Many individuals shy away from openly acknowledging that they enjoy reality television, yet former First Lady Michelle Obama is not one of them. The author of Becoming has candidly expressed her fondness for this particular genre, drawing parallels to the complexities of human behavior observed in daily life. While Obama has shown her enthusiasm for various popular shows, such as the Real Housewives series, she also finds herself captivated by the exciting new program, Next Gen NYC.
“I watch it all. All of it,” she remarked during a discussion with her brother and podcast co-host, Craig Robinson, along with their podcast guests, Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers. Concerning Next Gen NYC, she commented, “I watched the first two episodes, and I’m just like, ‘Oh, they’re starting the babies off early.” Rogers chimed in, stating, “They’re really like the princes and princesses of Bravo, now seeing if they’re worth their salt when the camera’s fixed on them.”
Michelle Obama Enthusiastically Supports Bravo’s ‘Next Gen NYC’ Series
The engaging series Next Gen NYC provides a glimpse into the lives of the offspring of reality television royalty. Featured prominently are the adult children of Real Housewives stars such as Kim Zolciak, Kandi Burruss, and Meredith Marks, alongside a variety of influencers. Together, they navigate their 20s in the vibrant city of New York while striving to establish their own identities separate from their affluent and well-known parents.
During her insightful conversation with Yang and Rogers, Robinson humorously remarked that the series sounds like “child abuse,” to which Yang replied that it can be “really tricky to watch.” Obama chimed in, affirming, “It is. But it’s juice. It’s tea.”
Reflecting on her viewing experience, Obama shared, “I watched the first two episodes. I’m just like, ‘Oh, they’re starting the babies off early. Oh my god.’” She elaborated, “You know, this is where I want to educate my brother and even my husband, who will be listening. Culture is king. I mean, the truth is, they razz me about my love of reality TV and the Real Housewives.”
The Former First Lady Compares Sports to Reality Television
Obama expressed that her brother and husband, the former President Barack Obama, hold the opinion that sports surpass reality television in entertainment value, a notion she strongly contests. In her view, sports and reality television share many similarities that most men might be reluctant to acknowledge.
“There’s drama in sports. If I listen to ESPN for an hour, it’s like watching The Real Housewives of Atlanta. You know? It’s the same drama, and they’re yelling at each other, and they don’t get along. I mean, Stephen A. Smith, he’s just like every other talk show host,” she pointed out.
She went on to draw parallels, stating, “I’m like, ‘What’s the difference?’ It’s just sociological drama. The fact that people over seasons of working together, [they] still can’t get along, they still have the same arguments — and it’s not just women, but this happens in sports, too. I find it fascinating. It’s just like, ‘Why do you keep going to dinner together? It never ends well. And don’t ever vacation with her, ever again, ever. And why can’t we figure out this room thing?’”
Michelle Obama Shares Her Top ‘Real Housewives’ Series Selections
In addition to her interest in Next Gen NYC, Obama has previously expressed her favorites within the Real Housewives franchise, specifically noting Real Housewives of Potomac and Real Housewives of Atlanta. During a conversation with Gayle King in 2022, she commented, “Oh man you know, I wanna say Potomac…I just don’t like it when sisters are arguing with each other; I just don’t like to see that on TV,” as reported by The Jasmine Brand. “I like Potomac and Atlanta.”
Currently, Next Gen NYC Season 1 is available for streaming on Peacock, allowing fans of the genre to immerse themselves in the fascinating lives of its young stars.
