VH1’s “Single Ladies” Was Not Good
I’m a fan and avid watcher of bad TV. I love shitty reality TV shows and often DVR them. I live-tweet them like my next pair of shoes depended on it. I LOVE BAD TV. But some TV shows KNOW they’re bad, and they’re ok with it. “Single Ladies” is not one of those shows. You can tell that the folks who worked on it actually thought it’s good. I’m here to snatch their wigs and tell them “SHAME ON YOU!” It’s supposed to be a romantic comedy. There was nary any romance, and the only laughing I did was AT the show, not with it.
What’s wrong with it? Lemme count the ways.
The Acting
I’m not sure what the audition process was for this show, but it couldn’t have been that strenuous. Clearly, they just said “we want really pretty Black folks who are mildly recognizable. They don’t have to be great actors” So naturally, they went to Stacey Dash and Lisa Raye McCoy, two of the cutest, but acting-challenged actresses in Black Hollywood. I like both of them. They defy the laws of aging, and somehow have water from the Fountain of Youth pouring out their faucet. However, thespians they are not.
Stacey and LisaRaye shared a bulk of the screentime, so it was 2 hours of really stunted acting. Unless you want to count And to be honest, I feel like Stacey Dash was playing herself. So I don’t even think she was acting. We call this the “Gabrielle Union.”
But yeah, the acting was just not good. Well, at some points, the acting was just downright AWFUL. Like anytime Kim Porter was onscreen. Yes, Diddy’s Kim Porter. I was excited to see her working. I didn’t know what she did besides gives birth to Puffy’s adorabo twins. For real. That ain’t shade.
Kim’s acting was like watching a graham cracker recite lines. It was that bland. She made Stacey Dash look like a classically-trained thespian named Dame Judi Dench. I was just like “Mkay so maybe this is why I ain’t know what Kim did.” I liked Kim better when she was the lovable arm candy Diddy took on his yacht for 1 week (right before he took Cassie on the same yacht).
And the men in the thing were all bland and 2D. Womp. Bless ALL their hearts.
The Story
I can maybe tolerate bad acting if it came with a good storyline. But alas… that is not a part of this. Everything about it was cliché and tired. From the pregnancy scare (apparently, you can get FIVE false positive pregnancy results. Who’da think it), to the blackmailing that ended up backfiring (WWHHAAA??? Color me unsurprised), to the one white woman in the whole thing sleeping with the Black mayor (while both were married). Yes, the mayor was Common, which made for great eye candy, but that story was WACK.
They even had LisaRaye and Kim Porter play video vixens, as if they aren’t 10 years ast that prime. Yes they still look hella good but COME ON! Would they REALLY be in videos today? That was just cheap.
It was like they took a poll of people who only read Eric Jerome Dickey novels, and asked what storylines they enjoy the most. And folks jotted them down, so they used it as the plot points of “Single Ladies.” I’m convinced.
The storyline might have been slightly worse than the stilted acting. I’m not sure which was better.
Remember that show? Yeah… me also. Unfortunately.
The Writing
Ok so maybe bad acting and wack storyline wouldn’t be as awful if the writing was at a decent level. But I think I might expect too much. The cliché storyline given to subpar actors to perform was written terribly. Remember how Dawson’s Creek’s writing was so long-winded and complicated that no teenager on Earth would utter those words? Well the writing on “Single Ladies” was so simple that no real adult would have these conversations.
Lines like “You need to step!” and “Fasten your seatbelt girl cuz you’re about to go for a ride” and “He kicked you to the curb” have NO PLACE in a show filmed in 2011. In 1995, they coulda been effective and cutting edge. But unless you’re also wearing Cross Colours overalls and huge Africa medallions, you should not utter any of these phrases. Just NAWL!
In REAL fake life… the writing was elementary. They coulda done wayyy better.
The fact that Queen Latifah produced this gives me the sads. I have tons of respect for the Queen but this show is not becoming of her. I’m actually a bit embarrassed for her and everyone else who’s affiliated with this show.
On a good note, the eye candy was great. And it seemed that anyone who was anybody in ATL had a cameo. Kandi Burress’ hair flew above alla haters… And above Jermaine Dupri’s head.
Did y’all watch VH1’s “Single Ladies?” Am I the only one who thought it was mediocre AT BEST? Did I miss any redeeming qualities about the show? Tell a G.
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79 Comments
You nailed it. And this review is so much funnier than mine. LOL
I just speak truths. What’s the link to your review of it?
My bad, forgot to link you: http://tigger500.typepad.com/thoughts/2011/05/sl101-review.html
Dope post! I commented.
you nailed it!!! and I couldn’t last the entire 2 hours.. I bailed at like 10:30.. I tried.. but my brain got mad at me..
