It never occurred to me to do blog requests, until I actually got a request (LOL). But I absolutely love the idea and would be more than happy to blog on any topic you would like to see talked about. So feel free to leave a request comment or email me!And sorry for the lack of posts lately. It's about that time in the school year where the work load starts picking up and the first thing to go is my blog. Sorry :-(
Anyway, I got a request to talk about last night's premiere episode of Khloe & Lamar on E!
I have to admit that I watch all the Kardashian shows....yes its true.
It's my guilty pleasure! Aside from all the hunger for media attention that is the essence of the Kardashian family, they're alright with me. (LOL)
I for one could have neverimagined that a sex tape would result in an entire empire for not just Kim, but her entire family! It might be fair to say that her star power has surpassed that of her R&B crooner turned reality TV celebrity co-star Ray-J. ( -__- )
And though I certainly have my criticisms of the first family of reality TV and how they acquired their fame, I will reserve judgment for now.
So back to last night's premiere.
I initially was sort of irritated at the thought of yet another spin off show. I mean honestly, the Kardashians are on our small screens consistently year round. Did we not JUST close out Kourtney and Kim Take New York last week? Kardashian saturation was not putting me in a good head space.
But, I tuned in despite my better judgment, and was pleasantly surprised.
Let's face it. When you first got wind of a wedding for Khloe and Lamar you just new things would not go down unless a camera crew was there to witness. The whole situation was a quick recipe for reality TV gold. But their marriage, though only a year, has outlasted many of our expectations. But we can't say we didn't see this show coming.
My thing is, I'm a Laker fan. And anything that would potentially distract Lamar from the game was just simply not going to fly. But so far, it doesn't seem like its affected his game. Also, Khloe & Lamar is one of the few shoes to get actual NBA access to shoot footage. I wonder if LaLa will have such luck...hmm?
Anyway, last night's show I'm ashamed to say had me on the brink of tears. I know, I know I'm shaking my head right along with you. But if you didn't watch...don't judge, thanks!
The episode featured a hot button issue in our community, fatherless children.
Lamar's father Joe Odom, who is a former heroin addict popped up on Khloe and Kourtney at a book signing. This was the first time they had met. After getting acquainted and making small talk, Joe preceded to ask Khloe if it's alright if he and his new wife get a couple of tickets to the Laker game. Khloe agreed to make it happen. Things were all fine and well until Khloe mentioned the little family reunion to Lamar who was none too pleased.
Lamar expressed to Khloe that he and his father had a difficult and complicated relationship that was beyond her comprehension, and suggested that she just leave it alone. However, Khloe having lost her own father, didn't see why Lamar was being so cold and why he wouldn't even allow his Dad to come to a game. Lamar said Joe knew the terms of his and Lamar's relationship, which did not include game attendance. He felt Joe should have never popped up on Khloe. Unsatisfied with Lamar's reasoning for isolating his father, Khloe continues to push the issue; at which point Lamar makes a random phone call to Joe to show Khloe his true nature.
This is where things got misty. After what seemed to be a few minutes on the phone, Joe Odom started asking Lamar for money, tickets, shoes, etc. Lamar had already been fully supporting Joe with rent money and a monthly allowance, yet his father consistently sought out more material things from his rags to riches son. I was so hurt for Lamar. He regarded the phone call as though it was typical conversation, which was very saddening. It was as if he had become completely numb to his father soliciting money from him. Yet, you could still see he was very hurt that his father only maintained a relationship for what he could get out of it. The two had lost so many years of their relationship due to Joe's postwar drug addiction. And now that both are seemingly in a better space in their lives (Lamar's pro-ball career and Joe's sober life) Joe was more focused on using Lamar than loving him.
It's no secret that post Vietnam, soldiers were not properly taken care of to make sure they were mentally sound to return to a normal life, and many turned to drugs and alcohol to cope, resulting in a range of negative consequences for them and their families. Many ended up abandoning their responsibilities. Lamar's story is all too familiar to so many families. Lamar acknowledged his father's difficult life, but said that he was not looking for him to be a father, but to just act like he was a father. Acting like a decent human being would have sufficed. I don't want to judge Joe, because I honestly can't imagine all he has been through, but there has got to be a better way to go about having a relationship with Lamar. But does he even REALLY want a relationship?
This issue is something that can arise with many young men today growing up without a father. If you don't take the opportunity to be one when you had it, can you ever really reestablish that relationship?
Your thoughts?
