Braxton Family Values (VOD Hidden Gem)December 29, 2011
Media savant T Tara Turk goes deep inside cable TV to reveal Video On Demand's Hidden Gems so even the busiest of our readers can get the most out of On Demand TV. Tell Tara what VOD shows you think deserves her attention.
BRAXTON FAMILY VALUES
I don’t have any problem admitting that I love reality shows. REALITY shows. Not scripted “reality” shows with Momagers that would make Gypsy Rose Lee’s mother look like Maria Von Trapp. No. I’m talking shows that with cameras that capture the outrageousness rather than inspire it. This is why I think the Braxtons could kick the Kardashians in their fake baby seal eyelashes. Yes, I said it.
Who are the Braxtons you might ask (I might roll my eyes and look at you crazy but I won’t judge you...out loud). Last year, it was announced that infamous singer Toni Braxton (tiny cute big voice girl who couldn’t keep her money) was going to do a reality show with her sisters that none of us knew. A collective “uh oh” escaped from all lovers of Pop and R&B. Until we watched it the first season and realized the genius of the show. Toni Braxton is not the star of the show (thank Mary Magdalene because Toni is actually the most...dare I say...boring out of all of them)! The BRAXTONS are the stars as a collective.
Here’s the recap of who’s who:
Toni - the oldest and the Star with the big burden of being the Star because folks sure have some preconceived notions about what it means
Tamar - the youngest, the most diva and the one who could probably match Toni financially given she’s married to Vince, a big bear of a man who also happens to have worked some lady named Lady Gaga
Towanda - the responsible one who works as Toni’s assistant, reluctantly, until she’s able to get her acting thing going and after she’s able to drop her husband who seems allergic to working for money for a living (hence why they, along with their two kids, live with her sister)
Traci - Traci Traci Traci...she never got to be in the background group that Toni had so she thinks her sisters have THE lives while she trudges around Maryland with her own family, fluctuating on whether she should be a rockstar or a hair salon owner or a....you get it
Trina - Trina is trying to not let her rocky marriage to Gabe (there’s something not right about him and his mystery home job and jealousy) take center stage to her life as a singer...she doesn’t always succeed
Mama Evelyn - The MATRIARCH and Patron Saint of Awesome Sayings is the mother to this group and if she and her wig game are not the answer to all of your reality prayers then you’re hopeless
Last season was about introductions and whether or not Madame Toni was going to grace her us all with her “feature” on the Braxtons record, much to everyone’s frustration. This season has turned the corner, gone up the street, and around the backyard with a BOOM pow bang dot com (that’s my best Braxon family slang). Tamar is going solo (if her husband doesn’t kill her first), Toni moved to an LA home that makes one think, per Traice, “if that’s what bankruptcy looks like, give me some” , Trina is in a coverband that’s not a coverband and is trying to not kill her husband, Tracie is Tracie and Towanda is separating from her husband while trying to find a new assistant for Toni and not go crazy. Mama Evelyn just is. And that’s all she needs to be.
I love this show because these ladies are like your crazy family that you love but sometimes are embarrassed by because of their complete honesty and inhibitions. They love each other and they fight each other like real people do, cameras or no cameras. I guarantee you will never hear a producer forecast an impending wedding for next season or see a wedding special only to see plans for a divorce special. Just saying.
T. Tara Turk is a novelist/playwright/screenwriter, living in LA with her boyfriend and dog - all three successful TV addicts. You can find her at www.ttaraturk.com or follow her on Twitter @ttaraturk.
