Family’s Show Ended Badly, But They’re Finally Back on Reality TV

I was an avid viewer of “Braxton Family Values” during its seven-season run in the 2010s on We TV.

The original series, starring sisters Toni, Trina, Traci, Towanda, Tamar, and their mother, Evelyn, was a major hit. However, it didn’t end on a high note.

Near the end of the series, a tense family therapy session with life coach Iyanla Vanzant exposed deep family secrets that became public fodder. This came alongside a contract dispute which saw Toni, Towanda, Trina, and Tamar going on strike.

“The cameramen were making more than us,” Towanda revealed in a 2022 YouTube video about that tumultuous period.

Traci was the only one left working with We TV, a decision that disappointed her sisters. When they returned, the show was canceled shortly thereafter, concluding with a brief and underwhelming six-episode final season. Not long after, Tamar severed ties with We TV, citing “excessive and unfair” work demands.

It’s a different scenario now between the family and the network. Thus, I was quite surprised when it was announced that the Braxton family would be returning with a new show, “The Braxtons,” which premiered recently.

Traci passed away in 2022 from esophageal cancer. As Toni explains in the premiere, honoring Traci is the main motivation behind this new show.

“She wanted us to talk about her cancer, her illness, and hope that it would help others battling it,” Toni said. “Whenever there’s a loss — a death in the family — it can go either way: It can bring you closer or further apart. I think this was her way of making sure we stay together.”

While I’ve missed seeing the Braxton family on TV, no matter how good “The Braxtons” might be, it will never quite fill the void left by “Braxton Family Values.” However, the premiere skillfully tackles the weight of grief the Braxton sisters carry while retaining the wit and humor that made their first show successful. Despite the seriousness of grief, the show maintains a light-hearted undertone—a testament to Traci encouraging them to continue despite her passing.

As someone dealing with loss myself, Toni’s words about Traci after her diagnosis resonate with me: “I felt helpless. I couldn’t do anything to save her.”

Watching Towanda and Trina check on Traci’s son reminds me of my own family’s support after my mom’s passing.

In the premiere, the sisters gather to mark the second anniversary of Traci’s death. “We never see each other,” one of them remarks. In response, Evelyn suggests family grief counseling. Odd as it may sound, seeing them discuss seeking professional help is comforting—it serves as a reminder that there’s time to seek help when I’m ready.

The family’s sincerity in the premiere about how challenging it’s been to lose Traci is palpable. They confront the harsh reality that death doesn’t always change people or situations, and how difficult it is to reunite when a crucial family member is gone. They even tackle uncomfortable conversations about shared loss.

The Braxtons are all talented singers, but their real strength in reality TV lies in their ability to be genuine on camera, regardless of the situation.

“You just try to live with a broken heart,” Toni explains.

Many of us are learning to do the same, so in that regard, “The Braxtons” serves as a soothing balm. Overall, the new show is off to a promising start.

We owe Traci Braxton for this. May her memory be a blessing.

Source: particle news