When did the show actually stop production? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Kittykittykittycats · 11-21-2022, 12:38 PM

I was reading something about the 5th season, and how it began airing September 1997 with the series finale airing on New Years Day 1998. Kim Fields appeared and directed an episode of Kenan and Kel on Nickelodeon that aired in the fall of 1997. I’m trying to figure out when LS actually would’ve ended production, for Kim to have gotten down to Orlando Florida and took a directors course. August 1997? I can’t find any dated scripts or production info for LS anywhere.

hch · 01-29-2026, 04:43 AM

While there isn't a single publicly archived document listing the exact hour production ceased, historical scheduling and interviews indicate that Living Single effectively finished filming its final episodes in the late summer or very early autumn of 1997.

Here is the breakdown of why production ended when it did:

1. The Season 5 Production Timeline
Initial Delay: In May 1997, Fox originally ordered only 13 episodes for Season 5 and planned to hold them as a mid-season replacement for January 1998.

The Fall Shift: In August 1997, Fox suddenly changed its fall schedule, delaying a new show called Rewind and pulling the Living Single premiere forward to September 11, 1997.

Episode Count: Because the order was cut to just 13 episodes (compared to the usual 24-27), the production cycle was significantly shorter. Typically, filming 13 episodes of a multi-cam sitcom takes roughly 3 to 4 months. If filming began in mid-1997, it would have wrapped by September or October 1997.

2. Kim Fields’ Departure and Directing Move
Your timeline regarding Kim Fields is accurate. She has confirmed in interviews that she left the series a few episodes before the actual finale because the environment "didn't feel the same" and she was transitioning into directing.
Kenan & Kel Direction: Kim Fields directed the Kenan & Kel episode "The Crush", which aired on November 8, 1997. Since episodes for that show were filmed at Nickelodeon Studios in Orlando, Florida, and typically required a few weeks of post-production, she would have needed to be in Florida by September or October 1997 to direct it.

The Overlap: This confirms that the majority of Living Single Season 5 was likely "in the can" (finished filming) by the time the season even began airing in September 1997.

3. The Series Finale
Though the series finale aired on January 1, 1998, it was not produced in real-time. The show was canceled mid-season during its final 13-episode run. By the time the New Year's Day finale aired, the sets at Warner Bros. Burbank Studios had almost certainly already been struck for months.

Kittykittykittycats · 01-30-2026, 12:40 PM

Kind of forgot that I wrote this LOL. After doing some research about Kenan and Kel’s production timeline, based on looking at old newspaper clippings about the show, Kim was directing in May/June 1997 and was likely back in LA by July/August. Pretty sure season 2 of K&K wrapped in September 1997 and then Nickelodeon started taping All That immediately after. I also found a newspaper article showing a still from Ditch Day Afternoon, and it was from June 1997. The guys also did a Good Burger promotional tour in July, and took a brief hiatus from shooting before going back around August. I would’ve thought Living Single wrapped around October or early November. Thanks for the BTS facts. I know Kim was also going through a rough period around this time as well.

11-21-2022, 12:38 PM	#1
Kittykittykittycats Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jun 30, 2020 Posts: 79	When did the show actually stop production? I was reading something about the 5th season, and how it began airing September 1997 with the series finale airing on New Years Day 1998. Kim Fields appeared and directed an episode of Kenan and Kel on Nickelodeon that aired in the fall of 1997. I’m trying to figure out when LS actually would’ve ended production, for Kim to have gotten down to Orlando Florida and took a directors course. August 1997? I can’t find any dated scripts or production info for LS anywhere.

01-29-2026, 04:43 AM	#2
hch Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jun 07, 2001 Location: Montross, VA 22520 Posts: 983	While there isn't a single publicly archived document listing the exact hour production ceased, historical scheduling and interviews indicate that Living Single effectively finished filming its final episodes in the late summer or very early autumn of 1997. Here is the breakdown of why production ended when it did: 1. The Season 5 Production Timeline Initial Delay: In May 1997, Fox originally ordered only 13 episodes for Season 5 and planned to hold them as a mid-season replacement for January 1998. The Fall Shift: In August 1997, Fox suddenly changed its fall schedule, delaying a new show called Rewind and pulling the Living Single premiere forward to September 11, 1997. Episode Count: Because the order was cut to just 13 episodes (compared to the usual 24-27), the production cycle was significantly shorter. Typically, filming 13 episodes of a multi-cam sitcom takes roughly 3 to 4 months. If filming began in mid-1997, it would have wrapped by September or October 1997. 2. Kim Fields’ Departure and Directing Move Your timeline regarding Kim Fields is accurate. She has confirmed in interviews that she left the series a few episodes before the actual finale because the environment "didn't feel the same" and she was transitioning into directing. Kenan & Kel Direction: Kim Fields directed the Kenan & Kel episode "The Crush", which aired on November 8, 1997. Since episodes for that show were filmed at Nickelodeon Studios in Orlando, Florida, and typically required a few weeks of post-production, she would have needed to be in Florida by September or October 1997 to direct it. The Overlap: This confirms that the majority of Living Single Season 5 was likely "in the can" (finished filming) by the time the season even began airing in September 1997. 3. The Series Finale Though the series finale aired on January 1, 1998, it was not produced in real-time. The show was canceled mid-season during its final 13-episode run. By the time the New Year's Day finale aired, the sets at Warner Bros. Burbank Studios had almost certainly already been struck for months.
	__________________ "You don't own the rights or the patent on scuffling!" Willona from "Good Times"

01-30-2026, 12:40 PM	#3
Kittykittykittycats Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jun 30, 2020 Posts: 79	Kind of forgot that I wrote this LOL. After doing some research about Kenan and Kel’s production timeline, based on looking at old newspaper clippings about the show, Kim was directing in May/June 1997 and was likely back in LA by July/August. Pretty sure season 2 of K&K wrapped in September 1997 and then Nickelodeon started taping All That immediately after. I also found a newspaper article showing a still from Ditch Day Afternoon, and it was from June 1997. The guys also did a Good Burger promotional tour in July, and took a brief hiatus from shooting before going back around August. I would’ve thought Living Single wrapped around October or early November. Thanks for the BTS facts. I know Kim was also going through a rough period around this time as well.