Baaaaby, puleeze, the simultaneous installments of “Keeping up with the Jones,” “The Real McCoy,” “What Chili Wants” and “Basketball Wives” are proof pudding that the black reality show roll needs to slow. Unfortunately, superficially staged productions in this genre rarely emit real life.
The one that makes me cry foul the loudest is “Basketball Wives,” the lackluster brainchild of Shaquille O’Neal’s soon to be ex, Shaunie. Following in the footsteps of her former LA Laker hubby, Mrs. O’Neal assumes top billing as the show’s executive producer, purposely electing, I suspect, not to share the spotlight with other boldface names.
Although hyped to the glitz hilt, some in the series could easily be mistaken for women of ill repute. As a result, “BW” falls short of a fabulous lifestyle template and the crass behavior showcased deserves cautious applause. It matters not how many upscale goods line their shelves because even the feet of a $20.00 skank can look stunning in Jimmy Choo’s $1,000 shoes.
Do we really require more evidence that a stack of crisp C-notes cannot buy class?
Ck out these sidebars:
Football Wives Spinoff as ShaqDaddy threatens VH-1 suit:
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2010/04/15/2010-04-15_vh1_game_plan_football_wives.html
A Royalty Scorned LisaRaye Takes Aim for Star and Vivica?
http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2009/10/08/2009-10-08_star_jones_vivica_a_fox_targets_in_new_lisaraye_mccoy_reality_tv_show.html
Amen. Blaxselfploitation of another genre in a different era? I've no interest. Period. Thought I admit I peeked at The Basketball Wifies, couldn't finish 15 minutes of this train wreck and have since vowed to turn a cold shoulder to Chilli and the rest of the Wannabes... Incidentally, add hairdresser Michael Cole and his husband Jamil (aka: The Smittyboyz), whose gay wedding ceremony was recently chronicled on YouTube to the list of "reality" seekers. They've recently headed to Atlanta in search of a TV show. 'Spose if you can make it "hair," you can make it anywhere...
ReplyDeleteyou are right in what we are being given in the black reality shows. I have feeling this will be short-lived. The copy cat shows are becoming thoughtless and very predictable.
ReplyDeleteExcellent review.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments. Seemingly, we've hit an entertainment low with shows that remind of new school minstrels.
ReplyDeleteSCAN-DA-LOUS re: LisaRaye and fallout with gal pals Vivica and Star.
ReplyDelete