Part of my five-fold root of a resolution for 07 was to watch less tv. In December I analysed the year to come and determined a schedule of 4 shows that I would make time to enjoy:

1. scrubs

2. sopranos

3. american idol

4. survivor

5. frontline

However, now just 3 weeks into the new year and my analysis and consequent resolution has proven faulty from the discovery of VH1's Surreal Life Fame Game and the subject of this blog, The (White) Rapper Show.

I am enthralled.

The show is a contest where 10 white rapper wannabees were chosen to live in an apartment in the Bronx (the birthplace of Hip Hop) and compete for $100,000. The moderater and host is MC Serch the white Jewish hip hop icon from the group 3rd Bass. Thus far from the one and a half episodes I've seen, the other notable hip-hop legends to lend a hand with the contest have been Grandmaster Flash, Prince Paul, Grandmaster Cas and Kurtis Blow.

The contest have included 2 women and 7 men from various cities around the US as well as 1 women from London. The show follows a tried and true reality show/contest/survivoresque format where you see the interactions of the contestants followed by a lesson followed by a contest followed by more interactions followed by an elimination. But in this case the contests are all hip hop related. And the thing I'm finding most beautiful (like the most beautifullest thing in the world) is that the show is giving credence and cred to 'true' hip hop culture as opposed to 'rap' and the commonplace bling rap music popular today.

An example to clarify the point is the reprimanding by Serch of the lady rapper Persia who at one point got 'gangsta' and began brazenly using the N-word to show her hardness when attempting to intimidate another contestant, John 'the king of the burbs' Brown. As punishment for her indescretion she was made to where a HUGE silver chain with a diamond pendant that read 'The N-Word' for the day. While watching the episode I was pleased to see that the issue was met head-on and the white 'rapper' was made to feel as foolish as she sounded to an outsider like, well, me.

I don't know if this show will make it more than a season. And I don't know if it will educate anyone. But I am going to add it to my list of shows to watch in 2007. And along with a recap of my continuing job search, this blog will now also be a discussion and analysis of MC Serch's The White Rapper Show.