S. Samuel
Atlanta rapper Shawty Lo continues to face more heat for his upcoming "All My Babies Mamas" reality series with a popular radio show host now taking aim at the dicey project.
Radio host Morris “Mo’Kelly” O’Kelly issued an open statement with his problems toward the realty series.
“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)
O’Kelly also threatened to take action beginning this Thursday (January 3).
“”Diversity” intimates more than just faces of different colors which grace your network. It also implies and demands a level of respect for varying hues and the imagery put forth. The fact that this project was green-lighted means that there has been complicity (and thus blame to be parsed) at all levels of your network. A number of people said “yes” to this project, long before the press release was written and they are collectively responsible. If you are of the opinion that “all publicity is good publicity,” I am here to disabuse you of this notion. Starting Thursday (Jan 3.) you will see why. From my radio shows (KFI, the #1 talk station in America * XM Satellite * KTLK AM1150) to my syndicated columns and network of African-American media professionals, I assure you this will go down as one of the worst decisions in the history of your network.” (Statement)
A few days ago, a New York woman named Sabrina Lamb sent a statement slamming the series on Change.org.
Petitioning Oxygen Media, Electus and DiGa Vision Oxygen Media, Electus and DiGa Vision: Cancel Shawty-Low show and all programming which demeans black children, girls/women and stereotypes black men!!! These companies profit by humiliating girls and women by promoting degrading images. They have gone too far and we are boycotting their advertisers. (Change)
Details of the projected spring 2013 program bubbled online last week.
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)
