BET Unveils Massive Lineup

This past Wednesday night, BET Networks President of Entertainment Reginald Hudlin officially announced to the television industry that his channel would be a major player this fall by unveiling a lineup of 16 new series. The announcement marked the most ambitious lineup of original programs in BET’s 26-year history.

Featuring projects from Oscar-nominated actor/producer, Will Smith, action-star Vin Diesel, as well as comedians D.L Hughley and Orlando Jones, the new shows will provide BET and “diverse array of programming about black culture, ranging from reality shows, scripted comedies, game shows, sports roundtables, music specials and primetime animation."


Speaking to a group of media buyers and industry execs at BET’s upfront presentation, Hudlin introduced the lineup of shows, which include:

BET's first original sitcom, "Somebodies," adapted from the indie movie of the same name that preemed at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival. Written and directed by Hadjii, the 10 half-hour episodes, which premiere in the fall, will explore a group of University of Georgia graduates who are trying to figure out what to do with their lives. “The Bernie Mac Show” executive producers Pete Aronson and Warren Hutcherson, will executive produce “Somebodies.”

Orlando Jones' series, "Bufu," is an animated sketch-comedy half-hour created and voiced by Jones and Ali LeRoi ("Everybody Hates Chris"). It premieres in the fall.

Hughley's series, "S.O.B.," launching in July, is a reality show that will use hidden cameras to test the value systems of people. One scene shows the reaction of the staff and patrons of a segregated restaurant when a black couple try to get served.

"Hannibal," the previously announced series executive produced by Diesel, is an animated half-hour about the life and times of the ancient African king. It's scheduled for 2008.

From Will Smith's Overlook Entertainment comes "Cipha," an animated sci-fi series "set in a future world where hip-hop is outlawed ... to shut down the voices of youth," according to BET.

The most ambitious reality series on BET's schedule, "Baldwin Hills," focuses on the lives of 11 upper-middle-class black teens in suburban L.A. whose parents are professional athletes, TV personalities, doctors, lawyers and engineers. The first of the 10 weekly hours premiere in July.

Other series include the reality show "College Hill Interns," a spinoff of BET's most popular series, “College Hill.”

"Iron Ring," a mixed-martial-arts competition.

"Hell Date," a five-a-week relationship series.

"Judge Mooney," a sendup of court shows featuring comedian Paul Mooney.

"Exalted," a series of biographical documentaries of practicing ministers.