Mona's Family Failed Her | Half & Half TV Show Review

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15 күн бұрын

Half & Half 2002 | Half & Half TV Show REVIEW + RECAP
Half & Half is an American television sitcom that aired on UPN from 2002 until 2006. It stars Essence Atkins as Dee Dee Thorne and Rachel True as Mona Thorne. In this video, I am providing commentary on how I believe Mona's family contributed to her insecurities and her strained relationship with her younger sister, Dee Dee.
🎬 Half & Half cast mentioned in this video:
- Mona Thorne: Rachel True
- Dee Dee Thorne: Essence Atkins
- Charles Thorne: Obba Babatundé
- Phyllis Thorne: Telma Hopkins
- Big Dee Dee Thorne: Valarie Pettiford
- Spencer: Chico Benymon
- Young Mona: Penny Bae Bridges
- Young Dee Dee: Gabby Soleil
- Ruth Thorne: Diahann Carroll
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#halfandhalf #halfandhalftvshow #halfandhalftvshowreview #monathorne #deedeethorne #essenceatkins #racheltrue #deedeeandmona #monaandspencer #allthingsgirlworld #blacktvshows #blacktvsitcoms #blacksitcom #blacktvsitcoms #sitcom #sitcomcommentary #blacksitcoms2000s #bestblacksitcoms #sitcomreviews #early2000s #popculture #popculturecommentary

Пікірлер: 78

@AllThingsGirlWorld 13 күн бұрын

What are your thoughts on how Mona was treated by her family? I would also like to add that I'm in no way saying that Phyllis was a bad mother because I do believe she just wanted to protect Mona, but some of her tactics were kinda toxic, no?

@rosedemai1230 4 күн бұрын

Absolutely, and big Deedee was a narcissist and propably an alcoholic. 😂 Love that messy show.❤

@AllThingsGirlWorld 4 күн бұрын

@@rosedemai1230 Oh you know Big Dee Dee loved a drink honey. 😂

@rosedemai1230 4 күн бұрын

@@AllThingsGirlWorldAnd mommys lil helpers 😂💊🍸

@domdom2215 21 минут бұрын

@@rosedemai1230not probably she was 😂😂

@KrissyS-ot1yf Күн бұрын

Looking at this now in my 40s, they stayed playing mona in her face! Dee Dee was spoiled and entitled and it was annoying AF!

@regularity2556 Күн бұрын

Yes, i couldnt stand her. I hated the whole cast except Mona

@TheHeatInColorPodcast 17 сағат бұрын

Essence as DeeDee not even funny.

@jazzynicole2106 14 сағат бұрын

She really was.. I didn’t like her either. I was glad when Mona threw her out when she made the “you’re only his half sister” comment

@amandarayforever 4 күн бұрын

I hated how they mocked Mona's hair. As an African kid, that's all i wanted 😢😢 lol even when i stsrted wearing weaves, they would be like Mona's hair

@AllThingsGirlWorld 4 күн бұрын

I agree because I thought Mona’s hair was absolutely beautiful. 😍

@littlewhispers8926 21 сағат бұрын

Mona was the only one I felt sympathy for during the whole show. The rest of the main cast annoyed me so much looking back on everything ,except Spencer. He was alright and a good friend to her. Mona was down to earth and likeable. She was a style icon and my favorite character on the show. Justice for Mona. I love Rachel True in the role, absolutely gorgeous.

@lydiamumina 8 күн бұрын

I was watching old reruns of this show last year but i got to a point where I couldn't stand how Mona was always the butt of the joke and DeeDee could do no wrong

@AllThingsGirlWorld 8 күн бұрын

You are absolutely right. Every single person close to Mona had something to say about the way she dressed, wore her hair, and made a few references to her weight. As much as I love Dee Dee and Spencer, they were in on that too!

@ebonydixoncollins1169 Күн бұрын

Big Dee Dee was faux rich. She was a low level actress until she married Charles. But she had the nerve to look down her nose at Phyllis

@AllThingsGirlWorld Күн бұрын

You’re definitely not wrong. 😂 She did look down on Phyllis, but in a weird way I also think she wished she could have the closeness with her daughter that Phyllis had with Mona, even as dysfunctional as it was.

