The Christies

Someone just sent me a link to the new BET show "The Christies". For those of you who don't know who Doug Christie is, he's a former NBA guard who very publicly shows that he respects and cares for his wife. This usually overshadows his defensive contributions--after all, a lot of guys in the NBA play good defense, but not a whole lot go out of their way to establish an alternative sense of masculinity and relationship with his wife.

Turns out BET decided their marriage would make a good reality show. Interested in a show that would demonstrate a loving, healthy relationship, I clicked over to see this.

BETJ follows the lives of NBA star Doug Christie and his strong-willed wife, Jackie. You won’t be able to take your eyes off this romantic train wreck as the Christies work through the issues of living together.

Doug Christie is a champion and a tough-nosed competitor who will bite, fight, scratch and claw his way to victory. At least on the court, that is! Off the court, however, his wife Jackie is the star. She is omnipresent, controlling and clearly in charge. Some would say that Doug’s “whipped”; he says he’s happy.

So instead of focusing on a unique style of masculinity and a relationship by which people share power, they sell it by saying "look at this p-whipped NBA star! He's a freak!" Because he has a different style, they vilify his wife and say he's weak. Not exactly what I had hoped for.