Olivia not really a comeback kid

Sometimes watching TV makes you wonder how we got here. Not so long ago, sitcoms and action series ruled on TV. But, while watching Friends and CSI, we were unaware of a new phenomenon that was on the horizon. When it got to our screens, the reality TV bug was dismissed as a fad that would come and go overnight because, seriously, who needs to know about how someone spends their day? But we were wrong. With the biggest reality shows being Twitter and Facebook, it is obvious people are in the business of being in other people’s business. Think of the reason you signed on to Twitter or Facebook. You might convince yourself with other reasons, but we all know these social networks make gossip magazines look like amateurs.

It is the same demand for information, especially on popular figures, that got reality TV going and these programmes are mushrooming wherever you look.

The latest addition is Love & Hip Hop, which features washed-up singer and sometime rapper Olivia Longott. Who? If you were a 50 Cent fan, you would remember that a little later he did a song called Candy Shop. It had an infectious hook and Olivia was the girl singing that hook.

Anyway, enough of the history. In this show she is basically trying to make a comeback into the music industry. We see her at music video shoots and studios making music. But as with any other reality show, Love & Hip Hop comes with its own drama.

There are people in Olivia’s life who do not want her to succeed. So expect some catfights and a serious exchange of words. The general cast is full of unknowns, so you end up thinking all the stuff in there is made up. Then again, it probably is.

But you also get real-life hip hop legends like Juelz Santana, Cam’ron and Fabolous making guest appearances here and there. That helps sell Love & Hip Hop especially to those who love hip hop.

The interesting thing is you get the feeling Olivia wants you to believe she was big once and then took a break when, in fact, her career did not take off. So it is necessary for her to have this show alert people to her very existence. Sadly, the game has changed since her “departure”. There are newer names in the game, including Beyoncé, Rihanna and Lady Gaga.

• Love & Hip Hop airs every Monday at 8.30pm on e.tv.