The Sleazy & Benzino opening party, which I attended back in February, finally aired tonight.
I show up for a few moments in the background when Erica Dixon and Karlie Redd enter the club 21 minutes into the episode. (My wife captured a screen grab to the left.)
What was comical about this "club" scene was that they had to turn the music off so we were all just standing around watching them film. And the club was comically bright to accommodate the cameras. But we couldn't really hear what they were saying.
In this scene, Karlie creates mischief by describing her ex-boyfriend Benzino's package size and saying it isn't so big but she didn't mind. She said she showed up at the opening party to support her ex, who she said she is no longer interested in. (This is more of a set up for a plot line next week where Benzino claims Karlie photoshopped his junk to make it look smaller or something like that.)
Ultimately, the fight we reported about at the time it happened was first between Karlie and Benzino's new girlfriend Althea.
They start throwing shade at each other and Althea throws water in a glass at Karlie. Karlie gets dragged out of the club. Then Althea throws some water for no particular reason at Erica, who then goes after her. It was pure silliness. Benzino gets all angry and makes sure Karlie is outta there. How manufactured was this scene? It's "Love and Hip Hop." You decide.
Here's how I covered it four months ago.
Ultimately, we learn that Althea - before she hooked up with Benzino - has had her way with not only Mimi's boyfriend Nikko but possibly Stevie J, too. She's a busy woman if that's the case though she told Benzino her time with Nikko was back when she was 16 or 17, no big whoop. Then Nikko later tells Mimi that Althea is "blowing my phone up" and thinks it's more than about music.
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
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Other storylines:
- Bambi gets mad at Scrappy over his relationship with Erica P (which is still only a "friendship"). It seems like the Scrappy/Bambi relationship may be on the rocks. Momma Dee tells her son Scrappy about her efforts at peacemaking, which backfired last week when Erica P had revenge and attacked Bambi. Scrappy tells his mom half-heartedly to stay out of his business. Like that's going to happen.
- Kirk feels vindicated when a doctor tells Rasheeda that Rasheeda's mom shouldn't be kissing their son on the lips because he is susceptible at his age to all sorts of diseases. He also objects to Rasheeda's pending girls' trip out of town but ultimately he can't stop her.
- Yung Joc promises he's no longer dating that realtor/hair/driver side chick that fought Karlie in a previous episode with a bemused, smug look on her face. Karlie sticks with Joc despite her suspicions.
- Mimi and Nikko have a one-year anniversary party but Mimi is disturbed how much Nikko is basking in the light of the upcoming sex video being released. "Let the judgment begin," she sighs. One thing his speech at the party proves: the man is no verbal Casanova (like Stevie J). He could barely put a coherent sentence together.
- Sadly, Waka Flocka Flame's brother committed suicide last year and his mother Deb Antney goes on a radio station to campaign against reckless Internet posting that she thinks led to her son's death. These scenes feel jarringly consequential compared to the usual "Love and Hip Hop Atlanta" absurdities.
- Joseline checks out Stevie J's phone, which includes lots of nude pictures that aren't of her. So she throws a fit and tells him she doesn't want to have that public wedding she previously requested. She even takes off her ring. Stevie J knows her too well. She'll calm down and come back to him - ring and all.
TRAILER
Mimi and Nikko separate because she suspects Nikko leaked the tape and his bag wasn't "stolen." Stevie J woos Joseline with a bubble bath. Benzino complains that Karlie is spreading lies about his personal parts. Erica meets with her ex Scrappy for reasons that are unclear.
RATINGS
Last week, the show rebounded last Monday after a relatively slow Memorial Day ratings day.It pulled in 3.58 million viewers, almost the same amount as opening week. The show is averaging 3.2 million viewers in its first showing. A second showing any given night typically pulls in another 1.5 million viewers. And with DVR usage, weekly viewership can excceed 6 million.
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