S. Samuel
Atlanta rapper Shawty Lo continues to receive critcism for his upcoming "All My Babies' Mamas" reality television show and a growing number of petition signatures to boycott the unaired special.
Activist Sabrina Lamb started a publicized movement last month to get the Oxygen Channel’s attention and has no plans of slowing down her mission.
Rapper Carlos ‘Shawty Lo’ Walker needs condoms and therapy, not a reality show, says Sabrina Lamb, a prolific writer, commentator and now activist. She may have gotten her wish: the show’s 13-minute Youtube trailer has been pulled, and mention of this show is nowhere to be found on Internet Movie Database, though there could be other reasons for that. Oxygen’s description of the show, posted in December, was not on their website earlier today. Last time I looked, the petition (which names Oxygen Media and production entities Electus and DiGa Vision) had about 13,500 signatures and was gaining by the minute. (Forbes)
Oxygen Media has already stepped up to denounce Lamb’s accusations and clear up the perception of Lo’s show.
“Oxygen’s one-hour special in development is not meant to be a stereotypical representation of everyday life for any one demographic or cross section of society. It is a look at one unique family and their complicated, intertwined life,” Oxygen Media tells RadarOnline.com exclusively. “Oxygen Media’s diverse team of creative executives will continue developing the show with this point of view.” (RadarOnline)
Radio host Morris “Mo’Kelly” O’Kelly issued an open statement on the show last month.
“A reality TV show featuring a rapper, his TEN baby mamas and ELEVEN children? And you thought this was going to be good for your business and profile within the African-American community, on a network co-founded by Oprah Winfrey? I will save the pith of my commentary for my columns and programs, but in short…this show can not happen. As a respected African-American media professional I can not in good conscience allow this program to move forward. There must be accountability as to the programming decisions at your network.” (Statement)
Details of Lo’s new television venture sprouted online heading into the New Year.
Oxygen Media has ordered what they’re describing as a “daring” (according to their press release) new 1-Hour special titled All My Babies’ Mamas, which will premiere next spring. The project will center on the complicated lives of one man, his many women, and their many children. Further… the series which comes from creative duo Liz Gateley and Tony DiSanto of DiGa Vision…… will capture the highs and lows of this extreme ‘blended family’ that is anything but ordinary, while also showing the drama and the passion behind life’s most unexpected situations. In addition, Cori Abraham, Senior Vice President of Development at Oxygen Media, says: “‘All My Babies’ Mamas’ will be filled with outrageous and authentic over-the-top moments that our young, diverse female audience can tweet and gossip about.” (Indie Wire)
