By Bridget Bland, BlackVoices.com
Fans can't get enough of the lives of R&B sensation Keyshia Cole and her controversial family.
On Tuesday night, BET premiered the first two episodes of the third season of 'Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is' and they couldn't have dreamed up how successful the show would be -- scoring incredible ratings, amassing over one million viewers.
Not only was it the network's#1 original series season premiere telecast for this year, the second episode scored the best ratings in the history of the network for an original program.
On the first episode of 'The Way It Is,' we find the platinum-selling R&B singer, a native of Oakland, adjusting to life in her brand-new home in Atlanta. She has a super-fly sports car and three puppies. She's hired a trainer and personal chef and is taking better care of herself.
Last season, the chart-topper met with her accountant who told her she cannot continue financially providing for her family. Instead, he urged her to cut down on spending and save. If you know Cole, she totally did things her way and did not heed that advice.
Instead, she purchased a home in Atlanta for her sister, Neffe, and three nieces, in which her biological mother Frankie lives, as well. Her long-lost sister, who she was reunited with last season, has also moved to Atlanta. Neffe and Frankie have power struggles over the house and whether Frankie, a former drug addict, is wanted.
Last season, Neffe battled with the idea of having an abortion, when she found out she was pregnant with her fourth child. When the show returns, we find out that she ended up keeping the child and now had a baby boy.
In one of the new episodes, we also see Frankie and her daughter's foster mother, Ms. Cole, argue over whether Frankie should go to the mother spa day that the singer planned for the two ladies. Frankie says she has a club gig that she will make $2,000 at and decided she doesn't want to go. This also makes Cole upset as she just wants to show both of her mothers that she loves and appreciates them.
Ultimately, this show continues to highlight her struggle with balancing her career with her intense family conflict.
Later this season, there will inevitably be more blow-out arguments between Frankie and Neffe and of course some behind-the-scenes footage of her recording her new album, which is due out via Geffen Records next month.
Her third studio offering, 'A Different Me' will be released on December 16. It addition to guest appearances from Nas, Kanye West and a duet with Monica, the project will also includes a track called 'Playa Cardz Right' featuring the late Tupac Shakur, who was reportedly a dear friend to her.
Mel B Pictures
In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl "Mel B" poses for a photo wearing a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness, after a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
AP
In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl "Mel B" poses for a photo wearing a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness, after a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
AP
In this undated image released by Oxfam Tuesday Sept. 23, 2008, British singer Mel B participates in the 'In My Name' global campaign calling for action against poverty and demanding world leaders keep their promises on millennium development goals. (AP Photo/Oxfam, HO) ** NO SALES **
AP
In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl Mel B, left, serves as the emcee at a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. Mel B wears a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. The woman at right is unidentified. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
AP
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: TV personality and designer Khloe Kardashian and Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard (R) pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
Getty Images
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Ultimo Scottish designer lingerie brand founder Michelle Mone (L) and pop singer Melanie Brown pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown poses backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown and Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard (R) pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
Getty Images
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown and singer Aubrey O'Day (R) poses backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
Getty Images
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown, Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard, singer Aubrey O'Day and TV personality and designer Khloe Kardashian pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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Comments: (61)
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By: Genile B. Barclay on 11/14/2008 9:03PM
I love Keyshia's show,I just hate the fact that it comes on the same time as Housewives of Atlanta.NeNe
and Frankie make the shows.
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By: alicia on 11/14/2008 9:07PM
I love Keisha's music and have both her albums...can't quite take the show though.
alicia
http://todaystyle.today.com/
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By: Lranee on 11/14/2008 9:51PM
LOVE KEYSHIA!!!!!! Her show is definitly a MUST see.
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By: thoko on 11/14/2008 10:00PM
Keyshia Cole is a diamond in the rough and a flawless gem.. I absolutely adore her heart and spirit and am so happy about her success with her show.
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By: TaeChar on 11/15/2008 4:23PM
Keyshia Cole is a wonderful artist, but....her show pisses me off!!! We have been watchin 3 seasons now. The whole world knows her mother was on drugs and not a big part of Keyshia's life. But must she rub it in Frankie's face on every episode of every season??!! Frankie is there now TRYING to be a part of her children's lives, and she doesn't need a constant reminder that she was on drugs. Constantly telling her obviously isn't changing the situation. All together, I feel like the show is a disgrace, and the only reason people watch it is because they want to see what "ghetto" mess is gonna happen next, not because its a good show. I really wish Keyshia and her family the best, but she has some serious issues she needs to work out.
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By: LivnIt on 11/15/2008 5:27PM
Keyshia Coles' show is outstanding! Granted there are several ghetto dramas that are recurring, but anyone has to find it amazing that this young lady is able to find a measure of success with all the foolishness going on around her. And think... this nonsense is going on after she has made it in the industry. Frankie is something else and I know that most black folks, like myself, can find a parallel between her and someone in their family - willing to say whatever it is they are thinking. I almost laughed up a lung at the conversation between Frankie and Mrs. Cole at the end of episode 2.
Tae Char: I'm curious to know what you consider to be a "good show". Many popular TV shows are nothing but brain fodder. The bottom line is the ratings and it sounds like Keyshia's show is bringing in the ratings. If "Flavor of Love" (which, to me, reflected a lot of buffoonery by a member of a well respected and historically relevant rap group - be damned, though, it I missed an episode) can make it, surely The Way it Is deserves it's chance. Do your thing, Keyshia... Haters gon Hate!
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By: Deondrea Parker on 11/15/2008 6:16PM
Kiesha is a good singer. I haven't watched her show, but everybody has some kind of drama going on. People often believe that stars have a perfect life, and her show lets you see otherwise. Keep up the good work with whatever you have going on for you. I'm proud to see a sista making her way. God Bless You Kiesha.
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By: KeyKey on 11/15/2008 7:35PM
I love the show...but damn why is Frankie so ghetto. She really need to find Jesus. She is using her daughter. Get off your butt and find you a job. Stop penny pinching....okay
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By: Freedom on 11/17/2008 1:01PM
I don't care what noone says this show is off the rip Frankie is off the HOOK! LMAO I love the show but I am disappointed that Keyshia changed her smile. I think her teeth were perfect they way they were and now her smile just looks really fake like one of those ugly nickelodeon television shows. But Besides that I Love the Show Neffi is my girl I would hang out with her anytime-Frankie is the girl too. Holla!!!!
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By: niecy on 11/15/2008 8:44PM
I LOVE KEYSHIA COLE , I FROM OAKLAND ALSO BUT I HAD TO LEAVE THE TOWN ALSO BECAUSE IT WAS BECOMING A LITTLE CRAZY, BUT WE WILL ALWAYS BE FROM THE TOWN!!!
GOD BLESS KEYSHIA, AND THANKS FOR KEEPING OAKLAND ON THE MAP.
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