Mediating for VH1’s The Family Hustle. Tiny, Shakinah and my hubby.
He mediates real disputes. But not often does he mediate for reality TV.
So when VH1’s T.I. & Tiny: The Family Hustle called — he did.
My daughter wondered if Daddy’s famous, why aren’t we rich?
Well, Daddy only is moderately famous. Okay, he’s probably only the most famous member of the household for the moment.
So the show started with Daddy.
In the opening minutes, the show’s star, rapper T.I. and Usher are in the recording studio.
Now, T. I. has had a little trouble with the law. But he’s back, better than ever, trying to be the husband and father he wants to be.
So the show’s theme is: Redemption meets rap meets The Cosby Show.
And this episode, longtime friends, T.I. and Usher are in the studio recording a song together. Double woo.
While T.I. and Usher are recording, Tiny (T.I.’s wife) and her long time friend, Shakinah, think about going into business producing and marketing Shakinah’s invention — a hairdryer that allows weaves to dry twice as fast.
The question then becomes how to divide the surely enormous profits to come?
Who ya gonna call when you got a mediation emergency?
My Johnny. Triple woo.
The ladies presented their sides.
And thanks to my Johnny, they resolved the dispute.
After the thrill of last night cooled, I asked John for his reflections on the experience.
He was surprised how much work goes into the show.
“A lot of people had to work to bring that scene off. I can’t image having a camera crew follow me around for a year.”
The mediation magic man added, “The crew worked hard. Everything they moved, they put back exactly like it was.”
He assured me that how Tiny and Shakinah came across on camera was exactly how they were without the cameras.
At one point, Shakinah apologized for her salty language adding, “But you probably get that all the time.”
John replied, “No. There was probably more cursing here today, than in all my 12 years of mediating.”
He added Tiny and Shakinah have a genuine affection for each other that made it easy. Usually, he works with parties who are extremely adversarial.
“Their friendship was more important than whatever number they arrived.”
If you missed it here’s the link.
My Johnny starts about minute 14…but the whole show’s great.
We are now Family Hustle hooked.
212227195829 by YardieGoals
It was fun. Maybe there is a reality show in my future.
jamie!—i see your comments on my blog way after the fact–love you and your sweet words. ok! watching john’s major spotlight moment was crazy for me. heart was skipping & i was proud and super happy. the coffee conversation cracked me up. the entire thing was simply amazing.—he did great! i would have been a wreck. period. you two are simply and super admirable at the top of my list.