Let's Talk About Pep

Name: Let's Talk About Pep
Item: Let's Talk About Pep
Rating: 3
Author: Melissa Camacho

TV review by

Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media

Common Sense says

age 15+

(i)

Female rapper enters the dating scene; some risque stuff.

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A lot or a little?

The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.

Positive Messages

The series emphasizes the idea that adult women can be comfortable with their romantic and sexual needs as well as their strategies to find men that can satisfy them -- which may be seen as positive by some viewers and negative by others. It also sends iffy messages about promiscuity and having children out of wedlock.

Positive Role Models & Representations

Pepa and her friends place great priority on finding “the right man” to date, marry, and/or have a baby with. The women appear to be good friends with each other.

Violence

Sex

Lots of strong sexual innuendo, including conversations about having (and not having) sexual relations with dates/boyfriends. People are shown "making out"; one man licks/sucks a woman's toes. Cast members are shown in skimpy underwear and bathing suits and lying on tables getting bikini waxes (but no nudity is shown). Some dates take place in strip clubs; pole dances and scantily dressed women are briefly visible. One cast member looks for someone to get pregnant with.

Language

Words like “ass” and “bitch” are audible; curses like "s--t" and “f--k” are bleeped.

Consumerism

Pepa uses an iPhone, but the logo isn't obviously placed.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

Frequent wine, cocktail, and champagne consumption with meals; continual close ups of glasses being (re)filled. Some people get drunk while on a date.

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this adult-oriented reality series about the dating lives of rap singer Sandra "Pepa" Denton and her friends includes many scenes of various suggestive behavior (though no nudity is shown). The women openly discuss their romantic and sexual needs, and there's some salty language (words like “ass" and "bitch" are audible, while stronger curses are bleeped) and lots of drinking (wine, cocktails, champagne) -- along with some occasional drunken behavior. Failed relationships, divorce, and having a baby out of wedlock are also major themes of the show.

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What's the story?

LET’S TALK ABOUT PEP follows rap singer Sandra “Pepa” Denton -- best known as half of music duo Salt-n-Pepa -- as she re-enters the dating scene after a four-year hiatus from romance. Cameras roll as she and friends Jacque Reid, Joumana Kidd, and Kali Troy share the highs and lows of their romantic adventures over brunch. Throughout these conversations, viewers watch flashback sequences of the scenarios the women are describing.

Is it any good?

Let's Talk About Pep attempts to parallel the iconic Sex & the City series by focusing on professional single women who are comfortable with openly discussing their romantic and sexual needs. But because it's a reality show, the conversations featured here aren’t very creative. And the endless use of flashbacks to tell each woman’s dating story makes the show feel a little staged, too.

Still, Pepa fans will get a kick out of watching her and her friends make her way through New York’s dating scene. And some women may even identify with their frustrations and/or laugh at the awkward moments. But overall this voyeuristic show is best left for adults.

Talk to your kids about ...

Families can talk about why someone would want their dating life shown on television (embarrassing moments and all). What are the benefits or drawbacks of doing such a thing?
Do you think Pepa's and her friends' dates are real, or are they being staged for the show? How can you tell what's "real" in reality shows?
What kinds of messages does the media send about sex and feeling empowered?