
Reality TV lovers: Brace yourselves!!!
VH1's reigning reality TV personality Miss New York (aka Tiffany Pollard) will set out to tackle America's real-life working world in the new series 'New York Goes to Work,' premiering May 4 at 10 p.m.
After being rejected twice by hip-hop hype man Flavor Flav on his highly rated reality dating competition, and then being dejected twice on her very own similar show, Miss New York set out to make a name for herself in Hollywood as an actress.
Womp womp. That didn't go as well as she had hoped.But since she's such a personality (even making a cameo appearance in Ice Cube's 2008 movie 'First Sunday'), reality TV show producers came up with the genius idea of having her pound the pavement in search for a real job.
And America gets to play along – by (according to a network rep) choosing from a list of three possible job opportunities and voting via mobile phone which job they would like to see Tiffany try out for.
That's an interactive spin on things.Will she be a Cal Trans sewer worker, a mortuary beautician or a fast-food employee? It's all up to the viewers.
So why would the Utica, New York-reared potty mouth, liquor-swigging, cleavage-bearing, chain-smoking, former alleged Syracuse University graduate subject herself to more public ridicule, some may wonder?
For the money, of course.
If Miss New York can impress her new employers, she'll receive a
$5,000 bonus each week. But if she quits, fails or gets fired, she'll get absolutely nothing.Well, she'll still have her good name, and that may be a good thing in the black reality TV world, where it's all about her, Keyshia Cole, Omarosa Manigult Stalworth and newcomer Brooke Crittendon from 'Harlem Heights.'
And a chance to see her scene-stealing mother, Sister Michelle Patterson, in action just may be worth the price of basic cable.
'New York Goes to Work' is created and executive produced by Mark Cronin and Cris Abrego for 51 Minds Entertainment. Cronin and Abrego also produce the record-breaking series 'Rock of Love,' 'Flavor of Love,' 'Charm School,' 'I Love New York,' 'The Surreal Life' and 'My Fair Brady.'
Finally taking a page from the playbook of other broadcast entities, each episode will be available online at VH1.com the day after its on-air premiere.
The Black Families On TV
CBS , Getty Images
The Cosby Show
Seasons: Eight
Notable Cast Members: Bill Cosby, Phylicia Rashad, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Keshia Knight Pulliam, Tempestt Bledsoe, Lisa Bonet, Raven-Symoné
Storyline: Popular comedy television series based on a happily married couple raising their children in Brooklyn, New York.
Sidenote: Throughout the course of eight seasons The Huxtable family helped set the stage for black families on prime time television. Bill Cosby's character, Cliff Huxtable was such a role model that he topped TV Guide's 2004 list of "50 Greatest TV Dads of All Time."
Everett Collection
'Family Matters'
Seasons: Nine
Notable Cast Members: Reginald Vel Johnson, Darius McCrary, Kellie Shanygne Williams, JoMarie Payton, Jaleel White, Telma Hopkins
Storyline: Based on middle-class suburban Chicago black family, the Winslows.
Sidenote: Spinning off it's sister show 'Perfect Strangers,' the hit sitcom spawned off one of the most popular characters in sitcom history, Steve Urkel. America's favorite nerd was so popular that he established a merchandising empire, which included a talking doll, trading cards, posters, books, lunchboxes and a limited edition cereal.
Warner Bros.
'Lincoln Heights'
Seasons: Three
Notable Cast Members: Russell Hornsby, Nicki Micheaux, Erica Hubbard, Rhyon Nicole Brown, Mishon Ratliff, Michael Reilly Burke, Robert Adamson, William Stanford Davis
Storyline: A drama revolving around the life of LAPD officer Eddie Sutton, who is in pursuit of a better life for his family. Ironically, Sutton moves his family into his old neighborhood which is known for its violence.
Sidenote: In 2008 the series was nominated for four NAACP Image Awards including Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series, Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series, Outstanding Drama Series, and Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series.
ABC Family
'My Wife & Kids'
Seasons: Five
Notable Cast Members: Damon Wayans, Tisha Campbell-Martin, George O. Gore II
Storyline: Damon Wayans portrays Michael Kyle, a loving husband who maintains his household by teaching his family some valuable wisdom and knowledge, and learning some himself.
Sidenote: The show's co-creator, Damon Wayans, may have regretted the original storyline of Claire Kyle following the loss of cast member Jazz Raycole. Raycole's mother disapproved of the actress' storyline for season two, which led to her being pulled from the show.
2000 ABC, INC.
The Jeffersons
Seasons: 11
Notable Cast Members: Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, Marla Gibbs, Roxie Roker, Franklin Cover, Paul Benedict
Storyline: Entrepreneur George Jefferson hits the ticket with his successful dry-cleaning business, which leads him to move into a ritzy New York City high-rise.
Sidenote: America can thank fellow 'Good Times' actress Ja'Net DuBois for helping George Jefferson's family move up to the east side. The Emmy Award-winner co-wrote and sang the show's opening and closing theme song 'Movin' On Up.'
