Maybe he'll get it right this time.Broadcast & Cable magazine is reporting that Ion Media is talking with Black Entertainment Television founder Bob Johnson about starting a new network aimed at the urban (read: black) viewer. Now, who knows why he wants another stab at the TV network business.
Perhaps it's because there's a market for people who like to watch black television. Perhaps it's because he fell under such criticism for what his creation turned into on his watch. Perhaps it's a combination of both. ...
Well, Johnson is not going to get much criticism from me here for doing what he loves to do but I will say that not many of us get a second chance after our first attempt becomes a swamp of stereotypes and criticism. So this time, maybe Bob (who also owns the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats) can mend the wounds created with his last turn at the rodeo.
Now, it's no secret that I really disdain television. Frankly, I feel it's the last thing black people need. The programming is rarely edifying, teaches nothing to a child that his or her own parent's can't teach, gives us hours and hours of lame, vapid programming that someone has the nerve to call entertainment; and if you haven't looked lately, passes off "reality" shows as ... well ... reality.
Dude, these days I get more entertainment by watching the squirrels and pigeons fight on my windowsill.
If Johnson can get it together and provide better programming than what I see when I dare to turn my dial away from ESPN, then I'd be willing to watch. But I gotta be honest, with his track record, I'm not holding my breath.
Here are some shows I probably wouldn't want to see from Johnson's new venture:
1. Friday Night Dogfights, with Michael Vick.
The former NFL great takes you to the alleys and basement of America's most accommodating public housing to bring pooch-pounding action your way. Pit bulls, rottweilers, and terrifying pekingese pups rip each other to shreds in live action bouts. Can your favorite mutt stand on his hind legs?
2. Trailer Park Divorce Court
Every evening the lovelorn and inbred take their cases before the bench. The judge may allow them to tear up their marriage certificates, but that doesn't mean they're not first cousins. Watch the insults fly as America's closest relations prove that you just can't do some things with family.
3. Ben Bernanke's MoneyTime
He was chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve System, but now he's here to help deregulate your wallet. Plunging the nation into a deep recession wasn't enough. Now Bernanke wants to show how to blow all your cash on poor investments and get government bailouts that companies don't deserve and couldn't possibly give back to taxpayers.
4. The N-Word
Comedian D.L. Hughley, after a stupid, unfunny stint on CNN, returns to his offensive roots by spying on white people who consistently use ethnic slurs in private company. It's a racial-reality blowout as Hughley takes you on a hidden camera journey into the homes of your co-workers and neighbors who smile in your face but think of blacks as an inferior species.
5. The Plantation
Rapper Soulja Boy is transported back in time to the 1820s to live with the slave owners he thanked for bringing Africans to America's shores in chains. But the adventure becomes more intense with each episode as he battles other slaves who hate bondage, while struggling to please his master and one day earn a place in The Big House.
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By: THE OBENSON REPORT ON BLACK CINEMA on 12/01/2008 7:28PM
*Collective groan*
I'm not hopeful.
My immediate reaction was, why create a new network now? TV-One, the other black cable TV network has yet to find itself; the Black Family Channel is now defunct. And I hear BET is floundering. Clearly, black TV networks have yet to prove they belong.
It seems completely unnecessary, and maybe even a risky investment in this climate. But Johnson is a savvy business man, so I assume he wouldn't be creating the channel if he didn't think there was a market for what he plans to offer (whatever that might be), and thus, money to be made. I can only hope that it's not more of the same.
We'll see...
A thought: maybe "black" is no longer a niche, and it's time we put an end to race-based solutions to problems such as the dearth of programming featuring non-white talent in front and behind the camera. Maybe the wiser investment would be to focus in on a non-race specific niche, and exploit it, and attract an appreciative multicultural audience.
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By: Charles on 12/01/2008 8:17PM
BET evolved from a good idea into the greatest propagandist of self indulgent, violent, materialist, and misogynist music.
