Thea was a short-lived sitcom that aired on ABC from 1993-1994. The series starred comedienne Thea Vidale as the titular character as a no-nonsense widowed mother of four children who worked two jobs, one as a supermarket cashier by day and a ran a small beauty salon in her home at night. The series focused on Thea juggling her responsibilities at work and at home with her quirky quartet of children Jarvis (Adam Jeffries), Danesha (Brandy Norwood), Jerome (Jason Weaver), and James (Brenden Jefferson). Rounding out the cast was Yvette Wilson as Lynette, Thea's sister, and Cleavant Derricks as her husband Charles.
The show started out with high ratings before steadily declining over the rest of the season, which led to its cancellation. The show is better known for being Brandy's start into what would turn into a highly successful entertainment career, as she released her debut album a year later and then starred in Moesha in 1996. Amusingly enough, Yvette Wilson would join her on Moesha's main cast as well, along with Countess Vaughn and Marcus T. Paulk who made guest appearances on the show (in the same episode, no less).
Not to be confused for Thea: The Awakening or professional wrestler Thea Trinidad.
This series has the following tropes:
- Big Brother Instinct: Jarvis, who looks after his siblings and wants to be the responsible father figure while also wanting to bond with his siblings.
- Borrowed Catchphrase: Jarvis borrows Thea's "See ya!" catchphrase in episode 4.
- Bratty Teenage Daughter: Danesha, played entirely straight.
- Catchphrase: Thea's preferred method of exiting a scene: "See ya!"
- Cheerful Child: James, the youngest who's just there to look cute and be relentlessly optimistic.
- Dom Com
- Expository Theme Tune: The theme song is a catchy gospel-tinged tune that spells out the premise of the show.
- Good Parents: Despite working constantly and being firm with her kids, Thea always knew where the line was. For example, even after catching Jerome at the arcade after he sneaked out from being punished at home, she knew embarrassing him in front of his friends was a step too far.
- Foolish Sibling, Responsible Sibling: Jarvis and Jerome have this dynamic; Jarvis stepped up as the "man of the family" after their father died, whereas Jerome likes to shirk his responsibilities and is a schemer.
- Odd Name Out: Thea's late husband was named Jarvis, and their sons' names all start with the letter J - their daughter's name? Danesha.
- Sassy Black Woman: Thea, who plays this trope to the hilt, especially towards her bosses at the supermarket.
- Short-Runners: Only ran for one season.
- Struggling Single Mother: Thea, who worked two jobs to support her kids after her husband passed away.
- Sit Comic
- Theme Naming: The boys of the family have names that start with the letter J.
