The premise is this - Keyshia Cole, successful hip-hop singer, has moved her family to Atlanta, Georgia in an attempt to bring her family members together. Somewhat estranged mom, Frankie, has been recently released from prison and is clean and sober for four years, ready to start anew with Keyshia and her sister, Neffie. With Frankie, Neffie, Neffie's three daughters, and her close friend and assistant, Ronique, the ladies hash things out through therapy and frank talk.
Among their ups and downs is the fact that both Keyshia and Neffie were essentially abandoned by Frankie while she was on crack and the girls were raised by other people. They engage a therapist to help them work through these issues with Frankie. Then there's the fact that Neffie finds out she is 6 weeks pregnant and she has recently split with her husband, Clyde. Never mind the fact that the baby isn't his, however. So there's more drama there. When Frankie and Neffie seem to get their hackles up about Keyshia's rule about no men in the house, Keyshia makes a decision to buy them a condo so they can be on their own - but her business manager puts a stop to this because of her tendency to spend lavishly.
It seemed like added drama was thrown in because things weren't exciting enough on their own when a man claiming to be Keyshia's biological father contacts her manager, Manny. They meet and draw the situation out, having everyone submit to a DNA test. Then there's the family reunion that Keyshia decides to have in Oakland and she brings together sister Elite and brother Sammy, both of whom haven't seen Frankie since they were young children. Throw in the Coles, who raised Keyshia after Frankie left, and you have a recipe for destruction, since the Coles don't really approve of Frankie. Sadly enough, the Coles aren't surprised when Frankie shows up drunk and makes a scene in the party bus. Once the group gets to Universal Studios, both Frankie and Neffie start a scuffle and everyone gets into a verbal throwdown. Of course, Keyshia hasn't arrived yet, but everyone makes nice before she gets there. it seems that Neffie and Frankie like to yell and make a scene. A lot.
From what I've seen in this show, Keyshia Cole really does seem like a fairly smart young woman, one with really good intentions to try and help her messed up family. But unfortunately, it looks like she gets used a good deal of the time as well, as her posse of friends is all too happy to go out "shopping" with her while Keyshia is footing the bill. That being said, Keyshia seems very well spoken and is a lovely girl and it looks like the Coles did a wonderful job with her.
Special features include some lengthy deleted scenes involving Neffie and Clyde, her ex, plus Neffie, Frankie and Neffie's father, among others. Once again, Frankie is drunk or high and makes trouble. There's also a featurette called Frankie Reveals where Frankie talks candidly about how she screwed up this way or that and how she is working to make things better between she and Keyshia. Lastly, there's a featurette on Keyshia's Glam Team, those who make her the beauty she is and give her that unique look.
All in all, it's nice to see a celebrity reaching out to help troubled family members and yes, it makes good TV, but Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is: The Complete Second Season is probably best left for Keyshia's biggest fans.
