Tweet

BET Finally Poised To Take Scripted Series Leap

Sitcom 'Somebodies’ Set For Sept. 9 Debut

By Multi Channel News Staff -- Multichannel News, 8/23/2008 2:40:00 AM

BET will join the growing list of cable networks launching scripted series when it debuts the comedy series Somebodies Sept. 9.

The series is the first scripted project for the 28-year-old African-American-targeted network, which has been criticized for relying on music videos and reality programming.

BET hopes the show — based on the Sundance Film Festival film of the same name by film producer Hadjii, which follows a group of college friends trying to find their way in the world — will lay the groundwork for other original scripted shows to follow on the channel.

The show will join TBS’s Tyler Perry’s House of Payne and ABC Family’s Lincoln Heights as the only scripted series on broadcast or cable television featuring a predominantly African-American cast.

“My goal is to make good shows, and I feel like Somebodies is something that’s really smart, funny and different,” said BET president of Entertainment Reggie Hudlin.

Hudlin said the show balances the quirky comedic intelligence of the long-running sitcom Seinfeld with “contemporary cultural authenticity.”

Hudlin would not project a rating for Somebodies, but hopes the show will find its audience. BET’s 0.5 household rating for the second quarter was down 17% from a 0.6 during the same period last year.

“As we’ve expanded the range of original programming on the network, we hope this becomes another franchise for us,” he said.

As for BET’s critics, Hudlin said the network will never please everyone, but he believes the network’s programming provides something for all age groups and demos within the African-American community.

“There are some people who will always find something to criticize, so I can’t predict what will ever make them say, 'You guys are making a lot of great changes,’ ” he said. “All I know is that we did a show here that I think is smart and different and when people see it, they like it.”

Hudlin said the network is also in pre-production on several scripted animated shows and live-action projects, but would not disclose specifics.

“We’re committed to launching more scripted series in addition to our reality and music shows and specials,” he said. “I want Somebodies to be a success, but you can’t judge an entire genre on the success and failures of one show.”

Tweet

Talkback

» Submit Feedback

• 
  

  If you are a Democrat you already know this election season is historic on many levels. What may not be clear to many Americans is that Hillary Clinton and her supporters have not gone away graciously or united the party even though Barack Obama clearly has more delegates and super delegates for the Democratic nomination when Clinton "suspended" her campaign June 3rd.
  
  It may surprise you to learn Clinton supporters have mounted a nasty fight - complete with lies and manufactured conspiracy theories to create havoc at the Democratic Convention which begins in Denver this Monday, August 25th. Clinton could've have told these supporters to get behind the candidacy of Obama - but she failed to do that - so great is her ambition to be President no matter what the American people say they want.
  
  The amazing thing is Clinton was on the committee to shape the rules for the Democrats that would elect the president in 2008 and now her supporters are griping those rules are unfair.
  
  After fighting and pushing - as of today, both Senator Obama and Senator Clinton will be placed in nomination in Denver and a roll call vote will take place on the convention floor. Some Clinton supporters don't seem ready to deal with the fact that their candidate simply didn't get enough votes. So they fought on - putting the election of a Democrat in the White House at serious risk.
  
  The Super Delagate vote at the convention and will choose who becomes the nominee of the Democatic Party. Super Delegates are mostly elected officials and party operatives obliged to consider the opinions of their constituents.
  
  If you don't want the convention next week hijacked by the candidate who did not get the greatest number of votes and delegates tell them what you think and how to vote. They're supposed to vote in accordance with their constituents - so be sure to tell the delegates in your state.
  
  Click on this link and let your Super Delegate hear from you. This spring's primaries were hard-fought to bring Barack Obama so far. We actually have to chance to have a president who will make positive changes in the way politics are played.
  Here's the link.
  
  Go to lobbydelegates dot com

  
  

  
  Denise Michaels - 8/23/2008 11:04:00 AM EDT
» Submit Feedback

Related Content

• Topics
• Author

No related content found.

Also by this author

• FX Adds Two More Comedies

• AT&T Files Program-Access Complaint Against Cablevision

• Neil Patrick Harris to Host Emmys

• Billy Mays Dead At 50

• Brian Graden To Exit MTV Networks

More >>>

• Resource Center
• Browse Categories
• Browse Companies

Featured Company

• Grab Networks

  

  Created from the merger between Anystream and Voxant Media, Grab Networks offers a comprehensive video operating system and syndication network for profitably publishing video anywhere on the Internet. The system automatically manages, transcodes and tags video assets- turning cl..more

---

Most Recent Resources

• The New Normal for Promoting Tune-in
• Infrastructure Design for High Volume Video Workflows
• Improving the Internet TV and Mobile Video Experience – an Adap..
• Mobile Media Strategies That Work
• Increasing Efficiency in Digital Distribution of Media