Source: MTV

If you find yourself watching ratchet reality shows and missing the days when show’s like Run’s House ruled the airways, you’ll be happy to know that Rev. Run and his family will be returning to a television set near you. While Angela and Vanessa have ventured out to the Hollywood Hills to build a life for themselves, most of the Simmons children are still living in the family’s New Jersey home.

According to MTV, the show will be a little different from Run’s House, as it will be a home improvement show that documents the family attempting to fix up their lavish nine thousand sq. ft. New Jersey estate. Can you imagine all of those personalities smack-dab in the middle of a home improvement show? Rev Run already seems to be struggling to contain his laughter.

“Can’t wait for everyone to see it .. Talk about funny ?? Lol!!!!!!!!,” he tweeted.

The show is slated to premiere in 2013 on HGTV.

Is this a show that you could see yourself watching?

The population of the United States is more diverse than ever, but you wouldn’t know it by the TV guide. The number of roles for African-Americans has improved…slightly. There were over 30 Black actors and actresses on the primetime pilots scheduled for last Fall, and sprinkled throughout ensemble casts like Grey’s Anatomy. However, predominately minority casts are few, and largely regulated to cable channels like BET and TBS. For better or for worse, reality television is leading the way for diversity on TV. And that may not be such a bad thing.

Thanks to attractive economics, the reality format has come to rule the airwaves. Reality programming is cheaper than traditional programming in every way imaginable. It requires less equipment, a smaller crew, and fewer paid performers. Networks see reality television as a saving grace to balance the price of programming across their schedule.

Viewers and critics often lament the Black sitcoms of yesterday, complaining that shows like The Jeffersons, Martin, and Girlfriends are nonexistent. But, sitcoms are in decline overall. The popularity of reality television has come at the expense of the sitcom. In 2002-03, reality’s share of the top 10 prime time show audience almost tripled to 63%, while sitcoms’ share declined by more than half to 17%, according to historical data from The Nielsen Company. The television business and viewers’ taste has changed. It’s a safe bet that we will never see the amount of scripted Black sitcoms we had in the 90’s again.

Admittedly, most of reality television relies on well-worn stereotypes of women and minorities to shape its characters. Basketball Wives is not doing the image of Black women any favors. Even in showslike Survivor, minorities aren’t cast positively. Diversity means differences. Differences often stoke conflict, and conflict equals ratings.  Watching Bad Girls Club can give one the urge to weep for the careers of talented out of work Black actors; however, is it possible that reality television can uplift, as well as tear us down?

Academy Award nominated actress Viola Davis and her husband just recently announced that they are in the process of adopting a child from the United States. Awesome news! We hear so often about celebrities, mostly white ones, going through hell and high water to adopt children from Africa, Asia and other international destinations. And while we’re not knocking that, seeing as how these children do need help, why not adopt children here in U.S. who need a home?
Many people say that black celebrities should adopt children,  but it should be noted that there have been a number of African American celebrities who have opened up their homes for kids right here in this country. Here are a few notables: