When so-called “reality TV” first became prominent, yours truly was among those thinking (and hoping) that it was just a fad, although a massively popular one.

Talk about being wrong and having unfulfilled
hopes.

Today the market is glutted with reality television shows. Those, along with crime shows and the Jerry Springer type of talk shows, are being presented
excessively and, directly or indirectly, many of them contribute to the “dumbing
down” of society and the growing incivility.

A large part of the viewing
audience likes them, and television executives are all smiles because reality TV shows cost much less to produce (not having to pay star salaries is the main factor).

Just think of all the reality shows that are on now or were on not long ago, including “The Bachelor,” “Hell’s Kitchen,” “Survivor,” “Fear Factor,” “Wife Swap,” “The Surreal Life,” “Big Brother,” “The Apprentice,” “Jon & Kate Plus Eight,” “The Bachelorette,” “Big Brother,” “Cheaters,” “The Nanny,” “The Amazing Race” and “Get Me Out of Here!” Oh, and let’s not forget “Dance Your Ass Off.”

There are and have been many others, and no doubt there are more to come.

The reality is that there is too much “reality.”
Hopefully the pendulum will eventually begin to swing in another direction.

QUEEN LATIFAH has always been one to speak her mind. Yet another example of this was her response when asked about the male- to-female balance in the music industry, especially with regard to the control aspects of it.

“Never since my start in this business at 17 years old have I seen it so male dominated,” said Latifah. “It’s deplorable. You cannot just have male voices. Not in music. Not in society.”

Queen Latifah’s new album, which combines rapping and singing, is titled “Persona” and is scheduled be released on Aug. 22.

Why do rappers feud so frequently? It makes no sense. For example, the Game recently said Jay-Z is “old and bitter.” Even if Jay-Z said something in a song to provoke such hateful words, hopefully Jay-Z, 39, will take the high road and ignore.

BEYONCE sure is a busy lady and a world traveler. Having just done shows in Las Vegas, on Sept. 15, she will take her “I Am” tour to Australia,
then it’s off to a series of dates in the United Kingdom (London, Liverpool, etc.) and the year will wrap up with concerts in Ireland.

Chris Brown is going to have a very difficult time re-entering the music business. No one should have to pay forever for mistakes they made — although
his was a major one — but Brown is what is sometimes referred to as “damaged goods.” Most people cannot see him or hear his name without those pictures of a beaten up Rihanna coming to mind.

Clive Davis, Sony Music Entertainment chief creative officer, hosted a big reception for Whitney Houston
in New York to introduce her highly anticipated album, “I Look to You.” Among those spotted in the crowd were Alicia Keys, Martha Stewart, Gayle King, Vivica A. Fox, Diane Sawyer and Houston’s second cousin, Dionne Warwick.

BETCHA DIDN’T KNOW ….that Martha Wash had to endure the insult of a model being used in the videos of early ’90s dance group Black Box, even though Wash did all the lead vocals on the group’s hits, including “Everybody Everybody” and “Strike It Up.” The record company foolishly believed the videos would not be popular because of Wash’s size.

MEMORIES: “To Be Young, Gifted and Black” (Nina Simone), “You Are Everything” (the Stylistics), “I Just Wanna Stop” (Gino Vannelli),
“Let Me Start Tonite” (Lamont Dozier), “Make It Like It Was” (Regina Belle), “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You” (Frankie Valli), “Boogie Fever” (the Sylvers), “Never Too Much” (Luther Vandross), “Love Letters” (Ketty Lester).

BLESSINGS to Jim Anderson, Dedrick McConnell, Bob Kerse, Stephanie Smith, Rick Wade, Roscoe Thompson, Chuck Young, Myra Gage, Velma Brown Blackmon, Terry Cabell, Randi Payton, Roz Taylor and Earl Stanback.

WORDS OF THE WEEK, from Duke Ellington: “There are two kinds of worries — those things you can do something about and those you can’t. Don’t spend any time on the latter.”

Let the music play!

(Steve Holsey can be reached at Svh517@aol.com and P.O. Box 02843, Detroit, MI 48202.)