Reed Between the Lines

The problem with most reality shows is that they LACK REALITY! The problem with viewers is that they LACK THE PATIENCE FOR REAL IN-DEPT ACTING that is not overly dramatized, in other words if the show is not paced to provide a full hour of laughs over irrelevant stuff they will turn away from it! What makes this show so entertaining is that the family is portraying an REAL AVERAGE lifestyle of a REAL FAMILY. The Cosby show featured a black family with a income of at least $400K a year, whereas this show is based on a family with incomes of $200K down to $35K a year; any family can relate to this show and its setting. The cinematography of this show is very good, writers for this show presents the audience with situations that can be related to by the average American, black and any other race.

Of course this type of show rarely survives past one season, because, as I stated earlier; viewers have been spoiled into laughing over shows that depict irrelevant issues. Today's viewers do not have the patience or training to watch and support, or find entertaining, a show that deal with real life situations and teaches moral lessons.

Props to all who help produce this show, it is a wonderful tool to teach the young children, even teenagers to young adults, about life and lessons to learn from it. It is a wonderful FAMILY VALUES SHOW, and that is something that we are missing on television today and something that we desperately need.

I love this show! It reminds me of the warmness that I felt when I watched the Cosby Show in the 80's. I normally do not watch sitcoms, but I make sure that I record this show on my DVR. I watch it along with my fiancée and three boys. It is a good wholesome family show that I am surprised to see on sleazy BET. Great job BET for bringing people in their middle thirties, with families, a show that they can be proud of because I get tired of seeing black people depicted as sexual objects, money hungry monkeys that want to fight all the time, wanna be gangsters, drug addicts, and junkies etc. It is about time we had a show that showed that the sane blacks are nothing like those images that we see on reality shows or other sitcoms.

after so many series about family , it is a real challenge to discover something new. parents, children, friends, nice dialogs. at first sigh - only versions of same thing . again and again. in this case the secret ingredient is the honesty. not the humor, not the dialogs, maybe not the performances. family problems in cruel light. few drops of irony, usual situations, great problems and easy answers, the love not in pink nuance but comfortable to discover everyday crisis. a modern series who has the art to use old recipes in wise style. and that does it an adorable TV series. because it has this kind of charm useful for every viewer not only as entertainment but as inspired reflection of his life.

"Reed Between The Lines"is one of the most refreshing and entertaining sitcoms to premier on BET in a very long time. Airing on Tuesday nights at 10pm, Tracee Ellis Ross and Malcolm Jamal Warner star as Carla and Alex Reed, both doctors (one a psychologist) the other (a college professor)as a loving, devoted married couple raising three children. Melissa DeSousa ("The Best Man") also stars as the pretty acupuncturist and friend of Carla Reed along with Anna Maria Horsford ("Friday" and "The Wayans Bros") as Ms. Helen, Dr. Reed's witty and sassy receptionist. Malcolm Jamal Warner and Tracee Ellis Ross have wonderful screen presence and chemistry that makes them stand out as a believable husband and wife couple. So far, the show touches on very important issues such as family values, discipline, love, commitment, etc. "RBTL" is a cool t.v. series that is unique and original in its own way. The writing is fairly decent and the acting is done well, especially by the adorable Reed children. Although there are no real surprises to the show, it is still definitely worth the watch. It is a fun show that depicts African American family life in a positive and genuine way and is also a step up from most of the ridiculous programming that's shown on BET. I rate this show an 8 out of 10.

Reed Between the Lines is a quality program, once you take into consideration it is on BET. That being said, the show is just OK. This show has the potential to be on the level of shows like the Cosby's or My Wife and the Kids. The first thing that is apparent is you have Malcolm playing a grown up Theo and Traci is recycling Joan from Girlfriends who just changed careers again. The weakness of the show can be traced back to its writing and direction. Why would you have, Traci play a psychologist who in the workplace acts goofy and silly when she should be a serious professional and let her co-stars get the laughs. She picks the wrong times to be channeling Lucy/Carol Burnett. I do not mind her being silly when she is at home but not in the work place. Another concern is the youngest daughter is at times the smartest one the show. That does not fit when one parents is a MD and the other a PhD. That is the fault of the direction the show when it goes for cheap laughs instead of good humor, but the show is on BET I guess they are doing the best they can do. I hope they realize it before it is too late.