The Shop

What’s the Story?

`MTV2's reality series THE SHOP is like a real-life version of Ice Cube's hit movie Barbershop. Viewers go on a behind-the-scenes tour of a Jamaica, New York, barbershop where neighborhood men come to get a cut, catch up on local gossip, and critique aspiring rappers and singers. Barbers Bobby, Deb, Pop, Teddy, Tim, and Van steal the show at Mr. Rooney's Barbershop, which is owned by Cory Rooney, a successful music producer who's worked with the likes of Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Lopez, and Destiny's Child. In each episode, in between giving their clients buzz cuts and trims, the barbers shoot the breeze on pop culture trends, the latest rap and hip-hop couples, the places they've been, and the people with whom they socialize. They also welcome Rooney's colleagues (in one episode they hung out with local celebrity Fat Joe) and entertain their customers with critiques of budding rappers who come to the store to audition.

Is It Any Good?

While some of the banter can get bawdy (in one episode the barbers joked about the pros and cons of hiring a prostitute) and dozens of curses are bleeped out, The Shop is a feel-good look at the community that gave rise to the rap and hip-hop industries. And it's evident that amid all the good-natured ribbing, the guys (and gal!) at the barbershop are friends who, in the end, respect each other.