What happens to 50 year old Gangstas?

I recently watched an episode of "Celebrity Wife Swap." Before you start rolling your eyes and thinking bad things about my choices, just read on a bit. I'm not a fan or anything, I read a review and was curious.

The episode had Mark McGrath and Coolio swapping wives. The only thing was, Coolio didn't have a wife. He had a girlfriend, with three children. Of course, I really knew nothing before this show except that Coolio had done one hit song - "Gangsta Paradise," - and that he fought Weird Al on his paradoy song, "Amish Paradise." Now I know there isn't really much else to know

I found out through the show that he was living with Mimi and her three kids. She was also amazing, only he didn't see it. He took her totally for granted. She took care of the house and worked two jobs in Vegas as a bartender and as an exotic dancer. Mrs. McGrath was astounding as she scrubbed the house down like an unpaid maid while Coolio snored away in the bed without a concern in the world for her or the kids. Unlike most women who would have taken a skillet to his head, she very graciously mentioned it to him. However, his hearing was either impaired or he has learned to tune out unwanted sounds. It makes one wonder how Mimi lived like that for six years.

Before you go getting all judgy on Mimi, she is a very smart woman. She realized that she deserved and wanted better in her life. She walked into Mark McGrath's house with confidence and quiet determination. She never once criticized their life, but made careful observations. She was kind, patient, comptent, and very caring.

During the episode I felt badly for McGrath's wife, Carin. She tried so hard to get Coolio to get a clue and participate. The truth? Coolio is more interested in being a 50 year old gangsta trying to stay 20 than he is in becoming a 50 year old adult male in a mature relationship. This became obvious when Carin asked about his age and he raised an eyebrow asking if she was looking to irritate him.

Come on, guy. You are a 50 year old man wearing pig tails and you want someone to take you: seriously? You say you want a relationship, but you don't show you really care about the person you are in a relationship with. Oh, and on a side note: playing golf doesn't make you all grown up. Have you even seen the movie "Caddie Shack?" ("Oh, this your wife, huh? A lovely lady. Hey baby, you must've been something before electricity!")


It is sad that at the end of the show we learn that instead of appreciating such a great gal in his life Coolio let her move along. All she asked for was a little more attention and consideration. She told him that their relationship "sucked." She needed changes. Evidently it's easier to teach an old dog than it is to teach an old gangsta.  He would have rather been playing golf and doing his own "thang" then sitting at a table listening about how other people felt.

I think Coolio still wishes it was 1995. But honey, that was 18 years ago. Move on up to the future with the rest of us. While you're at it; drop the attitude that women are here merely to service you, or you'll find yourself alone for a very, very, long time to come. He lost his woman after they appeared on the show.

In the end, we learn that the awesome Mimi is not only continuing to support herself and her three children on her own, but that she took on another job of going to school. She'll do fine. Whomever she ends up with is one lucky guy.

What we learn from this entire episode is that you don't have to put up with crap from any relationship. If they aren't willing to give you what you need you don't have to settle.