Our Favorite Romantic Scenes in Black Film and TV

There's something majestic about seeing black love on-screen. Between Cliff and Clair's romantic moments on their couch and Dwayne Wayne squealing "Baby, please, please," there's plenty of love to go around this Valentine's Day.

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  1 of 10

  Martin Proposes to Gina

  After Martin totally botched his first "damn-Gina-I-will-marry-you" proposal, he knew he'd have to come up with something clever and romantic to woo Gina away from her new life in New York. So he calls on his crew to help him provide all the essentials for one of the most memorable proposals on television. Gina pants and cries. Martin gets sentimental. And Brian McKnight serenades the couple. The rest is history.

  Captions by Erin E. Evans

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  2 of 10

  'Baby, Please, Please'

  Our favorite college sweethearts almost didn't get married on A Different World. As Whitley stood at the altar to marry old what's-his-name, Dwayne Wayne crashed the wedding to proclaim his love. "Will you?" he asks. (Of course, Whitley's mom, Diahann Carroll, wasn't too happy about this, saying, "Die, just diiiie.") Long live Mr. and Mrs. Dwayne Wayne!

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  3 of 10

  Cliff Hearts Clair

  You can't talk about black love on television without mentioning America's favorite TV dad, Cliff Huxtable. Though The Cosby Show couple were busy leading professional lives as a doctor and lawyer, the Huxtables always took time to relax and enjoy each other's company. Whether Clair was serenading Cliff with Big Maybelle's "Candy" or Cliff was teasing Clair with a couple of strawberry cream cakes, the chemistry between them was undeniable.

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  4 of 10

  Blues in Her Left Thigh ... Funk in Her Right

  Love Jones' Darius Lovehall and Nina Mosley had a storied and complicated affair, including first-date sex, trust issues and Bill Bellamy. But after a year apart, Nina returns to Chicago to share her feelings. But it's Darius who has all the right words in the end. "Let me tell you something. This here. Right now. At this very moment is all that matters to me. I love you. And that's urgent like a motherf---er."

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  5 of 10

  'You're My Air'

  Dre and Sidney in Brown Sugar loved hip-hop since they were kids. But they also loved each other. Dre's short marriage fails, and Sidney changes her mind about marrying Kobe (Boris Kodjoe), but it takes a while for the two to finally confess their love for each other. Over radio waves. Dre says, "I have loved you since the first time I laid eyes on you. You're my air."

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  6 of 10

  Funny Valentine

  Kyle and Max had great love-hate chemistry on Living Single. One minute they were cracking jokes on each other; the next they were spending weekends together at expensive hotels. In this scene, Kyle goes on stage to sing "My Funny Valentine." Max expects to get a laugh, but she ends up squirming with desire as she listens to Kyle's musical stylings. (Hear his recent melodic sounds in a T.J. Maxx commercial.)

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  7 of 10

  Steve vs. Stefan

  Family Matters is the second-longest-running sitcom featuring a predominantly African-American cast, but many of us stopped watching it in its final years. Did you know that they recast Harriette in the final season? In another surprise move, Laura began to fall for Steve. No, not his sleek alter ego, Stefan Urquelle, but Steve Urkel. Both of them proposed to Laura in one episode. Watch as Steve makes his final plea for Laura's affection.

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  8 of 10

  (Basketball) Game of Love

  Monica and Quincy had their first love quarrel when they were 11. They follow each other to the University of Southern California, but after Q steps out with another woman (on a cheap date to Burger King), they end their relationship. But even with an ocean, a fiancé and a lot of time separating the two stars of Love and Basketball, they find their way back to each other through the thing that first united them: basketball. In the final scene, with Meshell Ndegeocello playing in the background, Monica wagers a basketball game for Quincy's love. Game on.

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  9 of 10

  A Perfect Date

  Lyric was the woman of Jason's dreams. But at first he couldn't figure out how to chase her. She was hot and cold, but she kept him on his toes. And he liked it. In this scene, Jason picks Lyric up on a bus, gives her a picnic and takes her out on a rowboat.

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  10 of 10

  Everybody Hates Valentine's Day

  Kids have fun on Valentine's Day, too. After helping a girl on the bus, Chris (of Everybody Hates Chris) gets his first Valentine's Day card. So he decides to return the favor. But his "bus crush" isn't so happy with just the card. Meanwhile, Drew, who's only 11, is getting lots of love from several women across Brooklyn.

 

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