Michael Vick gets a reality show, but hold the outrage
The Los Angeles Times reports that Michael Vick will star in a reality series on BET, only it really won’t be a reality series. Writes Greg Braxton:
“Producers of the Vick series emphasized the program should be considered a docu-series — not a typical reality show like VH-1’s ‘The T.O. Show,’ which revels in the excesses of its flamboyant star, wide receiver Terrell Owens. The tone of Vick’s show, say producers, will be serious and somber as it focuses on his personal struggles since his release, including the strains on his relationships with his fiancée, Kijafa Frink, and his children. It will also revisit the federal prison in Leavenworth, Kan., where Vick spent 1 1/2 years behind bars and the Virginia property where he ran and financed a dogfighting ring.”
The eight-part series, Braxton reports, is scheduled to air next year and is being financed in part by MV7, Vick’s production company. And it has, you should know, already drawn the boilerplate complaint from our pals at PETA. From a spokesman: “People who abuse animals don’t deserve to be rewarded.”
But I say everyone should just hold his/her figurative horses. (”Figurative” because I don’t want PETA mad at me.) I have a prediction, and we know how good I am at predicting, don’t we?
My prediction: Nobody will watch it.
Nobody will watch because — let’s face it — we don’t want to see “serious and somber” in our reality TV. We want to see pseudo-celebrities do silly things. We want to see the Kardashians go shopping . We want to see Kate humiliate Jon on-camera. (Though that rat deserves it.) We don’t want real reality; we want to escape our own personal too-real reality.
Vick to Braxton: “What I want to do is change the perception of me. I am a human being. I’ve made some mistakes in the past, and I wish it had never happened. But it’s not about how you fall, but about how you pick yourself up.”
Not to be totally insensitive, but that sounds far too educational and perhaps even uplifting to make for what is known as Good TV. Because Good TV is fluff. Good TV is junk. Good TV is worthless.
I am, as you might have gathered, not a fan of TV in any manifestation. Except for Kate. I like Kate.
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273 comments Add your comment
Dusty
October 8th, 2009
11:46 am
Welcome to the Reality Drek blog where everything he thinks is posted for discussion. Sorry to see Mark Bradley give it up. Now back to the mind of Reality Drek.
YOU
October 8th, 2009
11:46 am
Come “YOU” people know who “YOU” people are, so “YOU” are too stupid to know who “YOU” people are. “YOU” know what I mean?
Did you graduate from high school or are YOU actually retarded? If you are retarded, I apologize.
Reality Check
October 8th, 2009
11:46 am
Blue Fender
October 8th, 2009
11:25 am
Is seems that Reality Check was one of the ignorant masses that cheered “we won!” when OJ got off the first time. What an idiot.
“That was supposed to be a secret”
Billy
October 8th, 2009
11:49 am
hatega and Reality Check,
Well, i’m guessing that those things weren’t on TV because they happened HUNDREDS OF YEARS AGO! Get over it! And I’m pretty sure that Reality Check is just a moron trying to stir things up. And don’t flatter yourself “buddy”. You’re nowhere near smarter than me. YOU just have a problem.
Reality Check
October 8th, 2009
11:50 am
YOU
You really told me “YOU” people are so smart
Reality Check
October 8th, 2009
11:52 am
Billy
BOO HOO HOO – Do you need a tissue
AZ Jacket
October 8th, 2009
11:55 am
Non story…who cares…if the AJC writes one more story about MV I will no longer visit this page or the blogs. He is a felon and has served his time…if he can make more money legally then more power to him…of course he owes a lot of money. I don’t think he is sorry for what he did…just sorry he got caught. Reality Check..anyone with the beliefs that you proclaim would be writting their blog from a prison cell…MB loves you..keep pushing the button.
hatega
October 8th, 2009
12:01 pm
Billy, that happened less than 50 years ago. In this lifetime for most. Those sick people that participated in those acts rarely ever paid for those crimes and never got any psychological help. PETA wants Vick to undergo a psychoological examination. Where are those sickos that watched and did these terroristic acts. Maybe on talk radio or fox news.
CDawg42
October 8th, 2009
12:01 pm
The good old South. The more things change, the more they stay the same. Racists, kill yourselves, please!
