The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty - not quite a review

So I watched some of The Jacksons: A Family Dynasty last night - not because I forgot that it was coming on, but because A & E failed to advertise when the premiere was supposed to start. I knew that it's usual time would be at 10 p.m. Sunday, so that was when I planned to watch. Unfortunately, when I was merely channel-surfing, I realized that A & E started the party early. I didn't see the first episode in full, so I really can't comment too much on it. I did see the part when Jackie's (?) son, Siggy, threw a hissy because his dad and uncles kept bickering while playing B-ball. For me, that was worth seeing and personally, if the show emphasizes on the brothers' relationship with their children, especially if said children shock these mugs out of their tunnel-visioned narcissism, then this show will be worth seeing.

Mind you, the second episode was mainly about the surviving Jackson 5, and frankly, Jackie, Tito and Marlon came across pretty good. Pretty good, only because it is obvious that to them, returning to J5 glory is a quick way to make relatively easy cash. I don't mind the money grab, since it's tempered with the vibe that they aren't that fame-hungry. Jermaine, of course, wants both, or rather, he thinks that he deserves both, despite not putting forth anything resembling a legitimate effort. The best example of this was when he and Tito met with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, the two powerhouses responsible for Janet's early music successes. When Jam and Lewis asked Jermaine about what he wanted, in terms of material for the brothers, Jermaine just said 'Hits'!

Hits!

Really?

For me, it reaffirmed several things about Jermaine. First, dude is not interested, whatsoever, in creating anything personal - just profitable. Second, it reminded me of the Word to the Badd debacle, when Jermaine got bent out of shape when the LaFace writers and producers ditched him in order to work with Michael. Yes, writing and producing for Michael would've been a huge feather in their cap, but there was also the fact that Michael was very hands on in the creative process, which was probably why he eventually ditched LaFace when neither he or the writers yielded anything satisfactory. Third, Jermaine is willing to forego a golden opportunity to create something personal and distinctive in favor of expediancy and quick cash and fame. Forth, despite assuming the position as leader of the surviving Jackson 5, he doesn't do anything to facilitate a creative environment for his three brothers, who could fill in the slack while he's showboating.

But enough about Jermaine, although I guffawed when he was crying like a b*tch when 'the brothers left him at Motown' - but again, this is the same dude who had a solo career while with the J5 but threw a hissy fit when Michael eventually left the brothers for his own incomprehensibly successful career. But again, I hope that the show will focus on the so-called future Jackson entertainers, especially if there are some who will deliver some home truths to their fathers. Siggy did it, and surprisingly, Tito's sons, provided some much needed honesty about some issues. Like when they indicated that they wanted to take a rest from making music because they are still grappling with their Uncle Mike's death. Tito heard that they wanted to break up 3T, which wasn't what they said. One of the saddest moments was when Taj said that he heard about his Uncle Mike's death on the news versus getting a call from the family. And clearly, his and his brothers' relationship with their Uncle Mike went beyond him helping them with their debut album. More moments like this will make the show a must see.

Unfortunately, the brothers have a firm vision in mind, but like many things about J5, their ideas are pretty outdated and played out. But I will keep my fingers crossed for surprise nuggets from the grandchildren and great grandchildren.