K-Ci & Jo-Jo Come Clean.... : REVIEW

When I heard that K-Ci and Jo-Jo were coming out with a reality show documenting their experience going through rehab, I was excited. The first thing I wanted to know was which one was K-Ci and which one was Jo-Jo (yes, it has been that long since I have seen let alone heard of them since highschool). I always loved Jodeci and when the two lead singers of the group branched off and made a few ballads I looked forward to hearing more, but more never came.
Years passed by and I continued to play their hits and came to terms with the fact that this group was never going to reunite and the two brothers whose vocals lead the group to super stardom with were coked up and out for the count.
Enter K-Ci and Jo-Jo: Coming Clean. I figured they were going to finally boot the snow blizzard that packed their nostrils. WRONG. They are kicking the alcohol habit. They claim that there was never a drug problem. We all have heard otherwise, but they insist. If moscato can turn me into what these two men have become, I will never enter a liquor store again.
First episode: we watch two hours of the rise and fall of the Hailey brothers. We get to see a clip that very well may have made a few rounds on youtube of one of them falling flat on his back while performing on stage. We also get to see them throw a fit because their body guard leaves them. I am hoping that this was all staged as I couldn't imagine why the two were devastated to be left without a body guard. Would any one even know who they were? I don't think there would be a mob of people trying to get a trim of their clothing or an autograph. This baffled me.
I came to find out that their "bodyguard" is just another fat guy who provides moral support, co-signs and deters potential "altercations" (the latter never happening). I have decided this bodyguard is merely and fixture to make the guys feel relevent in the celebrity realm. The day you don't have a body guard, you are no longer important.
Second Episode: The brothers go through a strenuous work out with the chick who played Tyreses mom in baby boy. After having K-Ci perform a specific exercise, she requests he sing while doing it. He decides to sing a cracked out broke down version of "Freakin' You" that he mentioned was an effort to woo his trainer (womp womp). Jo-Jo's wife comes to visit and she is so in love with him its clear to see she has yet to realize the transformation that has taken place in her husband over the years. Jo-Jo is visably thinner, his forehead is tatooed with a black scar across it, and all of the vaseline in the world will never heal the black chap that has invaded his lips. I will cease talking about the teeth and gums behind them. Jo-Jo admits that his wife is his best friend and he was glad to see her. He should be. I am amazed she was glad to see him. If we were going by looks alone, Jo-Jo circa 1995 and Jo-Jo present day are two totally different people. Any woman who wants to see him at all is a blessing. K-Ci talks about his crush on his trainer. I have a feeling that his rendition of "Freakin' You" did not win her over. Did I mention that his exaggerated Eddie Munsteresque widows peak still makes my eyes buldge during the first five minutes of each episode without failing? Don't get me started on his childish temper tantrums that include him putting on sunglasses and folding his arms defiantly. Its like toddler-meets-90's R.Kelly. I should also mention that his lips although a more fair shade of black, are equally as chapped as his younger brothers and this now is the only resemblence they bear of one another. Its amazing how cocaine and alcohol can make people from all parts of the world look related.
Third Episode: The episodes are all morphing together. I am growing tired of watching K-Ci's hissy fits and Jo-Jo's defiance. The guys are reunited with their numerous children and baby momma's. K-Ci hasn't seen his nineteen year old son since he was a toddler and feels that management shouldn't tell him when to see his kid. I suppose he wanted to wait another few decades to accomplish this feat on his own terms. Despite their absence in their kids lives, their children are supportive of their fathers efforts of rehabilitation and so are the numerous 'baby momma's'. I should also mention the Hailey brothers meeting with a major record label executive and being angry at being turned down for a project. Apparently, the executive was partying alongside them boozing it up in their hey-days (he also managed to maintain and grow in his career-no rehab reality for him). K-Ci made a rant posing the question asking if he had to kiss someone's @$$ to get a record deal. Judging by his divo attitude, years away from the industry, and substance abuse history, I would answer that with a resounding 'yes' but K-Ci just can't see it my way.
I tried to remain compassionate watching this show, however its near impossible to care about the Hailey brothers recovery. I feet slighted that they weren't honest with their audience about what they are actually being rehabilitated for, I don't find either of them to be likeable people, and I don't see much of an effort put forth on their part in recovering. If anything, watching this reality show has only made me lose more interest in the sibling duo. I honestly think that the both of them are jerks. Had I never been exposed to them outside of video's and concert performances, I would have never known.
To say this show is a disappointment would be dishonest. To say that K-Ci and Jo-Jo threw away their career on coke and liquor and are now irrelevant has-beens is coming clean.