BET EXPLODES WITH NEW PROGRAMMING: Network announces first-ever scripted series among slate of 16 new shows The Buzz Is Out

*In the 27 years that BET has been on the air, the network has never attempted to produce its own, original scripted series. But history was made on Wednesday, as BET's entertainment president Reginald Hudlin announced that one of the 16 new shows to be introduced in the coming months is an original sitcom. ____________________________________________________________________________ "Somebodies" due to premiere in October, is described as a comedy about a group of black slackers in Athens, Ga. Written and directed by Hadjii, the 10 half-hour episodes will follow several U. of Georgia graduates who are trying to figure out the next step in their lives. It’s adapted from the 2006 indie film of the same name, which had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. “Somebodies” will be produced by Pete Aronson and Warren Hutcherson, executive producers of "The Bernie Mac Show." "For years people have wanted BET to expand the range of its original programming, and now we are doing it," Hudlin said of “Somebodies,” to be filmed on location in Athens. Hudlin said BET has more scripted shows in the pipeline, but this was the first deemed ready to go. Hudlin told an audience of media buyers and industry execs at BET's upfront presentation in New York Wednesday night that his network’s fall schedule will encompass "the diverse array of programming about black culture, ranging from reality shows, scripted comedies, game shows, sports roundtables, music specials and primetime animation." ___________________________________________________________________________ Also scheduled to bow on BET is "Bufu," an animated sketch-comedy half-hour created and voiced by Orlando Jones and Ali LeRoi ("Everybody Hates Chris"). ______________________________________________________________________________ "Hannibal," the previously announced series exec produced by Vin Diesel, is an animated half-hour about the life and times of the ancient African king. It's scheduled to debut in 2008. ________________________________________________________________________________ Also on the animated front, Will Smith's Overlook Entertainment introduces "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. _______________________________________________________________________________ Among the new reality shows is “Baldwin Hills,” a quasi black version of MTV’s “Laguna Beach” that will follow 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 bows in July. (Africian American version of Laguna Beach) _______________________________________________________________________________ "S.O.B.," a reality series due in July from D.L. Hughley, will "use hidden cameras to test the value systems of people," said Hudlin. One scene shows the reaction of the staff and patrons of a segregated restaurant when a black couple try to get served. ________________________________________________________________________________ Other series include the reality show "College Hill Interns," a spinoff of BET's most popular series; "Iron Ring," a mixed-martial-arts competition; "Judge Mooney," a sendup of courtshows featuring comedian Paul Mooney; and "Exalted," a series of biographical documentaries of practicing ministers. Other programs to premiere on BET include: • THE 5IVE (May 2007) - Hosted by Alesha Renee; BET's newest show will introduce viewers to the top 5ive things of the moment. Ever wondered how to be one step ahead of everyone else -- tune into the 5ive and join the "in" crowd. Not only will the 5ive showcase the top people, places and things in the country but it will give the viewer the latest information on the must-have accessories of the moment. _____________________________________________________________________________ • HELL DATE (July 2007) - Is it a dating show? Is it a comedy? Or is it ... the date from Hell? In “Hell Date,” contestants are asked about the perfect mate. With the help of an actor or actress that appears to be their soul mate, contestants will have to figure out is this really a soul mate or the absolute worst experience of their lives? _____________________________________________________________________________ • SUNDAY BEST (Fall 2007) - Gospel music is bigger than ever, with songs beloved by generations and sung by arguably the best singers in the world. “Sunday Best” will undergo a nationwide search to storefront churches, parishes and mega-churches across the country to find the best undiscovered singers in America. The top contestants will be coached by great performers from the gospel and secular worlds as they strive to win the “Sunday Best” title. Celebrity singers such as Patti LaBelle, Kirk Franklin and Shirley Caesar will work with these up-and-comers as they take their praise to the next level ______________________________________________________________ HOUSE OF GLITZ: THIS IS AWESOME I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THESE SHOWS AND WILL KEEP YOU POSTED ON ALL THE LAUNCH DATES IN THE FOLLOWING MONTHS....