Yea I look forward to round two..
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By: bria on 12/01/2008 9:48PM
I think at the time BET came into existence it was a good idea. They had great family shows and great shows for teenagers that spoke about education, sex, drugs, violence, and anything else that was going on w/teens. Now it's all about foolishness. And if someone could do it and do it right it would be him.
The mess that is on their now is just down righ scary.
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By: Ms. Shelly on 12/02/2008 11:20AM
BET went downhill before and after he left. There is are no good FAMILY SHOWS on. Most of the shows are ghetto, degrading of women in the videos, the blockbuster movie shows that BET features each week is nothin but VIOLENCE, CORRUPTION, and very INNAPROPRIATE!
All I see is NEGATIVITY! BET back in the day, once had it goin on but now it's GONE! All I can say about Bob Johnson is "Uncle Tom"! I will never forget the ignorance he spoke during the debates about OBAMA! He doesn't have my RESPECT and I don't give a damn about his future plans!
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By: Mike Land on 12/02/2008 4:39PM
What Mr. Johnson plans to do is buy up some of Ion Media's licenses and put on his own programs in 42 of Ion's 60 markets. Ion was once known as PAX and is now the largest independent network in the USA.
What Mr. Johnson has not made clear is his intentions to stay with his "Black hire" policy much like he used at BET. Ion has started warning its white workers that some may be replaced with Black workers. Mr. Johnson will do doubt want Black workers at the helm when his programs are running. It wont look bad for Ion with the EEOC to hire more Black workers. But the fired white workers will have a case with the F.C.C.'s EOC office. When they are let go for the color of their skin, it will play out pretty well in their favor in court.
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By: ACE on 12/03/2008 8:24AM
MR JOHNSON IS OUT OF TOUCH WITH REAL BLACK PEOPLE---HALF THE NETWORKS DON'T UNDERSTAND REAL BLACK PEOPLE---WE ARE NOT MURDERERS,THIEVES,PROSTITUTES,GANGBANGERS,DRUGDEALERS,AND SO ON MOST OF US LEAD VERY FUN FILLED LIVES WORKING FOR EVERYTHING WE GET AND JUST ENJOYING FAMILY LIFE
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By: Grace on 12/03/2008 6:27PM
Lets be honest. Bob johnson lost a lot of credibility with many blacks for his stupid speeches & antics against Obama. He could have supported Clinton without putting Obama down. He had the nerve to bring up Obama's drug use. What Bob Johnson brought into the living rooms of Americans helped destroy an entire generation of blacks but he want to judge Obama.
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By: charles gregory on 12/03/2008 6:35PM
Bob Johnson , needs to go and enjoy his sellout money. He should have never jumped shipped in the first place. The way that he bashed Obama during the primaries put a really bad taste in my mouth for him. It doesnt matter that he was supporting Hillary Clinton, its the verbage that he used and the attitude he displayed. Just go away Bob Johnson and enjoy your millions or billions you made for selling out.
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By: Chaise on 12/03/2008 6:46PM
Bria, what BET were you watching, surely not the one that was under Bob Johnson's direction.
Anyway, I don't put trust in Bob Johnson ability to provide quality programming. Under his direction was pure, pure garbage. Except for the news, I'm not aware of any quality shows he put out. Award ceremonies that BET would advertise every 15 minutes, 90 days before the ceremony and show re-runs everyday for 90 days afterwards, don't count. All he cared about was lining his pocket. PERIOD!!!!!
I hope Master P. follows through with his network.
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By: HumbleOhioJones on 12/03/2008 9:52PM
First, many continued blessings to the readers/posters of this board.
Second, TV IS DEAD. Once computers/laptops reach the sub 300.00 range and high speed internet service for around 10-20 bucks its going to be over for TV.
I personally don't think this is a wise investment. I would rather see him focus more on social networking + entertainment with a underlying focus on REGIONALISM.
God Bless/Love is the new Hate
Mr. HumbleOhioJones
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