WATCH THE VIDEO HERE Okay, so you know how we all love a good dating show — the drama, the outfits, the awkward first kisses? Well, Oprah’s OWN network just launched one called Somebody’s Son, and on the surface, it’s giving “Black mama matchmaker meets Bachelor energy.” But behind the scenes? It’s also giving potential creative theft, and yes, the internet is side-eyeing. Here’s the tea. Back in 2003, a Black woman named Maureen Tokeson and her team of writers came up with an idea for a show that was actually super similar to this new OWN series. Her concept? A protective Black mother takes the lead in interviewing women to find the perfect match — and future wife — for her fine, eligible son. Sound familiar? Maureen reportedly pitched the show to MTV, and it even made it into early development stages. But unfortunately, it never got greenlit. The show was shelved, and life moved on. Fast-forward to now: a brand-new dating show with eerily similar vibes has popped up on OWN, produced by… a group of non-Black producers who — get this — previously worked at MTV. Cue the plot twist music. Let’s break down OWN’s new show. Somebody’s Son introduces us to a cast of eligible bachelors — and their mothers. Each guy is paired with four single women, all beautiful, smart, and not here to settle. But the twist? The moms are involved every step of the way — from vetting the women, to living in the house, to giving (sometimes unsolicited) opinions. Think Meet the Parents meets Love Island, but your mom is your roommate. And just when you think the mom has made the final pick, OWN says: not so fast. The final decision isn’t just about impressing Mom — the women are strong, independent, and not waiting for a ring if the vibes aren’t vibing. These men have to earn their happily ever after. Now listen. We’re not mad at the concept — honestly, it sounds like the messy, binge-worthy drama we live for on a lazy Sunday. But the question remains: why wasn’t the original Black woman who dreamed this up included in the conversation? This situation taps into a bigger issue: Black women often create trends, content, and formats that get ignored until they’re repackaged by others (often non-Black creatives) and then suddenly become “innovative.” It’s tired. It’s played. And in 2025, we notice everything. So, OWN — what’s really good? Whether or not this ends up in court or just stays an eyebrow-raising moment on Black Twitter, one thing’s for sure: credit matters. And in the age of receipts, the girls will find out. Until then, we’ll probably still watch the show. But we’ll be watching with a side of suspicion… and full support for Maureen Tokeson getting her flowers. 
Did Oprah’s New Dating Show “Somebody’s Son” Borrow a Black Woman’s Idea?
