“Oh, hey Fat Jesus.” That was the moment of the “Real Husbands of Hollywood” premiere on January 15 that convinced me I’d just found a new show to watch. And in case you’re wondering, this is comedian Kevin Hart’s greeting in the episode to a (9,10,11-year old?) boy named Calvin. Ah, just what TV needs, I thought as I watched Hart further insult the child about his less-than-impressive baking skills amongst other things.
Kevin mocks the fakeness of reality TV the way only he can. Although he’s clearly holding down the show, he’s chosen a group of cohorts that complements his brand of Crazy just perfectly. The result is a precise blend of well-timed politically incorrect nuggets of subtle (and over-the-top) humor.
But there are other crowning moments that have earned me as a fan:
“Where the h*ll is Mariah? Why you always hide Mariah when I come around?”
Kevin is blatantly disrespectful with regard to the other men’s wives. Take for instance, the barbecue at Nick Cannon’s house. As Nick grills wieners at the barbecue, Hart grills Nick on Mariah’s frequent absences (see the question listed above) – and then launches into another series of insults.
But Mariah isn’t the only one on Kev’s list. When Hart realizes that Paula Patton is at his house (dropping off hubby Robin Thicke for a poker game) he goes berserk, clapping like an excited child while blurting “Paula Patton’s in my driveway! I’m about to bag it!” He then sprints to the door as if he’s about to miss the ice cream man, nearly running down Robin in the process. His tirade against Thicke makes up a hilarious meaty portion of the episode, until Kevin ultimately proclaims to him: “Maybe you should never come back here.” If this were a real reality show, this would be the part where a drink is thrown.
The Breakaway Suit
But there are also gems like the whole breakaway suit incident. Duane Martin’s deadpan presentation of the Suit with Removable Arms and Legs elicited chuckles. But the truly glorious moment is JB Smoove’s ecstatic reaction. After spitting out his beverage in joy he exclaims: “I been trying to find a breakaway suit forever!” His triumphant squeals of delight are priceless.
Why We Need This Show
Sitcoms about traditional families are so 2012. We need a program like this to shake up the world of “reality TV”, while serving up laughs that aren’t born of true violence and humiliation. Actor Boris Kodjoe rounds out this motley crew; and these guys have the kind of chemistry that works. “Real Husbands of Hollywood” is the guilty pleasure that puts Hart and his boys at the center of the funniest scripted, non-scripted unreality that we’ve ever seen.
“Real Husbands of Hollywood” airs on BET network on Tuesdays at 10PM EST.
