Well damn!

That’s basically all we could say once we copped a gander at Ebony’s latest issue, featuring the ever-so sexy cast of OWN’s breakout hit, ‘Queen Sugar.’

Dominating TV ratings with their second season, the ‘Bordelons’ – “Ralph Angel” (Kofi Siriboe), “Charley” (Dawn-Lyen Gardner) and “Nova” (Rutina Wesley) – have turned Wednesday nights on its head with their OMG-worthy dramas, family feuds, address of social issues, and so much more.

Now, to build even more awareness, the show’s cast are showcasing their fiercest poses for the good folks at ‘Ebony.’  See the pics below:

Make sure you pick up the issue when it hits stands later this month.

Your thoughts?

For as much mileage as the “Real Housewives” franchise still has, it’s often a struggle for newer branches to successfully bloom.

However, for ‘The Real Housewives Of Potomac’ it’s proving a task they’re up to.

A ratings success, the Bravo show has proven increasingly popular during its second season.

Paired for much of its run with the ‘Atlanta’ arm, the series has maintained over 1 million viewers – even after the Spring climax of its older sister.

This Sunday sees the final part of the season 2 reunion special air, with the ladies addressing a number of pertinent issues.

Per the sneak peeks below, Robyn‘s odd relationship with Juan is dissected the more, as are the marriages of Karen, Ashley, and Charisse. What’s more, with newcomer Monique reading Gizelle (for filth) in part one, it’s anyone’s guess what firework’s she’ll be setting off for the closing instalment.

Peep the previews…

Your thoughts?

[Photo credit: Heidi Gutman/Bravo]

Not even a collection of stage-blazing performances from the likes of Bruno Mars, Chris Brown, Future & Kendrick Lamar, and Mary J. Blige were enough to help this year’s BET Awards drum up its usual viewership figures.

For nearly the last decade Urban music’s biggest night has managed to rope in no less than a composite of 7 million viewers across the multiple VIACOM networks it’s aired across simultaneously.  This year, however, the Leslie Jones-hosted affair sang a different tune.

Report:

Viewership and ratings were both down 19 percent from last year.  The premiere telecast of the 2017 “BET AWARDS” drew 5.8MM Total Viewers P2+ (EDAC) , as it was simulcast live across 9 Viacom networks including MTV, VH1, Comedy Central, Logo, Spike and Centric.

Despite the drop in ratings, BET still easily snagged the title of ‘Sunday night’s most watched television program.’

Curious to see how the 2017 showing stacks up against former editions?  Look below:

BET Awards Ratings

• 2008: 5.8 million
• 2009: 10.6 million
• 2010: 7.4 million
• 2011: 7.7 million
• 2012: 7.4 million
• 2013: 7.8 million
• 2014: 7.9 million
• 2015: 7.5 million
• 2016: 7.2 million
• 2017: 5.8 million

Your thoughts?

Ne-Yo returned to the spotlight this week with a new single and a new TV show.

Wasting no time, the 37-year-old has hit the promotional pavement – making a notable stop at The Breakfast Club on Power 105.1.

Ever candid, R&B’s leading gentleman opened up about his two-year hiatus from music, new album ‘Good Man,’ and ageing in a youth-obsessed industry.

Mr Smith was also quizzed about Tank‘s much-talked about performance at DC Pride and was asked squarely whether he’d have performed too. His answer was definitely insightful.

Peep the chit-chat below…

Ne-Yo always brings great conversation and makes for refreshing interviewee given how much he isn’t governed by the boring bravado that many of his peers imprison themselves in. Put simply, this was a great interview.

We’re looking forward to ‘Good Man.’ Are you?

Your thoughts?

It’s curtains for WGN America‘s ‘Underground.’

For, after just two seasons the cable network has confirmed that the popular series will not be back for a third.

The move has come as a surprise to many given that the show was a strong performer in the ratings.

Its cancellation has little to do with numbers though.

See, WGN is going through a brand overhaul and ‘Underground’ – a slave drama – does not fit said agenda. Peep the statement from the CEO Peter Kern below:

“As WGN America evolves and broadens the scope and scale of its portfolio of series, we recently announced that resources will be reallocated to a new strategy to increase our relevance within the rapidly changing television landscape. This move is designed to deliver additional value for our advertising and distribution partners and offer viewers more original content across our air.