At least you lasted that long. Kudos for that.
I didn’t watch single ladies based on the fact that Lisa Raye and Stacey Dash were the stars. The twitter reviews made it worse. This phrase here: “Kim’s acting was like watching a graham cracker recite lines. It was that bland.” made me scream out in my office. I’m sure I’m definitely the crazy black employee. Hopefully it will be cut off soon so Stacey Dash can go off to play Dion in the Clueless sequels.
LOL! Don’t get FAHD! But yeah, those 2 can’t carry a show by themselves. They need 1 person in their midst who can make up for their acting. We shall see how long the show lasts.
So glad I made up my mind not to be interested in the show just by the previews of it….The previews had me looking like, O__o
I hadn’t even seen many previews so I didn’t have this major expectation. I went in it w/ no expectations. And was disappointed.
Yea, you got this right. My sister and I watched the first 3 mins of it and looked at each other on CUE and did a *__*
On that note, my sister got up and left to go home. YES, I’m blaming THIS show for chasing my sister away from some sibling time. Damn it…
I hated admitting that LisaRaye & Stacey “Dionne the amazing 20 something teen” Dash can’t act, but…it’s now common knowledge and I can no longer remain in denial. THANKS a LOT, Luvvie! lol
LOL! The show did chase ur sis away. And Stacey Dash is cheapening her pretty. I just kept looking at her like “You’re too cute to be this bad of an actress.”
I am out of the loop and didn’t even know about this show (I didn’t know VH-1 played anything but “I Love the 80s/90s/00s/yesterday/tomorrow”), but the way you described the writing reminds me of when my mom (white, 55) tries to talk cool. And how completely painful and uncool it is. Maybe she is their target audience? If so, it was probably a big hit.
YES! It was just like someone who’s far removed from slangs tryna write dialogue. They coulda had a 20-something as a consultant to give them tips on what folks are saying nowadays. SHAME!
I enjoyed the show and found it entertaining. I don’t think it should necessarily be billed as a romantic comedy, but rather a dramedy.
It somewhat saddens me however that whenever there’s a new Black show on the block, we tend to over-critique every single aspect of it to the point where it seems like are we really even watching the show with an attempt to enjoy it or merely soaking in what we can for blog fodder and twitter shade.
I’m not critical of it just because it was a Black show. I approached it like I’d approach any show. And this whole “let’s give any project with Black folks in it a lollipop” approach is also wack. So we should make sure to have lowered expectations for all Black shows and give them a pat in the back for effort? Nawl. Forget that. THAT is a problem. I’m not congratulating them for a show that lacked good quality just because it had brown faces.
I agree. If we want to see more of “us” on screen, we need to have better writing.
Funny thing is…you’ll be watching again next week.
YOU’ONT KNOW MY LIFE!!!
*whispers* You might be right #doe. (-___-)
Actually, i didnt think it was all that bad…lol. sure it made for some serious side eye moments but isnt that what we love to hate about tv!…lol. IT had mucho drama, just too many appearances from unnecessary ppl. but i guess it s ahigh end boutique and what not so its the usual around those parts *shrugs*. My only issue was Kelly Pitts. and thats it…(by Kelly Pitts i mean April…lol) doesnt she fit that description?
The acting was HORRID and I think it made the rest of it just that much more terrible. Yes there was drama, byt Flyy Girl, the book we all read in 7th grade also had much drama. That doesn’t mean I wanna see the tv version of it.
oh and the scandelous ALicia Keys music during every scandelous scene. just scandelous!
LOL @ the shade they threw on Alicia like that.
I noticed that too. Side eye with a smirk for that one.
I really wanted to like this show but hopefully the series is better than the piolet. the acting was bad and the music got on my nerves, can’t they have a scene without music in the back drop? i had hoped better since Queen Latifah produced it…
Oh so this was the pilot? Oh ok. I hope this is the “We were just playing. the for real one is coming next week” episode.
During the show I kept yelling: WHAT IS THIS?!! That show was terrible.
I spent the whole time shaking my head.
#Wayment…that was a romantic comedy???
Yup. They called it a romantic comedy in the trailer.
All I kept thinking was this show is not romantic nor is it a comedy…..
Right. SMH
Lisa Raye didn’t have not one more time to say, “he could get it all of it.” MA’AM! How old are you? This show really made me angry. I just wanted to kick someone.
LOL you could kick trashcans like I did.
36 minutes is all I could take. I was so ready to enjoy this show but 36 minutes that I’ll never have again were wasted.
At least you lasted 36 minutes.