Doggit
October 8th, 2009
12:02 pm
poor Vick – he is just not that smart – can’t help that
JoeC
October 8th, 2009
12:16 pm
Wish reality check would check his spelling. His lack of knowledge is showing.
YOU
October 8th, 2009
12:19 pm
Thank You Reality Check, but I was already aware the Latino’s are smart.
Oh wait, did you assume I was white?
Long Ball
October 8th, 2009
12:20 pm
Reality Jerk, you are a Vick sucker. Why don’t you suck some more Vick? HAHAHaHhaHaHaHaHaHa.
You loser imbecile.
Curious George
October 8th, 2009
12:23 pm
RE: “Racists, kill yourselves, please!” – CDawg42 @ 12:01 PM
Does this mean we can expect to read your obituary of death by your own hand tomorrow as well, CDawg42 ?
Bill Cosby is right.
October 8th, 2009
12:29 pm
The Mike Vick phenomenon is the worst thing that has happened to Atlanta’s race relations since the civil rights movement. Yes, he sold some tickets and yes, he made some exciting plays. But he also widened the racial wedge this city has been trying to overcome since 1865. Arthur Blank, a caring, passionate new owner, sold the farm to acquire this amazing young talent. The Falcons traded up for the first pick to get him; they gave him the richest contract to date; and they shamelessly coddled him. But instead of becoming the face of the franchise and the city, he became a civic nightmare, degenerating into a major embarrassment. The Ron Mexico, water bottle, blunt, and flipping-off incidents were all notorious, but minor compared to the heinous dogfighting incident. Yes, he did his time and deserves a second chance. And he got one in Philadelphia. Good for him. But what his diehard supporters cannot seem to understand is that his departure from Atlanta was his own doing. He would still be the quarterback here had he not so blatantly self-destructed. So why all the animosity towards Matt Ryan, Arthur Blank and the Falcons organization? The team did what it had to do. It moved on. But this whole affair has somehow brought out the worst racist tendencies from both sides, black and white. I am a Falcon fan and I was a Vick fan. But I can tell you why I no longer respect him. It is because he, despite his physical gifts and social advantages, unwittingly emphasizes and flaunts those very worst aspects of an historically oppressed race’s defiance. In an age where the brutal racism of just a generation ago has eased into a hopeful new era in which we have a black president, the Vick types still reject the Obamas and the Bill Cosbys as their role models. They are not black enough. Mike Vick is an ignorant, boorish slob. But he gives his supporters someone like themselves that they can look up to. If a man like Vick can achieve a high level of success while stubbornly refusing to sell out by assimilating into decent society, then they have their hero. He makes it okay that they themselves remain on the fringe of the American good life. Meanwhile, the Falcons have become good again despite the Vick fiasco. But Vick’s supporters refuse to accept his replacement because he happens to be white. And white racists continue to bait them. It is sad. But Mike Vick brought this on himself, the franchise and the city. He should be ashamed, and so should those who blindly support him for no reason other than that he is one of them.
The Truth
October 8th, 2009
12:31 pm
This is sad. YOU people know this is racial. Look at what Billy said to hatega. Hatega was right ! Correction ,this happen to Black’s less than a hundred years ago. Come on, YOU people in the 60’s were still killing and bombing church’s. Did you know YOU people used to fight Blacks/African Americans to death like dogs. Remember the story/ movie Mandingo? That is what it was about a master fighting his slave for money. YOU people have done some evil and will pay for it one day. By the way Obama farther was African therefore he would be more African than white. The Blood line is through the Farther. Mike Vick is not even the issue here.
The Truth
October 8th, 2009
12:32 pm
This is sad. YOU people know this is racial. Look at what Billy said to hatega. Hatega was right ! Correction ,this happen to Black’s less than a hundred years ago. Come on, YOU people in the 60’s were still killing and bombing church’s. Did you know YOU people used to fight Blacks/African Americans to death like dogs. Remember the story/ movie Mandingo? That is what it was about a master fighting his slave for money. YOU people have done some evil and will pay for it one day. By the way Obama farther was African therefore he would be more African than white. The Blood line is through the Father. Mike Vick is not even the issue here.
Ted Striker
October 8th, 2009
12:35 pm
I dropped TV entirely about 6 months ago. Was paying $160 a month to Charter and watching it 5-6 hours a month — tops.
