BET announced its new and returning television series for the 2008-2009 season at its recent upfront presentation in New York City. Up first: Jermaine Dupri's new docu-reality series Brutha will make its debut on the network this year. Brutha revolves around an R&B group of five 'bruthas' who relocate from California to Atlanta and learn just what it takes to navigate the treacherous terrain of the music industry while discovering who they really are along the way. Hunger for a record deal, stardom, loyalty to family and love for the craft all take center stage. The show was previously aired on Atlanta's Peachtree TV under the name Jermaine Dupri Presents: Brutha.In addition to Brutha BET will also debut a 106 & Park spin-off. 106 & Gospel is the flagship brand extension you've been clamoring for: an all-new 90-minute weekly music event this growing genre so righteously deserves. In addition to the incredible performances for which the 106 brand is known, 106 & Gospel features a top 20 countdown of contemporary gospel videos, news segments with Tye Tribbett, church fashion and roof-raising youth choir battles. The air date of 106 & Gospel is early next year.
Brutha and 106 & Gospel will premiere in the fourth quarter.
The two most popular reality shows in cable TV among black households will most definitely return. Never one to hold back with her music or her life, platinum-selling R&B superstar Keyshia Cole reveals all about fame and family in season three of Keyshia Cole: The Way It Is, the #1 series in BET history. Season six of College Hill will also return to BET’s schedule in 2009.
CONTINUE READING THIS STORY AFTER THE JUMP! AND FIND OUT WHAT OTHER SHOWS ARE RETURNING AND PREMIERING ON B.E.T. THIS YEAR.
Other series debuting on B.E.T. include:
JUDGE KAREN - There's a refreshing new judge in town who's about to set it off: Judge Karen! She's uncompromising, smart, and quick to cut through the clutter. Judge Karen was born to hold court on BET, and she's taking no prisoners. Premieres in B.E.T.'s third quarter.
THE BOOT - Narrated by MC Lyte, The Boot is a half-hour dating show filled with twists, turns and eliminations. The daily strip show begins with six sexy singles (for example, two girls and four guys). First, the girls meet with all four guys individually. The ladies discuss their personalities and eliminate two guys. The two remaining men and two women are then paired off and sent on dates. Halfway through their date, they swap. The girls collectively decide which of the two guys to eliminate, and then they send one guy packing. With two girls and one guy remaining, suddenly the power shifts. Now the guy has the chance to decide which one of the girls is right for him. Premieres in B.E.T.'s fourth quarter.
ALL-NEW COMIC VIEW - It's the standout of standup, the show that broke the biggest names in comedy. The legendary series returns for a 10th consecutive term completely transformed for 2008. Premieres in B.E.T.'s third quarter.
Other returning shows include the biographical reality series American Gangster, the soap opera Baldwin Hills, the boardroom-reality show Interns and the gospel-music show Sunday Best. And the BET Awards, perennially the highest-rated show each year on the network, will be back for another year.
