Before the show aired, I decided that it was going to be a flop because BET is known for taking original concepts and turning them into failures. But I was pleasantly surprised within the first five minutes when not only did I see the parents of the cast members, but I saw them holding their children accountable for their behavior, which is a rare occurrence for the show's prototype.
Parental accountability aside, the regular antics of privileged teenagers ensue. They spend copious amounts of their parents' money, talk about how great their lives are--based on their access to that money--and spend equal amounts of time judging the less fortunate, who happens to be a girl named Staci. Staci is the one middle-class girl on the show who doesn't live in Baldwin Hills. She is from a neighborhood that the rich girls like to call the "J's." What are the "J's?" I am not really sure. But it's clear that it is an undesirable 'hood far away from the manicured lawns and beautiful vistas of Baldwin Hills.
To show the stark contrast of their lives, we see both sides go shopping before a big party. While the rich girls shop at luxury boutiques like Christian Audigier for custom-made Ed Hardy t-shirts, Staci takes a trip to Rainbow, a bargain basement for the broke-but-fashionable teenager. As Staci cringes at $20 price tags, the Baldwin Hills girls drop $500 on an outfit without remorse. The differences don't stop there. You can see the huge gap between Staci and the Baldwin Hills girls in their vernacular and sensibilities.
All in all, I loved "Baldwin Hills." It provided--what I believe--is a balanced portrayal of what life is like for upper-class and middle-class African Americans, which is something we so rarely see on television outside of the syndicated episodes of "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air" and "The Cosby Show." This season of "Baldwin Hills" will either bridge the gap between the "haves" and the "have-nots" in the black community, or further widen it. Only time will tell ...
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I love the show it's very real it provides a great concept of life from the other side as far as the rich teens. Staci is not the only one living in the "J"s so is SAL him an Staci lives are complety different from the Teens in Baldwin Hills, they are on there own trying to get jobs break out int the music Industry and finding out if College education will benfit them in the long run. The teens in Baldwin hills are also facing the strugles og the real world, evrthing is not handed to you just becasue you ask for it well some of them like Moriha;s mom will not get haima car knowing his father is famous for playing in the NBA.
Staci is not middle class. She is one person on the show that's considered poor, or working class. That's exactly why when SHE makes bad choices they seem more stereotypical.
justin wear some better shoes
Why is the 2nd season so short? They are showing the finale on Tuesday this week.
The"J's" is short for the "Jungles" where there are so many apt bldgs and the streets are confusing when you come for the first time you could get lost, its a blood neighborhood not far from the homes on the hills. It's actually the neighborhood that's featured in the movie Training Day where Lonzo's Latina lady and son lived.
Someone please tell me why the second season is so short???
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