(The Root) -- VH1 is clearly committed to capitalizing on the ratings success of Love and Hip-Hop: New York with the debut of Love and Hip-Hop: Atlanta. As in the show's predecessor, the ladies of Love and Hip-Hop: Atlanta are involved in the rap game either as performer or wifey of a "famous" rapper or producer, in this case rapper Lil' Scrappy and producer Stevie J (Diddy, Eve, Mariah Carey).

There are the usual suspects -- including jilted girlfriend Erica Dixon, Lil' Scrappy's live-in love whom he dumped after having a public affair with Atlanta rapper Diamond, who later dumped him for a fling with Soulja Boy. Erica reunites with Lil' Scrappy for their daughter's sake and, surprise, surprise, still has trust issues. Erica seeks counseling from Lil' Scrappy's mother. Momma Dee, who should be called Big Scrappy because of her rough demeanor, is clearly Lil' Scrappy's real ride-or-die chick. She lambastes Erica for withholding affection from Lil' Scrappy because of her trust issues. If you can imagine Jim Jones' mother, Nancy Jones, to the fifth power, then you've got Momma Dee.

Then there's Mimi Faust, longtime girlfriend of Stevie J. Mimi's delusions of a love life with Stevie J begin with her claim that the two have been together for 15 years, which would be plausible had Stevie J not been involved in a high-profile relationship with rapper Eve for five of those 15 years.

To say that Stevie J has a wandering eye is an understatement, since he is clearly "involved" with artist Joseline Hernandez, who seems to be more of a drag queen than a rapper. Mimi's issues involve trust and a clear loss of self-esteem as she suffers one humiliation after another at the hands of Stevie J, a wannabe player whose game is as weak as Joseline's "rap." Mimi's obsession with him seems as loony as Lil' Scrappy's mother, who admits at one point that she is off her meds -- one of the funnier moments in a tragic episode.

Can you say, "Celebrity Smackdown," featuring Momma Dee, Nancy Jones and Frankie Cole? That is clearly where this reality show is headed. Add to the mix aspiring rapper and busybody Karlie R. Webb, who lets Stevie J's affair with Joseline "accidentally" slip during a girls' night out, and you've got the beginning of the end of potential friendships.