TV One’s Love Addiction Offers Free Relationship Advice
For better or worse, TV One is married to the idea of original programming. Even though a large percentage of its viewers are only here for syndicated black sitcoms and dramas like Martin, Living Single, and A Different World, the little-black-network-that- could keeps tacking cracks at comedy (the unwatchable Love That Girl was the first result), competition series (the latest is the culinary race, My Momma Can Throw Down), and reality shows. Their most recent foray into the latter is Love Addiction, a show that profiles seemingly doomed couples and the friends that stage “love interventions” in a last ditch effort to preserve their dignity and mental health.
However staged the relationships themselves might be (viewers have pointed out that they’ve spotted some of these paramours in various other reality shows), the “intervention” segments and intercut commentary from relationship counselors and psychologists (Dr. Alduan Tartt, Hasani Pettiford, and Dr. Thema Bryant-Harris) do offer useful insights about the various reasons certain kinds of relationships crash and burn.
The couples featured on Love Addiction are usually on the drastically mismatched side. Take last night’s couple, for instance. “Gershwin” aka “Blackbird,” an over-the-hill, oddly dressed, emotionally detached musician and Daisy, a bubbly, effervescent, deeply wounded singer live together, even though Gershwin refuses to acknowledge that he and Daisy are a couple. Her friends try to convince her to kick his squirrely carcass to the curb, but she patently refuses–even after a teary one-on-one breakthrough with Dr. Thema.
Their case was glaringly obvious: dude was not at all interested in committing and was clearly using her to fulfill all his basic needs.
But one of the premises of the show is that it’s much easier to identify and quickly solve other folks’ problems, while ignoring or denying your own. The other main premise is that when you’re “caught up,” common sense disappears.
Because many unmarried couples don’t invest in relationship counseling, Love Addiction could prove to be a worthwhile watch. You can never have too many reminders to treat yourself and others with fairness, affection, and respect–or to high-tail it out of there if you aren’t getting enough of any of those things.
Here are a few of Dr. Thema’s bits of relationship wisdom:
1. ”My mother used to tell me everyone has baggage but make sure you end up with someone who just has a carry-on.”
Have you tuned in to Love Addiction? Do you have a most memorable episode or couple? Have you ever gone to relationship counseling and, if so, did it save your relationship or convince you to end it? Have you ever been in a “love-addicted” situation?
I was watching this show last night and it was irritating me soo much! idk why she was with him.. kinda sad even though many of us have been in that situation. And him he thinks he’s mister hot shot, when he isnt. He is a real loser for him to take advantage of her like that. and shes in complete denial. I don’t think she deserves him; she can do much better..anyway, not sure if ill be watching this show again but it I feel it could pose as a mirror to a lot of people in their relationships. Ive never been in relationship counseling but It may be helpful to some.
Sohw is the bomb ya’ll. Let’s you see it from all sides.
I’ve watched a couple of episodes of this show. It doesn’t seem exploitive or over the top and they give good, valid advice. I like TV One. They seem to (thus far) provide a positive image of the community. Shows like this also destigmatize the need for professional counseling which is definately a win.
I love “Love Addiction”. Sadly I see myself in some of the women who have appeared on the show, especially the ones who are givers who don’t receive anything in return. In one episode Dr. Tart mentioned Attraction to Deprivation. It was really significant for me. I’m trying to figure that out before I enter another semi-serious relationship.
you are beautiful and should not be faulted for having a kind heart.
If you want to give and give, then do that. your journey is becoming aligned with someone who is deserving and truly appreciative of what you give.
muah
I have to disagree with your seemingly negative opinion of TVOne’s original programming. I don’t want to sound like paid sponsor, but I love TVOne efforts to introduce original programming. One word… UNSUNG… I have wasted many a Sunday catching up on an UnSung marathon… Who can hate on an afternoon with DeBarge, Teena Marie, Lakeside, Rose Royce etc.? To be honest, I was even a fan of “Love That Girl” for all of its cornyness. In either case, Thank you for introducing me to the show “Love Addiction”. I watched the episode and found it be interesting and quite informative.