BET FIRES TAVIS SMILEY EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY!!!
 

BET FIRES TAVIS SMILEY EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY!
Will use guest hosts until next fall. BET's Bob Johnson
to talk "live" on Monday, March 26 at 11 p.m. ET/PT**

In move that could only be characterized in street parlance:
"It's on!" BET/Viacom has pulled the trigger and fired BET Tonight
show host Tavis Smiley effective immediately! Only this time, Smiley
was told personally as opposed to a 4 line fax. Smiley's Los Angeles
office confirmed that BET executive, Nina Henderson Moore,
personally called to tell him of the decision. Beyond that, they
had no comment. In a press release, BET Chairman and CEO,
Robert L. Johnson, made the decision public.
"After a five-year relationship with Tavis Smiley, we have
terminated the remainder of his contract effective immediately,"
Johnson said. "There are a number of public and private concerns
which led to my decision. Recent actions by Mr. Smiley left
us little recourse but to make this move."
To address the issue for viewers, BET has scheduled a special
one-hour edition of BET Tonight with guest host Cheryl Martin
THIS MONDAY, MARCH 26 at 11 PM. ET/PT**, during which
Johnson will take open line phone calls from viewers about
Smiley and the network's decision.
EUR will have more on this story as it develops. In the meantime,
below is the BET press release in its entirety. We encourage you
to go to the EURweb messageboards NOW
(http://www.eurweb.com/forums/index.cfm?action=forum&roomID=5)
... and make your feelings/thoughts known.

(**Telecast will be live to Eastern and Central Time zones; tape-delayed

to Pacific and Mountain regions).


THE OFFICIAL BET PRESS RELEASE:

BLACK ENTERTAINMENT TELEVISION TERMINATES CONTRACT
WITH BET TONIGHT HOST TAVIS SMILEY; WILL USE GUEST
HOSTS UNTIL NEXT FALL

BET Chairman to Take Calls "Live" on Monday, March 26
at 11 p.m. ET/PT**

WASHINGTON (March 23, 2001) - Black Entertainment Television
(BET) Chairman and CEO Robert L. Johnson announced today the
immediate termination of the network's contract with Tavis Smiley,
host of the talk show BET Tonight. The show will use guest hosts
until a permanent host is selected for the Fall 2001 television season.

"After a five-year relationship with Tavis Smiley, we have terminated
the remainder of his contract effective immediately," Johnson said.
"There are a number of public and private concerns which led to
my decision. Recent actions by Mr. Smiley left us little
recourse but to make this move."

To address the issue for viewers, BET has scheduled a special
one-hour edition of BET Tonight with guest host Cheryl Martin
on Monday, March 26 at 11 p.m. ET/PT**, during which Johnson
will take open line phone calls from viewers about Smiley
and the network's decision.

"There has been a public outcry driven by misinformation circulated
around this issue, and fueled by the Tom Joyner Morning Show,"
said Johnson, who has offered - to no avail - to appear on the
Joyner program to address the issue. "As the person responsible
for this network and the individual who made this decision, it is
important to offer my perspective on this matter which, until
now, has been ignored."

Public debate surfaced this week when syndicated radio host
Tom Joyner openly criticized BET for an earlier decision not
to renew Smiley's contract for the upcoming fall season.
Joyner and Smiley further inflamed the issue by accusing Viacom,
parent company of BET, and its CEO Mel Karmazin, of being
behind the decision. Johnson reiterated that "nothing could
be further from the truth," and that the decision was made
by him.

Black Entertainment Television, a subsidiary of Viacom, is the
nation's only 24-hour television network providing quality programming
targeted toward the African-American audience. BET reaches
65 million households according to Nielsen media research.

(**Telecast will be live to Eastern and Central Time zones; tape-delayed

to Pacific and Mountain regions).
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I am not surprized. I had dinner with someone this evening who "works" at BET in New York, he had this to say: "There are only about 4 or 5 full-time permanent employees at BET 106 and Park. They (BET Management) treats all of the other employees (freelancers) like crap. The only think Bob Johnson thinks about is money $$$$
(Fortune magazine estimated his personal wealth at $300-500 Million). " I offer this: at what price do our children and young people have to suffer with his sub-par programming? From my understanding BET is in direct competition with viewers of MTV.
I say we boycott BET. Dang...where all Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson when you need 'em? http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

Now I see why Diamond007's emails to Viacom were returned...

Now Mr. Johnson has put Tom in it! I can't wait until Monday morning... http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif

BET will no longer be watched in my house. Mr. Johnson is a house nigger.

This is awful when will the struggle end. Tavis Smiley is a voice for his people and they don't like that. BET!!!!! I thought we were overcoming but I guess we haven't???? I am for the BOYCOTT!!!!! NO MORE BET IN MY HOUSE OR MY FAMILY MEMBERS HOUSES EITHER!!!!

