#31WriteNow: "Scandal" Saturday

The best show of the last two seasons is by far "Scandal." If you've been living under a rock, you should catch up here or here or here.  Shonda Rhimes is a genius. There is no better show on tv than "Scandal." If you haven't seen it, why not? What's wrong with you? You are missing out on everything!! I need you to get to know the greatness that is Olivia Pope and Harrison Wright. They are OPA and Gladiators in suits. If you are late to jump on this train, do not fret. BET can help you out. Tune in tomorrow for the second half of season 2. It's the best episodes ever. 

BET made a huge move by getting the syndication rights to "Scandal." Last Saturday, there was an all day marathon on the network. BET showed all off season one and half of season two. I watched it as if I had never seen it before. I loved that BET ended the marathon at the most pivotal point. "Who is Quinn?" was the ending of season one. Rhimes has a way of writing great cliffhangers for her shows. Another doozy was the whole "Who Shot Fitz?" BET will finish off the season 2 marathon today. It starts at 7 am and will end at 9pm.  It's great for new viewers. It's even better for us die hard Gladiators as a refresher course. All this does is make me wish it was October 3rd. I have so many questions about season 3. Especially about the finale. "Scandal" is a greatly written and greatly acted show. It's just too good. If you are looking for a great way to spend your Saturday, turn to BET and catch up on "Scandal." You'll thank me later. 

Get Into It: "Being Mary Jane"

BET is bringing new programming to the screen. The latest show is "Being Mary Jane" starring Gabrielle Union, Omari Hardwick, and Raven Goodwin. It premiered as a movie earlier this week. It will be back as a series in January 2014. Mary Jane Paul is a successful woman, a TV anchor, and the bank for her family. She has it all but not really. She has a gorgeous house, a reat career and a loving family. What she is missing is a love of her own and a family of her own. She has a sick mother, a brother with no ambition but a huge family, a brother attending college and a niece who keeps popping out babies. Everyone depends on her, especially finacially. MJ is a woman on the verge of breaking. I can see it. 

The character of MJ is relatable on so many levels. I know for a fact that a lot of my friends identify with her. And, it has more to do with her being Black. She, like Kerry Washington's Olivia Pope, is a flawed character. I love that the most about her. I can admit that I did not have high hopes for the show. I am admittedly not a fan of Gabrielle Union.  She has been a very limited actress in the past. I put her in the same category as Janet. Neither of them show any emotion or range in their face when acting. So, I pushed that to the side and jumped into the show. 20 minutes into, I was hooked. The movie was really good. I was happy to see the handsomeness that is Omari Hardwick. I am a fan of his. So, the possibility of seeing him on my screen weekly is enough for me to tune in. The ending left me wanting more which was the point. The series will be picking up where the movie left off. I cannot wait to see where this story goes. Get into it, "Being Mary Jane."

BET Changes "Don't Sleep"

I have been a fan of TJ Holmes since he first blessed my screen on CNN. I loved his passion for reporting about stories that meant something to him. He was always passionate about everything. I was shocked when I heard that he had left CNN for BET. What? I saw this as a step down. Not a lateral or upwardly mobile move. CNN is the upper echelon of news reporting. BET is not known for any true uplifting programming. And, truth be told, other than "The Game," "Reed Between The Lines," I do not even watch the channel. BET is suffering from bad leadership I believe under Debra Lee. A channel that was developed for African American based programming is lacking so much depth. But, that is another topic for another day. Holmes new show "Don't Sleep" premiered on October 1st as a 1/2 hour news driven program.

I tuned in early and often. I liked the format, the set and the host. Hated the name. I mean really "Don't Sleep?" It's silly and childish. I think the name should have been rethought. It just doesn't pull you in. Also, Holmes' closing line is corny as hell. "You can go to bed, but don't sleep." It's just not enough for me. My biggest gripe about the show is that it is too short. Only 30 minutes for news programming, BET? Why? The following half hour is being filled with reruns of "The Game." I wanted an hour. My prayers were answered when I read this Washington Post article. Finally, I get an hour. But, here comes the bad news. The show is being pulled from nightly showings to a once a week hour long show. BET still cannot get it right.

There is no other original programming being shown on the network right now. Why wouldn't the powers that be leave the show on all week? I do not get what sense this makes. I haven't been very happy about the programming options on BET for years now. It has progressively gotten worse. "The Game" fired Tia Mowry-Hardrict, the lead of the show. I most likely won't be watching the 6th season of the show. BET ruined it. Tracee Ellis Ross is not coming back for the second season of "Reed Between The Lines" which will leave a huge hole in that show. Ever since the Johnson's sold BET to Viacom, the channel has been on a fast decline. "Don't Sleep" is being dealt the same horrible fate. I want to have hope that the show will stick around. But, this latest move doesn't give me much hope. I am sad. But I will still watch for as long as it shows. You should too. Remember, "Don't Sleep" will now air every Wednesday at 10pm. Get into it and TJ Holmes.

