Watch ‘Salt-N-Pepa’ on VH1

Share

Posted by K.C. Morgan Categories: Prime Time, Reality, Cable, Editorial, Spoilers

Though it seems the first season of The Salt-N-Pepa Show only finished airing recently, it’s already time for a second season on VH1. Based on concept alone, it may not sound like a reality hit. Take two early ‘90s rap queens, a bunch of cameras, and it would be easy to create a bomb. This is not the case with Cheryl and Sandy (Salt and Pepa).

I’ll admit it: I watched every episode of the first season. As their names would suggest, the two leading ladies are very much opposites. Cheryl now raps mainly for the Lord in her church and in her private recording studio at home, while Pepa likes to hit the clubs and have a good time. Both are mothers, but each approaches the task differently.  (Pepa’s definitely the less strict of the two.)  One is single, the other married. Yet despite all these differences which might make friendship seem difficult, the two are the best of friends. When they get together there might be a lot of head-butting, but there’s laughter, too. There are a lot of scripted shows out there about female friendship, shows that somehow ring false. This female friendship is real and enduring, and something about it is truly heartwarming.

Read More | VH1

The new episodes of Salt-N-Pepa begin airing February 11. The first episode will focus on a party for Cheryl’s daughter, Corin. I’ve had the opportunity to watch the episode, and it’s a winner. In the opening scene, Cheryl asks Sandy to help her plan a get-together for Corin, who is sixteen and ready to have her first party with boys in attendance. Pep (who likes to “Pep it up”) immediately launched into a catalog of ideas, talking about colors, theme and a veritable cattle call of boys where young Corin gets to pick and choose.

The three ladies get together to discuss the party. Cheryl, ever the watchful mom, lays out her rules. When all agree to the terms, they launch full-force into planning. For women, this includes a variety of shopping. There’s one great shoe store scene where the three strut around in high heels, so Corin can perfect her walk. But Pep thinks Cheryl is being far too harsh. She listens to the advice of her young niece to simply take Corin out without Cheryl, and the two flee the house to visit a make-up artist. Here, Corin’s sweet sixteen look is transformed into a twenty-five-year-old face.

Upon seeing her daughter, Cheryl has officially been pushed too far. She takes Sandy outside to say the party is all off. That’s when the magic of this friendship kicks in. It seems no simple argument can last long between the two, and soon enough fences are mended and plans are underway.

A few more great scenes follow, including the uproarious vision of Corin’s father Gavin questioning the male guests who file past him. “How old are you?” He demanded, even going so far as to pat one guest down. And good for him.

Make no mistake, there is conflict between Salt-N-Pepa. They rarely see eye-to-eye or agree with each other right away. With each new undertaking, each one learns how to give just a little bit. Somehow, their natural charisma and chemistry turns this odyssey into truly funny, entertaining reality TV. There’s no excuse not to watch this one - VH1 almost perpetually re-runs every episode.