@angelaholmes8888 2 күн бұрын

Yes mona deserved better her father truly wasn't there for her and even though her mother did love her she left her with trust issues in her life she was wrong to lie to mona none of them ever took accountability for it's sad the show got cancelled i was surprised since the ratings were good love diane Carroll as the grandmother

@AllThingsGirlWorld 2 күн бұрын

Mona definitely deserved better! And I loved Diahann Carroll as the grandmother also. I wish we could've saw more of her on the show.

@portiafrederick1265 6 күн бұрын

I agree that they failed her. I was upset that no one truely accepted accountability for their actions towards her. When she spoke out, she was always seen negatively. I believe an episode was needed to give Mona a chance to get justification

@AllThingsGirlWorld 6 күн бұрын

I agree! They were not accountable at all. Isn't it crazy how everyone can taint YOU with all of THEIR horrible character flaws and personality traits, but somehow, you're the one who ends up in therapy? Ridiculous.

@portiafrederick1265 6 күн бұрын

@@AllThingsGirlWorld It is ridiculous. Loved your video by the way. Well reviewed and hit every issue on the head.

@AllThingsGirlWorld 6 күн бұрын

Thank you so much! I appreciate you!

@rosedemai1230 4 күн бұрын

@@AllThingsGirlWorldthats actually very realistic.

@ajjean2720 Күн бұрын

Like the pony episode. All Mona wanted to know is why Dee Dee got that privilege and she didn’t. Especially since it was the dad that paid for it. They have the same dad. And they were all purposely hiding that information because they knew what they did was messed up. But the show paints it as Mona holding a grudge instead of her being rightfully upset about a pattern she points out always happens. Even the grandmother points out how unfair they treated Mona compared to Dee Dee. But still no one owes up to how unfairly they treat Mona compared to Dee Dee. My girl Mona deserved so much due the BS they put her through 😫

@konishatosha4336 4 күн бұрын

Mona and Phyllis needed therapy!

@AllThingsGirlWorld 3 күн бұрын

Yes! Phyllis was in the wrong seat.

@KeeKeeSoto Күн бұрын

And Phyllis is a therapist in the show 😂😅

@mzladyla 18 сағат бұрын

The whole family needed therapy😂😂😂

@ajjean2720 Күн бұрын

I have a weird hate-love relationship with this show. Like on one hand, I like the idea of the two sisters getting along after everything. But I feel like just when we’re about to get to the real issues that the family has with each other and be held accountable for what went wrong in the first place, they pull away to the point I just end up feeling unsatisfied with the resolution. Edit- also little Dee Dee also had a boundary issue just like Mona’s mother and never respected Mona’s “no” It also confused me how both had a rich dad but it always seems like Dee Dee had a rich dad and Mona had a weekend dad. Dee Dee never had to work because her dad gave her anything she asked but Mona never felt comfortable asking her dad for anything. Again, hate- love relationship with this show. I could talk about it for hours but the show isn’t that popular to be honest 😭

@AllThingsGirlWorld Күн бұрын

Yes, yes, and yes. Thats why I said under another comment that I don’t think people respected Mona’s boundaries. I felt like everybody was trying to “FIX” her while ignoring their part in why the girl had so many issues to begin with!

@sinegugumpungose4778 Күн бұрын

I still watch it but I sometimes get to a point of annoyance with Mona and Phyllis. I get it. She didn't grow up with the privilege being in in her face, but if she went to her dad and asked for help, would he have said no? There's a level of wanting to be victims forever

@victoriabeckfinat225 8 сағат бұрын

So true. TBH, it’s not the popular thing to focus on when it comes to H&H but, while I have always thought Charles should have tried harder regardless, Phyllis was a major cause of the breakdown of Mona and Charles relationship with one another. She was also the reason why Mona didn’t partake in her father’s wealth. Mona was always portrayed as busting Charles’ balls, yet at the same time it was always made out like Mona damn near grew up in poverty. A woman who put her child first and wasn’t afraid to stand up to her ex, would’ve asked that man for all the money necessary to raise that child in the same style he was raising his other child and - if he said no - took her ass down to the courthouse and forced his hand. Instead, she treated herself and Mona like a package deal and if she couldn’t be with Charles nor benefit from his new lifestyle then neither could Mona. Money-wise, the show never gave the impression that Charles would go out of his way to deny Mona money and material objects.

