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WenD08 03-21-2001 04:01 PM

Tavis Smiley won't be on BET this Fall
 
on the Tom Joyner Morning Show, Tom Joyner announced that Viacom, the majority owner of BET will not renew Tavis Smiley's contract in the Fall. i didn't hear why but i will listen to TJMS tomorrow morning at 8:25 EST to hear why and what Tavis plans to do next. Has anyone else heard this and if so, what are your feelings? Viacom got my angry email earlier.

Eclipse 03-21-2001 04:28 PM

You have GOT to be kidding?? I guess he was clogging up the air waves with relevant information when we should be getting more videos to watch, huh? THe only beef I had with his show was that it was on too late in the evening. I am rarely up at 11 p.m. and so rarely watched it, but I always enjoyed it when I did. I was hoping that they would move the time.

Thanks for the heads up. They will be receiving another "nice-nasty" e-mail from an other angry Spelmenite in a minute! On wait, did you guys hear that most congressional staffers don't read the e-mails or catalog the responses from them because it has gotten too expensive to do so? Maybe other companies do this too???? Evidently the volume of e-mail has gone from a couple of thousand a year to a couple of million a year in a short period of time.

WenD08 03-21-2001 05:32 PM

Tavis Smiley will probably go to another network and go back to the original format he used http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif that's fine. my problem is that Viacom has no problem with JACKASS and THE ANDY DICK SHOW on MTV and FROM ROCK TO PORN on VH-1. substantive shows which feature a Black man trying to inform his community and the community at large are, shall i say, threatening? Viacom and Robert Johnson look pretty bad to me right now http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/frown.gif

Poplife 03-21-2001 05:49 PM

The only show I watch on BET...damn damn damn!

nikki25 03-21-2001 05:58 PM

What? Truly the whole purpose of one having BET is lost! That's truly the best thing that they have on there. I guess the intellectual discussion of culture and politics was too much for VIACOM to handle. Truly, that will show and Tavis' effort will be missed.

CulturedPearl 03-21-2001 06:54 PM

I was also shocked and saddened to hear that BET Tonight would be cancelled. I sent an email to Viacom but I also plan on sending a letter as well. It's long.


To: Mr. Carl Folta
Senior Vice President, Corporate Relations

Dear Mr. Folta:

While listening to the Tom Joyner morning show on Wednesday, March 21, 2001, I was shocked to hear that VIACOM has decided to cancel one of the FEW shows of substance on the below average (and that's putting it nicely) network known as BET. Have you no shame? Have you no pride? Do you really think people just want to watch videos and Comic View? Is your view of African-Americans that low? Mr. Smiley was one of the few who tried to seriously discuss issues that African-Americans were talking about with their co-workers, families, and friends. He even contributed to the "E" in Black Entertainment Television by interviewing celebrities you'd rarely get to see on other "mainstream" programs.
First the show is stripped down to the bare bones and Ed Gordon is used as an excuse. Then, to add insult to injury, you throw out him like yesterday's news. Your company is truly despicable. If this is some lame attempt to make BET more like MTV, then the experiment has failed miserably. Every new show is a too little, too late rip-off of what MTV and other networks have already done and it shows. Granted these shows were in place before the VIACOM acquisition but how you can you start improving the situation but taking off one of the more intelligent programs?
It amazes me how BET can be cluttered with a ton of videos along with complete garbage like Oh Drama and Cita's World, but the show that gets cut actually makes people think and stimulates intelligent discussion. But I guess that's the point, VIACOM doesn't want that. If you didn't demonstrate it before you've certainly done it now…in your eyes black people are nothing but singing and dancing coons. This is what you've demonstrated by your deplorable, racist actions. As a result, I will no longer support a network that basically pees on my leg and tells me it's raining. I hope you are proud of yourself. African-Americans will not stand for this. Check info@viacom.com for emails from others who are appalled by your actions. Also expect more letters and phone calls.
Sincerely,
An angry and disgusted former viewer.



Rachel0497 03-21-2001 07:07 PM

NOOOOOO!!!!! Truly this is a sad day for us all. I knew that Viacom was going to start doing stuff like this-I am disgusted to say the least. I will not be watching ANY more programming or the networks owned by Viacom any longer-they have just lost another viewer!!!!

