Last night, VH1 premiered the third season of “Basketball Wives” and its new show “Single Ladies”. I wasn’t that excited about “Basketball Wives” (we all knew what that was going to entail), but I was excited to watch “Single Ladies”. My final assessment of the show? I’m still torn.
I was excited to see the show for several reasons: For starters, two of the three leads were black. And despite what we may think of them, Stacey Dash and LisaRaye McCoy are still gorgeous. Second, it was an hour long show-something that has been missing from Black television for a LONG time. I do have some gripes with the show. And to keep this post from being too long (and to keep your attention), I’ll use bullet points.
- The premiere was an hour too long
- There were TOO many subplots
- I felt like I was watching a movie instead of a tv show
- There were too many appearances by celebrities
- I couldn’t figure out Keisha, Val, and April’s ages
- I also found it hard that Keisha and Val were friends with April (they seem older)
- Is Cam’ron still relevant to rap music in 2011?
- Is LisaRaye believable as a video vixen?
- A lot of the story lines sucked
I think that’s all I have for now. All in all, I really tried to give the show a chance, but it was just too much going on. (If you want to see my comments from last night, check out my Twitter profile.) There were some things that I could relate to as a single woman, but other aspects were too ridiculous. I did fall asleep during the last few minutes of th show, but I’m sure I’ll catch it sometime this week. I may watch it again next week, but it may take a miracle to get me to like it…
If you saw it, what do you think? Does this show have some longevity or is it doomed to be cancelled? Until next time, I’m just a Southern girl…in the city!
Southern Girl in the City 
It was ‘initially’ going to be a movie, but vh-1 liked it so much; they thought it would be a good idea for a tv show, when lisa raye stole that watch i thought it was going. to become a “HOOD” movie. the white girl wasn’t really needed?
It’s ok.. Kind of annoying.. The acting could be better. It just seems like some women who are independent bt suppose to be classy.. Bt some hoes!!?
I have a hard time believing the majority of these comments are coming from African Americans. Most ethnic programming on TV to date, suffers the unfortunate proclivity towards debasing the character of a specific race of people.
So, all of you complaining people didn’t lift an ink pen about;
My wife and kids ( CW11)
Waynes brothers (BET)
House of payne ( TBS)
Fresh Prince of Bel-air ( Nick at nite/ TBS)
Steve Harvey show ( TBS)
The Atlanta Housewives(highest rated of all the housewives shows)
Flava Flav
Bobby and Whitney
Brandy and Ray J
The Braxton Sisters
And let’s not forget ‘Goodtimes,’ A show with ratings that have propelled it to become one of the longest lasting reruns on television.
With all the foolishness that goes on in these shows.
The Single Ladies, in comparison, appear to be regular people that have nice things, interact with others that have and desire and work for a comfortable life. People that make mistakes, develop normal friendships, laugh, cry and live like average American that are not living below poverty level. But you view this life as, what, ‘over the top’! If you feel the lifestyle is unrealistic, it is because you have never experienced it and/or never personally known anyone that has. And you allow your limited view of life to judge what is quality on TV. Perhaps, If this type of programming had been presented on a regular basis, you would be more compeled to seek it for yourself. Would allow yourself tio believe you could excel beyound those images. The Cosby Show won more Black Organization Awards for the effect it had on our people than any other show on TV. Please know that there are certain people, who would rather see programs with us laughing, bug eyed, ignorant, backward thinking, getto imitating, dancing fools. And watch our children loose sight of the great possiblities that exisist for them in this life time. At least, these women are portraying self confident, independent, black women, who are striving to be better, do better, learn from the mistakes they have made. Of course they have some human flaws like all of us on this planet, one way or another. Even Sex In The City started out with poor script and story lines. But it was fun. And as popularity grew the show got better. They could later afford better writers, wardrobe, etc.
But, I do realize there are people that want to keep alive and well the;
2.1 Black-face archetype of minstrel shows
2.2 “Sambo” archetype
2.3 “Mammy” archetype
2.4 “Magic Negro” archetype
2.5 “Mandingo Negro” archetype
2.6 “Welfare queen” archetype
.I believe you have all of these characters in the long running, highly rated, ‘House Of Payne’.
Where are the critics of that show and the affect it has on the Black Community. Children are trained at an early age to watch and emulate these charactors in hundreds of thousands of Black households. Walk down the halls of Black high schools and watch the characters perform.
Wow. What year is this? Still mentally inslaved or slave mentality, Still disrespected becaue of the ridiculous image created by the media, consistently reinforced and acted out in homes, schools and businesses. and still sadly asleep while allowing the media to hypnotize and control a massive amount of people.
Thanks, Sylvia. I can only guess you’re a new reader of this blog. If so, I say “Welcome, and thanks for reading” and suggest you read my post titled “The Modern Day Minstrel Show”, which was just written last week. It addresses a lot of the things you mention in your comment.
I can’t speak for the other ladies that commented, but I am an African American woman and my issue with the show isn’t necessarily the potrayal of the characters, even though a few of the things LisaRaye’s character are outrageous, my issue was the writing. It’s not a matter of not seeing people like this on tv; it’s a matter of how many dimensions there are to their characters. I admit the show has gotten better, but the first episode left a lot to be desired.
when single ladies was picked up, it WAS a TV movie, and not a tv show. it was only when VH-1 liked what they saw. and then made it into a TV show.