Have to admit this Vick series has me thinking about getting it again though. Or, I’ll get my neighbor to raise his window, point his TV toward my house, and turn up the volume really really loud.
Reality Check
October 8th, 2009
12:38 pm
JoeC
BOO HOO HOO
Spelling can improve………….
Being an idiot is your fate
Reality Check
October 8th, 2009
12:39 pm
YOU
Actually being stupid is color blind. So “YOU” people still applies
YOU
October 8th, 2009
12:42 pm
@ The Truth- Oh my god,just say it. YOU people=White People. Afraid to sound racist? Too late!
Reality Check
October 8th, 2009
12:42 pm
Long Ball
October 8th, 2009
12:20 pm
Reality Jerk, you are a Vick sucker. Why don’t you suck some more Vick? HAHAHaHhaHaHaHaHaHa.
You loser imbecile.
“Actually sucking seems to be something you have so much knowledge in and I don’t want you to lose your job since obviously you are such a pro at it -KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK
”
Fella
October 8th, 2009
12:51 pm
Bill from VA — why don’t you just say all of Vick’s “fans” are black people, since that’s what you are alluding to? Maybe because you’re a coward and a closet racist
I see no problem with this — he did his time, he fell from the top, his name is in shambles. What else do you want from him? Do you want him to die? If so, Bill from VA has a noose you can borrow.
Dan
October 8th, 2009
12:53 pm
“What I want to do is change the perception of me. I am a human being. I’ve made some mistakes in the past, and I wish it had never happened. But it’s not about how you fall, but about how you pick yourself up.”
Good luck with that – as a professor once told my class, you can only lose your reputation once
Vick has served his sentence and is entitled to earn a living like anyone else, but “perceptions” he wishes to change were based upon a body of work that was not limited to the felony convicton. All the king’s horses and all the king’s men can’t put that perception together again.
I agree with Mark – nobody will watch. Unless Vick ends up on a team I suppport I have no further interest in what happens to him, good or bad – as Jerry Seinfeld once observed, we are rooting for laundry.
Reality Check
October 8th, 2009
12:54 pm
What the real problem going go here is not about Vick the ex-con. The problem is this franchise is 43 years old and there have only been 3-division championships and Vick is one of them.
It goes even farther…………..
In 43 years Vick is the only quarterback to lead the team twice to the playoffs and only the 2nd quarterback to reach the championship game, the only qb to make the pro bowl 3 times and the only qb to finish 2nd in MVP voting.
It’s not about Vick the dog fighter with “YOU” people. If it was not Vick, “YOU” people could care less about dog fighting. It’s just a pile on and an attempt to break down and demonize an African American player that plays the position that is primarily filled by Caucasian players.
What bugs “YOU” people the most is the fact that he revolutionalized the position and took it to a level never seen before, which led to the HIGHEST contract in NFL history, the most consecutive (54) sellouts in the franchise history.
It’s not about Vick the dog fighter, it’s about Vick the threat to the last position not dominated by African American players.
One thing they did not count on was that sending the man to prison and taking away his riches would not break him and in fact he is now more popular than ever before.
That is what the hate is truly about!
Bubba
October 8th, 2009
12:55 pm
The way I see it, if BET thinks they can make money off Vick, let ‘em. It’s a free country. Just as one is free to change the channel or, better yet, turn the damned thing off and play outside with the kids.
As for me, I’m Sick of Vick. The man was arrested, tried, convicted. He did his time. Quite frankly, I think contemplating the lint in my navel is a more productive use of my time than wondering what happens to Michael Vick. Don’t know him, probably never will. His actions have no bearing whatsoever on my life. Nor does the outcome of a football game, or the ability of one person to play a game over another. Or the right of one man to play a *game” of any kind.
There’s your Reality Check.
