I remember when I was living in London and caught glimpses of the atrocity that is Flavor of Love via the FB status messages of my friends. For some strange reason, I wished “they” would make a better reality show, namely about “us”. Why? I don’t know, namely because I don’t like watching reality t.v., unless its a subsidiary of the Discovery channel. Well, “they” have. “They” is B.E.T. and “it” is called Harlem Heights.
Dubbed as insight to the young, black, and fabulous crowd, the setting is in Harlem, New York and follows real friends through their professional and social ups and downs. Of particular interest is Brooke Crittendon, Kanyé West’s ex-fiancée. Feeling like she needed to lend a voice to her experience as ‘the other half to a famous person’, B.E.T. president Loretha Jones assures us that Harlem Heights is not The Hills.
The cast includes a lifestyle editor for the basketball publication Dime magazine, an aspiring actress, a fashionista, a young man contemplating a career in politics and even a young dad. It’s a group of friends moving out of college and into the working world.
“This show isn’t ‘The Hills,’ ” said BET president Loretha Jones. “The cast was friends before, so their relationships are natural and they allowed us to follow them in such a way that they were unconcerned with the cameras being there, and let us capture the real interactions.”
Jones also said that unlike some other reality shows about twentysomethings, “Harlem Heights” would explore not only emotional drama, but also professional drama and the excitement and celebrations of last year’s historical election night.
So what say you? “They” finally might make a reality show profiling “us”. Are you going to watch?
NinaG
I will give it a chance. I don't have a TV, so hopefully it will be online. Another reality show involving people of color that doesn't follow the 'Flavor of Love' type nonsense is Daddy's Girls. Some have said its scripted. I don't believe that is true but I wouldn't be surprised if certain conversations were “encouraged” by producers.
January 12, 2009 at 11:41 am
Smurffette
my friend is working on the production of this show and many of the folks on the show live in my hood and I even know a few of them. I'm super excited about it!
January 12, 2009 at 11:55 am
ybpguide
I peeped Daddy's Girls with my wife last week. It was definitely not aimed at me. I'm sure there are people who are interested in young women who don't pay their bills trying to 'survive' L.A. and its social 'get naked' pressures. I, for one, am not one of them.
I do give props to its positivity though….it could be a helluva lot worse, but I know Run and his money wouldn't allow that.
January 12, 2009 at 12:37 pm
The Jaded NYer
I'm going to give it a chance even though I LOATHE BET… mostly because I love watching shows with a NYC backdrop!!
January 12, 2009 at 12:43 pm
NinaG
I agree that Daddy's Girls isn't for everyone but is “trying to survive” limited to those without certain financial resources? I'm sure they don't pay all of their bills but Vanessa and Angela are young professional women of color who are becoming independent and exploring their talents. That is something I definitely respect and can relate too.
January 12, 2009 at 1:09 pm
Kimberly
I'm all reality TV-'d out. But if it's the only thing on, I might watch…for a minute
January 13, 2009 at 10:46 am
AB
It hurts me to say this but, I have absolutely no faith in B.E.T.'s ability to produce a positive uplifting show
January 19, 2009 at 6:29 am
t
I'm disappointed in the female cast… you've got the ex-girlfriend of a rapper, an actress, and a “fashionista”..? Really? I'm sure these are talented ladies but this is what they are being marketed as. My disappointment lies in the fact that this does not reflect the common femaly ybp…we couldn't find one corporate girl? non profit? govt worker? anyhone but those who aren't pursuing fame in the entertainment industry?
February 10, 2009 at 10:21 am
Miss_Niece
One of the females, I think her name is Bridget, is in Law School. I for one am a political scienece major in college who plans to attend Law School upon graduating from an HBCU so I do identify with her based upon what i see in the promotion of the show.And the “fashionista” chic, Briana I think, is a technical designer for Victoria Secret Pink who plans on going into business for herself starting off with her own line of handbags. And the chic that dated Kanye, is a Syracuse Univ graduate…..so obviously she has he head in the right place. I'm sorry but your perception of each female on the show seems somewhat one sided. Give the show a chance before you totally slam the people on it.
February 16, 2009 at 8:52 am
Interview with Harlem Heights Story Producer Leigh Davenport | Young Black Professional Guide
[...] Heights Story Producer Leigh Davenport February 28th, 2009 • Related • Filed Under Harlem Heights: The YBP Reality ShowAre you getting interviews but not job offers?Successful Interviewing Filed Under: Media • [...]
February 28, 2009 at 7:05 pm
Flor del Sol
I just checked out “Harlem Heights” for the first time on tonight — March 11, 2009- and being from inner-cities of Chicago and now a transplant in Seattle, WA (due to attending graduate school) — I am elated to see a spotlight on young Black professionals– however, I don't feel that this show accurately portrays how 20-somethings like myself live in America. Especially, being a Black first generational undergraduate and graduate student — I would love to see the organic beauty of living life (the awesomely average life) — on reality t.v. Yet, I guess that doesn't sell huh…? It just seems that since MTV created the “The Hills” and “The City” and BET cleverly placed these Young Black Professionals in similiar job positions etc.
Now don't get me wrong: I am not stating that we should not see these beautiful Black people in these roles — I just wish that BET would show perhaps how these folks got to where they are — the true reality of their lives — instead of all the “situational high drama” conversations that they engage in…
March 11, 2009 at 11:16 pm
sabjudah
Just make sure you represent ever type of black person's common situation. There are a few especially the negative situations. And don't just show the problem, but really show the solution.
How come no one is seeking God in these shows? We know that they are in real life and He is helping some folks, so why not on this show? Don't just show the world how YOU want us to look TO THE WORLD! MAKE IT REALLY REAL!!! OR ARE YOU FOR REAL? Or is it just about ratings. I DARE YOU TO BE FOR REAL!!!
March 19, 2009 at 11:00 am
NENE
WE CAN DO BETTER!!!! BET did it again. The actually managed to embarrass the black race more than the flavor of love. These people are bourgeois and fucking stupid. They all seem educated, but not self hatred it rampant. It's basically The Hills dipped in black. Black folks should form a mob, and lynch them!!!! That would actually make the show work watching, lol.
March 19, 2009 at 11:59 am