BET is Back on Track

So I am just getting over having an extraction of one of my teeth. I had lost hearing in my left ear and had an appointment with an ENT for tubes in the ear. I really forgot how much the teeth are integrated in the whole physiology of the body. Nevertheless, the got the tooth out and I am taking pain killers and of course antibiotics. I am in hopes that my hearing will come back soon. I am not trying to have to learn sign language!

Today I just had to spend a minute on BET. Have worked for the network in the past, I had been outspoken in criticism about the lack of “good” programming for all African Americans. I was so happy when Cathy Hughes brought TV One on the scene. Finally, someone brought sophisticated topical programming to the scene for people of color. Not to put down Willie Gary’s MBN Network but TV One was everywhere. They were really a viable option.

Then out of now where and under some great new leadership, BET is remaking itself with morethan just booty shaking videos and people who can’t speak correct English. [Do you remember that Psychic Line Commercial with the lady that says, “I think someone put roots on me”?! But I digress]

First, I have to admit I have Hell Date on TiVo and watch almost every episode (my friends Dahali and Mario are reoccurring characters). And today I happened to watch the new American Idol-esque show Sunday Best hosted by Kirk Franklin and then it was followed by Exalted the Juanita Bynum story. It was so riveting that I didn’t change the channel once. I event called my mother who to my surprise had already seen Exalted and told me to call her when it ended.

Now even though as a former television personality and producer, I look at some shows (like the new games show, Hell Date and We’ve Got to Do Better [formerly Hot Ghetto Mess]) and see some definite changes that I would make, it is still a far cry from yesteryear.

BET – you are definitely on the right track. You are doing what I truly believe that Bob and Shelia Johnson had in mind when they mad3 the decision to found the network. You are showing “all” the images of our people both positive and negative. When you named Reginald Hudlin, President of Entertainment who knew that he would jump start things like this.

Now Meet the Faith is on Hosted by Ian Smith and the topics look interesting. Too bad it took another game in town for BET to step their game up. Finally, I feel like I have two great networks and that they represent me!