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

OOHLALA 03-22-2001 09:46 AM

I am not at all surprised. If anyone recalls the thread that discussed Viacom purchasing BET, I knew then "BET will go in a new creative direction". That is, those white folks are about to tell us how to be black!!! And of course they would have to start with Tavis, since he is PRO-Black!!!!

I said it then and I say it again, just wait on how the programming changes. Viacom owns MTV and VH-1 (one other that I can't think of) and I think we will see a distinct parrellel of all the shows in the future. And if you don't like it, voice your complain, as I did. We should not sit around and accept it, as some sometime do.

You are encouraged to write, fax,call, and/or email the president of Viacom:
Mel Karmazin
mkarmazin@viacom.com
212-975-6500 Phone
212-975-5361 fax

51 W. 52nd Street.
New York, NY 10019.

[This message has been edited by OOHLALA (edited March 22, 2001).]

Discogoddess 03-22-2001 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by OOHLALA:
...That is, those white folks are about to tell us how to be black!!!
Actually, I was NEVER impressed with the "black" folk telling us how to be black, so I guess I never expected much of BET and was never disappointed.



[This message has been edited by Discogoddess (edited March 22, 2001).]

Mz. Sports Luva 03-22-2001 02:07 PM

I called Viacom and they gave me an 800 number that you can call to protest the cancellation of Tavis.
It's: 1-800-711-1630.

I actually spoke to a live person and she told me that they had gotten over 1000 phone calls today.

sweet aka 03-22-2001 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AKA_Monet:
I'm not surprised, but disappointed. Eveytime we come together, they find some way to break us apart. I guess they know we would be invincible if they didn't.

I got something similar to OHLALA's post in my email:

I'm wit cha Soror DG!!!


Discogoddess 03-22-2001 04:26 PM

Soror LadyAKA:

I was referring to BET as a whole, not Tavis' show. Personally, I think that while his show is/was valuable to many, I didn't get a whole lot of value out of it or his Tom Joyner commentaries. Too "preacher talky" for me. I mean, can we let the rhyming lines go, please?

I disagree with those of you who see this as "the man is trying to get us" sort of thing. BET has NEVER been a thinking person's network, even when under "our" control. I just think that we get what we demand, and most of us (black folk) are more interested in booty videos and loud-@#$ed chicks/dudes(be they on Oh Drama, The Parkers, The Wayans or the Jamie Foxx Show) solidifying the stereotypes. THAT's the isht that sells, unfortunately. Until we are willing to put our dollars up for intellectual pursuits, the least common denominator will always win out.

NUPE4LIFE 03-22-2001 04:50 PM

I have to agree wholeheartedly with my frat. The one show that is educational and talks about "real" issues other than how much bling bling you got on, is being taken off the air. I'm boycotting BET. I didn't agree with my frat 100% but he did have thought provoking shows that challeged my intellect and moral and political beliefs. I'm shaking my head at this one.

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KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY, INC.
SPR 97
XI LAMBDA

AKAtude 03-22-2001 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Discogoddess:
BET has NEVER been a thinking person's network, even when under "our" control. I just think that we get what we demand, and most of us (black folk) are more interested in booty videos and loud-@#$e chicks/dudes(be they on Oh Drama, The Parkers, The Wayans or the Jamie Foxx Show)solidifying the stereotypes. THAT's the isht that sells, unfortunately. Until we are willing to put our dollars up for intellectual pursuits, the least common denominator will always win out.


So true, so true. I must agree.

[This message has been edited by AKAtude (edited March 22, 2001).]

AKA2D '91 03-22-2001 05:19 PM

I heard Tavis did not DIRECTLY receive word that his show was cancelled from Mr. Johnson NOR VIACOM...Is this shady?

I wonder if he is receiving some "backlash" because of his stance against CompUSA a few months ago and the campaign he has against Republicans that want our HBCUs to become listed as "social programs."

Maybe, some feel he should be "put in his place," if you know what I mean http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif

Just a thought....

