Let's Stay Together is another of the newest half-hour shows in the revamped BET programming schedule, and much like Reed Between the Lines, meh. I'm not feeling it too much. I was interested in some of the previews when I found out that Kyla Pratt was joining the show as a cousin of two of the main characters, but she didn't have much screen time so it felt like a blink-and-miss premiere to me. I joined the show at the premiere of the 2nd season so I don't really know what the 1st season had to offer, but I hope it was better than tonight's premiere. lol
Much like I said with Reed Between the Lines, I think Let's Stay Together is trying to bring back programming of old with a little bit of today's concepts, but to me it falls a little flat. The show focuses on three sets of couples, most of whom are somehow related, trying to make their various relationships work when presented with different obstacles. Again, the cast isn't the problem--most of them are veteran actors and I've enjoyed half of them in previous roles. For me, it's the writing. Today's episode featured a cameo by Kandi Burress and my lawd! I have to give her a slight pass because she's really a singer, but oh my damnit she cannot act. It felt like her acting impacted the actress she shared her cameo with, because their exchange felt super scripted and super forced. Again, the jokes fall flat. There are a couple of moments that I chuckled or smirked, but I can't say I actually laughed throughout the episode and the only time I can remember coming close it was only because one of the characters was acting straight nigga in public. lol The plot itself really wasn't all that good and I walked away dissatisfied.
I really wish BET would get their writing together and come up with better material for these actors. The network has many talented names on their payroll, and I personally believe they deserve to have better material and plotlines written out for them. The sets are stiff and look too prop-like, some of the characters still seem a little stiff with the plot itself and the storylines they choose to make the focal point of the episode just can't carry it because they're no more than side story potential to me. Let's Stay Together could be a fantastic show and would help me begin to enjoy watching BET again--I haven't enjoyed watching the channel in almost if not over 10 years, so that should show how long I've been dissatisfied. I'm waiting, almost with baited breath, for some quality Black programming that isn't a reality show.
As I mentioned in my review of Reed Between the Lines, I do miss the cheesiness of yesterday's Black programming. I miss the simple plots, however they were simple in a way that was still able to carry the show. Today's simple plots are just that--simple. And not in a good way. The casts of both of these shows are young, sexy, and it would be nice to see them do a mix of yesterday's themes with a modern twist on it. As much as I miss tv themes of old, times have changed and I realize television needs to reflect that so we as viewers can still relate. That's not even my problem. My problem is that those people who write these plots don't reflect it. While I SEVERELY doubt Clair Huxtable would ever suggest spicing up her life with Cliff by acting out a scene from a porn, I doubt Cliff would even watch it. So yesterday's plot with Charles & Stacy doing that reflects a normal and modern problem affecting couples now--one of the two usually watches some sort of pornography and in an effort to not only get them to stop but bring some variety to the bedroom, the other will emulate it. I have no problem with that. My problem is that it didn't stand out; it wasn't done in an interesting way.
Bitchy Review: Again, this cast of actors and actresses is not my problem. It is the writing. I think BET has the potential to strike gold with their tv programming; not only is it not reality-driven like many other channels but it prominently features Black actors and actresses, something I believe more sitcoms are in need of these days. Even with times changing, the amount of diversity in programming unfortunately has not. With the big acquiring of The Game from The CW Network in addition to these new programs, BET stands to gain so many Black viewers and bring back old viewers by doing something new and exciting. The writing material on these shows, unfortunately, is killing it.
Bitchy Review: close but no bitch. 2 (out of 5)
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