So...by now you all have probably heard about this whole situation with Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson and his new bride Evelyn Lozada. For those of you who have not heard about this story, please allow me to provide a quick recap as reported by various media outlets. This past weekend, the newly-married couple got into an argument after Evelyn found a receipt for condoms in Chad's vehicle. During the argument Chad allegedly headbutted Evelyn, resulting in a 3-inch gash on her forehead. Evelyn headed to a neighbor's home, and called the police to report the incident. Chad was ultimately arrested. The media is now reporting that Evelyn has officially filed for divorce from Chad after roughly six weeks of marriage.
Following these events, VH1, announced that it is pulling the plug on the series "Ev and Ocho," which documents the couples wedding plans and their journey down the aisle. In a prepared statement, the network asserted that “due to the unfortunate events over the weekend and the seriousness of the allegations, VH1 is pulling the series ‘Ev and Ocho’ from its schedule and has no current plans of airing it." Well...bravo to you VH1, but I have one question for you: are you brave enough to take this a step further? Let me explain...
In case you are not aware, VH1 is the same network that airs Basketball Wives, the show that brought Evelyn Lozada to prominence over the past few years. During her tenure on the show, Evelyn has demonstrated bully-like behavior, and is often the aggressor of much physical violence occurring on the show. In fact, and as I stated previously, Evelyn's behavior on this show is the primary reason why I have chosen not to watch it (and others like it) at all. Please be clear that Evelyn's behavior on the show does not negate the crime in which she is the alleged victim, but I think VH1's actions when it comes to Evelyn's two different roles are conflicting. After all, VH1 is the same network that willingly filmed and aired the many verbal arguments and physical fights involving Evelyn and other female cast members. The same network that showed an angry Evelyn walking across a table in an attempt to fight another woman. It is the same network that historically and currently capitalizes on women behaving badly. So please forgive me if I was utterly shocked when VH1 made the announcement that it would not air Chad and Evelyn's show...it's so unlike them!
I was raised to believe that violence is wrong...not just domestic violence, but ALL violence. Man vs. Woman, Man vs. Man, and Woman vs. Woman...it is all wrong! And unless we are watching a wrestling match, a karate bout, or a UFC fight, violence should not be a selling point on reality television...okay, maybe it's okay on the Ultimate Fighter Championship competition, but it is certainly not okay for programs like Basketball Wives, Love & Hip Hop and Mob Wives.
Back to my question: Is VH1 brave enough to take a stand against all violence? Will it send a message to the producers of all of its notorious reality shows that violence, even if it not of the domestic variety, is unacceptable? Will the promos for the next seasons of Basketball Wives, Love & Hip Hop, and Mob Wives include teasers filled with physical confrontations? Who knows!
All I am saying is that VH1 should not be the pot calling the kettle black...maybe that's not the best way to put it. The point I am hoping to get across is that VH1's reasons for not airing Ev and Ocho should be the same logic it employs when deciding whether it should air fighting between two (or more) women. You see what I'm saying?
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