Much Ghetto About Nothing

Execs at BET are under fire from both television critics and advertisers for their upcoming show Hot Ghetto Mess.

Based on the the website of the same name, the show combines viewer-submitted home videos and man-on-the-street interviews that the channel says are intended to challenge and inspire "viewers to improve themselves and their communities." Did we mention that the website features photos of men and women who are mostly black, living in extreme hip-hop fashion, most notably their hairstyles and clothing.

Kinda like tough love through shame.

Turning the critical eye on one's own peeps is nothing new. From The Redd Foxx Show to In Living Color to Chappelle's Show, satirizing and drawing attention to the negative aspects of their culture have provided some of the funniest moments on television as well as the most thought provoking commentary. The website is embracing, but hardly controversial, and methinks that not only is the uproar premature but perhaps unnecessary, save some sly marketing to draw more attention and viewers to the show.

The real news is that Hot Ghetto Mess was my breakdancing name, and now they're locking it up with usage so I can't reform my crew to take back the streets and do a fundraiser so the Miracles community center won't fall into the hands of greedy developers. We did a badass set to "Taxman" from The Beatles, and I had a polo shirt with my name in big fuzzy felt heat transfer letters on it.