Sister, Sister (TV series)

Overview

In the pilot episode, Tia Landry (Tia Mowry) and Tamera Campbell (Tamera Mowry) break the fourth wall and explain that the two girls are twin sisters who were separated at birth after being adopted by different families and that they found each other by chance while they were shopping at the same clothing store at a mall in Detroit. To give the girls the opportunity to grow up together, Tamera's father Ray Campbell (Tim Reid), an affluent local businessman, invites Tia and her mother Lisa Landry (Jackée Harry), a struggling but hardworking seamstress, to leave their small inner city apartment and live with him and Tamera in their large home in the suburbs.

The girls make an effort to spend as much time as they can with one another, even choosing to share a bedroom and TV set, and quickly develop a deep bond. However, as time progresses, their differences begin to show. Tia is sensible, academic, and introverted while Tamera is frivolous, materialistic, and outgoing; Tia often urges Tamera to behave and take life more seriously while Tamera often urges Tia to break the rules and have more fun. Their personalities clash at times but they are always able to work through their disagreements, either on their own or with the help of their parents or friends. As the girls mature, they realize that being twins doesn't mean they have to be the same person or have the same life so they begin to embrace their individuality.

In addition to Reid and Harry in supporting roles as girls' adoptive parents, Marques Houston appeared on the show from 1994 to 1998 as Roger Evans, the Campbell-Landry family's well-meaning but annoying neighbor who is in love with both Tia and Tamera, and RonReaco Lee and Deon Richmond appeared as Tyreke Scott and Jordan Bennett, the girls' college boyfriends from 1997 to 1999.

Episodes

Main article: List of Sister, Sister episodes

Characters

Main

Tia Landry

• Tia Mowry as Tia Landry
• Tamera Mowry as Tamera Campbell
• Jackée Harry as Lisa Landry
• Tim Reid as Ray Campbell
• Marques Houston as Roger Evans (seasons 1–5; guest season 6)
• RonReaco Lee as Tyreke Scott (season 6; recurring season 5)
• Deon Richmond as Jordan Bennett (season 6; recurring season 5)

Supporting

• Brittany Murphy as Sarah (first season only, left before she starred in Clueless)
• Dorien Wilson as Terrence
• Victor Togunde as Steve
• Bianca Lawson as Rhonda
• Anna Slotky as Denise Mondello
• Steve Monroe as Steve
• Arvie Lowe Jr. as Ernie
• Sherman Hemsley as Jimmy "Soupy" Campbell
• Fred Willard as Mr. Mitushka
• David Strickland as Dave
• Vernee Watson-Johnson as Patrice
• Jamil Walker Smith as Mike
• Aaron Lohr as Marlon
• Christopher "Kid" Reid as Clark
• Alexis Fields as Diavian Johnson
• Senta Moses as Dot
• Richard Lawson as Victor Sims
• Rolonda Watts as Vivica Shaw
• Chad Haywood as Steven
• Gabrielle Union as Shawn
• Rachael Harris as Simone Flosser
• Greg Pitts as Chud McGraf
• Tony Carreiro as Matt Sullivan
• Eric Payne and Fitz Houston as Principal Gordon

Production

For the first five seasons, the series often had Tia and Tamera, either together or separately, break the fourth wall by talking directly to the viewer.

Theme song

The series' original theme song was written and composed by Tim Heintz, Randy Petersen and Kevin Quinn and performed by Carmen Carter. Seasons five and season six feature a remix of the original featuring vocals by Tia and Tamera themselves.

Syndication

American broadcast and cable syndication

The series formerly aired reruns on BET, Disney Channel, ABC Family, WGN America, Up (formerly GMC TV), Centric, Hub Network, Logo TV, VH1 (In early 2021), MTV2, and Fuse. The series currently airs on Dabl.

As of 2021, the series is available to stream on Netflix, Hulu, Pluto TV and Paramount+ in the United States.

International syndication

In Australia and New Zealand, the series was aired on Network Ten and Nickelodeon; in the United Kingdom, Sister, Sister was aired on Nickelodeon, and on Channel 4 between 1996 and 2002 as the channel had the terrestrial rights to the show.

On October 5, 2020, the series began streaming on Netflix in a number of other countries.

Home media

CBS DVD (distributed by Paramount) released the first and second seasons of Sister, Sister on DVD in Region 1 in 2008 and 2009. As of September 2014, these releases have been discontinued and are out of print.