[This message has been edited by AKANGEL (edited March 24, 2001).]

Although I have seldom watched BET Tonight, whenever I did I was impresseed with Tavis' questions and the commentary that he provides.

I seldom watch BET anymore. Comicview lost me as a "loyal" supporter when I heard how much they paid the comics.

BET and VIACOM and Johnson need to wake up and realize that for me to be ENTERTAINed as a BLACK person watching TELEVISION, videos and GHETTO FABULOUS TALK SHOWS just ain't going to get it. Rather we need TAVIS on during prime time not late at night. We need some of the TV shows that have been cancelled by NBC, CBS, ABC, et al to be picked uo by BET, i.e. City of Angels. BET could and SHOULD BE responsible for more intelligent broadcasting. BET needs to realize that those videos they show all day and all night are a detriment, As a teacher I see it first hand, these kids can't even complete assignments, conversation without referring to the latest video. I am disturbed at how Mr. Johnson and his programming staff are going to augment Tavis' absence. When are they going to have FAMILY PROGRAMMING that does not revolve around old reruns but instead FRESH ideas.

Whatever happened to Bev Smith and OUR VOICES on BET?

[This message has been edited by AKA2D '91 (edited March 25, 2001).]

Bev Smith has a syndicated radio talk show. i've heard bits and pieces and it's good. i wonder what will happen with LEAD STORY, Heart and Soul, and BET News with Ed Gordon. These are really good shows who don't seem to fit in with the direction BET is wanting to go. from what i understand, BET/Viacom is targeting the 18-34 age bracket. perhaps, these shows are next...

**Putting on my combat boots**
I am all for boycotting, no doubt about it. It's time we stand up and let them know we won't accept the okey-doke, shuck and jive they keep bombarding us with. After the BET Tonight this evening where "Sell-Out" Johnson will discuss the decision to fire Tavis, my TV set will not be tuned in to ANY Viacom owned outlet until we get more quality programming.

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The Women of Zeta Phi Beta...Simply Irresistible!!!!!!!!!!!

GO TO http://www.bet.com and you can post a question for JOHNSON to answer tonight on the LIVE EDITION of BET TONIGHT!!

Here is my question: The firing of Tavis Smiley has angered a lot of your viewers. Across America, there is a lot of dialogue among your viewers that is angered at the termination of Tavis Smiley. My question to you, what is the direction that your company will now be taking. Will there be even more videos added to the line up? Where is the quality programming for BET? Surely you don't think that OH DRAMA is quality television. You need to rethink the mission of BET and help us understand where your vision lies as you remove a great program hosted by a man who is committed to the betterment of Blacks in America.


[This message has been edited by CrimsonTide4 (edited March 26, 2001).]

While listening to Tom Joyner this morning, someone made a statement that Mr. Johnson is NOT the person who needs to talk or explain.

Viacom should have its representatives discussing in what direction BET will go. Answering questions why Tavis was IMMEDIATELY fired.

Mr. Johnson has his billions of dollars in his pocket, worried about NADA!

I think Mr. Johnson and Viacom representatives should be on the show tonight to explain the decision to the public. This is what Mr. Johnson had to say:

“As the person responsible for this network and the individual who made this decision, it is important to offer my perspective on this matter, which until now has been ignored. ”

Johnson reiterated that he, not Viacom’s President Mel Karmazin, made the decision to terminate Smiley.

Quality programming?! What BET is he watching?

Did anyone see Johnson last night on BET? If so, what did he say was the rationale for the firing?

I saw it and it was rediculous....He said Tavis got a major interview and he didn't offer BET the opportunity to air the interview. But, Tavis said that wasn't true...so, I don't know....I kind of believe Tavis....because Johnson approach was done in poor taste.

He said it was a business decision that he, and he alone made. He stated that Viacom had absolutely nothing to do with the decision; and they asked him to continue with the same programming. He cited the fact that Tavis sought and received an interview about the Patty Hearst(Symbionese Liberation Army) situation-which, at that time was a very hot and sought-after interview. Tavis got the interview, and didn't even give BET a chance to buy/run it-inspite of the fact that he had been with them for 5 years. Tavis showed no loyalty at all to his employer. This event, and others convinced Johnson and the BET staff that it was time for Tavis to go. Johnson also mentioned the Tom Joyner interview(lightweight) too.

He came across as being really cocky to me. He kept saying over and over".... blah, blah, blah... that's why I'm the president", or "....blah, blah, that's why I get paid". I went to bed really pissed off at his whole interview.

Convinced,,,,,I went to sleep on half of it, he was very cocky....Something is wrong with that man!!! I'm praying for Tavis....If he felt so justified in what he did, why did he need to air it on National TV....

