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By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices
If I worked at 'Jet' magazine, this would be my 'Photo of the Week.'
That Mo'Nique has done it once again.
Never one to rest on her laurels, the super-sized comedic powerhouse did her latest stand-up special in JAIL.
Fresh off the heels and wrapping the VH1 reality series 'Charm School,' the Maryland reared funnywoman releases her latest comedy DVD, titled 'I Coulda Been Your Cellmate!' this week.
Originally airing on the Showtime network last January, the special was filmed last May at The Ohio Reformatory for Women, marking a first for a modern day black comic.
"Baby, let me tell you something," she protested. "I ain't here to judge you. I don't give a f--- about what happened yesterday. I believe y'all deserve laughter. Y'all still deserve somebody to say, 'I love you bitch.' I love you."
Known as "The Farm," eighty percent of the inmates have a history of severe psychological, physical and sexual abuse. Most of them began abusing substances between the ages of 10 and 14.
Though the prison has a reputation for being one of the toughest in the system, Mo'Nique was able to bring a humane element to it but not only entertaining the prisoners, but also having one-on-one discussions with them. "They still deserve a little bit of laughter, a little bit of joy and a little bit of feel good," Mo'Nique said about the 70-minute show.
It brings to mind Iyanla Vazant during her stint on the now defunct women's mental makeover show 'Starting Over.'
But like Emmy Award winning talk show diva Tyra Banks (who also went to prison while cameras were rolling), she also suited up for the occasion.
Mo'Nique (legally known as Monique Imes) took off her Rocawear gear and suited up in prison uniform-inspired frock before she took the day.
"I love you bitches back," the former 'Showtime at the Apollo' hostess said as she hit the stage and met a rapturous applause from over 850 inmates. "I had my s@#% designed just for y'all. So don't go f@#%ing up your outfits tomorrow," she said about the rhinestone-encrusted, shredded attire.
Bonus features for this uproarious, profanity laden offering includes behind the scenes footage and a warden interview.
Comments: (59)
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By: Tamia on 4/06/2007 8:19PM
I just saw this dvd and loved it! Didnt know it was filmed a year ago. I look forward to see the Charm School upon it's airing.
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By: wilsonbluez on 4/06/2007 8:44PM
I saw the show in January and Mo was wonderful. I was particularly impressed with Mo's behind the scenes interviews with some of the women. She was very down to earth with them during the interviews and continued the same connection once she got on stage--calling out the women's names. In some cases, warning them not to do certain things to get themselves in trouble again. She was great. I'd love to see a part 2--a followup to see how the same women she meet during the interviews are doing now.
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By: Da\\\'Jhon on 4/06/2007 9:04PM
i give major congrats to Mo'Nique for doin what she has done.. the fact that she is taking time out of her day to do something like this jus goes to show you that not all of the star nad rich & famous are stuck up.. if more stars and people in general were like her then we would all be better people..
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By: Tixy on 4/07/2007 1:15PM
Mo'Nique your are doing your thing and you didnt't forget about our sisters behind bars. God Bless you, your are the best and we love you In or out of the joint. Thanks for remembering the sisters. Keep up the good work. Try next time to get to the kids in Juvie Hall, they need you too.
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By: Dee on 4/06/2007 10:54PM
I really do not want to hate on Monique, the special was funny on the surface. However, an article came out in the newspaper that put a different spin on the comedy. The reality is the two women that she interviewed and made you almost feel sorry for them and also expressed outrage because they were sentenced to 145 and 182 years went on Christmas murder rampage in 1992 with two other males that cost six people there lives. A mother of Three, a 16yr old pregnant girl(a former friend), a 18yr old girl talking on the phone (both of the girls sneakers were missing). They also lured two former boyfriends to their death with the promise of sex. She also singled out another woman in the prison that was involved in the killing of at least seven people in 1984, including a minister and his wife and other elderly black people that they could prey upon. This could bring up a lot of hurtful memories to those family members in the Ohio area that had their love ones taken away from them because of these women. The article stated, "If she would have told you this information at the beginning of the show, no one would have watched." As matter of fact, as far as I know; Showtime has not shown Monique special in our part of the Ohio area since the release of the article in the newspaper on 4 Feb 07. Again this is not to hate on Monique, at first I thought it was funny but then I thought that it could be looked at as insensitive on her part. She also said that she admires them because they are still standing. She may have found some other women in the prison to interview. When did we start admiring killers?
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By: Kitty on 4/07/2007 11:30AM
Wow this show was excellent Monique constantly affirmed the sisters at all times! Please note other than all the cursing I thought it was great! Mo must take note in her movie Phatz Girls about what she stated about profanity!
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By: chas on 4/07/2007 3:20PM
To me the best comedy is the real stuff, real life. MO can always stay new. Makes me horny.
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By: michele on 4/10/2007 6:53PM
I WATCH THE SHOW THIS WEEKEND AT MY SIS'S HOUSE. I REALLY ENJOY THE SHOW AND INMATE ACT VEY SOCIALABLE AND NOT THREATEN AGAINST HER. I LOVE THE VERY TALENTED INMATED THAT GOT UP THERE SO SIGN THE LOVING SONG, IT MADE ME CRY. GIRL YOU HAVE A VOICE ON YOU. KEEP IT UP AND LIKE MONIQUE SAID STAY OUT TROUBLE. GOD BLESS YOU ALL OF YOU. YOU ARE WONDERFUL PEOPLE TO WATCH AND RESPECT. YOU GOT MINE RESPECT. MY SIS WAS IN PRISON FOR 3 YEARS. SHE TRING TO MAKE IT A BETTER LIFE FOR HER AND KIDS. I'M THEIR FOR HER.!!!!!!!!!!
I RESPECT YOU LADIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! KEEP STRONG EACH DAY!!!!!!!!!!!
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By: Lisa Beck on 6/06/2007 11:53AM
This video was AWESOME!! I so commend Mo'Nique for going into the prison to spread a little laughter to these ladies. She's a brave soul. Sure wish many more entertainers had the heart to go into the prisons. She's my hero. Keep up the good work Mo'Nique!!
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