson was going to be put "on the success" in those years. Maybe it was a way to let the audience know her.

A curiosity: Janet DS character was "Charlene Dupree", and today is engaged to "Jermaine Dupree". Nice coincidence :talk:

Anny

That's true. Janet also has a brother named Jermaine.

I think it was likely because her character was 12, for the first 5 years, having a BF would have meant growing the character up

Kimberly did have some boyfriends but you are right she nevery had a steady boyfriend.

She had an off screen steady boyfriend named "David" during season six.

She had an off screen steady boyfriend named "David" during season six.

Wasn't she off screen with him?-ol Or was that season 7?

I have to go back through season six and see if David had been on screen. I heard about David on the ep when Charlene was talking to Kimberly about her issues with Willis. That's all I know unless someone can verify.

david was in one ep but i dont remember the title he was played by bob dubuc

They may not have given her a steady boyfriend so that they could do different story lines with her different beaus. Also she was too young at the start of the show to be having a steady boyfriend. It's cute seeing her wait for a particular boy to call or have a crush on a different boy. They couldn't have done the biggot boyfriend episode if she had a steady boyfriend-stuff like that.

They may not have given her a steady boyfriend so that they could do different story lines with her different beaus. Also she was too young at the start of the show to be having a steady boyfriend. It's cute seeing her wait for a particular boy to call or have a crush on a different boy. They couldn't have done the biggot boyfriend episode if she had a steady boyfriend-stuff like that.

I agree, and would like to add the following.
Dana (Kimberly) was cast in a supporting role. To have a steady boyfriend, would have elevated her role. Not to mention a new character, i.e. Kimberly's boyfriend. This would have complicated things. It is a testament to her acting abilities, playing a supportive role, as Dana did. That she did so effortlessly, that no one has noticed. Also, easier for the writers.
So, Dana continued to support other characters.
She was the glue that held the show together, IMO. It really began to "jump the shark" when her role and absence happened.