Following the success of such mega-hits as The Real World and Road Rules, MTV last week debuted their latest entry into the reality television fray, The Ashlee Simpson Show starring multi-platinum selling rapper and suburban heartthrob, Marshall Mathers aka Eminem.
The Ashlee Simpson Show features Mathers as an up and coming actress/singer as s/he deals with starring on a hit television show, recording a debut album, and the everyday struggles of a wealthy teenager with a famous sister. Never one to shy away from playing dress-up (portraying Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and his own groupies in past videos), Mathers is out to prove that O.G. doesn’t just apply to gangstas, but gender-benders, as well. “OK, it’s like all these people were saying my lyrics were homophobic, so I went and hugged that gap-toothed faggot at the Grammys — now they don’t say shit,” Mathers told GB.com. “So now, these people are saying I’m misogynistic or whatever but once they see Ashlee, it’s like ‘What’s up now?’ Don’t say shit to me, bitch, because I been there and done that. I’m speaking through experience. Plus, I kinda like being able to put my hair up in a pony — sometimes I’m just too damn tired to deal with it in the morning, ya know?”
MTV is optimistic about the show’s chances for success. “Not since Ru Paul burst upon the scene have we had such an accepted cross-dresser as Eminem,” said Marketing VP Jordan Kosoff. “I mean, what other rapper can wear women’s clothing on a steady basis and still pass himself off as ‘hard’? None that I know of. I mean, this show’s appeal cuts across so many demographics, from Blue Blood Estates to Rural Industria to Homo-Thug Nation; we’d be crazy not to take advantage of this opportunity.”
The Ashlee Simpson Show airs Wednesdays at 10:30PM EST on MTV. As of press time, Chris Gaines was still unavailable for comment.