Jeremy Pepper has a great article about the way some people are seeking to take easy cheapshots at the show. Jeremy says, “For Shame”, not to the show but to those seeking to hit the easy target – Grubman. Hey, I agree, she’s been knocked too often. Let it go.

There are issues of merit, though. I do have some concerns. If you are tired of PoweR Girls … don’t read on …

A comment in Jeremy’s blog from “Hay” states, “From the smallest boutique to the ad agency-owned Goliaths, she’s (Grubman) been on all of their payrolls. … Let’s cut the judgments and realize it’s all part of PR, folks.”

Well, “Hay” I appreciate your sentiments. I agree that she is a pro and does great work for her clients. Nuff said. Still, for PR to be understood, the mis-association of publicity and event management “as the entire discipline” instead of “part of PR” does not do us any good.

I wish the show good fortune. I wish Grubman good fortune. She’s been nice to one of our students. So, I’m a fan, in some ways.

My concerns? Well, the ultimate lost cause it seems. I do not want people to come away from the show thinking that PoweR Girls is representative of all PR firms. Now, we all know – don’t we? – that this mis-representation is likely to happen.

If I have a beef here, it is with MTV and ‘reality TV‘ and not Lizzie Grubman … well, sort of. Look at how MTV introduces and promotes the cast on the show’s Web site. I mean, please. Do we really want a whole new generation of teenagers growing up with this perception of PR? Haven’t we seen how the latest group of high schoolers have developed their skewed view of the press? U.S. students say press freedoms go too far. Now, MTV is going to show them what “PR” is? Will MTV clarify that it is publicity and event management in a very ‘niche’ market/clientele?

Here is how Grubman is promoting the “cast” of the show (and the women working in her firm):

Ali–While she tries to act professional and corporate, outside of the office she is a deviant who likes to flirt and party hard.

Kelly–Ahh, Kelly, the typical California Blonde! She is ditzy, but always manages to get it together and get her work done. Kelly is engaged but still can’t help being the biggest flirt in the office.

Millie–My “Diva with a Heart.” She likes to act tough and in-control, but she has a soft side underneath it all. She is especially sweet with her five-year-old sister, the cutest girl ever!

Rachel–She is our resident partier. I am amazed at how she goes out like a rock star every night and manages to get into work in the morning.

If you are keeping score at home, that’s “deviant” “ditzy” “partier” represented as PR. Thank goodness for Millie – the good mom. And Grubman promises an environment that caters to fans of “Britney Spears to Jay-Z.” She will dish out scenes from “the hottest clubs and coolest parties all over the country.” Now, I ask you, is this PR?

What the show will represent is a “part of PR” – OK, but only as it is practiced by one firm – a very unique firm, at that. Yes, they are successful. Yes, they are making big dollars for themselves and their clients. But, representing PR overall – No way. Is there one other firm that experiences life as this one does? No. I don’t ‘blame’ Grubman … I blame MTV and their oversimplified reality show nonsense for teens.

Look at the publicity photos for the show. Look at how they are promoting the show. “Don’t miss the drama on PoweR Girls.” It isn’t going to be about much more than five pairs of flittering eyelashes, the pre-requisite fashion show, stars/celebs, and some ‘tension filled moments’ when someone tries to crash one of the celeb filled parties. It will be a less than glamorous knockoff of “Charlie’s Angels” in the Green Room. We’ll likely see these five women schmoozing and fighting – with anyone or anything that makes for a tension filled show. Prepare to see edits – perhaps often out of context, even? – in every episode.

Don’t look for balance or textbook ‘how to’ lessons. Look for ploys – ploys for ratings – nothing more.