The Shop

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The Shop is a reality show on MTV about a barbershop located in the heart of Jamaica, Queens. The shop is owned by music producer Cory Rooney, who has produced for some of the big names out there like hits for Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Lopez, Destiny's Child and more. The Shop never misses a topic that goes on in the hip hop world and pop culture. Rappers stop through on a regular basis to get reactions to their latest tracks. Customers come to learn about what are on the barber’s minds. The shop is the truth: nothing goes by unnoticed.

As they say in the opening of the show: "If they ain't talking about you in the barbershop, they probably ain't talking about you at all."

Mr. Rooney's Barbershop is where 50 Cent was discovered, and in real life it is a hub of the hip hop industry in New York, where performers come for cuts, and executives come to hear what people are talking about and what is resonating in the streets.

The series had a sterling cast of barbers, who all have aspirations in the music business. The show took its spirit and heart from these six individuals, who were not afraid to push an opinion against the group, but also back each other up. There was Deb, the only female barber; Tim, The Manager of the Shop "who doesn't really manage, according to Cory Rooney; Ted, the handsome one of the bunch who is always finely put together and can also dance with the best of them; Pop, the voice of reason in the shop with the engaging smile; Bob, the shop musician with dreams of producing hits; and Van, the man of confrontation and one million opinions, who wants to use this platform to "go Hollywood."

Review-wise, the series made its mark on the airwaves. The New York Times, certainly a tough critic, said in its review, "A reality show set in a barbershop is a remarkably promising idea. Into this noble tradition, then, comes "The Shop" on MTV. It's irresistible."

Ratings-wise, the show also delivered for MTV. Its final episode reached over 2 million viewers, which for cable television is a strong showing. The full season ranked number one in its time period (Thu 10:30-11p) among P12-34 versus cable competition. The full season of The Shop reached 41 million viewers.

The show also had a stellar list of behind-the-scenes personnel. The series is executive produced by Tommy Mottola and Jeb Brien for Mottola Entertainment; Matt Morchower and David Kaufman for Varsity Entertainment; and Rushion McDonald. Tony DiSanto and Liz Gateley are Executive Producers for MTV. Currently though nobody has heard any talks about a season two for the reality show.