“Despite Underground being a terrific and important series, it no longer fits with our new direction and we have reached the difficult decision not to renew it for a third season. We are tremendously proud of this landmark series that captured the zeitgeist and made an impact on television in a way never before seen on the medium. We thank the incomparable creators Misha Green and Joe Pokaski and the great John Legend, along with the talented creative team and cast who brought the unsung American heroes of the Underground Railroad to life. We are grateful to the loyal fans of Underground and our partners at Sony Pictures Television. It is our hope that this remarkable show finds another home and continues its stories of courage, determination and freedom.”

As at writing, both OWN and Hulu are said to be interested in picking up the show. However, some feel its hefty per-episode production price may count against it.

Still, as always in entertainment, never say never.

We love the series and are crossing our fingers that it finds residence at another channel.

Your thoughts?

Mo’Nique has been lodged in the headlines over the last week, thanks to no holds barred comments she made about Lee Daniels, Oprah Winfrey, and Tyler Perry. 

In each instance, she stressed a different issue with the power players: Daniels over her “blackballed” drama dating back to her promotional practices for ‘Precious,’ Winfrey in relation to the alleged exploitation of her sexual abuse for TV ratings, and Perry for some unspecified reason.

Unapologetic, the Oscar winning actress has continued to lash the trio during her stand-up comedy tour.

Case in point her show at the 29 Palms Casino last night.

Talking to the capacity crowd, the former star of ‘The Parkers’ revealed that Perry called her. And while seemingly welcoming of his reach out, she wasn’t here for his “Billionaire” antics. She also continued to lay into Winfrey and Daniels.

See what we mean below…

A post shared by Ashleyskywalker (@ashleyskywalker) on May 21, 2017 at 8:51am PDT

A post shared by Ashleyskywalker (@ashleyskywalker) on May 21, 2017 at 2:30pm PDT

A post shared by Ashleyskywalker (@ashleyskywalker) on May 21, 2017 at 12:44am PDT

Sigh.

Your thoughts? 

The actress Monique inspired thousands survivors of sexual abuse around the world when she revealed that her older brother had molested her when she was a child.

Shortly after, her good friend Oprah Winfrey invited her family onto her talkshow to quiz them on how the abuse started and how and why Monique’s parents had been able to maintain a relationship with their son even after hearing their daughter’s story.

This month, Monique took to the net to blast Winfrey and her ‘Precious’ collaborator Lee Daniels after learning of their supposed decision to blackball her.

Today, she has revealed that she feels Oprah manipulated a personal moment they shared for ratings.

A post shared by The Shade Room (@theshaderoom) on May 20, 2017 at 1:51pm PDT

Watch her full explanation below…

Your thoughts?

Katy Perry is to bag between 10 and 15 million dollars for her forthcoming run on ‘American Idol.’

On a mission to rescue her ‘Witness’ era from the racism scandal she faces, the vocalist is set to collect the meaty amount from producers who are keen to revamp the series on a ratings front.

‘Vanity Fair‘ reports:

ABC raised the 15-year franchise from the dead well before it was cold in its Fox grave, causing consternation both within the network and outside of it—especially after two of Idol’s most starry alumni, Kelly Clarkson and Jennifer Hudson, pointedly signed on to serve as judges on the next season of NBC’s The Voice instead of the undead series that made them famous. Clearly, Idol could use a big name both to shore up its judging panel and justify its quick return—and according to Entertainment Weekly, Idol had actually tried for years to sign Perry.

The publication adds…

Now that it finally has her, the network is allegedly offering her somewhere between $10 to $15 million.

Do you think she deserves that much?

Following weeks of speculation, it is finally confirmed – ’Scandal’ will be bowing out after its 7th season.

The news was broken at ahead of the ABC Upfronts moments ago by the network’s Entertainment President Channing Dungey.

Speaking to congregated press, he said:

“Shonda has decided the series needs to come to a close, and while this is definitely a bittersweet moment for all of us gladiators, I have no doubt what she has in store for the final season will be as powerful as what’s come before, and we will be sure to honor that every step of the way.”