@kekebsmith2726 2 күн бұрын

Mona was gorgeous to me. I liked it her style she was natural. She was the big puffy hair her style. I thought Mona was amazing She really all she was was the one that was my favorite character.

@AllThingsGirlWorld 2 күн бұрын

I agree! That's why I didn't understand the insults about her appearance.

@TheHeatInColorPodcast 17 сағат бұрын

First time I saw her was in HalfBaked. Yessss. Then, this show.

@rosedemai1230 4 күн бұрын

I think so too. Plus, her mom was bitter and toxic. My fav character was lil Deedee, also Adam and Deedee's mean coleague.😅 Big Deedee is an amazing actress. 😊

@AllThingsGirlWorld 4 күн бұрын

Yes, Big Dee Dee nailed that role. I don't think they could've found anybody as theatrical as her. Also, if you love Lil' Dee Dee, you will definitely love my next video! 😊

@rosedemai1230 4 күн бұрын

@@AllThingsGirlWorldLooking forward to it!😊Subscribed. I miss the classy black shows of the 90s.😊

@AllThingsGirlWorld 4 күн бұрын

Thank you! I do too, for sure. 😩

@therealmarlonbellamy 3 күн бұрын

I have never watched this show. Rachel True was the go to token black girl in the 90s & her career should have been bigger. Telma Hopkins is a legend & has starred on multiple sitcom & Essence Atkins has starred on a lot of sitcoms as well.

@AllThingsGirlWorld 3 күн бұрын

You should watch it! They did an amazing job casting this show as well. The women could really pass for mother and daughter.

@therealmarlonbellamy 3 күн бұрын

@@AllThingsGirlWorld I will get around to watching it one day. The cast do resemble each other.

@LeBronsUnicorn 2 сағат бұрын

I loved Mona. I was always mad at the way they treated her. I wanted Mona and Spencer to work out so bad 😭

@llbabygirl1528 8 күн бұрын

I could see it being a underlying colorism issue as well

@AllThingsGirlWorld 8 күн бұрын

That is a very interesting perspective and sadly a reality for a lot of people. With all that Mona had to deal with, I couldn't imagine colorism on top of that. 💔

@llbabygirl1528 6 күн бұрын

Yep maybe that was the elephant in the room on the show

@rosedemai1230 4 күн бұрын

Definitely texturism, maybe both, she was ridiculed for her curly natural hair. Mona was mixed with white grandma.

@anikadiamond007 Күн бұрын

🙄Mona was lighter skinned to. Not everything is colorism.

@llbabygirl1528 Күн бұрын

@@anikadiamond007 but she was darker than Dee Dee. Dee Dee was way more lighter than Mona. Mona was brown skinned. Dee Dee was light skinned. Two different complexions

@MrRickymoore 2 күн бұрын

It would be amazing if there was a reboot but a drama version just like Bel-Air

@AllThingsGirlWorld Күн бұрын

Who do you think should play the “new” Dee Dee and Mona? 👀

@mojadah10 20 сағат бұрын

The Mothers were the true stars! I loved them!!!

@AllThingsGirlWorld 6 сағат бұрын

Yes and they cut each other NO slack. I mean, my goodness. 😂

@anikadiamond007 Күн бұрын

This dynamic always interests me. Dee Dee always seemed to have lived a very charmed life and Mona got the short end of the stick. I relate to this well.

@AllThingsGirlWorld 6 сағат бұрын

I agree. It's sad how two people can view the same person (or people) through different lenses. I have definitely been there.

@JhomasE 2 сағат бұрын

This is a VERY good and relatable video. Your arguments are wonderful and on point! I can relate to this as I am definitely a male version of Mona Thorne. A lot of what she has been through applies to me. Nice job.

@AllThingsGirlWorld Сағат бұрын

Thank you so much! I appreciate you! Sending you all of the positive and healing energy. 🥹✨

@adrianmikel 9 күн бұрын

For starters, love this video as Half & Half is my third favorite show along with living single and the Parkers and Mona was let down by everyone that suppose to love, protect and support her. Phylis killed me being a psychiatrist and didn’t realize what she done & how treated Mona so fourth ( because that whole my gift for your birthday is freezing your eggs is a mess) but hey even therapist need therapist to see what they done wrong. Charles did made some improvements with Mona through out the show but they only came in episodes with him being there and they solely focus on their relationship if we was a season regular always being there, it would’ve been better improvements because how are you still treating your oldest daughter like that she barley exist. Big Dee Dee I wasn’t no help but I understand her only in the sense of being so focused on your life and daughter you don’t think about her that much especially when she has the other parent in her life but she still didn’t make it any bigger. Dee and Spencer no words for them love them however Dee Dee need a wake up call multiple times.