AKA2D '91 03-22-2001 05:26 PM

this is what Tavis had to say...it's long: http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/eek.gif
>
>Subject: BET! - There's No Such Thing!!!
>
>Tavis Responds To BET Firing
>Tom Joyner Morning Show Commentary
>Thursday, March 22, 2001
>Good Morning Tom, Sybil and J.!
>In a tribute Tuesday morning to my dearly departed grandmother, Adel Smiley,
>Mother Adel as we affectionately called her; I talked about the fact that on
>every headstone there is a date of birth, a date of transition and a dash in
>the middle.
>The dash in the middle is what matters most, because that dash represents a
>life that was either lived for a cause or a life that was lived just
>because. I trust that you fit squarely into the former category and not the
>latter.
>Sometimes while trying to make the most of that dash in the middle, we get
>caught in the middle. Caught in the middle of situations and circumstances
>that we did not create and do not control.
>Control. I suspect that's why Booker T. Washington said that at the bottom
>of all of our struggle must be the struggle for economic independence.
>Washington understood even then that the real Golden Rule is simply this: he
>who has the gold makes the rule. And so the staple of Black progress must be
>economic independence. When we surrender it, we surrender control. The
>control we need to enlighten, encourage and empower Black people.
>For the past five years, I have attempted every night as the host of BET
>Tonight on Black Entertainment Television to enlighten, encourage, empower
>and, yes, sometimes to entertain Black folk. As Black folk sometimes we
>laugh just to keep from crying! Moreover, I've learned from working with Tom
>that if we can get people to laugh, we can get them to listen.
>Which reminds me J., did I ever tell you the one about...!!!
>Seriously though, I sincerely want to thank the folk at BET for giving me a
>chance to bring you conversations I have shared with everyone from Clinton
>to Castro, Cosby to Cochran, from Prince to the Pope, from Patti to Puffy,
>Sharpton to Snoop. Even when talking with entertainers, my goal is to find
>an empowerment component to the conversation. I'm proud of what we've done
>in making our show a window to Black America.
>I believe that our lives are not so much made up of the breaths we take, but
>of the moments, which take our breath away. I've had more than a few of
>those moments over five seasons.
>Last Friday afternoon I traveled from Chicago where we had been engaging
>small Black owned businesses to embrace technology and grow their operation,
>to Warren, OH, for the kickoff of our Foundation's 9-city 2001 Youth 2
>Leaders seminar series, where we work with inner city youth to help them
>discover, develop and define their leadership skills.
>When I arrived in Ohio I learned that BET and its new owner Viacom had faxed
>a letter to my agent informing us that they would not be exercising the
>option to extend my contract for the engagement period when it expires on
>September 6, 2001. Translation: THE END.
>After leaving Ohio and traveling to Midway, GA, to pay my last respects to
>Mother Adel, I returned home to Los Angeles and convened a meeting Monday
>afternoon to hear suggestions from my advisors on strategy.
>There was, of course, a variety of opinions expressed, but at the conclusion
>of our session the general consensus seemed to be that for a litany of
>reasons I should exercise the option in my contract and simply resign
>immediately.
>Why? My advisors argued that Viacom and BET no longer deserved to have me on
>their network. Viacom and BET have the absolute right to cancel our
>contractual agreement, but after five years of hosting the signature talk
>show on the network, could not one person have picked up the phone to call
>me personally instead of choosing to fax a four sentence memo to my
>representative? Five years, four sentences.
>I listened to my advisors through the pain. To be sure, I have never owned
>anything at BET, but I do take ownership of my personal and professional
>mission statement: to compete only with myself and find a way night in and
>night out to best represent, to best advocate for Black people.
>They say you shouldn't take these things personally. But for me, it is
>personal. I launched, have hosted and executive produced this show since its
>inception. All along I have tried to maintain the integrity and credibility
>of our advocacy on BET against some pretty incredible odds.
>My mother wasn't a part of the strategy session --- but anybody who knows me
