Same Old So-Called "Reality" from VH1

Ever since the 1st episode of "Flavor of Love" all those years ago, VH1 has become the epicenter for the black reality show. From Fantasia to Tiffany "New York" Pollard, these celebs have been the main example of black life to some people who may not know what it is like. However, I think that some of the shows have a negative effect on that outlook because they might put all black people into categories that may not be fit for everyone. This round of shows may not be the worst, but they still may give off a negative connotation to those who do not know better. Sometimes it is not that they represent black people, but they do not always represent themselves and their business well.

The 1st show in their Sunday night lineup is "Brandy & Ray J: A Family Business", which follows the two R&B singers in their transition into the business aspect of their careers. While it is good to see a tight-knit black family on TV, there are some moments when I think that they should keep some things in-house. Every family has its problems, but I think that Brandy is a little over-emotional sometimes and Ray J is a bit immature for a grown man. The dynamic between them is the same as in a normal family, like dealing with parental favoritism, so it does have a higher level of "reality" than some of the others. It does not seem to be fixed or scripted, & I have been a fan of Brandy's since the beginning so I will continue to support her, which is probably why I watch the show.

The sweetest part of the show is the relationship between Willie Sr. and Sonya Norwood, the duo's parents. It is wonderful to see a husband try to ease his wife's mind and help her loosen the reigns on the children that she has raised. She has been struggling with letting go and enjoying her own life and Willie has been trying to help her think about herself for a change by pampering her, even though she is stubborn.

I was really excited about Shaunie O'Neal's project "Basketball Wives" because I thought that it would be a show about her. However, she just serves as narrator and pops in & out and the DRAMA level with the other women is through the roof on this one. The basic premise of the show is to follow the women linked to NBA players and how they deal with that life, but they only seem to deal with groupies and infidelity. IF YOU THINK THAT YOUR HUSBAND WILL CHEAT, THEN HE PROBABLY WILL. IF YOU EXPECT IT, THEN YOU WILL GET IT. First of all, only 2 of the women are actual WIVES & the rest are either girlfriends or ex-girlfriends (or fiances) & one girl is just a baby mama. & now that she & Shaq have gotten a divorce then she does not even fit anymore. Out of all of the ladies, I like Jennifer the best, the only one that is an actual basketball wife. I hope that she works it out with her husband who she is having a rough patch with.

The final show in the lineup is "What Chilli Wants" starring Rozanda "Chilli" Thomas of TLC. It follows her in her quest to find love with the help of a matchmaker, Tionna Smalls. It is a more classy type of dating show in the sense that she does not have a bunch of guys in a BIG house in Atlanta somewhere. Instead, she has her outspoken matchmaker set her up on dates after screening for guys that match Chilli's "list", which is a little over the top and leaning towards picky. I do like how Chilli is beginning to lower her guard and expectations, which has led her to getting close to the two white guys that Tionna brought. We will have to see if settles down with someone by the end of it. I think that Tionna is a real star of the show, with her outrageous outfits and ever-changing hair, not to mention her "outgoing" personality.