After the first episode, I had expressed concern that Bruno, the white father, was acting like a clueless know-it-all who seemed surprised that Brian was upset when Bruno used the n-word. In this episode, Carmen was doing stupid, ignorant things. When called on it, she pleaded ignorance. I think it was more a matter of her being clueless and insensitive. I have not decided which is worse – being ignorant or being clueless.
A perfect example: the two mothers were working with a dialect coach who was telling them how to speak white or black so they can better pass as an alternate race. Then, seemingly out of left field, Carmen says, “Yo, bitch!”
The black woman, Renee, looks at her, clearly offended.
“I really thought that was an affectionate term among black women,” Carmen said. Yes, that was really her defense. Renee responds that Carmen is not so stupid that she would think it was an acceptable comment to make.
The exchange is referred to several more times during the hour-long show and gradually becomes known as “the bitch incident.” At one point, Bruno suggests that Renee is "fixated" on the insult.
The one bright spot for the white family — the one member who seems to be an active listener and learn from this experience — is the daughter, Rose. She is part of an all-black poetry class. She participated in at least one class while in blackface. She also made such a pitiful attempt at rapping that it made me miss Vanilla Ice, who seemed brilliant in comparison.
Rose agonizes and cries over feeling awful that she is pretending to be black and decides to break the news to the group. They are understandably surprised and disturbed but more subdued in their reaction than I anticipated. Rose invites the group over to the house so they can see what she really looks like. Why they had to go to her house to see this remains unexplained. Either way, it’s a big mistake because if they go to her house they’ll meet Bruno and Carmen.
The poets share some of their material and it was wonderful. There are some talented writers among the bunch. Then Carmen ruins the moment. She starts by thanking them for sharing their poetry and telling them they are amazing artists. She says it in a way that suggests the poets were hoping for her approval and should now be pleased that the white woman has said they are good folks.
Article comments
1 - Scott Butki
Did others watch the show this week?
Am I being too harsh on Carmen?
2 - chantal stone
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?
3 - Scott Butki
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.
4 - Scott Butki
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.
5 - chantal stone
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?
6 - Scott Butki
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:)
7 - chantal stone
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?
8 - Scott Butki
Loses credibility as a reality show? You mean, reality shows used to have credibility?
9 - chantal stone
lol good point
10 - Scott Butki
A friend taped this week's episode so I'll watch it tonite. Did anyone here see it?
11 - tracy
Except Bruno said he was a school teacher, and Rose's weepy tear just don't seem sincere anymore.
12 - Scott Butki
What makes you think Rose's tears are not sincere?