The “Basketball Wives” publicity machine is running on all cylinders — assisted by corny write ups on TMZ.com.

This entire season of BBQ Wives centers around 2 episodes — this week’s and next week’s — in which Jennifer Williams, Evelyn Lozada, and Evelyn’s fake “assistant” Nia, go to war.

Nia fired the first salvo in January by slapping Jennifer (who I’m told will be paid a bonus for fighting). The slap was conveniently filmed by VH1 in January and aired in this week’s episode.

Then, yesterday, TMZ reports that Jennifer filed a civil suit against Nia — in April — for a slap which occurred in January. Coincidentally, the civil suit was filed after the episode aired. I’m sure the courts don’t take lightly to being pimped for television ratings.

How much are you willing to bet this frivolous civil suit will be dropped before it can be tossed out of court?

Why didn’t Jennifer file a lawsuit against VH1 whose production crew filmed Nia slapping her? Doesn’t VH1 have all the money? The answer is simple: she didn’t file a suit against VH1 because the entire scene was fabricated.

Jennifer and Nia are under contract with VH1. It’s their jobs to boost ratings. Everything that they do while the show is on the air is for ratings.

But it doesn’t end there. Now TMZ claims the entire cast plans to boycott the Reunion show by snubbing Jennifer for filing the civil suit. Yeah, right, lol.

I guess it hasn’t occurred to anyone that Jennifer and Evelyn never “fight” anyone who isn’t under contract with VH1.

As long as VH1 has gullible viewers who fall for these fake antics, they will continue to produce shows that degrade black women.

From TMZ.com:

Several “Basketball Wives” are adamantly refusing to tape the big upcoming reunion show next month, TMZ has learned — and it’s all because of the face-slap lawsuit Jennifer Lawrence filed against Nia Crooks.

But according to sources at VH1, the castmates are convinced Jennifer’s lawsuit was filed out of spite and desperation to dredge up drama around her character — in the vain hope of securing a spot on the show next season. Our sources also think Jennifer’s claim of emotional distress is BS because she never missed a day of shooting.

We’re told several prominent castmembers have vowed to shun her completely … refusing to even speak to Jennifer — and are threatening not to attend the reunion show early next month if she attends.

And there’s this — the contract signed by the “Wives” castmates specifically states …. “Participant expressly assumes the risk of any physical or emotional injuries participant may suffer as a result of participant’s participation in the project.””