Comments on: Reed Between the Lines ( BET Sitcom )…

By: Baldheaded Fool

Baldheaded Fool — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 05:20:34 +0000

First off, congrats to BET for finally doing something positive in the last 20 years. Second, as much as I want to like this show it is uninspired in writing, acting and chemistry between characters. This show suffers from the same problem as many other current shows – contrived, academically induced ideas. Instead the execs need to study real black families to find out what their lives are really like in 2011. The best ideas come from real life Hollywood. Network execs and actors are often stuck in their own cocoons. Every black person doesn’t have to be a doctor, professor or law partner. Or on the opposite spectrum, a gangster, bus driver or cook either. How about representing a true middle class family, maybe a state worker perhaps or if they are in corporate, make them a cubicle worker frustrated with their role in life. Those would be more typical, scenarios for the average worker. Also during the 70s and 80s shows used to be based in a variety of geographic locales (not just NY, CHI and LA). We need a modern day Norman Lear to bring fresh ideas to the screen.

By: Patricia McNutt

Patricia McNutt — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 18:28:10 +0000

Actually, I finally watch the show and really enjoyed it. I think that we are so anxious and drawn to seeing so much drama, violence and sex, that we been brainwashed to think that if we don’t have it, the show is no good. I like the way the parents work out their differences and the interaction with the kids. I hope they don’t cancel the show…great work BET! We as black people gotta elevate to another level from being so accepting to negative imagery of us to embracing positivity. I love the show and see it as a positive step that BET is doing vs all of the drama and reality shows.

By: Elle

Elle — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 02:17:59 +0000

The show sucks. BET fails yet again.

By: charleena

charleena — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 18:22:50 +0000

Wait wait wait! Hawthorne has been canceled! Nooooooo! Now on to Reed between the lines – it really has the potential to be a great show. The basis for it is good but it does need more drama and it needs more of a romantic feel between MJW and TER to make this seem more real.

By: LadyHawk

LadyHawk — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 16:43:30 +0000

I am all about positive nubians being portrayed in the media but this show just doesn’t do it for me. I don’t think Cosby Show or even Family Matters with this show but I am more likely to watch re-runs of both of those shows before I watch this one. I am confused about the step-children angle and why the writers felt the need to weave that in versus having a straight up family. It serves no purpose but to lead up to some dramatic situation later. I do love the aspect of Alex homeschooling (which is generally overlooked) the youngest child but she lacks a certain “natural cuteness” that we have come to expect from the youngest child on any show. Karla – she is plain corny. Her whole demeanor is drab and whiny. Alex tries too hard which makes him annoying in that regard (think Malcolm and Eddie which he was better on). The twins have no chemistry and lack the ebb and flow that you’d expect from a teenage siblings. The family as a whole just is not vibing in my opinion and it makes the show tough to watch and enjoy. Even Anna Marie Horsford’s character has more life than the main characters. I will continue to watch the show in hopes of better things to come but I won’t be breaking my neck to keep up with it.

By: BlackBeauty

BlackBeauty — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 23:20:52 +0000

Unfortunately, (and I so wanted this show to work), these two people (whom I love), have no chemistry!

I just don’t believe them!

The kids also have no real chemistry with each other and certainly not with their parents.

This show seems to lean towards the “Cosby Show”, and that may be the problem. The writers/producers need to leave the COSBY show aspect alone, and move towards something a tad different. For instance, why does both parents have to be doctor/professor? Why not an engineer and a nurse or marketing director, or school cafeteria worker, truck driver, store clerk/manager, musician, mailperson, or any of the many other professions/jobs that human beings work at during their lifetime?

I have watched most of each show and I have not seen any segment where the dialogue was “hilarious”!

Great lead actors, but the wrong vehicle for both.

I simply do not believe them!