@AllThingsGirlWorld 9 күн бұрын

Yes! I agree with everything you mentioned. I used to struggle with Charles a little bit though because I understand that he's a business man who is very busy and may not always know what's going on, but it irritated me when he would act confused or surprised when there was family drama like it's not based on the precedent set by him or like this isn't something that Mona has been complaining about since she was a child. I just think he could've tried a little harder.

@adrianmikel 9 күн бұрын

@@AllThingsGirlWorld but the best thing to come out of this Mona & Dee Dee actually having a sister relationship.

@domdom2215 17 минут бұрын

I blame Charles 100% for being the dad he was because if you watch season 3 episode 1 Phylis’s in a flashback said she wasn’t about to keep putting Mona through the heartbreak (he got deedee a horse and didn’t give or get her one) and that he had to come to her to get her and see her and he never did. Yes phyllis was toxic but she loved her Mona down and was always on her side no matter what.

@agluv7360 Күн бұрын

Mona was gorgeous to me I watched this all the time when I was little and thought she was a real life my scene madison doll :) I hated that they had her character be the butt of the jokes.

@AllThingsGirlWorld Күн бұрын

I can totally see it now that you mentioned it. Mona would’ve been the perfect doll.

@user-ye1lq2xk3h Күн бұрын

This was a lovely video I enjoyed watching but season 1 episode 10 is the actual episode when the grandmother comes to Thanksgiving

@AllThingsGirlWorld Күн бұрын

Thank you! 😊 Yes, I said Season 1 Episode 10 when I spoke about Ruth Thorne, but there was also another Thanksgiving episode that I spoke about first which was Season 3 Episode 9.

@DymondCrystal 11 сағат бұрын

They definitely failed her!! I always think about that episode where they talked about the pony and the dad didn’t even say why he ain’t get her one or nothing. But it’s also realistic because that happens fr

@AllThingsGirlWorld 2 сағат бұрын

Exactly. He just had that silly look on his face because he knew he was wrong.

@domdom2215 16 минут бұрын

Exactly and Phyllis said if you wanna see Mona you have to come to her and he literally didn’t so he was soo wronf

@_dahtruthTV 5 күн бұрын

Great video 🔥 💯

@AllThingsGirlWorld 5 күн бұрын

Thank you!

@LilacStar82 17 минут бұрын

Dee Dee did come annoying sometimes with that squeaky voice always interfering in Mona's personal life and giving her bad advice being petite with those big eyes. She was like a Chihuahua.

@makiziwesteele 2 күн бұрын

Mona was whiny and needy with low self-esteem. Always seeking validation from men. Sure, DeeDee was privileged but Phyllis is partly responsible for her relationship or lack thereof with her father due to being the miserable, bitter ex-wife. Phyllis' resentment towards Charles helped to warp Mona's mind against her dad and sister. Mona lacked boundaries, especially with her mother; always barging into her home and love life. Mona CHOSE to dress drab and cared very little about fashion and should not resent Dee Dee for loving fashion and having style.

@AllThingsGirlWorld Күн бұрын

I agree with most of what you said, but I’m not sure if I agree that Mona lacked boundaries. It seems to me like everybody kept crossing HER boundaries. 🥴

@mscurvy 3 күн бұрын

I’m watching it currently and I see how Mona was failed by her parents and her stepmom. That birthday episode when she asked why can’t you call me by my name and she said I can call you odd plate at thanksgiving was a super low blow in response to being called step mother. Looking back at these sitcoms is crazy on how dysfunctional they are and we laugh at them.

@AllThingsGirlWorld 3 күн бұрын

I say it all the time. It's like, we watch a lot of these sitcoms and movies when we're young, but once you get older and gain a new perspective, it's like "wait... hold up."

@KeeKeeSoto Күн бұрын

Literally just watched this episode last night and I felt so bad for Mona.

@domdom2215 15 минут бұрын

And I hated when she said that because Charles and Phylis were married how she the odd plate when she was first