So, as you know the BET reality show “Harlem Heights” is all anyone is talking about these days. Last Monday ABC was in Harlem and did an exclusive interview with the cast inside of Brooke’s apartment. Check it out here.
ABC News: Exclusive Interview with Cast of Harlem Heights
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Get with it
April 19, 2009
“heck, if they’re really smart they would not have a Facebook or Myspace sight either”
That is a bogus statement, especially in this day and age. I know plenty of professionals, companies, etc that are encouraged to have online profiles in order to increase their digital footprint. Its just a matter of WHAT information you share on these profiles, and making sure your online presence is consistent.
You better get with it and stop living in the stone age!
HBB
April 15, 2009
another show full of shit! ay ya!
anon
April 14, 2009
jaysa, then perhaps the show should be titled, “Black Harlem Heights” or “African American Harlem Heights”. It’s current branding does not reflect the accurate cross section of the young 20-something professionals of Harlem. The name and casting leverages on the implication, the assumption, the innuendo that synonymous with the brand Harlem is Black, exclusively.
Young Professional Harlem 2009 is not exclusively Black, yet the show is, and portrays a inaccurate and flawed perception and notion of young professional Harlem. I believe in fact the majority ethnicity of Harlem, the 15th Congressional District is in fact Latino/Hispanic. Could they not include at least ONE clearly defined Puerto Rican or Dominican? In the name of reflecting truth and accuracy?
jaysa
April 14, 2009
I realize this is a reality show and diversity should be portrayed, but was diversity portrayed in the television show ‘Friends’ or ‘Seinfield’. Can we have a show that is about us and for us without the entire cast being white and a producer decides to add one black person to add some flavor.
Humme
April 14, 2009
“If you were not beautiful & Black you probably had no shot to be in the cast. go to 125th & lenox any work day and it’s clear half of the young professionals of harlem are non-Black. can you imagine if the show broadcasted the truth? young White professionals going about their lives in Harlem? in fact, that would probably be a more interesting and better show, the truth.”
Really? Then what point would there be in airing that show on BET? You don’t see a white face on any of the Real Housewives shows except the Atlanta version, and even then they made sure to include a white woman. Don’t you worry, they’re never really left out of anything.
Linda
April 14, 2009
I saw two episodes and was bored out of my mind. It’s all “me, me, me, blah blah blah.” And where is the diversity that I see every day in Harlem–people of all colors, creeds, and races living and working together?
But what really blows my mind is the self-centeredness of the characters. I guess that comes with the reality show biz.
MzVirgo
April 13, 2009
I’m a few episodes in…..
I don’t think Harlemites act or talk the way these cast members do. My only gripe with the show is that the cast is ALWAYS at Body (the club)! Is there nowhere else to go? Granted, I’ve seen them at The Den, Moca, Nectar, etc. But they always are at Body!
Also noticing that we don’t see Brooke at her job, even though she works at MTV. Hmmm……
yasmine
April 13, 2009
reality shows are not real, all tv is scripted. harlem’s brightest young professionals come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. the show casted a look and excluded overweight people, anyone who was not African American, etc. in fact if you were not beautiful & Black you probably had no shot to be in the cast. go to 125th & lenox any work day and it’s clear half of the young professionals of harlem are non-Black. can you imagine if the show broadcasted the truth? young White professionals going about their lives in Harlem? in fact, that would probably be a more interesting and better show, the truth. “Young White Professionals Living in Harlem”. Loves it!
anon
April 13, 2009
It seems like the 3rd person from the left is grabbing his crotch…..not a good picture.
Humme
April 13, 2009
This show is bogus. In addition to what “Private” said, my own big clue was in the credits. June Ambrose is credited as a stylist. “A stylist,” you ask? Yeah, I wondered the same thing. That’s why these hip guys and gals look so polished all the time. Ms. Ambrose is a celebrity stylist who has enhanced the looks of Black stars for years. But if these up and coming professionals are really living large, why don’t they just pay her directly instead of letting the show do it? I don’t buy the way these folks always turn up at the hottest bars and boutiques in Harlem, either. I bet they’d never know about these places if location scouts hadn’t steered them there.
Private
April 13, 2009
From what I’m told, only 1 or 2 of the cast members is actually what Harlemites consider to be “from Harlem”, the rest moved here within the last couple of years. I know a number of young Black professionals in Harlem….but we’re too busy working at our firms and keeping our jobs (in this economy). I am talking about bankers, lawyers, accountants, etc and we are not interested in such silly exploitive shows. Furthermore it would be career suicide for any young Black talented professional person to be on reality show and derail you entirely from the partnership track and chase. Firms (i Banks, Law Firms, Accountancy Practices) are conservative and participating in such foolishness would be frowned up. Smart young professionals would never engage in such shows, heck, if they’re really smart they would not have a Facebook or Myspace sight either, that’s “Career Strategy 101″.
The cast is comprised of the “willing”. Those seeking fame and willing to allow writers characterize them in a scripted light. I know 3 of the cast members and each view their involvement in this show as a stepping stone to other entertainment business aspirations.