Cosby
October 8th, 2009
12:58 pm
The Mike Vick phenomenon is the worst thing that has happened to Atlanta’s race relations since the civil rights movement began. Yes, he sold some tickets and yes, he made some exciting plays. But he also widened the racial wedge this city has been trying to overcome since 1865. Arthur Blank, a caring, ambitious new owner, and the organization made huge sacrifices to acquire this amazing young talent. The Falcons traded up for the first pick to get him; they gave him the richest contract to date; and they shamelessly coddled him. But instead of becoming the face of the franchise and the city, he became a civic nightmare, degenerating into a major embarrassment. The Ron Mexico, water bottle, blunt, and flipping-off incidents were all notorious, but minor compared to the heinous dogfighting incident. Yes, he did his time and deserves a second chance. And he got one in Philadelphia. Good for him. But what his diehard supporters cannot seem to understand is that his departure from Atlanta was his own doing. He would still be the quarterback here had he not so blatantly self-destructed. So why all the animosity towards Matt Ryan, Arthur Blank and the Falcons organization? The team did what it had to do. It moved on. But this whole affair has somehow brought out the worst racist tendencies from both sides, black and white. I am a Falcon fan and I was a Vick fan. But I can tell you why I no longer respect him. It is because he, despite his physical gifts and social advantages, unwittingly glorifies the most self-destructive aspects of his race’s defiance. In an age where the brutal racism of just a generation ago has eased into a hopeful new era in which we have a black president, the Vick types still reject the Obamas and the Bill Cosbys as their role models. They are not black enough. Mike Vick is an ignorant, boorish slob. But he gives his supporters someone like themselves that they can look up to. If a man like Vick can achieve a high level of success while stubbornly refusing to sell out by assimilating into decent society, then they have their hero. He makes it okay that they themselves remain on the fringe of the American good life. Meanwhile, the Falcons have become good again despite the Vick fiasco. But Vick’s supporters refuse to accept his replacement because he happens to be white. It is sad. But Mike Vick brought this on himself, the franchise and the city. He should be ashamed, and so should those who blindly support him for no reason other than that he is one of them.
jeffrey d
October 8th, 2009
1:08 pm
TO had his own show? Glad I missed that one.
Cosby
October 8th, 2009
1:10 pm
This “Reality Check” guy is right about one thing. There are a lot of white MV7 haters who would have quickly let it go if it had been a white NFL player who had killed those dogs. But at the same time, don’t you kind of get the feeling that, if that had been the case, this “Reality Check” guy would NOT be defending him, as he is defending MV7 now? Racism works both ways. That’s reality.
LSU is not that good
October 8th, 2009
1:10 pm
Vick remind me of one of those losers that won the lottery and then lost it all, because that is exactly what this guy did. I am glad I don’t have BET programmed on my Direct TV favorite channels so I will never have to see a second of this garbage.
JSS
October 8th, 2009
1:13 pm
This is non Michael Vick related, so here it goes…
For the Billionth time, Black Entertainment Television is not owned by a black person… It was founded Robert Johnson who is African-American who sold the network to Paramount-Viacom years ago…
It is not a black station, it is a network shown exclusively on cable, so it is a choice to watch it or not… By the way, the ratings for BET outdraw Fox News Channel.
specs
October 8th, 2009
1:14 pm
alot of this hatred is from white people who were raised with an irrational and unrealistic view of pets. Using them as replacements for family members or significant others , or to fill any emotional holes in their lives.
He paid his debt to society let, get over it.
jeffrey d
October 8th, 2009
1:18 pm
Is Vick sitting on a throne?
R U Serious
October 8th, 2009
1:24 pm
What Vick did was henious, but to call him a monster. Child Please. A monster is Charles Manson or Jeffrey Dahmer. A lot of you goomer pyles are just mad he went to prison and came out making more in two months then you will make in a lifetime.
tim
October 8th, 2009
1:26 pm
YO……..only BET can sho how it go down in da hood. A classless station portraying a classless person watched by classless people. That’s why its called Black Entertainment Telly.
Tom
October 8th, 2009
1:27 pm
Kudos to BET for proving once again that African-American culture is an oxymoron.
Brock
October 8th, 2009
1:41 pm
Yes- the NFL with it’s billions of dollars generated each and every year even when Vick was in prison is failing. The humor just writes itself with the vick supporters.
SJR
October 8th, 2009
1:49 pm
It disgusting to think anyone would think what Vick did was OK. It is a fact that most individuals that abuse animals go on to abuse humans. Vick has a character flaw, one that can not be changed. The only remorse he has is for getting caught. In every interview he talks about his image, his reputation. WHAT ABOUT THE INNOCENT DOGS you abused and killed Michael? Any remorse there?