It's All About The Cypher!

I am not a fan of 90% of the crap that BET plays. The station that once was about BLACK entertainment television has been falling off in many ways. There are many reasons why I don't watch the channel much. But, I digress. The Hip Hop Awards were shown last night. This televised edited version comes almost two weeks after the actual show happened. This is a problem. In the social media driven world we live in, people already know who won, who performed and what happened. I only watched for the cyphers (2 in particular) and the return performance of T.I.

The best cypher of the night goes to Shady 2.0 hands down. This was the only cypher I was looking forward to. The main reason is Joe Budden. I have been a fan since the first time I heard dude spit. There is something in his voice that pulls me in. I love the way he lays his heart out in everything he drops. This is not to say that the rest of the crew didn't bring it. Yelawolf, Crooked I, and Joell all spit great bars. But, I love Royce and Eminem (outside of Joe) the most. Shady 2.0 was ill. After it played, I tweeted that BET should just run their cypher back. Also, they were the only crew that got a different beat. BET saved the best cypher for last. I loved it. Can't you tell?



Second place easily goes to the MMG cypher. Well, not to Rick Ross cause he kind of sucks to me musically. But, I liked what the rest of his crew had to say. I may be biased because I am a Wale fan and am slowly becoming a Meek Mill fan as well.



Busta Rhymes, Luda, Reek da Villian, and 2 Chainz are in the next cypher. I LOVE Busta's freestyle. He never disappoints in my mind. Luda is a favorite of mine. He showed out as well. This was my first time hearing of Reek. He was cool. It took me all night to figure out why 2 Chainz looked so familiar. It's because he was formerly known as Titty Boy. I am not here for him only because he has no real skills and the fact that he named himself Titty Boy to begin with.



Chris Brown showed up in a cypher. His bars was a media laced rant that I can definitely get into. Also in his cypher was Tyga, Kevin McCall, and Ace Hood. I'm not a Ace Hood fan and his part was a throw away verse to me. I wasn't impressed at all.



The cypher that was filled with newcomers was interesting as well. It featured Big K.R.I.T. Machine Gun Kelly, Tech N9ne, Kendrick Lamar, and B.O.B. This was a very interesting cypher for me. I had never really heard Kendrick rap. I didn't know BOB and KRIT could spit like that. And, I have never laid eyes on MGK before this.



Another quirky cypher was the next one. blind fury, of 106 & Park Freestyle Friday fame, was teamed up with SkillzVa, the dude who does the end of the year wrap up rap. There was also Dom Kennedy who I am becoming a fan of and a throwback with the appearance of Lady of Rage. Remember her?



Anyway, the cyphers were the highlight for me. The throwback performances of DMX and Heavy D were amazing as well. I could take or leave the rest of the show. I think BET should expand the cyphers into a longer format. I would so approve and support that. I was underwhelmed by the awards as a whole. There was another cypher filled with folks I do not know nor did I feel. So I decided not to post it. I mean it featured the singer Estelle rapping, a female raper who dropped a line about "dropping bombs like Saddam" (guess no one told her that Saddam is dead) a Christian rapper and a French rapper who rapped entirely in French with subtitles. So, yeah BET could've missed me with that one totally. Hope you guys enjoy the cyphers as much as I did.

Get Into It: "Reed Between The Lines"

I miss the old Thursday night tv lineup. I'm talking about "The Cosby Show," "A Different World," "New York Undercover," "Martin," and "Living Single." Quality television programming featuring Black people. As a kid, I was enthralled with "The Cosby Show." People who looked like me that excelled at academics, marriage and family was amazing to me. I could not get enough of it. At different points in my life, the above mentioned shows have had a profound affect on my life. Somewhere along the line, people who looked like me weren't showing up on TV. Tonight, BET gave me some of that back. "Reed Between The Lines" premiered tonight. I am instantly a fan.



"Reed Between The Lines" is a new sitcom about a blended family. Tracee Ellis Ross plays Dr. Carla Reed. She is a psychiatrist. She is married to Dr. Alex Reed played by Malcolm Jamal Warner, an NYU English Professor. He teaches online and also homeschools their youngest daughter Alexis. Carla has a set of 14 year old twins, Keenan and Kaci from her first marriage. This show is clearly a modern take on "The Cosby Show."

