Running Russell Simmons
Some mixed messages about women in behind-the-scenes show.
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this reality series featuring some of the women working behind the scenes with music producer and entrepreneur Russell Simmons contains lots of strong sexual innuendo and salty language ("bitch," "ass"; "f--k," "s--t" are bleeped). Logos for Simmons' numerous companies are visible. Alcohol (wine, champagne, cocktails) appear at social events. The show features strong professional women, but it also sends mixed messages about the power of women in the workplace.
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What's the Story?
RUNNING RUSSELL SIMMONS introduces viewers to the women who help hip hop mogul and entrepreneur Russell Simmons run Rush Communications, the parent company for his numerous business ventures and charitable endeavors. It features Simmons' executive assistants Simone Reyes and Christina Puljasaj helping him with his executive decisions while managing his professional and personal schedule. They bring on interns Ali and Sagen to help them with their work and to compete for a permanent position. Meanwhile notable professionals like Adair Curtis, Trisha Stone, and Piper McCoy also help him run different branches of his company.
Is It Any Good?
The show, which is produced by Simone Reyes, mixes orchestrated scenes of Simmons doing yoga, discussing philanthropic endeavors, and flirting with models with scenes of Simone and Christina running around and stressing over the details to make it all happen. The assistants also find themselves struggling with the interns, who seem more interested in having fun and acting inappropriately with celebrities than being helpful.
It's interesting, but the overall show sends some conflicting messages. While most of the women featured appear successful, empowered, and in the center of an A-list world, much of what the executive assistants do is no different than the job of a glorified secretary who makes everything happen while her boss gets all the credit. Simmons' womanizing ways don't send a great message either. But it does offer a fair look at the amount of behind-the-scenes work it takes to make any major business successful.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the changing role of women in the workplace. Did you know that years ago women were only allowed to be teachers or secretaries, and had to quit their job when they got married? How have things changed over the years?
Do you think that the executive assistants featured here are powerful women? Or do they just happen to be working for a powerful man?
How realistic do you think this behind-the-scenes portrayal is?
TV Details
- Premiere date: November 2, 2010
- Cast: Christina Puljasaj, Russell Simmons, Simone Reyes
- Network: Oxygen
- Genre: Reality TV
- TV rating: TV-14
- Last updated: October 14, 2022
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