On May 4, 2015, it was announced that Visual Entertainment Inc. (VEI) had acquired the distribution rights to the series for Region 1 (encompassing the United States and Canada). It was subsequently announced on December 28, 2015, that VEI (through its deal with CBS Television Distribution) would release a complete DVD set of the series, Sister, Sister: The Complete Collection (which includes all six seasons), in Region 1 on January 19, 2016, the release date was then pushed back to March 18, 2016. The Mowry twins 2000 television film Seventeen Again is also included as a bonus disc on the Complete Collection set. On May 26, 2017, VEI released separate Seasons 1–3 and Seasons 4–6 sets of the series. Due to music copyright issues, these releases are heavily edited.

Reception

Ratings

Awards and nominations

• Emmy Awards :1998 – Outstanding Lighting Direction (Electronic) for a Comedy Series – George Spiro Dibie (for "Mo' Credit, Mo' Problems") (Nominated) :1997 – Outstanding Lighting Direction (Electronic) for a Comedy Series – George Spiro Dibie (for "The Ski Squad") (Nominated) :1996 – Outstanding Individual Achievement in Lighting Direction (Electronic) for a Comedy Series – George Spiro Dibie ("for "Thanksgiving In Hawaii: Part 2") (Nominated) :1995 – Outstanding Individual Achievement in Lighting Direction (Electronic) for a Comedy Series – George Spiro Dibie (for "It's A Love Thang") (Won)

• Image Awards :2000 – Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series – Tia & Tamera Mowry (Won) :2000 – Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series – Jackée Harry (Won) :2000 – Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series – Tim Reid (Nominated) :1999 – Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series – Tia & Tamera Mowry (Won) :1999 – Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series – Jackée Harry (Won) :1999 – Outstanding Comedy Series (Nominated) :1998 – Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series – Tim Reid (Nominated) :1996 – Outstanding Comedy Series (Nominated) :1996 – Outstanding Youth Actor/Actress – Tia & Tamera Mowry (Nominated)

• Kids' Choice Awards :1998 – Favorite Television Actress – Tia & Tamera Mowry (Nominated) :1998 – Favorite Television Show (Nominated) :1997 – Favorite Television Actress – Tia & Tamera Mowry (Won) :1996 – Favorite Television Actress – Tia & Tamera Mowry (Won) :1996 – Favorite Television Show (Nominated) :1995 – Favorite Television Actress – Tia & Tamera Mowry (Won)

• Young Artist Awards :1999 – Best Performance in a TV Comedy Series: Supporting Young Actor – Deon Richmond (Nominated) :1997 – Best Performance in a TV Comedy: Guest Starring Young Performer – Verner, Robin Marie (Nominated) :1997 – Best Performance in a TV Comedy: Leading Young Actress – Tia & Tamera Mowry (Nominated) :1996 – Best Performance by a Young Actress: Guest Starring Role TV Series – Selico, Krista Sherre (Nominated) :1996 – Best Performance by a Young Actress: TV Comedy Series – Tia & Tamera Mowry (Nominated) :1995 – Best Youth Comedian in a TV Show – Marques Houston (Won) :1995 – Best New Family Television Series (Nominated) :1995 – Best Youth Comedian in a TV Show – Victor Togunde (Nominated) :1995 – Best Youth Comedienne in a TV Show – Tia & Tamera Mowry (Nominated)

• Teen Choice Awards :2017 – Choice Throwback Tv Show – Sister Sister (Nominated)

Potential revival

In June 2012 interview with TV Guide, both Tia Mowry and Tamera Mowry have said they would like to reunite the cast for a reunion film. They were thinking of doing a "Twins in the city" plot, like the twins in New York City.

In 2017, rumors started developing about a potential continuation of Sister, Sister, both Tia and Tamera have confirmed that talks are ongoing and that a sequel series is very close to happening.

In October 2017, Tia Mowry stated in an interview with Entertainment Tonight that a revival of the series was "definitely closer than ever" and that she is "getting excited" about the possibility. She also said that she believed Jackée Harry and Tim Reid would be a part of the revival if it were to take place.

On January 16, 2018, while appearing on Steve, Harry confirmed the revival, stating that "it's happening".

In 2019, the reboot was put on hold indefinitely. Tia commented, "To be honest with you, I hate to pop the balloon. [A revival of] Sister, Sister kind of looks dead right now," and cited rights issues as part of the reason for the reboot not moving forward.