You better let these folks know. I said the SAME exact thing and used the exact word ‘horrid’ in my comments on another big blog; and was amazed at the nitwits who responded. Some 34yr old had the nerve to say “anyone who doesn’t like the show must be young because I’ve lived this life”. I didn’t bother responding to her simple ass. The fact that Queen Latifah is an executive producer on this project makes it worse. How do we go from Living Single to Girlfriends only to revert and have Single Ladies as representation for young women of color?! Where is the progression?
Ok that 34 yr old is overgrown. I’ma need her to stop getting her life experiences outta Zane novels cuz… NAWL.
A 2 hour piot, and next the real show begins.
I hope so. Maybe the real deal is starting next week. Yes.
What I want to know is who in ‘da heck’ thought these two ladies would click and make make a good show!!! 0__0 OK, I did not see the show (and really wasn’t trying to) but I know that Lisa Raye and Stacey Dash can’t act their way out of a box and Luvvie tells the truth and nothing but the truth!, so I will take her word for it. But to be fair (and maybe the second show will hurt less), I will(wo)man up and give it a few minutes of my time and see just how bad it really is. Besides I love a good laugh.
LisaRaye and Stacey Dash apparently DON’T click because they almost went to blows on set. LisaRaye woulda wiped the floor w/ Stacey.
Yeah watch the show for yourself. Who knows? Maybe you’ll like it.
What tha…!!! My daughter and I watched the rerun and I think she summed it up in two words – low budget! Who let this happen? I.Just.Can’t. smh….
Low budget indeed!
I felt sad for everybody involved in the show… producers, actors, and tv viewers alike..!! Everything was SOOO over the top bad I literally thought it was a spoof of a real show for the first 30 minutes. A stench of depression leaked over me once I realized it was attempting to be a legit comedy.
All the woman on the show are entirely too old to be going though what they’re going through.. It makes me sad for young black america that this is what they “expect” us to relate too!!
I’m embarrassed for ALL parties. Even the people who provided the catering on the set. And LisaRaye and Stacey have been playing the same roles for 15 yrs. smh.
lisa raye stole that watch, thats when i thought they was trying to make a “HOOD” movie?
Yeah it got slightly hood right then.
Yeah- I was not impressed by Diamond 2011. Oh Lisa Raye- haven’t you learned to make the money and not let the money make you? Someone said I was being snobby…but sorry the whole “poppin bottles mentality” is just not entertaining to me.
The acting was flat and not believable (like they were filming a reality show instead of a scripted show), the story lines were surface and the celebrity appearances were just overkill. I think this is what happens when you try to let the celebrity (and not the acting) carry the show.
But that’s just me.
I know that black folks can do better- I’m not a big Shonda or Gray’s fan but hot damn she and Mara Brock Akil need to start consulting ASAP.
Black folks CAN do better. This is why I’m especially side-eyeing this. We complain about not getting many opportunities in media. When we get it, we need to knock it out the ballpark and do something of good quality.
I think what had me shaking my head was the unrealistic, unnecessary and silly scene with Lisa Ray stealing the watch. What in the heezie? Just trif! A train wreck for sure..
That watch stealing scene was painful to watch. So old dude is just asleep and won’t wake up? Right.
someone must really love alicia keys to.
Common – he FAHN – was the best actor on the show. The bad part? Cam’Ron was the second best. I watched all two hours. I was about to turn off the TV
right before the 1st of what turned out to be 3 s e x scenes. If the make those longer and more frequent and have Common in one….DON’T JUDGE ME!!!!Anyway, I think they really need to embrace this show for what it’s worth. i need more random negro cameos. May I humble suggest El Debarge, Charli Baltimore, Marion Barry, Jermaine Jackson, Six from “Blossom,” will.i.am and, of course, Cicely Tyson?AND they need Clifton Powell. What’s a black movie/video/car wash without Clifton???
I totally agree with you assessment of this show. Wow.
I’d also like to add to the list horrible lighting and the questionable makeup on Stacey Dash. In several of the outdoor scenes the lighting was completely different between cuts. And the makeup on Stacey. She was shiny a lot of the time and in some scenes her skin looked terrible. I’d be mad, to say the least.
Yeah I could see her concealer at times. They didn’t fully blend it. Stacey is lowkey starting to age, like a normal person should.
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I didn’t watch this… and after reading your review I’m SO glad! Sounds like this show is garbage. Now that Basketball Wives is back on I’m sure that will suffice for everyone’s guilty pleasure. I hope this show slowly withers away… or maybe more quickly lol
Yeah Basketball Wives came back just in time. But folks will surely flip the channel when it ends to avoid this one.
sad…really sad…I want my 2 hours back!!!
It was soooooo sad. When Lisa Raye cooked dinner for dude and HE.DIDN’T.EVEN.EAT.IT!!! yOU KNOW THAT WAS fake….
