Rapper/actress (and mom-to-be!) Eve has a new drama premiering on ABC and Queens looks like it could be the television event of the fall. But for those who know, we know that this isn't Eve's first foray into network television. And I don’t know about you, but when HBOMax added her early 2000s WB sitcom Eve to its streaming list of old school sitcoms, I didn’t hesitate to rewatch it! Because, for one, the show was hilarious. And two—who doesn’t love Eve! 

When the show originally came out I was in middle school, so rewatching all 3 episodes as an adult was a fun walk down memory lane. I realized the show was not only funny, but had so many lessons throughout each episode and was a blissful reminder of how much things have changed these past 15 years! Here’s the top 10 things rewatching Eve taught me.

10. EARLY 2000’S FASHION WAS A MOMENT!

From the men’s oversized clothes to the women’s low rise jeans and custom “DivaStyle” threads, the fashion’s on the show were as 2003-2006 as you can imagine. The best part was the irony of Shelley, played by Eve, being a designer of custom elegant pieces but the most popular item to come out of the store was a velour sweatsuit with DivaStyle bedazzled on the butt... because who didn’t have something like that in their closet back then? 

9. GLAM HAS COME A LONG WAY

And obviously can’t forget the glam. The good, the bad and the WTF!

I’m talking thin eyebrows, natural makeup on the faces, and wigs before frontals were a thing. Something about back in the day makeup is such a vibe to me. Wasn’t too much, but enough to enhance how you already look, and I loved that. But the thin eyebrows, I mean, nobody wants to go back there. And the wigs chile… a tragedy in most episodes, specifically Eve’s workout wig with the bangs and two braids. But have to love the versatility of looks Eve gave nonetheless! 

8. MISSY ELLIOTT DOESN’T MISS

Missy Elliott, the 4x Grammy Award winning hip hop icon, rapped the intro theme song for all 3 seasons, and had me singing “E-V-E how you do that?!” before every episode. Honestly, everything Missy does is a bop!

7. EVE’S TRANSITION FROM RAPPING TO ACTING

A countless number of rappers have dabbled in acting, but not everyone makes the transition smoothly. It’s one thing for an artist to make a cameo on screen, or be a supporting cast member like Eve was in her breakout film Barbershop but acting as the lead character of a primetime television show was major! She embodied the role of Shelley and was perfectly relatable as a mid-20 year old trying to figure out life. The only question I still have about her character is why they named her Shelley but the show was called Eve?

6. SISTERHOOD IS EVERYTHING

One of the things I loved most about the show is the spin they took on showing different friendships and scenarios. No matter what happened, whether it was Shelly getting through her break up with JT, Rita going bankrupt, or Janie struggling with her appearance, they always made sure to have each other’s backs. Having a strong sisterhood and support system in life is so important and I love the way they depicted that. 

5. ENTREPRENEURSHIP AS A WOMAN

Women owning businesses in the early 2000’s was heard of, but not very often, especially not women of color on screen. So I enjoyed the representation of Shelly opening a store front with her two friends, showing the struggles, triumphs and overall grind of entrepreneurship. It was empowering, real and appreciated. 

4. EVERYONE NEEDS A FRIEND LIKE DONOVAN

Donovan managed the Z Lounge, where the whole friend group would go after work to have a good time, meet new people, and unwind. It was a bonus that Donovan always gave them free drinks, but he was always helping someone out, making someone laugh or dropping some knowledge. He ended up being one of my favorite characters on the show, aside from Shelly and Nick!

3. JT AND SHELLY WERE TOXIC

JT and Shelly’s relationship was a main factor throughout the show, and I thought they belonged together but then I realized JT was an F-boy before the term was even created. He and Shelly had a good thing going but he “couldn’t see a future with her” because she prioritized her business/worked too much. But then anytime Shelly tried to date anyone else, he always got jealous and sabotaged it. Taking it as far as proposing to her only because he knew Grant was about to propose to her. Come on JT!

2. NATALIE DESSELLE-REID IS A LEGEND

I couldn’t watch this show and not think about how surreal it was that Natalie Desselle-Reid is no longer with us. Natalie is most commonly known for her roles in B.A.P.s and Cinderella but her role as Janie deserves more credit... Natalie as an actress deserves more credit. And as I rewatched her I couldn’t help but wish that she got all her flowers while she was still alive. Let’s take a moment for Natalie and all that she was. Rest in peace Queen. 

1. EVE DESERVED A FINAL SEASON- SO MANY QUESTIONS!

And lastly, the number one thing I learned from rewatching Eve is it shouldn't have been cancelled! When UPN merged with the WB in 2006, they cancelled the majority of black sitcoms that were on the network, which still makes me upset. But aside from that, we were left with so many unanswered questions. Did Janie, Donovan, and Rita go to jail for running that illegal botox company? Did Shelly reconcile with her parents? Did the cops shut down DivaStyle? Does JT get Shelly back? I can go on and on but I’m sure none of these questions will ever be answered.