Undercovers

yaaaayyy.. it's humpday wednesday... and to get me through the day NBC will debut "Undercovers". Now if you know nothing else Bellini is a renaissance woman - check the bio to the right. And loves the underground. So the series debut of 'Undercovers' has me piqued because the premise is intriguing bump what the NY Times wrote i would link it- but I ain't trying to dignify simple s***. considering I visited the International Spy Museum not too long ago - I am a primed spectator for this event. And it doesn't hurt that Boris is a decent actor evident by 'Soul Food' Showtime series. Sorry don't know much about the British actress, Gugu Mbatha-Raw. Please watch, especially if it's good. There is a dearth of good television and this may ameliorate current conditions, until the 'The Game' is back!

back to Undercovers

The series premise led by two black espionage agents, Steven (Boris Kodjoe) and Samantha (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) Bloom own Bloom Catering and rejoin the CIA posing as caterers. OMG, there are so many story plots that can evolve from this situation. JJ Abrams do not screw this up. You know for the most part most television series based on espionage have been pretty good (i.e. 'Alias', '24', 'The Unit' and I slept on the Unit and it was too late!). Anyhoo - you should be in for a treat. Don't forget to tell me what you think.

cheers,

Bellini

P.S. sorry about not providing the post on Chancellor Rhee and DC education, i need a raincheck

Life to the Fullest

My latest guilty pleasure reality show is Hoarders on A&E. It is amazing to see people’s homes filled to the top with treasures (aka trash) that they have collected over the years. We are talking about rooms filled with stacks of newspaper, clothes from 1972, loaded guns buried in closets where rat feces have been found. Refrigerators filled with spoiled food, growing things within and outside of them. We are talking about adult protective services coming to take folks out their homes because they are just unlivable and naaaaaaaaaasty! It is just fascinating to watch. It’s even more amazing to discover that these hoarders are married and have children who have learned to live with and deal with their crap. A couple weeks ago a couple purchased a second home because their first one became inhabitable because of the items the wife had collected, paying two mortgages left them cash strapped and facing foreclosure, but they couldn’t sell either home because they were both filled the hoarding wife’s trash.

Last night’s episode featured Jim and Claudie, a black couple from Illinois who had been married for 37 years and had 12 children. Claudie’s hoarding had gotten so bad that Jim told her that he was going out for a little bit and that he would see her later. Well…Jim didn’t come home for over a year and during Jim’s absence Claudie was forced to live in a homeless shelter! It was pure craziness, and if I was able to get to Youtube on this here government computer I totally share the link… But in a few words the episode was deliciously tragic to watch. And I got to thinking about Jim who told his wife that he’d be back in a few and high tailed it off to Vegas to live a new life, and probably with a new wife. Many other viewers have their opinions about Jim but while watching the show I was beginning to get a little jealous of Jim. Here this man was in his 70s, been married to his wife for decades, has a house in shambles and he is able to get up and walk away? Say word? That’s both messed up and awesome at the same time! Messed up only because adulthood teaches us to strap responsibility on our backs by way of bills, work and family and carry it singing a song and wearing a smile. But here I am in my 20s and I am often reciting the childlike phrase “I don’t wanna!” And as Rum Punch mentioned the other day it’s easy to get into a wash-rinse-repeat cycle of living our lives. And so it’s a little bit awesome that Jim could look at his situation (and I will acknowledge that Jim isn’t wrapped too tight either) throw up the deuces and keep it moving to Vegas. I wish I had the guts to do the same sometimes.

So at the church house on Sunday pastor got his preach on talking about living life to the fullest. And I began to wonder if I was. Honestly and truly. Surely there is more to life that working, paying bills, meeting friends for dinner and movies. Surely there is more to life than amassing a whole bunch of things and hoarding them in my closet. But does living life to the fullest mean walking away from the mundane just because I don’t wanna? Imma say no. And I’m saying that because I’m an adult and that’s what I am suppose to say. But if I am not filling my life with the aforementioned things, then what should I be filling it with?

I guess how people should live their lives is a question that has been asked for ages. Be it watching a hobby develop into a way of life, dissolving stereotypes by climbing the corporate ladder, representing the misrepresented or interpreting life through the written word we are filling our lives with something. Maybe the key to living life to the fullest is sharing it with others.

See You In Seven

Teenage Wasteland

Back in the day I watched MTV all day everyday! I loved the Real World! From Real World Los Angeles to New Orleans, I watched the lives of 7 strangers taped and found out what happened when people stopped being polite. MTV was on as soon as I came home from school so I could watch TRL before people knew who Carson Daly was. What? What’s that you say? People still don’t know who Carson Daly is? Touche, that’s true. But you get my point. When I had cable it was me and MTV and then one day I couldn’t watch that crap anymore. Call it maturity, call it betrayal, but I started watching a lot of shows on CBS along with the growner, newer and sexier reality shows on TLC and Bravo. But then MTV came up with 16 and Pregnant and I came back anxiously ready to watch the lives of teen girls across America.