References

References

1. (April 3, 1994). "Ascent of a woman". [[The News Journal]].
2. Alexander, Princess-India. (January 17, 2018). "Actress Jackée Harry on 'Sister, Sister' Reboot: 'It's Happening'". [[Huffington Post]].
3. Still Watching Netflix. (2020-11-07). "Sister, Sister First Ever Scene {{!}} Tia Meets Tamera At The Mall".
4. (April 1, 1994). "Twins separated at birth reunited on 'Sister, Sister'". [[The Clarion-Ledger]].
5. (April 3, 1994). "'Sister, Sister' story of identical twins". [[The Daily News Journal]].
6. Kopotsha, Jazmin. (July 30, 2020). "Sister, Sister Really Needs To Make A Comeback".
7. (November 15, 1994). "Sister, Sister Hair Today …". [[Variety (magazine).
8. "Fox and The CW Upfront 2007–08: Fall 2007 Schedule; ABC Family Adds 'Sister', '8 Simple Rules'".
9. Pavan -- SitcomsOnline.com. (September 2, 2010). "BET Fall 2010 Schedule Has 3 New Sitcoms; Network TV Fall Preview Specials for 2010 – SitcomsOnline.com News Blog". Blog.sitcomsonline.com.
10. "'Fresh Prince' Comes to TBS in May, 'Sister, Sister' to WGN in the Fall; TV Land Awards Prev Includes Spoof 'Ugly Betty...White'".
11. "Watch Sister, Sister on Dabl".
12. Stewart, Shelby. (2020-07-30). "Netflix to add 7 iconic, wishlist-topping Black television shows to its roster".
13. "Watch Sister, Sister | Netflix".
14. (April 1994). "Sister, Sister".
15. Bjornson, Greta. (February 2, 2021). "'Moesha,' 'Sister, Sister' and More Land on Hulu to Kick Off Black History Month Celebration".
16. "Pluto TV: Watch Free Movies, TV Shows & Live TV Online".
17. (April 1994). "Sister, Sister - BET - Watch on Paramount Plus".
18. Alistair McGeorge. (2016-02-17). "Sister, Sister: Where are they now? See what Tia, Tamera and more have been up to". Mirror.co.uk.
19. Schneider, Michael. (2020-12-10). "'Sister, Sister,' 'Girlfriends' and Other Beloved Black Sitcoms Are Finding New Life on Netflix".
20. (2008-07-14). "Sister, Sister DVD news: Announcement for Sister, Sister – The 1st Season". TVShowsOnDVD.com.
21. (2009-02-23). "Sister, Sister DVD news: Announcement for Sister, Sister – The 2nd Season". TVShowsOnDVD.com.
22. (May 4, 2015). "Sister, Sister – Real-Life Twins Tia and Tamera Star in the '90s Show That's Getting New DVDs". [[TVShowsOnDVD.com]].
23. (September 14, 2015). "Sister, Sister – Oh, Brother! What's Happening With the Sisters on DVD? Studio Says...". TVShowsOnDVD.com.
24. (2015-12-28). "Sister, Sister DVD news: Release Date for The Complete Collection". TVShowsOnDVD.com.
25. (2016-02-03). "Sister, Sister DVD news: Release Date for The Complete Collection". TVShowsOnDVD.com.
26. (2017-04-28). "Sister, Sister DVD news: Announcement for Seasons 1-3 and Seasons 4-6". TVShowsOnDVD.com.
27. (May 25, 1998). "Final Ratings for '97–'98 TV Season". sfgate.com.
28. "TV Winners & Losers: Numbers Racket a Final Tally of the Season's Shows".
29. Ross, Robyn. (October 2, 2011). "Tia and Tamera Mowry Talk Season Finale, Babies, and a Sister, Sister Reunion". [[TV Guide]].
30. Lindsay Kimble. (2017-07-21). "Sister Sister reboot moving forward, Tamera Mowry says". Ew.com.
31. (2017-06-29). "Tia Mowry Says a 'Sister, Sister' Reboot Is In the Works". BET.
32. (2017-10-06). "Tia Mowry Says 'Sister, Sister' Reboot Is 'Closer Than Ever': 'I'm Getting Excited' (Exclusive)". TVonline.com.
33. Jamie Primeau. (2019-07-02). "A 'Sister, Sister' Reboot Isn't Likely, Says Tia Mowry, But There's A Very Good Alternative". Bustle.com.
34. Randee Dawn. (2019-11-12). "'Sister, Sister' reunion! Tia Mowry, Jackée Harry together in trailer for special". Today.com.