He is a puppet for Viacom. If Tavis was unloyal or doing things that convinced him he needed to go, he should have taken action a long time ago. Why wait until now? He is looking for a good explanation to justify his actions and he can't.

I learned the hard way about jumping on bandwagons. The few times I've seen Tavis, I thought he was cool; but most of us are opportunists, and it's possible Tavis could've done some of the things he's accused of. I'm not completely sold either way. Until I know all there is available to know, I wont have an opinion on it.

The only incident Mr. Johnson kept referring to was Tavis' decision to sell the interview to ABC. Tavis stated this morning on Tom Joyner that he found out the true reason behind his firing when we did...which was last night. According to Tavis, his contract stated he was given a certain amount of outside interviews which could be conducted on his own, as long as the station he chose recognized him as an employee of BET. True, he could have asked BET, but he didn't have to do so. I guess this would be considered a good business practice to go to your boss first, but to remedy this in the future, the clauses in the contract should be changed to reflect this, if this was such a major problem.
Tavis paid the production crews to conduct this interview, not Mr. Johnson. I agree with one of the callers, isn't it quite convenient after all the "creative differences" they shared over a five year period, he abruptly decided to fire Tavis after Viacom took over? All I saw in the interview was Mr. Johnson stating this is my business, I've gotten rich from it, keep watching the videos because it's quality programming and there's more to come, I'll run it the way I want, and if you don't like it, follow Tavis to wherever he goes and I wish him well.
I wasn't impressed with the interview last night and I've never been impressed with BSET...oops I mean BET. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/rolleyes.gif

The ONLY question I still have is...

Why did Smiley's firing change from at the END of this season to IMMEDIATELY? http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/confused.gif

Was Mr. Johnson/Viacom appalled at the overwhelming support Tavis received? http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/confused.gif

Tom Joyner and Tavis ran their mouths on the radio spreading misinformation according to Mr. Johnson and he said that was the straw the broke the camel's back. But I know Mr. Johnson didn't expect to receive all the public support for Tavis, that's why he felt compelled to give us a courtesy I am the boss speech.

Here is the link to get Mr. Smiley's response to last night's interview...
http://www.tomjoyner.com/missed/smiley.html

I guess they could mean "low" or "no" quality...those are qualifiers too...LOL

What the feezy? No more Tavis? I can barely stomach the lack luster and apathetic nature of BET's regular programming, but Tavis was our hope. Now we just have a channel that perpetuates the stereotypes that are rampant in this country.



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Many are called, many are chosen, but only a few are PHROZEN!

I'm glad you posted this. It gave me the perspective I needed to draw my own conclusion. Thank you AKA2d

Y'all. Come on now. Don't y'all know how LALAland operates!!!

I heard about Tavis and Patty... Hmmmmm. Now I know that pissed off Mr. Warner Brothers, Mr. Fox and Mr. whoever is in charge of Viacom. 'Cuz you know Patty is just like Nicole... So basically Tavis got himself OJ'ed...

Do we OWN the satellite in the sky that bounces off what's aired??? Why do you THINK Russia took down Mir??? Tavis was too radical. Viacom told Johnson it's gotta stop. Johnson delayed what he felt he had to do so that at least there would be some kind of Black STAR POWER in the sky. Don't y'all know that if one of Nuclear Warheads are "disposed" of or missles are launched which accidently blows a satellite outta the sky, it probably be OUR programming. This is a classic case of why us Black folks are not allowed to READ!!!

I'm not sayin' any of this is the right thing to do. It is skrait foul. But then if you understand the nature of white supremacy (Marimba Ani), then you understand at what lengths the powers that be to maintain their way of life...

Lemme ax y'all dis: Would you rather have something versus nothing??? How much are you willing to compromise?

Until an African Country, such as Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa or The Republic of Congo scrapes up enough capital to put a satellite in the sky, we will never have TRUE MOTHERSHIP CONNECTION programming... That is what it will take. That is only one of the ways. But the yurugus would blow up the African oil pipelines before that ever happens... Meanwhile, our ancestorial lands remain war torn.

Who is Patty???????

(AKA2D'91 I searched this thread I didn't see a Patty, LOL!!!)

Isn't Patty the person that Tavis was to interview and DID not give BET the "rights" to air it on the network...???????

Someone please correct me if I am incorrect.

Now I know the interview was concerning the Patty Hearst ordeal, but from my understanding, Patty Hearst wasn't the person who Tavis interviewed, Sara Jane Olsen was.

I'm gonna just sit back and read because a lil confusion has set in on my part right about now. http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/confused.gif



[This message has been edited by Total Elegance (edited March 28, 2001).]

hi folks,

here are a couple more links about the tavis situation that i came across. to sum it up, it looks like johnson was looking for a reason to give tavis the ax, and he found it.
http://www.nypost.com/entertainment/27033.htm
http://washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/art...2001Mar27.html

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We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.--Aristotle