Rhimes, creator and executive producer of the politic drama, chimed in adding:

“Deciding how to end a show is easy. Deciding when to finish is quite simple when the end date is years away. But actually going through with it? Actually standing up to say: ‘This is it?’ Not so much. So, next year we are going all out. Leaving nothing on the table. Creating this world in celebration. We are going to handle the end the way we like to handle the important things in our ‘Scandal’ family: all together, white hats on, gladiators running full speed over a cliff.” [Source]

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As a consistent ratings performer, confirmation of the show’s end will come as a blow to its millions of fans. And while we count ourselves among that mass, we do feel ’Scandal’ has reached a respectable ceiling as far as believability goes. Hence, it’s best for it to go out on a high rather than linger on and drag.

Kudos to Kerry Washington, the cast, crew, writers, and all involved. It’s been a hell of a ride.

Your thoughts?

After doing her part to save ‘Keeping up with the Kardashians’ from complete ratings ruin, the influencer Kylie Jenner steps into her own light this year with the birth of her own TV series ‘Life of Kylie.’

In it, fans are given access into the celebrity’s world as she builds an empire fuelled by the fame of her older sister Kim Kardashian, father Caitlyn Jenner and mother Kris Jenner.

E! ordered eight episodes from the Bunim/Murray production outfit which built the series with help from Ryan Seacrest Productions.

Waiting below? A first look delivered by NBC during its recent upfront presentation in New York City.

Keep it locked on TGJ for ‘Kylie’s release date.

#NowPlaying: Monica – Teen People Interview.

Will you be watching?

Despite being “hit or miss” on the critical front, Lifetime’s biographical films – especially those dedicated to some of music’s most noted acts (Whitney Houston, Toni Braxton, Aaliyah, etc.) – are generally ratings winners. But, after hitting a sour note with viewers thanks to the ill-received Britney Spears biopic from earlier this year, the women’s network is looking to get back on track with a biopic in honor of King of Pop Michael Jackson. 

Titled ‘Searching for Neverland,’ the film comes as an adaptation of the best-seller “Remember the Time: Protecting Michael Jackson in His Final Days.”  Said to be “told through the eyes of Jackson’s trusted bodyguards Bill Whitfield and Javon Beard,” the flick – set to premiere on Memorial Day (May 29) – will chronicle MJ’s last two years of life.

Get into the trailer inside:

(more…)

After months of speculation, stalled and then re-started talks, ‘American Idol’ is officially being revived.

Following a heated bidding war, ABC announced this morning that they have won the rights to air the next incarnation of the singing competition

As widely reported, FOX – who aired the original show for 15 seasons – was very interested as was NBC.

Ultimately, though, it’s ABC who secured the broadcast privileges from Idol’s joint owners Freemantle and Core Media Group.

And while it was thought that Idol was being readied for a 2018 return, there’s talk that that it may be back on air this year and form a central part of ABC’s 2017-18 schedule.

Speaking on the network’s major coup, Channing Dungey – the president of ABC Entertainment – said:

“American Idol is a pop-culture staple that left the air too soon. ABC is the right home to reignite the fan base. We are thrilled viewers will once again share in these inspiring stories of people realizing their dreams.”

Ben Sherwood – co-chairman of ABC’s parent company Disney – chimed in and promised a “bigger, bolder and better-than-ever Idol.” He added:

 “American Idol on ABC… that has a nice ring to it. Idol is an entertainment icon, and now it will air where it belongs, in ABC’s lineup of addictive fan favorites alongside Dancing With the Stars and The Bachelor.

There’s no formal word on a host, but it’s notable that Ryan Seacrest recently signed on the new co-host of Live With Kelly – housed on ABC.

Word on the curb is that the network plans to bend backwards to accommodate Seacrest’s schedule so as to facilitate his Idol comeback.

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On the one hand this is a major touchdown for ABC, who’ve struggled to make any kind of mark in the reality singing arena. Indeed, while they’ve sunk with titles such as ‘Rising Star,’ NBC and FOX scored wins with the likes of ‘The Voice’ and the original ‘Idol.’

Still, one has to wonder how the new revival will fare.

Internally, the reported feeling was that Idol ended prematurely because it just became too expensive to produce (thanks largely to the superstar judges it courted). However, there’s no denying that ratings were on a downward spiral and that it struggled to yield stars on the caliber of Fantasia (pictured), Kelly Clarkson, and Jennifer Hudson. A natural reality, arguably, given how long the show was on air.

People gravitate towards “newness,” as such it’ll be interesting to see whether a new network and likely changes to the format will be enough to entice viewers back. Or are folk just over such shows in general?

What do you think?

Your thoughts?

[Photo credit: Getty]