TV Review: Black.White - 3/15/06
Published March 18, 2006
Carmen then babbles a bit before making a comment where it sounds like she is objectifying the members, referring to a "powerful black male physique." She also mentions that she has not determined yet whether one young man is gay or straight, as if it is any of her business, let alone appropriate to say in front of the group. When she is done, the poets split. Can you blame them?
Renee later sums up her reaction to Carmen's speech at the poetry incident: "I was so embarrassed and angry at the same time. There she goes again." And Renee is right.
Instead of listening, Carmen keeps talking. Instead of learning, she continues to display her ignorance. Carmen seems aware of the problem but acts powerless to change it.
"They already knew that whites were insensitive and ignorant," Carmen says to Bruno, Renee and the rest of the two families, "and you are coming here to prove that we say stupid things... Sure, I have fulfilled that for you."
Rose sums up the situation well, pointing out how the two families interpreted events and remarks in such different ways.
"This is a very, very accurate microcosm of what can happen," Rose said.
Bruno amends the remark: "What does happen, every day, all over the world."
Exactly.
So let's change it; let's break the pattern.
If the Brunos and Carmens of the world can listen and stop making bad assumptions - be it use of the n-word or the b-word or whatever - maybe they can start learning. At this point, the family does not seem to be learning anything except that they are good at showing they know how to make jackasses of themselves on television. And, I have no sympathy for them. They have a chance to learn some valuable lessons and, so far, are blowing it.
Hopefully, next week's episode will show them being more thoughtful and considerate. Somehow, I doubt it.
- TV Review: Black.White - 3/15/06
- Published: March 18, 2006
- Type: Review
- Section: Video
- Filed Under: Video: Television, Video: Reality TV, Video: Film and TV Business, Video: Documentary
- Writer: Scott Butki
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- Scott Butki's personal site
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Comments on this articleComments
great review Scott. like i told you on the other thread, i missed a portion of the show, but from what i saw, i'm going to have to agree that the idea of this show is pointless unless the families are willing to be open-minded and willing to actually learn something.
what you said about Bruno and Carmen was pretty accurate...but i think Renee is just as bad. from what i saw, it seemed like she was looking for someone to show signs of racism.
and i think that Carmen was wrong about the whole "bitch" thing, but then Renee totally kept it going, almost like she needed to argue about something. she just couldn't let it go.
what's the deal with the son, though? i hardly saw him, does he interact with anyone? or did i miss that when i was putting my daughter to bed?
The son was barely shown but appears to figure prominently in next week's show.
Yeah Renee also appears close-minded. I think Carmen hit it when she said Renee wanted to see ignorant comments and Carmen did that for her.
I'm not sure I buy this theory but this is what Tyler wrote in the comments section of my review of the first episode:
I read on imdb, confirmed on tv.com, that the white family, at least, are actors not related to each other.
Bruno is an actor, Carmen is NOT his gf (first they said they were married), and Rose is not related to either. In fact Rose is one of the stars of a Disney Show called Movie Surfers. Her name is Rose Bloomfield, not Rose Wuergel. I can't believe RJ Cutler would produce a "Reality" show, but use actors.
That is quite pathetic.
actors huh? i suppose it's fair then to assume that the black "family" are all actors also.
which makes this whole "experiment" a complete farce. so much for racial progress and opening ones eyes to a different culture.
Scott...have you looked at the links that Tyler provided from your other review?
I followed one link and saw they have credits as actors but does that neccesarily mean they are not a white family?
let's not discriminate against them just because they are actors:)
lol...i wouldn't discriminate if they truly are indeed actors, but then the show just loses credibility as a "reality show", right? what would be the point?
Loses credibility as a reality show? You mean, reality shows used to have credibility?
A friend taped this week's episode so I'll watch it tonite. Did anyone here see it?
Except Bruno said he was a school teacher, and Rose's weepy tear just don't seem sincere anymore.
What makes you think Rose's tears are not sincere?
Add your comment, speak your mind
(Or ping: http://blogcritics.org/mt/tb/45159)
Did others watch the show this week?
Am I being too harsh on Carmen?