Each episode chronicles the struggles of young pregnant women as they deal with their significant others, parents, friends and impending motherhood. In most cases their thought processes and “logic” have me saying “this chick is going to be someone’s mother?” Seriously? It amazes me because I can’t even imagine having to care for a dependant organism I and I am well beyond my teen years; so I wonder how these women who live at home with the parents think that she and her unemployed baby daddy are going to be able to care for a life. Of course making a baby is easy, but there seems to be a major disconnect in the minds and plans of these teens. And that it what scares and entertains me as I watch. How can these women be so stupid? Don’t they know how hard life is or gets after high school? Life, in my humble opinion is not for the foolish or faint of heart!

So as I type I am watching the premiere of the second season of 16 and pregnant! This chick Janelle is crazy! She is staying in her mother’s house and yet she cusses at her mom like she’s one of her homegirls! I don’t know how they do it on the white side of North Carolina, but I know that I could not cuss my momma out in the house that she paid all the bills in. This speaks to the illogical thoughts of these teen mother’s, but also speaks to the fact that they are adolescents. Oh damn! This chick call her momma b*tch because her momma didn’t want to watch her baby! Are you serious?! Janelle’s momma needs to go get a belt and beat that a$$!

Just watch…

MTV's 16 and Pregnant - MTV Shows

I think this show along with Teen Mom show the real trials of parenthood. It’s enough to scare any kid into abstinence or at most to have protected sex! Or at the very least to have them stop and think beyond the moment. And I think that’s a great thing!


See You In Seven

Reality Bites

Somewhere between the Real World Boston circa 1997 and today, most of what I watch on television is “reality” television. Does anyone else remember crazy Kameelah Phillips and her 100 plus requirements her man would need to possess? In my Google searching to see if she ever found that special someone, I found out that she’s a doctor now! Which I was amazed by because she’s moved on in her life, trying to find cures for diseases and whatnot, but here I am only remembering her for that list she wrote 12 years ago! It’s weird, this world we live in now where we can take bites from people’s lives and pretty much act like we know them, when in reality we don’t.

With that said I love watching the Real Housewives of Atlanta! And genuinely I was shocked to hear that Kandi Burruss’s ex-fiance A.J. passed away over the weekend. While I logically know the episode I just watched on Thursday night was taped months ago, it just feels like I’m watching them live their lives with no delay. And it’s weird that while watching this show I have been calling Kandi all sorts of stupid for linking up with a man who seemingly didn’t bring anything to the table and had all sorts of children by all sorts of women. I just couldn’t understand why she would entertain marrying someone after 6 months of meeting and knowing each other! And as one friend joked, did she buy that engagement ring herself? Because we know how we strong Black, independent sisters can be doing things for ourselves and our men folk! And then when Rum sent me the Essence.com article where Kandi said they had called off the engagement (yay) but she was the guardian of his two 12 year old daughters (saaaaaaaaay what) I had more fodder to talk about!

But for real for real, I don’t know Kandi or AJ beyond what I see. A few moments of their lives edited down to tell a story for my viewing entertainment and pleasure. But there is no denying that this sucks! His death of course, but the fact that this is now NEWS! Blog fodder. Something to Google search while at work. How many folks die on a regular basis? Ooodles! But if Ashely Jewell never met Kandi Burruss, who happened to be in a group called Xscape. And if GE never bought NBC who bought Bravo who discovered this delicious Real Housewives franchise. We never would have heard about the beating death of a Black man in a strip club who initiated the brawl in the first place. Is this reality? I’m thinking no-its too sensational-and we (myself included) can’t seem to get enough.

See You In Seven

Staying Tuned!

So I have decided that I am going to be one of those parents who doesn’t allow her children to watch television. I know. I know. I must be crazy right? Especially being a person who is 1) cable deprived and 2) can spend an entire Saturday afternoon in Rum Punch’s basement watching a Real Housewives (insert whatever city here) marathon (of course Rum Punch is out living her life and therefore isn’t there). I mean I remember actually snickering at the girl in my Spanish class who had no television in her house. She was such a weird-4.0 having, Harvard University on a full scholarship, sneaking to watch MTV at her friend’s house, probably rich as sh*t now-girl.

