Kandi Burruss

Last summer, it could have been mistaken as a trend story: Women in top-selling songs by various R&B groups were rising up and declaring their dissatisfaction with men. TLC sold millions of copies of "No Scrubs," which disdained losers "hangin' around the passenger side of his best friend's ride, trying to holler at me." Then Destiny's Child rose on the strength of "Bills, Bills, Bills," decrying a "triflin' good-for-nothin' type of brother."

The problem with "The Real Housewives of Atlanta's" breakout wife NeNe Leakes is that she wants it both ways. She wants the fame of Bravo's top reality show about the back-stabbing, high school-style shenanigans of five well-to-do Atlantans, but she doesn't want the baggage -- namely, that's she's the brash manipulator the show makes her out to be. Early on, the outspoken Leakes, who is featured prominently in tonight's second season finale,...

The problem with "The Real Housewives of Atlanta's" breakout wife NeNe Leakes is that she wants it both ways. She wants the fame of Bravo's top reality show about the back-stabbing, high school-style shenanigans of five well-to-do Atlantans, but she doesn't want the baggage -- namely, that's she's the brash manipulator the show makes her out to be. Early on, the outspoken Leakes, who is featured prominently in tonight's second season finale,...

The problem with "The Real Housewives of Atlanta's" breakout wife NeNe Leakes is that she wants it both ways. She wants the fame of Bravo's top reality show about the back-stabbing, high school-style shenanigans of five well-to-do Atlantans, but she doesn't want the baggage -- namely, that's she's the brash manipulator the show makes her out to be. Early on, the outspoken Leakes, who is featured prominently in tonight's second season finale,...

The problem with "The Real Housewives of Atlanta's" breakout wife NeNe Leakes is that she wants it both ways. She wants the fame of Bravo's top reality show about the back-stabbing, high school-style shenanigans of five well-to-do Atlantans, but she doesn't want the baggage -- namely, that's she's the brash manipulator the show makes her out to be. Early on, the outspoken Leakes, who is featured prominently in tonight's second season finale,...

Of the girl groups that brought hip-hop attitude into R&B during the early to mid-'90s, Xscape, rough around the edges with a distinctly Southern twist, always seemed like the one most likely to become a footnote. Lacking some of the advantages of its peers -- SWV was highly polished, and Total was aligned with Puff Daddy (later Diddy) -- it made great music that felt, simultaneously, evanescent.

"Just Kickin' It," the first single by Xscape, has been one of the year's biggest hits--a record that catapulted the Atlanta hip-hop vocal quartet into prominence. So what could they possibly have against the song? "It doesn't show off our singing," says Kandi Burruss, 17. "We didn't want it as the first single. People listen to it and think we can't sing." She has a point.

It's 2010, and women scorned have resources, outlets and marketing plans. Used to be that if you were a high-powered man, you were a target, but now the man is no longer the end; he's just the stepping stone to a multimedia career, mere collateral damage. Not that the women of "Basketball Wives" (VH1, 10 p.m. Sundays) haven't paid a steep price for their ascendant fame. Most of the show's main figures have been cheated on and watched their relationships disintegrate in highly visible fashion.

Coverage of the "Arab Spring" dominated the Peabody Awards when the oldest honors in broadcasting were handed out Wednesday. CNN, Al Jazeera English and National Public Radio received the prestigious award for their coverage of the pro-Democracy movements that led to leaders being unseated in the Middle East, including Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. The awards recognize achievement and public service by TV and radio stations, individuals and the Internet. An awards ceremony will be in New York on May 21. The list of 38 Peabodys went far beyond news coverage, recognizing popular television shows, radio series and websites.

This country has yet to create a reality television auteur on the scale of Jade Goody, the former dental technician who by the time of her death from cervical cancer in March had become one of England's household names, thanks strictly to her roles on reality shows and the doors they opened for her. Goody's health began to decline last year, after she learned of her condition while appearing on "Bigg Boss," the Indian version of "Big Brother," which...

Of the girl groups that brought hip-hop attitude into R&B during the early to mid-'90s, Xscape, rough around the edges with a distinctly Southern twist, always seemed like the one most likely to become a footnote. Lacking some of the advantages of its peers -- SWV was highly polished, and Total was aligned with Puff Daddy (later Diddy) -- it made great music that felt, simultaneously, evanescent.

Last summer, it could have been mistaken as a trend story: Women in top-selling songs by various R&B groups were rising up and declaring their dissatisfaction with men. TLC sold millions of copies of "No Scrubs," which disdained losers "hangin' around the passenger side of his best friend's ride, trying to holler at me." Then Destiny's Child rose on the strength of "Bills, Bills, Bills," decrying a "triflin' good-for-nothin' type of brother."

Pop * Best Female Vocal: "I Will Remember You," Sarah McLachlan. * Best Male Vocal: "Brand New Day," Sting. * Best Duo or Group Vocal: "Maria Maria," Santana. * Best Collaboration With Vocals: "Smooth," Santana featuring Rob Thomas. * Best Instrumental Performance: "El Farol," Santana. * Best Dance Recording: "Believe," Cher. Traditional Pop * Best Traditional Pop Vocal: "Bennett Sings Ellington--Hot and Cool," Tony Bennett.

It's more than just a TV show. It's part of your daily or weekly routine that reaches beyond the small screen. It's a piece of pop culture you want to experience even when you're not watching it. You, my friend, are a merchandiser's dream, and you've contributed to the growing cache of TV-inspired swag that's never more in demand than at the holidays. Today's choices are nearly endless, including "Cougar Town's" "40 is the new 20" throw pillow, Animal Planet's pet beds and a temporary tattoo of the "Sons of Anarchy" grim reaper logo big enough to cover a grown man's back.