Television series

One on One

Name: One on One
Genre: Comedy
Released: 2001
Cast: Flex Alexander, Kyla Pratt, Kelly Perine, Robert Ri'chard

Other titles called One on One: the 1977 film.

Comedy
Light-hearted

A breezy sitcom about a charming Baltimore sportscaster suddenly raising his outspoken teenage daughter. Flex Washington teaches her—and learns from her—about life, love, and the gap between how adults think they're doing and how they're actually doing. Warm, funny, and genuinely invested in both characters rather than mining them for jokes.

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Living Single1993

Shares that same UPN-era ensemble warmth and the willingness to let characters be genuinely annoying to each other without losing affection. The found-family dynamics hit the same spot as Flex's circle.

But It's less about parenting and more about friendship, so the emotional through-line is different. And it's 120 episodes if you commit.

The Steve Harvey Show1996

Another sitcom about a man raising kids (his own students, in this case) with humor and unexpected depth. Harvey's warmth translates, and the show never condescends to its younger characters.

But Revolves around a school setting rather than a home one, so the domestic dynamics are thinner. The comedy is broader and hits less frequently.

Girlfriends2000

Aired on UPN around the same era, with similarly sharp banter between friends and a genuine curiosity about how people actually talk to each other. The chemistry feels lived-in rather than rehearsed.

But Focuses on adult women's friendships rather than parenting, so if you're here for the father-daughter stuff, this goes in a different direction entirely.

Not sure tonight? Get a pick in a minute, starting from One on One

The wildcard

Something you would not have found on your own.

Parenthood2010

Both understand that the best comedy about family comes from real stakes. Flex doesn't mock Breanna's feelings or his own confusion; it finds humor *in* the genuine struggle of two people learning each other.

This NBC drama has the same DNA as Flex—a show genuinely interested in how family members actually talk to each other, where parenting is both hilarious and heartbreaking simultaneously. It's warm without being precious and funny without sacrificing honesty.

But It's a drama first and comedy second, so if you're here for laughs, you'll get blindsided by actual grief and pain. Five seasons, 103 episodes—a considerable commitment.

Smart Guy1997

A show about a brilliant kid navigating an older brother and a dad who's doing his best. The humor is smarter than it gets credit for, and the family moments land without being saccharine.

But It's a Warner Bros. show, which means a slightly glossier production and a different comedic sensibility—less street-level, more sitcom-shaped.

That's So Raven2003

A Disney Channel show that proves you can be genuinely funny while also caring about your characters' actual problems. Raven's voice is strong, and her family respects her intelligence.

But It's much more fantasy-driven (she has psychic powers), so the grounded-ness that makes Flex work is replaced by magical hijinks. Also considerably more kid-oriented.

The Cosby Show1984

The ur-text for the sitcom about parenting teenagers with humor and love. The family dynamics are warm, the teenagers are real people, and the show trusts its audience to follow actual character development.

But It's from the 80s, which is very apparent. Also, the ethical complications around its star make rewatching complicated for many viewers.

Family Matters1989

ABC's sitcom about a blended family where the kids have actual personalities and the adults genuinely listen to them. The humor ranges from silly to surprisingly sharp, and it doesn't talk down to anyone.

But It's broader and broader as it goes on, veering into slapstick that Flex never attempts. Some episodes feel like they belong in a different show entirely.

Hangin' with Mr. Cooper1992

Similar premise (man, children, comedy), similar warmth, and a genuine interest in how people of different ages talk to each other. The show respects its younger characters' perspectives.

But It's gentler and less sharp than Flex, which means it can feel a bit soft. Also, it's dependent on Mark Curry's likability, which isn't everyone's cup of tea.

Kim's Convenience2016

Like Flex, it's a show where disagreement is the driver—not conflict that needs resolution but the everyday negotiation between people who love each other and see the world differently. Breanna and Flex bicker because they care; so do the Kims.

A Canadian sitcom about a Korean family running a convenience store. Every episode finds comedy in the collision between cultural values and modern life, between generations, and between what parents think they're teaching and what their kids actually learn.

But It's quieter and more character-focused than a typical American sitcom. The humor is often rooted in specificity rather than punchlines, which can feel slow if you're expecting faster laughs.

Barry2018

Both shows hinge on found family—circles of people who've chosen each other and keep showing up even when it's hard. Duane and Breanna's loyalty to Flex mirrors the crew's loyalty to Barry, but Barry earns it through struggle rather than charm.

A dark comedy about a hitman trying to become an actor, directed by and starring Bill Burr's collaborator. Sounds nothing like Flex, but the engine is identical: a character trying to be better than his circumstances, with a friend group that keeps him honest through chaos and care.

But It's violent, cynical, and often very dark. The lightness that makes Flex work is completely absent here, replaced by moral ambiguity and consequences that don't get tied up neatly by the end credits.