What started as a YouTube parody four years ago, has flourished into one of the Internet’s most acclaimed phenomenons.
Got 2B Real is a “diva variety show,” not far from reality TV, which depicts the fictional and parodied lives of veteran music divas such as Patti LaBelle, Dionne Warwick, Aretha Franklin, Mariah Carey, Beyoncé and more, going through the ups and downs of their careers and discussing the latest news in the entertainment business.
It all started with the infamous dinner party hosted by Patti LaBelle, who ended up serving tea with a side of beef and plenty of shade and one-liners as dessert. An appearence via Skype by the late Whitney Houston and a poem recited by none other than Dr. Maya Angelou completed the cast and provided the right amount of sass and laughter.
After 2 seasons and a few special episodes, including a reunion hosted by Oprah Winfrey and a session with Iyanla, the divas are back courtesy of the show’s creator, Patti LaHelle (@_maleficentt), in a 40-minute mockumentary recalling the genesis of the show (or in the words of Mama Patti, the “Got 2B Real movement”) and insight into the cast members’ lives since we last saw them together.
The beef between Patti, Aretha and Dionne has yet to be squashed and shade is the one thing that’s guaranteed on the show, but the movie begins and ends with two sweet moments: one is the tribute to the late Bobbi Kristina, a real fan of the show, who is now reunited with her mommy, Ms. Whitney; the other is a real performance of “That’s What Friends Are For” with Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight and Dionne Warwick reflecting on the value of friendships in the music business.
Got 2B Trill: The Untold Story (that’s the name of the latest installment of the series) is more than just a humorous parody this time. Patti LaHelle provides a lesson in music history, arkening back to “when black lives mattered even less than they do now” and by incorporating an alternate version of the touching speech Viola Davis gave at this year’s Emmy Awards, the show also touches a pivotal moment in the entertainment industry.
This time there are really deeper levels to the shade and while we are sad the show is apparently done for real (we can only hope that’s not true!), its departure will definitely leave a mark with the best episode ever released.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HU9v-GICBs