May the best competitors win!

Many may see it as just another reality show, but to me it's more than that! Making the Band 4 (MTB4) is a show that gives aspiring singers the opportunity to make their dreams come true. When I first began watching this show during its first season, I never expected to be to the point where I anticipate tuning into MTV at 10 p.m. EVERY Monday night just to watch MTB4. Initially, the show was created with the help of the creator of the Backstreet Boys, Lou Pearlman. Due to the ratings, the show was later moved to MTV where P. Diddy created a whole new meaning. Making the Band started as a reality show about a pop band and was transformed into a show about upcoming R&B and Hip-Hop artists. MTB4 is one of the most watched television shows on MTV. The show chronicles the trials and tribulations of striving musicians who have endured tough competition in order to become members of the Bad Boy Family.

I love MTB4! This season is even better than previous seasons. This season, Diddy brought Danity Kane, from Making The Band 3, back to the show to live with the winners of the first season of MTB4- his new band, Day 26, and his newly signed artist, Donnie, to compete against each other for a new song. This season has been really exciting and drama-filled. We've seen everything from hook-ups to fights to "bitchassness" which all add to the element of surprise that comes with each episode. Despite all of the drama, I like the fact that this show encourages people to follow their dreams. At the end of the first season of MTB4, Diddy chose the 5 men that he wanted in his group and Donnie for the solo contract. However, he encouraged each of the other competitors not to give up on their dreams of becoming famous musicians because they have talent. He wants them to pursue their dreams and not let one failure destroy their hopes and dreams.

I never realized how many different types of people watched MTB4 until I went to one of my classes last week. Though it gets hard to keep up with television at times, many college students still seem to find the time to watch MTB4. As we were reviewing for an exam, I overheard 4 or 5 students discussing the previous episode of the show. They ranted and raved about how much they enjoyed the episode when Danity Kane, Day 26, and Donnie FINALLY moved into their house in Miami. One girl even said that she calls her mom during every commercial break. How crazy is that?!? Not only do teenagers and young adults watch MTB4 but the show has even reached to our parents! I can't imagine my mother watching anything on MTV especially MTB4. Just as I could never imagine my mother watching the show, many others would agree that MTB4 is strictly for the teenage/young adult crowd. However, its following does indeed go beyond the younger crowds and into our parents' generation of 40+.

Even though I thoroughly enjoy MTB4, I hate the "reality show" aspect of it. Though I feel like most of the show is fairly genuine, there are those times when it is very evident that various situations have been staged in order to enhance the show. For example, on a recent episode, Q invites Dawn to meet him at a restaurant. Q knew that Dawn would also bring Aubrey to the restaurant. Meanwhile, Donnie is also at the restaurant on a date with another girl even though he had just come back from a date with Aubrey.I believe that this situation was staged by producers in order to create drama. I wish that "reality shows" were more real and less scripted and embellished. "Reality" television should be just that- REALITY! However, this is an aspect of "reality shows" that comes with the territory. It's one of those things that one must accept. Therefore, I have come to terms with it and I continue my weekly regimen by tuning into Making The Band 4 on MTV, every Monday at 10 p.m. Be there or be square!

Listen to Day 26's new single, "Got Me Going":


To meet the cast of Making The Band 4 (season 2), go to:
http://www.mtv.com/ontv/dyn/making_the_band_4/cast.jhtml