What happens when a hip-hop star has a family, becomes a reverend and moves to New Jersey? If you’re Reverend Run, one-half of the 80s powerhouse Run-D.M.C., you get an MTV reality show. This Thursday, October 25, Run’s House premieres its 4th season on MTV. Like The Hills, Run’s House falls into that special category of reality programming that would accurately be called “scripted reality.” Each episode arc is obviously set-up by producers, giving viewers the feeling that all of the “characters” know what is expected of them before cameras ever start rolling. The end result is best described as a reality version of The Cosby Show.
While a real-life Huxtable family may not be something you think television needs, believe me—it is. Like Cliff, Rev Run enjoys employing complicated methods to teach his large brood of kids (Vanessa, Angela, JoJo, Diggy and Russy) lessons. Last season, Diggy was embarrassed by Run picking him up from the bus stop in his Rolls Royce, so the next day, Run picked him up in the Rolls Royce—and a gorilla costume, showing Diggy exactly what true embarrassment is.
While Run’s House generally has a “family sitcom” feel, it is a reality show, and as such, tragedy sometimes shows through. Much of the second season followed Run’s wife Justine through her pregnancy, ending with Justine going into labor. Season three was originally going to open with the family welcoming the new addition, but the unexpected loss of the baby, who they named Victoria Anne Simmons, led to a much different show. Season 3 focused on the pain of losing a child and the ongoing and usually comedic struggles of day-to-day life with a large family.
The new season deals with Vanessa and Angela wanting to move to California, JoJo graduating high school, Rev. Run and Justine trying to adopt a baby and the entire family living under one roof for the summer. Since these are people who know people, you can expect cameos from Run’s brother, Hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons, as well as Ja Rule, and what looks like a hilarious appearance by Kid Rock.
Make no mistake, Run’s House is a funny show. But what makes it so compelling is the likeability of the characters. Even the kids, who have grown up in luxury and want for nothing, don’t come off as (too) spoiled or entitled. Even blatant nepotism (Vanessa and Angela’s sneaker line for family-owned Run Athletics) isn’t annoying. I can’t watch The Hills for more than thirty seconds without mentally calculating the cost of Lauren’s accessories and getting a headache, but the money the Simmons family throws around on Run’s House doesn’t faze me at all. I guess a little likeability goes a long way.
Check out the season 4 trailer below and consider yourself warned: Run’s House will suck you in.