>knows that at some point in this process, my mother and I were going to have
>a little prayer and supplication.
>She started out with the philosophical and then brought the theological.
>Reminding me first, that like an airplane ascending to 37,000 feet,
>sometimes we have to go through a little turbulence before things smooth
>out. "Tavis, you can't climb higher without encountering a few bumps along
>the way," she said. Then she brought the theological, which is why I love my
>praying and preaching momma; reminding me that even Jesus before He could
>rise from the grave and bring us new life had to first go the way of the
>cross. In life, there is no progress without a struggle. And truth be told,
>sometimes we are at our highest when our fortunes are lowest.
>I was so relieved to hear my mother's confirmation of what I had already
>decided to do.
>Indeed, while I can exercise the out clause in my contract with Viacom and
>BET and walk away immediately, I'm concerned about what will happen to the
>two groups of folk who have been most loyal to me. First, the viewers and
>second my production staff.
>I'm concerned that the viewers who have been so loyal to me (despite changes
>in the time slot, run time and format of the show) need a voice on Black
>Entertainment Television that will speak truth to power about African
>American issues daily.
>In no way am I suggesting that I have always done that expertly or that I am
>the only voice in Black America capable of doing so. Not at all. I just do
>not know who BET now plans to assign that role to. BET has informed me that
>they no longer require my services, but the network has said that, "The BET
>Tonight show will live on - but in a new direction."
>I'm concerned about my production team because they have been loyal to me
>beyond measure. When we moved the show from Washington, DC to Los Angeles
>last year, no less than four people relocated to LA to continue working with
>me. For that I am eternally grateful.
>Not to mention that you don't win the NAACP Image Award as Black America's
>favorite talk show for the past three consecutive years by yourself; the
>highest award bestowed by the National Association of Minorities in
>Communications; a host of other honors and recognitions; and have your
>program profiled in everything from Time and Newsweek to People and the
>cover of TV Guide. None of us succeeds alone. None of us really flies solo.
>Somehow I feel like I'd be deserting the people behind the camera who have
>made me look good for five years in front of the camera. And let's face it,
>Hollywood ain't exactly the easiest place for folk who look like us to find
>gainful employment! Besides, I've had it with all of this greed masking as
>corporate downsizing that places people in the unemployment line after years
>of dedicated service. Whatever happened to loyalty?
>And so I've decided not to resign as some advised me, but to keep
>representing as best I can for as long as I can --- or until such time as
>Viacom and BET pull the plug on the show.
>This entire situation is still a little hazy for me, but I'm clear about one
>thing: I am unapologetically an advocate. And you don't need a television
>show to advocate; to be a change agent.
>Dr. King never had a television show. Malcolm X never had a television show.
>Mary McCloud Bethune. Roger Wilkins. Ida B. Wells. Medgar Evers. Harriet
>Tubman. Then again, as I think about it, I guess Harriet Tubman would not
>have been well served anyway to be broadcasting on television what she was
>doing on the Underground Railroad!
>Indeed, many of you listening to me right now advocate on behalf of
>children, seniors, students, AIDS victims, the homeless, the unemployed and
>the underemployed, the incarcerated --- you advocate for the least among us
>--- those who are socially, politically and economically disenfranchised ---
>you represent for them everyday and you do it without a television show.
>And so will I, once again.
>Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "What lies behind us and what lies before us
>are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."
>I believe that. We are all God's creation. Situations do not control us. We
>control situations.
>I believe that, if anything, this is just another situation for revelation.
>Just since yesterday, your calls, faxes and e-mail have overwhelmed my
>office. I wish to thank you.
>Sorrow looks back, worry looks around, but faith looks up!
>And so, I close this morning just as I have every evening on BET Tonight for
>five seasons: KEEP THE FAITH!


