Why ‘Empire’ is Causing Me to Have a Midlife Crisis: Season 2 Starts Tonight at 9 pm!!!

Editor’s Note: Since my favorite television show is back tonight I thought I would repost this blog entry from earlier this year! Enjoy 🙂

Hello World,  empire

I don’t know if this is a delayed reaction to turning 40 years old almost two years ago as this September, but I am just now starting to feel like I’ve hit middle age…And I’m not sure what to do about that…

It started when I binge watched the first four episodes of “Empire” at a friend’s house…I had heard about the show which is a modern and hip hop version of the Shakespeare tragedy “King Lear.” But instead of King Lear struggling to divide his estate between his three daughters, Lucious Lyon, a music mogul, is struggling to hand over his empire to one of his three sons: Andre, Jamal and Hakeem. Complicating the struggle is the return of Lucious’ ex-wife Cookie, who went to jail for 17 years for dealing drugs. However, the drug money was used to start Lucious’ career in the rap industry and fund the construction of his music label Empire Entertainment and Cookie holds that detail over her ex-husband’s head once she is released from prison…

So although I had heard about the show, I wasn’t anxious to add the hip-hop soap opera to my already full TV watching schedule (RHOA, The Walking Dead, Y&R, Being Mary Jane, Scandal, How to Get Away with Murder, etc. ). But at a friend’s house where I was along with other friends, I decided to watch at least one episode with them…I promise you I did not move from my spot on my friend’s chair for several hours, long after the rest of my friends fell asleep. I almost had to be told to leave…I.was.hooked…But I was also troubled…Cookie, who is portrayed Taraji P. Henson, has three sons…The oldest one, Andre, is a college graduate and her youngest son, Hakeem, is 17 years old! How can Yvette (also portrayed by from Taraji P. Henson) from  “Baby Boy” be old enough to have three sons?! I mentioned that my friends while we were watching “Empire,” and one of my friends replied, “We old, girl.” And remember when Terrance Howard, who portrays Lucious Lyon, was the tenderoni Brendan King that Max on “Living Single” was ashamed she was dating? When he did get old enough to sire three boys?

That was my first inkling that maaaybe I’m not as young as I feel on the inside or look (don’t act! fingers snapped)…

Then three new radio stations, referred to as classic hip hop stations, debuted in metro Atlanta…While I’m loving the music, I don’t know about you but any music genre that is preceded by the word “classic” is really just another way of saying old folk’s music…And when you think about it, hip hop, which was once this new pulsating street phenomenon, has been around for at least 20 years at this point…20 years ago, “Empire” couldn’t have plausible because there were no hip hop moguls 20 years ago…But now, we have Diddy, Jay Z, Dr. Dre and Suge Knight (God bless him…smh…) and others who have amassed a fortune in hip hop and built their own empires…

The fact that I’m old enough to have amassed a fortune (but haven’t) was my second indication time is moving for real for for real….

A few weeks ago, I saw Will Smith on Jimmy Kimmel promoting his latest movie “Focus.” During the interview, Will Smith said his youngest son, 16-year-old Jaden, is now driving…I remember when it was announced that Jada was pregnant with him…And then Will was asked to rap…He was still good, but it was like watching your uncle try to “bust a move.” That lean and hungry look that most young rappers have at their prime had been replaced by the ease and comfort that wealth and a few good meals will bring. Don’t get me wrong…Will Smith looks fit, but he also looks older…And if the Fresh Prince has gotten older, where does that leave me? (Yes, ’80 babies, Will Smith was a rapper before he was a actor…)

And this is the moment when the drip drop of a leaky faucet finally gave way to the flood of realization that I’ve hit middle age…

And now that I’m thinking out it, there have been other clues, but I’ve ignored them until now…

In no particular order…

  • Lauryn Hill daughter’s Selah is 16 years old…We’re not event talking about Zion, her oldest child…
  • Lil Kim had a baby…Yes, Lil Kim had a baby…I still can’t believe she is someone’s mother
  • Erick Sermon had a heart attack…Rappers are old enough to have heart attacks now…
  • Eminem’s daughter Hailie is 19 years old!!!
  • Yo Yo married a mayor!!!
  • Diddy’s son Justin is in college…
  • Snoop Dog’s son, who is a football star, is heading to college

Maybe if I have had children by now, all of this wouldn’t have taken me by surprise…but now I know why nephew shakes his head and averts his eyes when I try to dance in the front seat of my car when I hear my jam, I’m old…old lady

Any thoughts?

Crushin’ & Cussin’: ‘Born Again Virgin’ Season 1 Episode 8 & 9 (the Season Finale!)Recaps

 

Born Again Virgin Cast  TV One

Hello World,

I’m back with your regular dose of a weekly “Born Again Virgin” recap. And this time I’ve got two since after Episode 8, the season finale of BAV was broadcast as well! But don’t despair, “Born Again Virgin” AND my recaps will be back in December!