I mean I love television ya’ll. But I think children born after the great 80s have difficulty understanding that what they see on TV is not real, it’s for entertainment only! That for the most part, life ain’t like that even if it’s classified as reality. My coworker was talking about how her 12 year old sister got upset that she only got $40 to shop with at the mall. We are talking upset to the point that she threw a fit and was calling people names. Say what? Does this child know what I can do with $40? Can we say lunch for week, or a few new shirts at Target! But I ask what a 12 year old needs $40 for? And maybe my parents thought the same when I asked for the $20 that I spent on a movie ticket, some ice cream maybe something from Mickey D’s. And I’m almost sure I came back with change…I never said that it wasn’t enough. But we are in a recession now…

I guess in the world of My Sweet 16 and the Suite Life of Zack and Cody…showing these young folks faking like they earned the money they spend like the rich and fabulous; it’s hard for the young and impressionable viewer to realize that it ain’t their money…but the parents. I really don’t know because I am neither a psychologist or a parent. but I do feel like violence will ensure if my child looks at me sideways because I won’t allow them to have their way with my credit card. In my mind I can see how it’s just easier to let television working its soothing mind numbing magic.

But after watching an episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race…which I found to be oh, so hilarious! And secretly I can’t wait to see the next episode. It blows my mind to think how a medium that once portrayed the likes of the Cosby kids less than 3 decades ago, has now expanded to show the fabulous thoughts and feelings of a Ms. BeBe Zahara Benet! You betta work it “girl”!

I don’t know ya’ll, I shudder to think about what our youngins will be exposed to in the years to come… Well actually I am shuddering more at the thought that maybe…they won’t be able to recognize reality from good ole entertaining fiction. But as a girl who loves tv but also enjoyed playing with cardboard boxes, I hope that there can be some sort of balance…so no one has to be that weird totally clueless kid in the class.

See You In Seven

The Entry Level Trap

Lawd! Someone done fell asleep at the wheel and given Vivica A. Fox her own reality show. Yes, you read that right. Miss Thang is the host of Glam God, a competitive “reality” show for aspiring stylists. And for more good news Laurie Ann Boom Boom Kat Gibson is back on Making the Band 4! Oh yes! Things are looking up in the world of reality television! Do I, Rum Punch really waste my life away watching this drivel? Yes, yes I do. Judge me all you like. I don’t mind.

One of my favorite reality shows at the moment is I Want to Work for Diddy. Oh the foolishness that occurs in a single episode. In case you are anti all things Diddy or reality, the show is a “competition” for a group of young and not so young, but all are plenty crazy, people who are trying to win the chance to be Diddy’s assistant. We all remember how Diddy made those fools walk to Brooklyn for some cheesecake right? So we can only imagine the fun tasks that are required of the special person who is fortunate enough to be Diddy’s assistant. Of course the recurring quote from the people on the show is that being Diddy’s assistant will give them the chance to get a foot in the door. Oh the old foot in the door line, eh? Now where have I heard that before? Oh yeah, from myself. Watching this show has me reminiscing on my days as an assistant. I don’t like to talk about it much, because it’s the equivalent of a Vietnam flashback, but I think I’m strong enough to share with the masses. Time and distance has healed the wounds, but the memories remain. Come travel with me…

So, picture it, Washington, DC 2007 (rest in peace Estelle Getty), I found myself starring in my very own The Devil Wears Prada in blackface. But without the fabulous wardrobe, cute boyfriend, trip to Paris, and gay man who let me cry on his shoulders. Scratch that, there was an awesome gay co-worker who constantly said that we were “too fierce for this madness!” Snaps!Oh how I heart him. And back to the story. I was executive assistant to a female CEO of her own company. She was well known and respected in various political, professional and social circles. But please believe me, she was no Oprah. But you couldn’t tell her that. Don’t believe me? Sit back let me tell you a tale.

And Chanel and Marc Jacobs and Dior and...

Ms. Scarlett* (as I liked to call her) and her daughter were taking a trip. Well they get to the airport and flights have been cancelled due to inclement weather. She panics and calls the office. On a Friday. At 5 p.m. When it’s quitting time. On a Friday. Ms. Scarlett informs me that she and her daughter are dressed for beach weather and it’s raining and cold outside. The taxi line is ridiculously long and so they can’t possibly stand and wait. She needs us to call for a car to take her home. Hmmmm…. “But there’s a metro station right in the airport,” I say to her former assistant who played the role of evil, backstabbing chick (think of the red head in the movie) all too well. “Oh honey, Ms. Scarlett does not take the train.” Two snaps and a neck roll. You don’t say? Mayor Bloomberg takes the train and he’s a millionaire. But ok.