That scene was soooo stilted. And that dude delivered his lines like he was in some sexy movie w/ blue tint. Ew.
“In 1995, they coulda been effective and cutting edge. But unless you’re also wearing Cross Colours overalls and huge Africa medallions, you should not utter any of these phrases.”
iDIED! HAHAHAHAHA!
So true.
I only speak truths lol
single ladies rating are in, and they are 1.8 million viewers watched the movie on monday?
I wonder how many will tune in again next Monday.
I was sooo excited when I found out a new show featuring a mainly black cast was premiering. Damn I was disappointed after watching. The acting was TERRIBLE. After five minute of watching the show, my hubby and I looked at each and he said, “Turn the channel, I’m not fittin to watch this”! They should have cast me; I could’ve done a better job!
Once again, folks were tricked into thinking it could be good. Joke’s on us.
Alright it was kinda bad. It seemed like they tried to revive the original “The Game” with a “Baby Boy” mix. I highly recommend you all tell the show creators and writers so they know this is not quality work. Help them help themselves. Don’t be silent.
We should write the creators and make them feel ashamed for this piss poor quality show. I support that.
@queenv: baby boy? huh where i didn’t see that, when i was watching it.
I really don’t think people auditioned or read lines to be a part of this project. In my head it was just a lot of people calling in favors. I really hope that the producers didn’t really pay these people in actual real money. I think it was more like… “Hey, meet us at the spot and wear something nice cause you’re gonna be on tv!” Yep.. that’s my version of the casting. You can hear Puffy calling Latifah and telling her that Kim’s been bothering him to pull some strings to get her in on the deal.. right?
You’re right. There couldnt be an audition process b/c they were all just terrible.
FINALLY GOT AROUND TO WATCHING IT YESTERDAY. LOVE YOUR REVIEW. IT WAS HORRIBLE. MCCOY’S, DASH’S AND SHEA’S(SO CALLED) PERFORMACES WAS ……THTE SICKNESS. FIRST MCCOY AND DASH HAVE SPEECH PROBLEMS..THEY DON’T TALK/SPEAK TO GRAB ANYONE’S ATTENTION (U KNW LIKE BEYONCE; HER SPEAKING IS ALL OFF LEVEL, SO IS HER SINGING BUT THAT’S ANOTHER SITUATUON) IF YOU WANT TO BE IN THE BIZZ THEN TAKE LESSONS. I DID SET THE DVR TO RRECORD TONIGHT’S/TOMORROW (NOT SURE WHEN SERIRES START) TO SEE HOW THEY’VE TWEEKED THE UPCOMING SHOWS, SINCE THE MOVE WAS FILMED OVA YR A GO)….WE’LL SEE
I completely disagree. I thought the comedy was subtle but still funny. i think Lisa Raye isnt the best actress but she definitely isnt the worse. I believe thats just the way she acts in real life therefore thats how she acts. i think Stacey dash is very natural. I believe she really is how her character acts. I think the lines arent elementary-like…I feel like they are not trying to over do it…make it seem so scripted. I am a very critical person in the sense that I notice alot of things but I have seen nothing wrong with SIngle Ladies. A few of the minor characters arent the best actors but they are not completely horrible and do not take away from the show. Its funny how other black people are so easy to tear apart one of the few african american tv shows but they fail to mention tv shows like 16 and pregnant. The type of reality show that actually encourages teens to think it is okay to have a baby. Yeah it may show that they might struggle but ultimately it shows them in a positive way. They are depicted as socialites. They are on the cover of magazines like its cool to have babies at a young age. I guess teen pregnancy is a cool new trend huh? While all of you could be talking about how this blasphemy should not be praised, instead you bash Single Ladies….And fyi lisa raye and stacey dash are not playing their real age. hello??? how would stacey dash get pregnant at 45? highly unlikely…..but hey just my opinion/
Black/ white/ other… It Doesn’t matter. The movie was garbage. I was extremely disappointed.
Pretty much.
Stacy Dash in that blue dress in the first episode is worth me watching the series for another glimpse.
i’m so glad you got this. I was watching the first episode and I couldn’t even finish it. You just listed the three things that make up any good show and they were all terrible in this instance. It was literally the backdrops, eye candy and soundtrack that kept me going for that first half an hour.
The acting was HORRENDOUS. ‘Mediocre at best’ is being way too kind. It was downright offensive. Writing was corny and poorly pieced together and every character was 2 dimensional. I love queen Latifah as well and she is a brilliant actress (set it off), but this was just a huge messs. I think the fact that it made it to season 2 (even past the pilot) shows that black people really do support each other, regardless of the quality of the product