SkimIt
Network: VH1
Genre: Reality TV
TV Rating: TV-14
Other Choices: Sex and the City, Pretty Little Liars, Tia & Tamera
Available On: Online
Common Sense Says: Ex-wives complain, drink, curse ... and support each other.
Common Sense Rates It:
Parents need to know
Parents need to know that Hollywood Exes features some materialistic behavior and shows people drinking frequently, but it's milder than most reality shows of this kind and actually has somewhat positive messages about women supporting each other. There's some cursing ("s--t," "f--k" bleeped), and on one occasion someone smokes a hookah pipe. Lots of mentions and images of the women's famous exes, like Eddie Murphy and Prince, with occasional appearances by the famous men.
- Families can talk about reality shows. Why do you think these women agreed to appear on this show? Are they successfully reinventing themselves by being on this show? What do these women stand to gain or lose from it?
- How does divorce change people's lives? Is divorce ever a good thing? Do you think the way media portrays relationships, especially among celebrities, offers a real picture of what goes on in a marriage?
- Are these women supportive of each other? Do you think they'd be hanging out with one another if they weren't on a TV show together? What feels authentic, and what feels forced?
What's the story?
HOLLYWOOD EXES follows five women who've been divorced from a celebrity and are working on living a life outside of their former husbands' shadow. It stars dancer Andrea Kelly, former wife of R. Kelly; Nicole Murphy, former wife of Eddie Murphy; and Sheree Fletcher, Will Smith's ex-wife. Rounding out the group are Prince's ex-wife, Mayte Garcia, and Jessica Canseco, former wife of controversial baseball player Jose Canseco. From adjusting to having less money to restarting their careers in an effort to redefine themselves, these women try to support one another as they create a new life for themselves and their families.
Is it any good?
Hollywood Exes highlights some of the adjustments that women divorced from rich and famous singers, actors, and athletes must make when they embark on a single life, including readjusting their spending habits to dealing with everyday issues like paying bills and cooking and cleaning for their families. They also reveal some of ways that these women lost their sense of self thanks to being overshadowed by their partner's career and celebrity status.While Hollywood Exes is milder than most reality shows of this kind thanks to the maturity of most of the featured women, it still features some mildly catty behavior. And some folks might be surprised by their lifestyles, which often seem much more luxurious than that of the average person. You have to wonder why these women are appearing on a show that's defining them by their former celebrity relationship. But there's some insight here, and the messages the show sends about women supporting each other is ultimately a positive one.
The Good Stuff
Messages: The series shows how a specific group of celebrity exes comes together to support one another as they rebuild their lives. There's lots of talk about material goods and access to wealth and luxury, as well as the value of beauty and the perks and challenges that come with being associated with a famous man.
Role Models: The women offer some positive insight when helping each other. Some are more mature and/or introspective than others. The women say they're trying to break free of their association with their exes, but this show is defined by their former relationships.
What to watch out for
Violence Occasional arguments break out, but nothing violent happens.
Sex: The wives are sometimes shown in revealing outfits. One likes to dance provocatively and/or occasionally take off her clothes; nudity is blurred. An ex gets vaginal rejuvenation services; her teen daughter is shown pushing her breasts.
Language: Words like "s--t," "f--k," and "a--hole" are bleeped.
Consumerism: Louis Vuitton, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and other high-end logos are visible. Southern California establishments like Rafiki Jewelers are visible. Songs by artists like Arika Kane and other performers are featured.
Drinking, drugs & smoking: Drinking (wine, cocktails, champagne, hard liquor) is visible at bars and during social gatherings. Hookah pipe smoking. References to athletes and performance-enhancing drugs.