I loved the first two episodes. The kids are cute and hilarious. Tracee and Malcolm are great. I am glad that when I see them that I don't see Joan Clayton from "Girlfriends" and Theo Huxtable. Carla's wardrobe is top notch. But I knew that nefore even seeing a scene. Tracee has impeccable taste in fashion. It shows in her character. There is a cuteness with this show that I really dig. Seeing a positive portrayal of Black families on television is a wonderful thing. Its something that I didn't have growing up. But from as far back as I could remember its what I've aspired to have. This new tv family has the potential to be great.



"Reed Between The Line" is a funny, greatly written show. I laughed a lot through the whole hour. BET did something right. Their original programming is just about the only bright light on the channel. Maybe this means the powers that be are finally listening to their core audience. I applaud Tracee and Malcolm for being producers as well. They are handling all anglea on this project. I will be watching for the rest of the season. You guys should as well.

Does The Ring Really Mean A Thing?

After watching BET's "Let's Stay Together" the other night, I began to think about one of the story lines. It involves a man proposing to two different women, supposedly years apart, with the same ring. Say what now? Who does this? I was disturbed and disgusted by this notion. Especially since there was no mention of said ring being an heirloom. This also led to a healthy discussion between HIM and I. Now I wanna know what my people think as well.

Here's the scenario. A guy proposes to Girlfriend A with said ring. Girlfriend A says no. Then, he later proposes to the current Girlfriend B with the same ring. All is well until A meets B randomly at a restaurant. Girlfriend A says to Girlfriend B "Oh, he gave you the ring." What?!? Imagine the shock and awe on my face. Girlfriend B had no idea that she was sporting the ring of technically another woman. Her face said it all. The sister of the guy had to fess up after Girlfriend A walked away. And, it was on.

In my opinion, if Girlfriend A said no to his proposal, then he should've returned the ring. There is no way on God's green Earth that he should have held on to the ring for the next proposal. That is just wrong and dirty. To me, it's like a hand-me-down ring or a used ring. This would be no bueno in my life. That ring in my mind is tainted with the failure of his prior relationship. And, I don't wanna drag that baggage into my marriage. I would be so upset. It isn't special anymore because it wasn't purchased specifically for me.

Girlfriend B eventually went out and got another ring on her own. She did not discuss this with her fiance'. I think that was just wrong. Granted, I get that she was mad, as she should have been. But, going behind his back and getting another ring was not the route to go. Two wrongs will never make a right. There was no real communication between this engaged couple about their feelings. that is a big red flag to me.

When I am proposed to, I want it all specifically designed around me and my relationship with him. I mean from the venue to the ring. In the words of Samantha Jones from SATC "Exactly honey, wrong ring, wrong guy." I would hope that he knows me well enough to know what I'd like and what I would despise (like a gold ring ewww). To me, my engagement ring would be the most important piece of jewelry (along with my wedding band). So, sue me, for wanting something special and specifically for me *Kanye shrug*

Anyway, I would really like to know what you guys think. Was the boyfriend on "Let's Stay Together" right or wrong in re-using the ring? Was his fiancee right or wrong for getting a new ring? Does the ring really mean a thing? Talk to me!!

This is a Tiffany Novo engagement set. It is a brilliant cushion-cut creation with spirit, fire and style. It is retailed at $11,500 (1 ct.) - $42,600 (2.5 ct).

Black Girls Rock

"Black girls rock because we have no other choice." - Iyanla Vanzant

Last night, BET got something so right. They showcase Beverly Bond's "Black Girls Rock." This was big on so many levels. I've been familiar with this movement for about 3 years now. It's a great organization dedicated to teaching Black girls self confidence and self worth. It's an awesome organization.

The show was amazing to me. Nia Long held the hosting duties. She was perfect. It honored Raven-Symone, Missy Elliot, Keke Palmer, Iyanla Vanzant and Ruby Dee. They were performances by Jill Scott, Monica, Keyshia Cole, VV Brown, Shontelle, and Fantasia. The best perfomance of the night was a great cover of Nina Simones "Four Women." It was performed by Jill Scott, Kelly Price, Marsha Ambrosious, and Ledisi.

This show was perfect from beginning to end. I love anything that showcases my people and empowers us. Black Girls Rock does that and so much more. I cannot find any fault with Debra Lee, Viacom or the show last night. It's not often I have that thought when it comes to any BET production.

“BLACK GIRLS ROCK because their possibilities are more powerful than their pain!!” ~ Michaela Angela Davis

“I rock because there’s joy in every breath even when it hurts.” ~ Anika Noni Rose



Nina Simone's "Four Women" performed by Kelly Price, Marsha Ambrosius, Jill Scott, & Ledisi @ Black Girls Rock 2010!