Episode 8: “Woman Crush Wednesday”

This episode was officially titled “Off to See the Wizard,” but I think “Woman Crush Wednesday” was more apropos for this episode. And you will find out why shortly! This episode begins with Jenna, Kelly and Tara having a meal at a restaurant somewhere in Atlanta. (Sidebar: This restaurant looks familiar, but I couldn’t quite place it. However, I did recognize another restaurant in this episode that I will reveal later.) Kelly is eating sweets like she wants to go into a diabetic coma presumably because she is going through a drought. However, Kelly, does stop eating sweets long enough to scold Jenna when her credit card is declined. “Maybe it’s time for you to get a real job,”she says to Jenna who is trying to live off of her blog about being a born again virgin.

tankIn the next scene, Jenna is making pancakes for Donovan as she apparently owes him dinner but cannot afford to take him out. At this point, her bank account must be pretty much empty if she can only afford a box of pancake mix. I say this because Jenna doesn’t look like the type of girl who would make pancakes from scratch. Donovan, while appreciative of Jenna’s gesture, is not too pleased that he will be forced to eat pancakes, potentially making his rock hard abs go soft. As the two are eating, Kelly, who is trying to make partner at her pr firm, interrupts their dinner to tell Jenna about a new opportunity at her pr firm. Apparently, Kelly’s firm is handling an account for famous fashion designer Quinn Reed, who is portrayed by none other than  Tichina Arnold aka Pam from “Martin” aka Rochelle the mama on “Everybody Hates Chris!” Apparently, Quinn Reed is starting a fashion blog and is in need of a ghostwriter. Jenna, who is a big fan of Quinn’s, is elated about the opportunity to work with the fashion designer and boost her bank account!

When she meets Quinn, the worldly fashion designer who comes off like a Svengali, Jenna is surprised that the fashion designer is just as enamored by her  as as she is enamored by Quinn – but for different reasons. Jenna comes over to her home where Quinn allows her try on one of her dresses, a cute little black dress. Not only does Jenna compliment Quinn for her clothes, she notes the designer’s skin is flawless and asks her about her skin care regimen. Quinn reveals that is the “sweat from younger women” that keeps her pores tight. Wayment….But it is Women Crush Wednesday….

Tara, on the other hand, takes it upon herself to help Kelly, who is now eating cupcakes (albeit mini ones) for breakfast, with her dry spell. She sets her  up with a man from her “Never Did” file. Kelly agrees to let Tara fix her up as far as her looks are concerned AND with a man. With Tara and Donovan a few tables away to observe, Kelly, who is wearing a little black dress as well but with the sides cut out, platform heels and a black wig with blonde highlights, meets the man for dinner at Tom, Dick & Hank on Abernathy! (Yes, I recognize this restaurant!) This chocolate hunk, who looks like a mini cupcake himself in comparison to the chocolate cake of a man in the finale episode (yes, more on that later), assumes that Kelly wants to skip the appetizers and go straight to dessert. Kelly, who has proven to have a sweet tooth, is nevertheless offended and ends the date.

Jenna, who was not expecting Quinn to hit her on her, returns to Quinn’s home after running scared not only to apologize but to make sure her money is still straight. Thankfully, Quinn still wants her to write for her blog and in general but she is willing to allow their relationship to be strictly business. Quinn tells Jenna that she read her blog and knows she has given up men. Jenna corrects her and says she has given up on sex not men to which Quinn responds, “I just want to let you know that you have options.” Well, alrighty then….

Episode 9: Curses, Curses….

This episode was titled “TMF” which is an abbreviation for a the [expletive], but since this is a Christian blog, I’m not going there. This episode has the best beginning of all the episodes. Jenna is shown making out with a HOT, muscled, chocolate man in previous years and now he has shown up at her door step again. The born again virgin is forced to reconsider her celibate stance since the hot pilot has breezed into town. He is her kryptonite as she has never been able to resist him in the past, and you know what they say: the past is the best predictor of the present….Hmmm….

Kelly, who hasn’t sworn off sex, is nevertheless swearing calling her boss “tmf” because he promoted a co-worker, who has only been at the pr firm for six months, over her. Also, not only is Bryan, the co-worker, not as qualified for the promotion as she is, he is also male chauvinist asking her to take notes at a firm meeting and saying she talks too much like other women.

