'Fantasia for Real'
'Let's Talk About Pep'
So last night VH1 premiered two new reality shows: “Fantasia for Real” and” Let’s Talk About Pep.” Admittedly, when I first about these shows, I was a bit skeptical. With the overload of reality shows already on VH1 and MTV (I mean do I need to run down the list of foolishness), I thought “ do we really need more? However, the more I found out about the two shows I was intrigued. Fantasia would reveal her family life, as the caretaker of 6, yes 6, of her family members; and Pep would be going back into the dating world after a 4 year hiatus. The show was also to include a few of her girlfriends, including former BET host Jacque Reid.
So, how were they? Let me start with Fantasia for Real. Basically, the show features Fantasia trying to get back on her grind after a tough couple of years. Her sophomore CD did not do well, (which by the way is shame because it was really good), and her run with The Color Purple had some low points. Now she is back with the Color Purple and working on a new CD. Meanwhile, she is supporting her entire family. This includes her daughter, mother, 2 grown brothers, and a couple others. We also got an introduction to her tough love aunt, (who I loved). There is a lot that could be said about this, but let’s just say, I am surprised Fantasia would allow this look at her family, because they are BUTT NAKED TRIFLIN’. I mean for real...The real character last night was her brother Teeni, who is 28 with no job, and no education. He literally lives off of Fantasia. As far as work and school, he says, “that’s not what he’s about”. He considers himself a music producer, even though he isn’t making any money, and he has no interest in working. The KILLER though, was when he tore down Fantasia’s pool house to create a “music studio” without her permission. It was BANANAS. I like Fantasia, and I really hate to talk about someone’s mom, but clearly Fantasia’s mom was not parenting her sons worth a darn. Fantasia’s aunt was not feeling the nonsense, and was constantly on Teeni to get a job. The season will feature Fantasia attempting to wean off her dependent family members. It should be really interesting.
On to “Let’s Talk About Pep”. I am not sure how I feel about the way this show is shot, but that aside, it is definitely fun. We’ve got Pep and her girlfriends out and about on the dating scene. Her gal pals include Joumana (former wife of Jason Kidd), the outrageous Kittie, and radio personality and former BET host Jacque Reid. (Jacque Reid was the last person I expected to see on a reality show, so that by itself was enough reason to watch.) It is nice to see a show that features Black women looking for love and relationships. The show is giving a bit of a ‘Sex and the City’ type vibe. Pep met a football player named BJ, who she definitely went a couple of bases with, Jacque Reid really wants a baby, since she has no man, and discussed sperm donation with her friend, the FINE actor Lamman Rucker. (BTW, is he single?). Kittie was on a first date with a corny dude who apparently won her over since her toes were being sucked by the end of the night, and I guess we’ll see what will happen with Joumana. “Let’s Talk About Pep” is definitely likely to get tongues waggin’.
Did you see either of these shows? What did you think?