It is also disgusting to continue hearing those who say this is racial and the black man is being held down. Do something for yourself to help race relations, shut up and quit calling everything racial. I could care less if Vick was black, white, yellow or purple…..what he did is disgusting, wrong and he does not deserve to be in the limelight. Do you research, look at the terrors of dog fighting and the impact on society. Unless you are completely stupid, you will see that this type of activity is beyond sick.
SICK conVick!!!
The Dogfighter Returns
October 8th, 2009
1:56 pm
Vick is doing what capitalists do. If only 25 people in the world can perform your job you will be afforded the same opportunities.
Don’t hate the player, learn to play the game and play it well.
SJR
October 8th, 2009
2:04 pm
Michael Vick is a disgusting low life thug. I hope to see him on the Eagles injury list soon. Do your research people if you want to make comments, take a look at the animals he abused and killed. Look at research that proves individuals that abuse animals go on to abuse people. And for those that say Vick paid his dues…..think again, he went to jail for interstate gambling related to his bankrolling the dog fighting. He received no punishment for his abuse and death to dogs. Take a look at his past, he has a long history of bad behavior and breaking the law.
And get over the black thing. Who cares if he is black or white. What he did is unforgivable.
Dee
October 8th, 2009
2:16 pm
I am so sick of people talking negative about Michael Vick. So what, he killed a damn animal. Many people run over dogs, squirrels, etc. everyday and leave them there. By the way, did you hear about the PETA representative who left her dog in the hot car and the dog died. What? Yeah, shut the hell up about those animals. They are dead now! If you dont want to watch Michael Vick’s show, then dont. If you dont want to support Michael Vick, then dont. You havent said anything about people killing other people!! A human is way more important than a damn dog!!! Shut up all the negative talk and bs about Michael Vick! Get a life! Everyone who has been locked up or made a mistake, deserve a second chance and he does too!!! Screw all you Vick haters! I hope he makes trillions of dollars and throw it in yall dumbass face!!!!
SHOULD HAVE DRAFTED FLACCO
October 8th, 2009
2:20 pm
What’s all this talk about Vick?
We need to focus on this chump Matt Ryan was the wrong pick for the Falcons.
Say what you want about Vick, but he won games. What has Matt “choke” Ryan has really won that matters?
Hollywould
October 8th, 2009
2:24 pm
Hell Dee, it is your people doing all the killing. Maybe you shoud practice what you spew.
Falcons Minority Owner
October 8th, 2009
2:25 pm
Did Bradley say no one will watch it?? LMAO! yeah right….the AJC has assigned a couple of people to watch it, review it and give a weekly update on a blog already and he knows it.
Paddy
October 8th, 2009
2:26 pm
Reality check….I know the law and I know the time frame. It was a misdemeaner in Va. And I know why he went to federal prison, all well documented. My question still stands; what is the MV dog fighting scam you refered to earlier? Pls explain.
Reality Check
October 8th, 2009
2:27 pm
Dee
That was the CEO of SPCA in Virginia and her name is Robin Starr and not only did she leave the dog in 91 degree temperatures for 4 hours, she later lied and her husband took the blame so she could keep her job. She didn’t tell the authorities until weeks later.
Weeks before the dog died, she said regardless if a died dog by accident or neglect they should be charged, but she is yet to resign her post.
You don’t see the outrage about that, because she is not a rich black quarterback in the NFL.
Paddy
October 8th, 2009
2:28 pm
Dee… a mistake is something you do once, take the penelty or appologize. We have all made mistakes. His dog fighting ring was not a mistake. It was a criminal enterprise. There is a difference.
Reality Check
October 8th, 2009
2:30 pm
Paddy
Obviously you are too ignorant to understand simple logic.
Have you heard of Robin Starr? Exactly – have a nice day.
Dee
October 8th, 2009
2:34 pm
For all of you dumbasses, BET is Black Entertainment Television. Channel 72 is BET on Comcast and 329 on DirectTV. Now you can watch it you fools! Jeffrey Dahmer ate people’s organs he killed. You see what happened to Reginald Denny! We will whoop your ass too PETA!
Mike Jay
October 8th, 2009
2:36 pm
I always thought that kickers and punters are the last postions not dominated by black players.