Bring It Down A Smidge

Most of you know that Mo’Nique has a talk show on BET. And from most of the comments I’ve read on Twitter and FaceBook, most of you happen to like the show, but take issue with all of her hollering and screaming.

I’m right there with you.

So this is my open letter to Mo…just letting her know how I feel about the sit’chation.

Dear Mo’Nique,

Let me start by saying that I absolutely adore you. I’ve been following your career since you began your comedy career, and you were the main reason that I watched The Parkers. I have to admit, though, I always thought your pursuit of Professor Oglevee verged on the insane and stalker-ish…but it was funny nonetheless. When you began to take on the movies in more serious roles, I was right there. I loved you in Domino, and will openly admit that I loved Phat Girlz. I anticipate your performance in Precious, because I know that you are going to rock it.

I attended one of your comedy shows once and laughed so hard my whole body hurt afterward. Making people laugh is a gift; you are blessed. The one thing that I’ve always admired about you is the fact that you will let nothing hold you back. You have never let your weight be a deterrent to having what you believe is yours; as a fellow big girl, you are an inspiration to me and others to love ourselves and work it!

But there is something that bothers me. I’ve been watching your new talk show, and although from the outside looking in, it looks like the perfect setup—an effervescent host, a hot band, a fabulous set and energetic crowd—there is one thing that threatens my continued watching. It isn’t the guests, because since the debut, you have had some of the best guests I’ve seen on late night. And it isn’t the set, because The Penthouse is fabulous and cozy. And it isn’t the band, because they are always on point.

It’s your screaming and hollering, Mo. It is beginning to grate on my nerves like fingernails on a chalkboard. Now I don’t want you to take this the wrong way, but quite frankly…it is annoying. It distracts from what you are trying to do. I realize that it may be part of your personality, as I have observed you on the comedy stage. But what works on a comedy stage does not necessarily work on a talk show set. The screaming and hollering does not work here.

I keep waiting on everything to calm down, silently attributing the caterwauling to you being enthusiastic about this new venture of yours. I keep waiting on things to calm down just a bit, so I can watch the show at a volume that allows me to hear you…YOU, without the extraness.

I honestly want you to succeed with your talk show. It concerns me that this may hold you back. You are looking marvelous and you have everything in place to make this one of the best shows ever to grace BET. All I’m asking is that you bring it down a smidge.

With love,

M