Russell Simmons and Sean “P-Diddy” Combs are two of the founders of Run’s House. Russell Simmons is also the founder of Def Jam and the fashion company, Phat Farm; even more, he knows how to design a hit.
His standup comedy show helped to launch the international careers of legendary comedians like Martin Lawrence and Bernie Mac. Both Sean Combs and Russell are entrepreneurs at heart. Their business acumen has helped to move Run’s House forward.
Run’s House on MTV
Run’s House aired for the first time in 2005. It soon became a hit with MTV viewers. No doubt Reverend Run’s record setting exploits with Run DMC, one of the most popular rap groups in the 1980s, has had significant impact on the show’s success.
Reverend Run’s personality shines through on the television series. His strong sense of humor and never ending antics keep viewers, his wife Justine and their children on their toes.
Taped outside the family’s home in Saddle River, New Jersey, the weekly reality program opens with a challenge, business, entertainment enterprise or school related event that someone in the family is currently experiencing. By the end of the show the entire family has learned a valuable lesson which Reverend Run blogs about on his Blackberry.
The Shows Early Seasons
The first season of the show followed Reverend Run’s oldest daughters, Angela and Vanessa, as they left home after Angela graduated from high school with honors. The girls moved from New Jersey to an apartment in New York’s Manhattan. They were often homesick and leaned on their father for financial support.
It almost seemed like the girls wouldn’t learn how to navigate the world on their own, but they did. During the next season the Simmons clan expanded with the birth of Victoria Anne Simmons only to have their angel fly away at a time that seems far too soon.
The family’s decision to air their emotional reactions to the passing of baby Victoria (she died at birth) is akin to the reason that they agreed to air the show at all. The Simmons want to bring a strong, positive and loving family into the minds and homes of millions of television viewers so that people see that marital and family challenges can be dealt with directly and with love.
Reverend Run and Justine’s Family Grows
By the time season four aired the family was fully into the process of adopting an infant daughter. Miley joined the cast when she was a few weeks old. Angela and Vanessa had made a success of their Pastries sneaker line, a business that the young ladies continue to operate.
Now in its fifth season, Run’s House shows the Simmons family contemplating adding another member to their family, a new puppy. From the looks of things, Reverend Run is not going to go along with Justine and other family members’ plea for a new pet. The family already has a dog and, as far as Reverend Run sees it, that is enough.
The family’s oldest son, Jo Jo, is working with his uncle Russell at Global Grind. The younger sons, Diggy and Russy, are advancing through school and enjoying various pursuits like blogging, skate boarding and tap dancing.
Rewarding and Entertaining Reality TV
Absent struggle the family is not. There are blimps, mistakes and hardships experienced along the way. Academic challenges, teen and peer temptations and longing for home are witnessed along the way.
Watching Run’s House is akin to spending an hour in-person with the family each week. On MTV’s website the family records confidential tapings that reveal what they think about recent episodes. It is clear that a strong family unit is important to every member of the clan. The show airs at various times throughout the week on MTV, MTV2 and BET.
Sources:
MTV. Runs House. 27 July 2009.
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