Tara, who is forever on the prowl in more ways than one, has her eyes on a hot designer bag that is way out of her budget. This scene reminded me so much of the SATC episode in which Samanatha lusted after a Birkin bag (So that threw me off a little bit, and I didn’t like it because it felt unoriginal.) But Tara’s cash is not long like Samantha’s cash was so she has to resort to other methods. So Tara ,who hasn’t sworn sex either, decides to parlay a paramour for a purse…In other words, this man, a judge, loves to lavish gifts on Tara, particularly after sex. However, this time instead of offering to take her to the store to buy the purse and hand it over to her, he simply pulls out a wad of cash and puts in the night stand. Tara is insulted because cash on the nightstand is the universal sign for prostitution although parlaying a paramour for a purse is pretty much prostitution in my eyes…

Anyway, the three women meet in the kitchen to discuss temptation, “tmf” and Tara. Both Kelly and Tara tried to get advice from Jenna regarding their respective travails, but Jenna seemed to be “tied up” with Vince in her bedroom. Still, they were able to think through their problems by themselves. Kelly has decided to quit her job and start her own pr firm, swearing while she is telling the story. Her swearing means she has to contribute money to the girls’ swearing jar where they are hopefully saving enough for a girlfriend getaway to Jamaica. Tara, who confronted the judge in his courtroom about leaving cash on the nightstand, ends up with a bag and a proposal. She proudly shows off her engagement ring which leads to Jenna stringing together a few swear words of her own. More money for swearing jar! Although she is happy for her friend, she is a bit discouraged that Tara’s stance on sexuality has resulted in kissing singlehood good-bye while being a born again virgin has pretty much only led to her being broke. She is so broke that she has been stealing from the swear jar, and there is not enough money to go to Jamaica after all! And now it is time for Jenna to spill what happened with Vince. Is her born again virgin status still intact or did she succumb to temptation?!!! Jenna reveals that while they shared some hot and steamy kisses, she remains a born again virgin…More to be revealed in Season 2 of “Born Again Virgin!!!”

Did y’all like my recaps?

Any thoughts?

Girl Fight: ‘Born Again Virgin’ Season 1 Episode 7 Recap

Born Again Virgin Cast  TV One

Hello World,

So admittedly, this recap is late as I normally post my recaps of “Born Again Virgin” on Thursday mornings! But when breaking news comes into play as it did last Thursday, I have to be prepared to roll with the punches so to speak. So please forgive me especially since it’s Sunday, and we’re going to church today 🙂 (You are going to church today, right?)

Considering the Floyd “Money” Mayweather fight last night, this episode goes right along with that as in this episode Kelly is excited about hosting a fight party! Apparently, the pr exec is known for her fight parties that feature her six-feet sub of “pure deliciousness” that she lovingly prepares herself.  Donovan, on the other hand, wants to compete with her by hosting his own fight party that features his popular crab dip. Remember Donovan can cook! But for the time being, he acquiesces to her desire to be the only one hosting the fight party.

While Kelly prepares for the party that evening, Jenna fights a mean case of “Writer’s Block.” She is supposed to churn out an article entitled “10 Things To Do On a Date Without Having Sex,” but the born again virgin is bereft of any ideas which I don’t understand. For the record, there are plenty of things to do on a date without having sex. Here are just a few off the top of my head – dinner and a movie, a day trip, dancing – none of these has to include sex to be fun.

Tara, who is usually self-centered, helps Kelly prepare for her fight party by vacuuming their place. But knowing her friend like she does, Kelly knows Tara is up to something and asks what she wants. She asks to borrow $100 for “womanscaping.” However, she becomes undone when she discovers that her waxing lady has gone on tour with Beyoncé and won’t be back for some time.

Between Jenna’s mean case of “Writer’s Block” and Tara’s missing Wax Lady, Kelly is incensed that the two won’t take the focus off of themselves for once and help her prepare for her fight party. As she cuts vegetables for the party and chews out her friends at the same time, she cuts a chunk out of one of her fingers and should go to a hospital emergency room. But that would mean she would have to cancel her fight party and she refuses to let her friends or Donovan win in their attempts, whether intentionally or not, to derail her plans.

Now that Jenna and Tara realize just how important this party is to Kelly, they decide to handle their own problems. First of all, Jenna takes a shower as Kelly has been asking her to do all day so that she can get ready for the party. As it turns out, she gets ideas for her article in the shower! I have found that anything with an “ing” at the end helps me to get ideas – whether it is showering, running, driving…Tara waxes herself. While her results are not as good as Jenna’s results, she gets it done. Now the two can focus on helping their friend, who has camouflaged her bandaged bleeding hand with a stylish boxing glove, host the fight party.

tankBut just when the fight is about to start and after Kelly party goers have begun chomping on her sub of “pure deliciousness,” she turns on the television to discover that nothing is on. Jenna forgot to pay the cable bill! Without the main course of the fight to devour, Kelly’s party is now a lost cause. Donovan, going in for the kill, suggests that everyone come over to his place where they can eat his crab dip AND watch the fight. Kelly, at this point, has no choice but to turn on her friends, accusing Jenna of sleeping with a whopping 50 guys (soooo that’s why she’s a born again virgin) and Tara of never having a real job! But the women find a way to end their fight as they watch “Mahogany” once their cable has been reactivated. They quote one of my favorite lines from the movie. “Success is nothing without someone you love to share it with.”

I believe the last two episodes of “Born Again Virgin” for this season will air this Wednesday, but according to Deadline.com, TV One has ordered another season of the show so the show will return early next year!

Any thoughts?