Tiny and Toya: Do Better

Article written by: Andre Sanchez
Posted on: August 26, 2009

We can’t look away: we’re watching the new BET reality show starring Tameka ”Tiny” Cottle and Antonia “Toya” Johnson Carter, otherwise respectively known as T.I.’s steady and Lil Wayne’s ex-wife. Here’s a synopsis and review of episodes 4 and 5. Can a reality series be successful and sustain long-term interest when it primarily revolves around fulfilling ambitions beyond being celebrity baby mamas? Let’s find out. 

Tiny and Toya Episode 4. Grade: D

Tiny arrives at her parents’ house, and is wanting to hang out with her dad Charles more, now that T.I. is gone. First things first, Tiny wants Charles to hear what aspiring singer Zonnique made. Zonnique is nervous as Tiny and her parents listen, but Charles nods in approval of her vocal ability. When Tiny’s mom Diane asks Charles who taught Tiny to sing, he is unsure; it’s apparent that his battle with Alzheimer’s is slowly taking over.

Toya calls relationship expert Dr. Ron Elmore to talk about her mother. In order to understand and work through painful experiences from her past. Dr. Elmore suggests for  Toya do a wilderness adventure called Outward Bound.

Later, Toya drives to the Atlanta airport to pick up her mother Anita;  for some reason there is no sign of her mother though. Finally, Anita is found and Toya is excited about showing her mom all the stuff to do in Atlanta.

The next day, they go to a nail salon for a manicure and a pedicure. Toya expresses her disappointment to Anita in asking why she didn’t call her brother Rudy on his birthday.  Toya then finally reveals how Anita’s hurtful disappearances is hurting her and her family.

Finally, both Tiny and Toya arrive at Outward Bound, and face obstacles from their own lives. Since they aren’t wilderness lovers, they begin to complain almost instantly. But at the end of the day– after they’ve overcome their fears – they surprise themselves with what they have accomplished.

My thoughts on Episode 4: I don’t like Toya’s mom. She’s irresponsible, and doesn’t seem to give a crap about her younger children. And I understand Tiny wanted to spend more time with her dad, but do we have to painfully watch him sit there and say nothing for what seems like an eternity?

Miss me with that!

Tiny and Toya: Episode 5. Grade: D+

Toya meets up with two of her friends from New Orleans, Lidia and Danielle, to talk about her upcoming trip to their hometown. Toya fills them in on her surprise birthday party that she planned for her little brother Rudy. Toya also talks about the troubled relationship she’s had with her mother and father through the years…

Meanwhile, Tiny and her ex-band member from Xscape, Kiesha, hang out in Tiny’s kitchen ro brainstorm their idea for starting a record company. For starters, on their newly formed record label roster, will be two all female groups.

As soon as Toya gets to New Orleans, she meets up with Rudy. She takes him shopping for his birthday – a day that wasn’t honored by either of their parents. Toya also takes this opportunity to catch up on how life is going for him.

Rudy arrives a bit later to his house, only to find his family in the backyard , which hosts his surprise birthday party,  yelling ‘Happy birthday!’ At the party, Toya tells her father that he was not there when she and the family needed him most and although she knows he tried, he did not try hard enough!

Toya also lets her mother know that she needs her family together, but her mom, Anita, continues to keep  her guard up. This time though, Toya remembers Dr. Elmore’s advice and because of that, has let her parents know what she wants, while realizing she can’t transform her mother.

Lastly, in visiting the Mt. Olive Mausoleum with Reginae, Toya shares stories about the people in her life that helped to create some of her happiest  memories.  It is here that the tears immediately start to flow from both of them. While hugging Reginae tightly, Toya walks with Reginae into their future, still to be determined…

My thoughts on Episode 5: This episode really focused on Toya and her family issues; it’s obvious she barely has a stable family, and though she holds it down for her brother and the rest of her folks, this episode was pretty empty and much left to be desired. Tiny has a lot of big things coming up that’ll make this season interesting (i.e, her nail salon business venture), but as for Toya, the next couple of episodes will be critical.

Let’s hear your thoughts on the new episode, your grade report, and anything else you want to say, in the comments!

Tiny and Toya previous episodes 2 and 3