Hippety hoppety

Finally got around to watching Hip Hop Squares on the VH1 web site. I sampled the first episode.

Long story short: it's okay. There are a couple things I didn't like. For some reason there are no civvie contestants. Instead a couple of (very minor) celebs play for civvies from the audience. Uh no, let the civvies play for themselves. The second goof is a random bonus round that seems like the most after of afterthoughts.

Otherwise, the show is entertaining enough. The basic Hollywood Squares format remains intact, and the set has been spiffed up. They've even got dancers hip hopping around. DeRay Davis, looking a tad heavier than in his GSN Mind of a Man days, hosts amiably enough, though he seems over-caffeinated.

The questions were all about the tackier parts of pop culture, including various body parts. With one exception: one question actually quoted the Declaration of Independence. And that's not a bluff.

Meanwhile, the most important review - from the Nielsen Company - was favorable for the first two eps. About two million viewers and 18-49 ratings at or above the big one-point-oh.

Tweet

Subscribe to receive free email updates: