The Salt-N-Pepa Show Recap - Episode 5 - Let’s Talk About Stress
When Pepa takes control and plans a benefit appearance, does she end up driving Salt to laughter or crazy? Only Salt’s shrink knows for sure!
Salt explains at the top of the episode that, “It’s always been Salt-N-Pepa’s duty to spread the word when it comes to HIV and AIDS.” And you know, it’s nice that despite her intensified faith, Salt still sees the importance of such activism of fleshly origins. And so, the duo cut a PSA for Lifebeat.
It involves using protection.
There’s an awesome exchange between the girls and Ben (pictured above), who’s apparently the spot’s director — they go back and forth between saying “Get tested!” and him saying, “Action!” “It’s all very rhythmic.” Put that in your house track and twirl to it.
After the shot, Ben presents the girls with the opportunity: at the public unveiling of the PSA, he would like them to perform. Pep immediately accepts, while Salt…
…is less than thrilled. Inside, she’s spitting at Pep.
She takes Pep aside and scolds her for accepting the gig without conferring with her. Salt’s busy with speaking engagements and her kids’ impending school year and whanot. Pep promises that she’ll take care of things. Salt agrees to this because, apparently, she’s still just getting to know Pep and has no concept of how wrong things can go.
While Salt chews Gavin’s ear off about Pep’s imposition…
…Pep meets with Ben to plan the performance.
She is unprepared and must take notes with a crayon.
It’s appropriate: her reasoning is that of a grade-school student. For example, she presents Ben with the idea of emerging from a giant, plastic condom on stage before the performance.
She also wants pyrotechnics. Why doesn’t she just invite Spinal Tap to be the backing band?
Anyway, she’s so serious about this giant condom thing and she goes to Babeland, a sex shop, to see if they have one.
She explains and explains.
Unfortunately, this is the biggest the shop has to offer:
Pep dismisses them. If you can’t fit a condom over your head, it’s completely useless. That’s today’s lesson, kids!
She calls Salt and says, “I’m in this really great sex store!” How do you think Salt reacts to this? Take a wild guess!
Her burden is a lot to bear.
Pep then plans the show with the manager of the venue Crash Mansion. He talks a lot at her and she’s clearly in over her head.
I mean, she didn’t bring her crayon box or anything.
She then practices with some backup dancers. The song is “Let’s Talk About AIDS,” but the dance seems geared to promoting…uh, impulsive decision-making.
Mommy is not gonna like this! And, of course, by “Mommy,” I mean Salt.
Speaking of: we see her recording a religious rap track at her home studio.
Pep calls and Gavin points it out. “That’s Pep? Just ignore it,” says Salt. Ha!
But you can’t ignore your problems for too long, as Salt finds out when she shows up at Crash Mansion to rehearse with Pepa.
Pepa has, among things, hired a band that doesn’t know the song, picked out outfits that are completely ridiculous unless you are a member of En Vogue in 1994…
…and hired dancers who dress salaciously…
…and move even more salaciously…
Clearly, Salt is thrilled.
Again, she pulls Pep aside.
Salt goes above and beyond the call of duty when it comes to tolerance here: she gives Pep “kudos” for “pulling a lot of stuff together.” That really is the nicest way to put it. But stuff’s gotta change. “I don’t wanna fight, I just wanna make things right,” says Salt. Once a rhymer, always a rhymer. She says that the band has to go, and that they’ll bring in outside backup singers. They’ll find more appropriate outfits for themselves and the backup dancers. Additionally, the dancers will tone things down.
With Salt in control, it all works out.
And the show ends on a triumphant note. But then again, any time it ends with them performing one of their old songs, it feels triumphant. Triumphs all around!
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