Ms. Scarlett continues to freak out, she needs a car, she needs to get home RIGHT NOW! (Oh yes timeout, when she would send angry blackberry messages, she would TYPE IN ALL CAPS SO WE COULD KNOW THAT SHE WAS REALLY, REALLY MAD AT US!!!!) Now wait a minute. Boss lady has parents, a brother and a sister, all of whom live in the area. Couldn’t she call them for a ride? No, that’s too much like right. Hours are passing and night is falling across the city. I’m hungry and in need of a cocktail. We’re calling multiple car and taxi services, but nothing is available because everyone is freaking trying to get out of the airport!! More panic from Ms. Scarlett. More frustration from me and evil, first assistant who begrudgingly agreed to stay and help. Not that I asked her to. Ms. Scarlett suggests that maybe once we get her a taxi, she should get a hotel room nearby. Can we call her connects at the luxury hotels and see if they have anything available or if they will send her a car? What the hell? You haven’t even left the area yet! You live 20 minutes away from the airport! Take the train two stops to the downtown area of the city and then take a cab the rest of the way home. Too simple? Maybe. But it seemed like such the obvious solution. And that is when, right then and there at my desk, I said a prayer to the Lord above that no matter how rich/successful/powerful I ever become, please don’t let me lose all common sense. For real. Amen.

Did Ms. Scarlett eventually get home? Of course she did. We finally got a cab to come get her. But let me just say that the God has a sense of humor part of this story is that Ms. Scarlett’s blackberry had died, and she was using her daughter’s phone, but it had the child protection on it, so it could only receive calls from approved people. Of course Ms. Scarlett did not realize this. And so one cab had come to the airport and had tried to contact Ms. Scarlett when they were outside, but of course she couldn’t answer the phone. So they left. More phone calls to get another cab to come get her. Finally, finally, Ms. Scarlett and her daughter got into the right cab. And I got leave for home around 9 o’clock. Yes, four hours of what I thought and still do believe was unnecessary drama.

Yeah so forget about a foot in the door, my ass barely got a pinkie toe in that bitch. I suppose it’s about wanting something bad enough that you are willing to swallow your pride, suspend common sense and having a life, all to be at the mercy of someone else's whims, needs and requests. And clearly I didn't want it bad enough. Sure deep down I knew that there was a lot to learn from Ms. Scarlett, but I didn’t have it in me to cut through all the crazy to see the possibilities. And so I threw up my deuces the first chance I got. And I've been happy ever since. Except for when the nightmares come...

That’s my time y’all! Happy Rum Punch Friday!

*Names have been changed to protect the crazy

to catch a killer

Earlier this month, I got cable and that’s saying something cause I’d been without it for over 9 months. And I’m so happy to have the first 48 back in my life.

This. Show. Is. The. TRUTH. Literally, ha ha…

For homicide detectives, the clock starts ticking the moment they are called. Their chance of solving a case is cut in half if they don't get a lead in THE FIRST 48. dunt dunt.

The show follows around homicide detectives in cities like Miami, Las Vegas & Detroit as they try to solve murders. There are usually two murders per show and they switch back and forth between the cities as the detectives arrive on the scene, investigate and try to catch the killers.

I started watching it in the summer of ‘06 when I was studying for my first bar exam…lol, who knew. Anyway, that summer I tried not to watch any tv but one day after a boring-as-usual bar.bri class, I was layin on my friend’s couch flipping through and this show caught my attention.

A reality show. Dead Bodies. Drama. Mystery. Sign me up. It’s law and order without the filter and I love it for a few reasons.

Sgt. Caroline Mason. She cracks me up. showing up at crime scenes wit stilettos on, her weave swinging, nails and make-up some crazy shade of red, she chats up the folks in the hood using what she calls “her ghetto pass.” and she usually gets the goods. I just love her.

Now ya’ll know I’m more defense minded. Well, very, totally and completely but whatever. For some reason, I find it so fascinating to watch the process from the other side. Of course, it burns me up when people go into the interview room and after a couple of pointed questions, jokers start pouring they hearts out.

Okay okay, you want me to tell you what really happened? I’ma tell you the real truth. This the truth right here. What had happened was…

Damn damn damn suspect, keep your mouth shut. Ask for a lawyer

But at the same time, I’m happy when people tell the truth, that they did it (but they do “deserve” and have a right to a competent defense) because the show is so good at humanizing the victims.

Dude mighta been standing on the corner slanging when he got shot, but announcer guy will say some shit like, Darnell Jenkins, the father of two small children, grew up in the neighborhood, everybody knew him… AS A DRUG DEALER. But still, every person that dies is treated with respect no matter the circumstances of their death and you see that in the back story of their lives, the moments when the detectives go to their families and break the news that they have passed, and the pain and emotion in the detectives faces as a trail goes cold.

Which leads me to my last point. The detectives involved are actually pretty decent. I don’t know if it’s because they are on camera but they do aight. I am by no means a cop-lover and I especially dislike the regular beat cops who often terrorize our neighborhoods unjustifiably. I’ve ridden along with the NYPD so I know of which I speak. They’re glorified cowboys, wielding way too much power and way too little understanding about our communities. But that’s for another day. The first 48 detectives are truth-seekers. I can’t recall a time when I’ve seen them lie to a suspect to get a confession. And that generally goes down on the regular in interrogation rooms around the country.

See for yourself. Check out my girl Mason in action tonight at 10 on A&E.