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Oct. 16, 2006 Okay, I admit—there are some strange reality TV shows out there that catch my eye. “Being Bonaduce,” (which will soon be back for a second season—surprise!) and perhaps the final few episodes of “Survivor” and “The Apprentice” are just a few. However, one show that caught my eye was “Flavor of Love,” (VH-1, Sundays 10 p.m. and in reruns throughout the week). The program features rap legend and co-founder of the group Public Enemy, Flavor Flav. (Real name William Drayton). Flav is best known for his popularizing the shouting of “Yeeeeahhh, boy!” and the expression, “What time is it?” His well-recognized wardrobe includes sunglasses and large clocks attached to gold chains and worn around his neck. Flav’s popularity, which had waned after Public Enemy split up, received a shot in the arm when he appeared on the washed up stars reunion show, “The Surreal Life,” and eventually fell in love with much taller co-star, Brigitte Nielsen (the former Mrs. Sylvester Stallone). Their relationship was then spun-off into another show, and though the relationship failed to last, Flav’s popularity on VH-1 spawned the “Flavor of Love” series. The premise of the show is that 20 women compete for the opportunity to become Ms. Flav. They go on dates as a group and one of the “lucky” ladies win a solo date with the show’s strange looking star. During the rest of the episode, the women bash one another—verbally, and in some cases, physically. At the end of each episode, all but one of the ladies are given a clock, symbolizing their advance to the next round. Of course, the one who doesn’t get the clock is eliminated. Last year’s “winner,” was a former video hoochie nicknamed “Hoopz,” who was merely on the show to try and jumpstart a fledgling “acting career.” Within weeks, she and Flav were departed and hence, the reason for the recently completed season 2. This year’s winner—and I’m using that phrase loosely, and the term “loosely” to describe the contestants—was a young woman who went by the moniker Deelishus. She is best known for her “spectacular” derriere, and she beat out last year’s runner-up, a sassy and poorly-trained actress with the moniker New York. New York and her drama queen mother were ringers brought into the show at the last minute. Immediately the over the top drama kicked into high gear as New York managed to alienate all of the other ladies. She wanted to believe that she and Flav were fated to be together. However, in the final episode, she expressed the desire to be in control of things, which scar4ed Flav as he believed New York was a closet version of her pushy and obnoxious mother. Sounds like innocent fun, or at the very least, an adventure in voyeurism; a guilty pleasure. The reality of this show is that is pimping at its most blatant. Here is a man who mingles sweetness with kindness for a stable of women, most of whom eventually get used in exchange for 15 literal minutes of fame). All they receive in return is a worthless clock, and the illusion that he is somehow someone worth fighting over and sacrificing their dignity for. Like guests on The Jerry Springer Show, the ladies bring embarrassment upon themselves in front of a national audience. In they end, they are treated like past-their-prime hookers and are kicked to the curb, like Burger King did “Herb.” The show is filmed over a period of several weeks, yet, some of these young ladies (none of whom I would say have superstar beauty), have deluded themselves into believing that what they share some sort of emotional bond with the show’s star. In actuality, it is more than TV, but an exhibit of self-delusion—much of which I believe is scripted. Perhaps it should be re-titled “Faker of Love.” ------------ About the author: Timothy N. Stelly, Sr. is a 46-year old poet, novelist and aspiring screenwriter who resides in northern California with his three youngest children--Lawrence, Kimberly and Dante. He is a member of various writer's groups and has three novels in print, his most recent, "Like A Straight-Up Sucka," is available at www.lulu.com. website: http://stellbreadO@tripod.com Email: stellbread@yahoo.com Tell a friend about this site! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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