CBS Photo Archive / Getty Images
'What's Happening!!'
Seasons: Three
Notable Cast Members: Ernest Lee Thomas, Haywood Nelson, Fred Berry, Danielle Spencer, Mabel King, Shirley Hemphill, David Hollander, John Welsh, Earl Billings, Leland Smith
Storyline: Loosely based on the motion picture 'Cooley High' a trio of friends go through the trials and tribulations of young adulthood.
Sidenote: Fred Berry's character Rerun almost didn't turn out as we may remember him today. Originally the role was reportedly written to fit the description of a skinny white kid.
Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images
'227'
Seasons: Five
Notable Cast Members: Marla Gibbs, Alaina Reed Hall, Jackée Harry, Helen Martin, Hal Williams, Regina King, Curtis Baldwin, Kia Goodwin, Reynaldo Rey, Countess Vaughn
Storyline: Taking place in a Washington D.C. apartment building, numbered 227, the show's characters would be found sitting outside on a large set of stone stairs (aka the stoop), in which a discussion would lead into the weekly plot line.
Sidenote: Former 'Moesha' and 'Celebrity Fit Club' star Countess Vaughn received her big break in Hollywood by simply asking. Vaughn mentioned her dream of appearing on '227' following her 1988 appearance on the talent show series 'Star Search.'
Embassy Pictures / Fotos International / Getty Images
'Julia'
Seasons: Three
Notable Cast Members: Diahann Carroll, Lloyd Nolan, Paul Winfield, Fred Williamson
Storyline: Centering on a young widow working as a nurse, trying to make ends meet while raising her son as a single parent.
Sidenote: The 1960 NBC comedy is known for being one of the first weekly shows to depict African-American woman in the non stereotypical role of playing servants. The drama eventually lead to the show's star Diahann Carroll asking for a release from her contract due to the controversy surrounding the show from its inception.
NBC / Getty Images
'The Wayans Bros'
Seasons: Five
Notable Cast Members: Shawn Wayans, Marlon Wayans, John Witherspoon, Anna Maria Horsford, Jermaine Hopkins, Ja'Net DuBois, Phill Lewis
Storyline: The show follows lives of two brothers, Shawn and Marlon Williams, who run their own newspaper stand from out of their father's diner.
Sidenote: Following their family's tradition of producing sitcoms, Shawn and Marlon Wayans debut 'The Wayans Bros' in 1995. Adding to the sitcom's hip-hop feel, the brothers used A Tribe Called Quest's hit single 'Electric Relaxation' as the show's opening theme for the first two seasons.
Warner Bros.


Comments: (92)
Add a comment
By: "DimePiece" on 3/30/2009 10:05PM
No, I surely won't be watching this CRAP! When is Ms. Polard going to grow up and look for a REAL JOB. You can't keep on doing REALITY SHOWS all your life and make a living. Every time I see her, she looks like she is about to go POP! I hope she POPS off the AIR! We don't need to see her in another pathetic reality show with
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: ANJA on 3/30/2009 11:39PM
OH, PLEASE !! PLEASE!! MAKE IT STOP!! HOW MUCH MORE CAN THE VH1 VIEWERS TAKE WITH THIS REJECT!! SHE IS SOOO !!! GHETTO !!
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Freedom on 3/31/2009 3:47PM
The voice, the face and her mama looking like Morgan Freeman is totally crazy.(No offense Mr. Freeman) I don't ever want to see that big face on screen ever,ever,ever,again.Flav did'nt want her and he's hurt. So if a person that you know is ugly and they don't want you, you're in trouble. Sister get a job and don't embarrass black folks anymore. We don't need to be represented by a black female Laurel and Hardy. So you and Moms stay inside. Please...........
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: Gail on 4/01/2009 10:59AM
Freedom, your comments had me laughing out loud. Hilarious.
Report This
By: Will on 4/01/2009 10:10PM
LOL @ looking like Morgan Freeman
Report This
By: mom of six on 4/02/2009 8:20AM
You took the words right out of my mouth!
Report This
By: Harlemfox on 4/05/2009 8:42PM
Ditto...Freedom your comments are HILARIOUS and on point! What a waste of tv time. I hope VH1 considers the majority votes and our comments before airing that fiasco!
Report This
By: Q on 4/04/2009 8:47PM
HEY WAIT A MINUTE BUDDY. DONT INSULT THE BROTHER LAKE THAT. MORGAN FREEMAN IS AN ATTRACTIVE, SELF CONFIDENT BROTHER. I HOPE I LOOK THAT GOOD WHEN I AM HIS AGE. NEW YORK AND HER MOTHER LOOK LIKE CHEAP TRANSEXUAL HOOKERS
Report This
By: Nikki on 4/04/2009 10:36PM
Girl...you funny...but you are RIGHT!!!!
Report This
By: Summer on 4/05/2009 1:49AM
Hahahaha OMG! That is TOOOO HALARIOUS!!! Morgan Freeman! I'm Belly Laughing!
Report This