Discogoddess 03-22-2001 05:57 PM

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't the COMPUSA thing a couple of years ago???

Also, do we REALLY think that Viacom, a multinational corporation that gives $$$ to politicians in BOTH parties so that they will do the company's bidding, is going to fire the man because he got black folks fired up against ONE Senator re: the HBCU thing? If that's the case, why not buy off Jesse or Al Sharpton? Oops, my bag, they've done that already!

I'm not saying that gag attempts aren't made, but I think we need to look at this as a money thing--shows like Tavis' cost $$$ to produce; booty video shows and other intellectual cotton candy cost nothing to produce. I'm sure Viacom is trying to boost that 50+ percent profitability rate even higher, and an expensive news show with a host who's got his book signings, lectures and other irons in the fire is expendable to them.

AKA2D '91 03-22-2001 06:08 PM

"We" don't think anything...maybe "you" do...

That COMPUSA thing could still be going on...I have received emails about that as recent as 2 weeks ago.

Who knows what is going on...but something surely IS!

Discogoddess 03-22-2001 06:49 PM

Soror AKA2D91:

I most certainly do not buy into the conspiracy theory I have seen some of US (right here on this board, and via other forums, listservs, etc.) launch into about this matter! My question still stands...

I also know that the COMPUSA thing is dead and gone, in terms of settling the issue (people have received their coupons, the company met the demands, etc.). However, just like the urban legend emails about black postage stamps, slavery reparations tax credits and the nullification of black folks' voting rights, these emails tend to circle around for YEARS, even after the issue has been resolved and/or proven incorrect.

AKA2D '91 03-22-2001 07:06 PM

SOROR...

I was implying earlier that "we" cannot speak for each other here..."we" can ONLY speak for ourselves... No one can dictate what our beliefs, ideals are OR should be, regardless of who "you" are! Yet, "we" can express our beliefs/ideals...AGREE OR DISAGREE, IF "YOU" WISH! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif

And that's that! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/biggrin.gif

OH, SPEAKING GENERALLY, OF COURSE! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/wink.gif



[This message has been edited by AKA2D '91 (edited March 22, 2001).]

Discogoddess 03-22-2001 07:16 PM

Okay, soror. Again, my question was just that, a question, not a statement speaking for anyone. We'll "leave it go" at that.

deja 03-22-2001 10:15 PM

Say it ain't soooo! I don't watch ABC Nightly News with the Brokow......I watch BET .....Tavis Smiley.....

WHAT THE HEY!///////I WILL WRITE....I WILL STAND.....HELLO NO TAVIS WON'T GO!

Deja

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TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN....MUCH IS EXPECTED.

AKA_Monet 03-23-2001 01:35 AM

I got something similar to OHLALA's post in my email:

Quote:

Maybe most of you have already heard but I MUST address this issue. This
morning, as I was getting dressed to go to the plantation, my ears were
assaulted by the words coming out of Tom Joyner's mouth (guest of Steve
Harvey):

Viacom has canceled the BET - Tavis Smiley Show.

Hmmmmm. What has become a nightly ritual for me (when I am home, not sleep,
and am not on the computer) is watching the Tavis Smiley Show. The brother
is a good debater and has timely issues. A controversial book comes out
today, within a month the author is on his show. (Recent ex: John McWhorter
- Losing the Race - Self Sabotage in Black America.) Your analytical skills
lacking? Tavis WILL catch you and call you on it.

AND... (you know this put me over the top) Ya wanna know how he found out
his show was canceled? (cancellation effective September 1, 2001.)

Viacom, after what they call debates and "creative differences", faxed four
lines to Tavis' agent who then phoned Tavis and informed him of the
cancellation while Tavis was on the way to his grandmother's funeral. ("Miss
Adele") (silence)

What do we do? Blow up every point of contact for the CEO of Viacom.

Mel Karmazin, CEO Viacom
51 West 52nd Street
New York, NY 10019
(212) 975-5500 (v-mail at the office)
(212) 258-6000 (Viacom main number - we understand his voice mail is full and
he is not clearing the messages - old playa trick.)
(212) 975-5361 (fax)
mel.karmazin@viacom.com - email

It doesn't have to be a long correspondence.

If you agree that Black Entertainment Television should remain a source of
not only entertainment but also enlightenment, (although debates ARE
entertaining for me - wakes up my brain)...

If you think that a show like Tavis Smiley's is more important to the
maintenance and advancement of our people than comics - who are so original
that they can format the show around 1 subject which 20 comics have addressed
in their routines while Tavis' show has won the NAACP Image Award for the
past three years...

please write

If you get bored at work - send a fax

bored again? send an email

got 5 minutes before you go home? leave a little voice message

got writer's block while at the computer - jot down a few lines and snail
mail them

Thanx for your time.
I'm wit cha Soror DG!!!

ManndingoNUPE 03-23-2001 01:54 AM

Well as Tavis's frat brother, (and someone who sometimes disagreed with him) I am very
sorry to see the show go. I can honestly say that I am of the same mind as
Discogoddess, but I did think that the show performed a vital service to our community.
Why not take that crap, "OH Drama" off, or cut down on those damn videos. Or why not
take that dumb azz talk show off. I will also be writing to Viacom, and letting them know
how I feel. It's really sad, because we have so few show s to choose from, and one that
doesn't show us acting a fool, killing each other or ghetto as hell is a welcome change.

