Entertainment

Reel-ality TV Talk

Published

11 years ago

June 15, 2015

By Marquesa LaDawn
NNPA Columnist

Real Housewives of Atlanta (RHOA) via Kandi’s Family ski trip just ended and it was really good. It’s no secret that this family had some kinks in the relationships department. The real divas on steroids were Mama Joyce and the old lady gang, as they call themselves. Frankly, without them in the mix, it would have been a bit boring.

Some highlights:

Mama Joyce and Carmen (Kandi’s assistant and best friend) had it out and all hell broke lose. Carmen finally realized that the gossip has nothing to do with her, Mama Joyce had some issues she needs to face. Carmen had a conversation with Mama Joyce’s sisters and all was confirmed. The sisters agreed that Mama Joyce needs to deal with some internal stuff.
Because of the big argument between Carmen and Mama Joyce, Kandi had to admit to herself, her Mama just refuses to accept her husband.
Todd was so frustrated that he swore on his mother’s grave that he’s never been with Carmen and those words seem to shut Mama Joyce down.
Todd, for the first time, felt welcomed into the family by the old lady gang and all it took was a trip to the “pot” shop.
The mini-series ended with the family writing down their issues with one another on a slip of paper and burning it to signify a new start.
Everyone burned their issues and accepted some type of responsibility, even Mama Joyce –kinda.

This was wonderful. I will miss the Tuckers until next season.

Up north, the Real Housewives of New York (RHONY) killed it, as always. I know because I am a New Yorker and admit we can be tough in relationships! That aside, it was really good this week. Let’s start with my girl Bethenny, the business powerhouse. Bethenny, I say this in love, can be a mean girl! She either likes you or doesn’t and there is no in between. Since these ladies are in a group, this is frustrating and confusing to the ladies, I have to say, in everyday life, women make the same decisions, they just do it, with a fake smile, just saying. Anyway, Bethenny was emotional and messy boots in one scene, especially if someone disagrees with her yet professional and classy in another. Yes, it’s a rollercoaster and you have to hold on for the ride.

Did you see the skinny girl summit, dang! You go girl! Sonya was the lucky housewife guest attending and taking lots of notes. It was refreshing to see Carole stand up for Heather doing a heated conversation with Bethenny and Ramona. Bethenny was complaining about Heather mothering her. Now, I get an adult not wanting to be mothered, but I felt like Heather was being nice and caring. Bottom line, it’s not about Heather, but Bethenny’s pain around never really having a mother or a peaceful childhood. Our hearts ache for her.

This episode ended with Bethenny feeling attacked, though I think it was about boundaries. Luann’s checking in, Carole’s sharing Bethenny’s mean words with Kristen and Kristen’s asking Bethenny why. Bethenny responds with a harsh reaction and walking away, she then leaves. Whew, that was interesting!

More drama, although at times inauthentic, on the Queens of Drama from the ladies of daytime TV. Although I enjoyed the show, and simply loved Donna Mills being her alter ego, Abby Ewing, from Knots Landing. Actresses need to stay with fictional TV. Just sayin!

Married With Medicine, my medical reality TV girls are back and messier than ever. I’m surprised by how messy the relationships are so early. Keep your eyes on these gals because we are in for an over the top season for sure.

Speaking of over the top, the Braxton girls are putting on their “medium girl” panties. Between Trina’s messy divorce, kids getting married at 17, Tamar trying to get along with her sisters, this show is on fire!

Quick note on RHOBH, Kim Richards is out and her sister Kathy Hilton is in! More news on that coming soon.

Marquesa LaDawn is a professional businesswoman who escapes the pressures of living in New York City by retreating into the real world of reality TV. Follow me on twitter @realityshowgirl and subscribe to her podcast at www.RealitytvGirl.com.

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Oakland Post: Week of September 2 – 8, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of September 2 – 8, 2026

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6 days ago

September 7, 2026

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Black History

Jackie Wright Champions Bay Area Stories, Filmmakers and Cultural Institutions

As an award-winning communications professional, Wright has worked with corporations, nonprofits, government agencies, educational institutions, artists, and community organizations. In 2026, she expanded that work by launching an introductory public relations class for small businesses and nonprofits, offering practical tools for gaining visibility, shaping messages and building productive relationships with the media.

Published

2 weeks ago

August 30, 2026

Post News Group

Jackie Wright of Wright Enterprises. Photo courtesy of Wright Enterprises.

By Carla Thomas

Jackie Wright has spent more than two decades helping people, organizations and communities understand the power of a well-told story.

As founder and president of Wright Enterprises, a San Francisco-based strategic communications and public affairs firm, Wright has built a career spanning journalism, public relations, media relations, crisis communications, community engagement and multimedia storytelling.

Wright’s commitment to storytelling is also deeply personal. She wrote and co-directed the 15-minute documentary, “Love Separated in Life…Love Reunited in Honor,” which chronicles the story of her parents, Specialist Five (S5 Wyley Wright Jr. and Ouida Fay McClendon Wright. Her father, a U.S. Army helicopter crew chief, died in Vietnam in 1964 while serving as an honor guard during a visit by then-Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara. Decades later, Wright and her siblings had their father exhumed from a segregated cemetery in Jacksonville, Florida, and their mother moved from her burial place in Georgia so the couple could be reunited at Arlington National Cemetery in 2014.

The family journey later took Wright and her sister to Vietnam, where they discovered the former military compound that had been named in honor of their father and another fallen soldier. The documentary, centered on love, war, family, racial understanding, and remembrance, earned festival recognition at screenings.

“It was quite an honor to learn about my family’s history and share it on film,” said Wright.

That filmmaking experience complements Wright’s longstanding advocacy for independent cinema. She has served as a media partner and brand ambassador for Bay Area film festivals, including the San Francisco Black Film Festival, Oakland International Film Festival, and the Durban International Film Festival in South Africa.

“It’s important to help filmmakers and underrepresented stories reach broader audiences,” said Wright.

Whether promoting a neighborhood organization, championing an independent filmmaker or preserving her own family history, Wright has remained consistent. Through Wright Enterprises, she has turned communications into both a profession and a form of community service, telling stories that might otherwise go unheard.

“Our stories are an integral part of our history, and our history is not only American history, but worldwide,” she said.