Reed Between the Lines

Reed Between the Lines is a quality program, once you take into consideration it is on BET. That being said, the show is just OK. This show has the potential to be on the level of shows like the Cosby's or My Wife and the Kids. The first thing that is apparent is you have Malcolm playing a grown up Theo and Traci is recycling Joan from Girlfriends who just changed careers again. The weakness of the show can be traced back to its writing and direction. Why would you have, Traci play a psychologist who in the workplace acts goofy and silly when she should be a serious professional and let her co-stars get the laughs. She picks the wrong times to be channeling Lucy/Carol Burnett. I do not mind her being silly when she is at home but not in the work place. Another concern is the youngest daughter is at times the smartest one the show. That does not fit when one parents is a MD and the other a PhD. That is the fault of the direction the show when it goes for cheap laughs instead of good humor, but the show is on BET I guess they are doing the best they can do. I hope they realize it before it is too late.

after so many series about family , it is a real challenge to discover something new. parents, children, friends, nice dialogs. at first sigh - only versions of same thing . again and again. in this case the secret ingredient is the honesty. not the humor, not the dialogs, maybe not the performances. family problems in cruel light. few drops of irony, usual situations, great problems and easy answers, the love not in pink nuance but comfortable to discover everyday crisis. a modern series who has the art to use old recipes in wise style. and that does it an adorable TV series. because it has this kind of charm useful for every viewer not only as entertainment but as inspired reflection of his life.

for many family series , "nice" is the best word when you do not know say something more. but in this case the word is more than a form to save appearances. "Reed Between the Lines" is nice because it gives a precise picture of every day reality. this represents its first virtue. the second virtue the use of "spices". humor, jokes, the war between parents and children at different ages, the relations with family, colleagues and the others, the link between husband and wife, the wise choices for create an ordinary universe using the most inspired tools. short, a series about family. remembering many others series about same subject. but, more important, proposing a real useful perspective.

I've only seen two episodes but plan to watch more! I grew up with the Cosby show and have lamented the lack of positive images of blacks on TV since it went off the air. People should really give it a try. It's subtle, but fun. I know I'll grow to love it even more! Good start and nice to see our favorite black stars get cameos! I had grown weary of the offerings on network TV, especially since we have such a beautiful black family in the white house. I think now there will be more attempts at shows like this. Before it was reincarnated as the CW, WB had some nice shows: Girfriends, Half and Half, and One on One... My kids and I enjoyed the lineup! The writing was clever and the acting superb. We've missed those shows. Well done BET!

"Reed Between The Lines"is one of the most refreshing and entertaining sitcoms to premier on BET in a very long time. Airing on Tuesday nights at 10pm, Tracee Ellis Ross and Malcolm Jamal Warner star as Carla and Alex Reed, both doctors (one a psychologist) the other (a college professor)as a loving, devoted married couple raising three children. Melissa DeSousa ("The Best Man") also stars as the pretty acupuncturist and friend of Carla Reed along with Anna Maria Horsford ("Friday" and "The Wayans Bros") as Ms. Helen, Dr. Reed's witty and sassy receptionist. Malcolm Jamal Warner and Tracee Ellis Ross have wonderful screen presence and chemistry that makes them stand out as a believable husband and wife couple. So far, the show touches on very important issues such as family values, discipline, love, commitment, etc. "RBTL" is a cool t.v. series that is unique and original in its own way. The writing is fairly decent and the acting is done well, especially by the adorable Reed children. Although there are no real surprises to the show, it is still definitely worth the watch. It is a fun show that depicts African American family life in a positive and genuine way and is also a step up from most of the ridiculous programming that's shown on BET. I rate this show an 8 out of 10.