Not to throw stones, but doesn't Bob Johnson have some type of role in Viacom? Isn't he
still involved, if that were the case, I would hope that he would have at least fought for
Tavis a little. Him and Tavis have 6 things in common that I would hope Brother Johnson
would not have forgotten about.

MN

[This message has been edited by ManndingoNUPE (edited March 22, 2001).]

LadyAKA 03-23-2001 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Discogoddess:
[B] Actually, I was NEVER impressed with the "black" folk telling us how to be black, so I guess I never expected much of BET and was never disappointed.[B]
Please clarify .. are you saying his show is not of any great substance? I am not one to play follow the leader either, but I thought his show was intellectually stimulating. He did NOT seem to be an outspoken Al Sharpton, but he did speak on getting out to vote and just simply saying don't go easy - stay and fight! Did you see him as doing more which you did not like or less which you also did not like?

Just a question - maybe I took your comment out of context!

[This message has been edited by LadyAKA (edited March 22, 2001).]

Diamond007 03-23-2001 09:09 PM

I tried to email Viacom and it was returned!! Now what? I guess I am going to have to go to the dread pen, paper and stamp!!

AKAtude 04-17-2001 05:05 PM

Has anyone been on www.aka1908.com recently? I checked in today and saw that Soror Norma has a letter posted regarding Tavis Smiley's dismissal from BET.

AKA2D '91 04-17-2001 06:07 PM

ALLLLLLLLRRRRIIIGHHHHHHHT NOW!

But, I did NOT know Teen Summit had gotten the ax too! NOW, THAT'S A SHAME! (even though I have not really watched it in years!) That show has come a long way. Rememember that first group (c/o '90, yay!)with their cardigan sweaters? http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/eek.gif

AKA2D '91 05-21-2001 10:04 PM

I heard this morning on Tom Joyner that Tom has MANY, MANY deals coming his way from ALL of the major networks including Fox and CNN.

It seems that being "fired" from BET could have been the best thing for him.

nikki25 05-22-2001 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AKA2D '91:
I heard this morning on Tom Joyner that Tom has MANY, MANY deals coming his way from ALL of the major networks including Fox and CNN.

It seems that being "fired" from BET could have been the best thing for him.

I'm very glad that Mr. Smiley has been getting many offers. Being the wise man he is, I'm sure that he'll consider the network that has demonstrated a commitment to the minority community and will provide a sound forum for Smiley.



serenity_24 05-25-2001 04:41 PM

Have you seen Tavis' new replacement????!!!!??? http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/eek.gif

He can barely control the guests let alone fill Tavis' shoes. They even tried to change the format of the show by taking out the news portion with Sabrina Dames, but for what???? It's still the same show just without the luster that Tavis brought.

BET WILL SUFFER BEHIND THIS!!!! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/mad.gif

Charity 05-25-2001 11:05 PM

Who's the new host now? I know Cheryl Martin fills in and I know that "Kevin" guy from the original "Real World" Cast also has a guest spot. Is that who you are refering to? I don't watch the show since Tavis isn't there. But don't worry about Tavis ya'll, he'll be on to bigger and better things.


kitten03 06-01-2001 11:15 AM

Good News...This was in the Washington Post today

Tavis Smiley Finds Work with ABC, CNN NPR

NPR announced that it and a consortium of member stations have signed an agreement with Smiley to develop a newsmagazine targeted to African American listeners.

Smiley would host the one-hour morning show, which NPR said would be a mix of news, interviews and features. Its launch is planned for the end of this year.

An executive at ABC News said Smiley will be an "occasional contributor" to the division's "Good Morning America" as well as prime-time newsmagazines.

A CNN executive said Smiley will contribute to shows across the network, including "Inside Politics." Both executives asked not to be identified.

Smiley's staff said he would not be available for comment until today. A news release from his agent said Smiley would be a "regular" or "frequent" contributor to the two television networks.

The release also said he has a "commitment to ABC Radio" that includes "The Smiley Report," "a syndicated daily commentary on urban contemporary stations," and commentary on "The Tom Joyner Show."

ABC Radio had not been reached late yesterday, but a report in trade paper Variety said Smiley was "close to signing a deal with ABC Radio that would include continued appearances on Joyner's program."

Smiley's news release also stated that he is developing a talk show with Buena Vista Television, the syndication division of ABC parent Disney, and that he has signed a two-book deal with Random House.

Smiley hosted the talk show "BET Tonight With Tavis Smiley" for five years until he was fired last March by network Chairman Robert Johnson. Though Smiley's contract with BET allowed him to produce programming independently of the network, Johnson said Smiley was fired because he had sold an exclusive interview with accused '70s terrorist Sara Jane Olson to ABC News's "PrimeTime Live" without first offering it to BET.

Smiley had offered it to BET sister network CBS -- both networks are owned by Viacom -- before taking it to ABC. CBS News passed on the interview.



nikki25 06-01-2001 02:34 PM

It appears to me as if BET did Tavis a big favor without knowing it. I believe that this will boost his popularity and get an intelligent Black voice out on the political airwaves. While still not having a continuous visual forum at present, it sounds as if this is a possibility that may come to pass in the future.

I sincerely believe that what BET believed would cause detriment to Tavis has been turned out to Tavis' good. As a believer, I'm sure that Tavis is now familiar with the truth of Romans 8:28.

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I will bless the Lord at ALL times His praise shall continually be in my mouth. (Psalms 34:1, KJV)

CrimsonTide4 01-05-2004 02:48 PM

How Fitting that his new show starts on 1.5.04
 
TAVIS SMILEY
All Smiles for New TV Show (Premiering Tonight On PBS)

"Late night just woke up." That's the tagline PBS (Public Broadcasting System) is using to promote the new Tavis Smiley show premiering late-night, tonight.
While the show is new, Smiley is no stranger to television talk. In fact, that's where his beginnings are when he came on the scene on a growing cable channel called BET.

Time has passed, and BET and Smiley have since parted, but Smiley never stopped talking. Life after BET has not been slow. Smiley launched his relationship with public radio two years ago and the ratings and audience have brought him back to the small screen. It’s not just another show
for Tavis, it’s a new show – and he’s excited about it. "I was making the distinction with someone the other day that it’s one thing to enter a new year, it’s another thing to go into another year. For me it's a ‘new’ year because there are so many things in this year that we’re going to be doing that I've never done before, including this TV show. I've done television before, but this is uniquely different because I happen to be the first person ever, black or white, to do a radio show on NPR, public radio, and the opportunity to do a late night show – every night, on PBS, public television. So it’s going to be a fascinating journey to see how we can make this hybrid of an opportunity work," he said about the new gig.

Smiley reiterated his excitement to be back on TV, and mentioned that apparently he’s not the only one happy about his return to talk TV. "I can't tell you the enthusiasm that I've been met with by black folk across America. It's going to be a lot of fun and I’m ready for it," he said.

The success of his NPR show has been so great that executives at public television began to take notice. Smiley explains that they approached him with the proposal that if he could do half of what he’s done on public radio for public television, it would make a lot of sense. "What we've done in public radio is bring in the most ethnically diverse audience that public radio has ever had, and to bring in the youngest demographic that public radio has ever had. We've brought in a younger audience and a more "colored" audience, if you will," Smiley explained. “And let’s face it, we now live in the most multicultural, multiracial ethnic America ever, and I declare being black sooner or later has got to be in vogue.
So I think, as Jesse Jackson would say, our time has come."


There's lots MORE from Tavis at EURweb.
eurweb.com/articles/headlines/01052004/headlines1266801052004.cfm

RedefinedDiva 01-05-2004 06:57 PM

It starts tonight? Oh yeah! I will be tuning in so the brotha can get the ratings! :D

Rain Man 01-07-2004 01:45 PM

The Tom Joyner jokes regarding Tavis's new show was HEE-LARIOUS
 
OMG, while sometimes I think the TJMS gang tends to go overboard on a joke/gag (read milk a joke until it becomes powdered milk), IMHO the timing/delivery of the PBS promo gag was hilarious.

They would say, "Music!" *insert classical piano music* Tonight, on PBS, Tavis with Newt Gingrich, going toe to toe (I don't remember the exact wording they used). Tonight! On Pee Bee ESSSSSSS!

During the Tavis bit, this was spontaneously thrown in quite a few times, varying with such persons as Venus Williams and Lil' Kim, but it was off the chain funny!!!

Anyone remember hearing this gag? If not, chances are, they will do it again on Thursday's commentary. It was crazy silly!

RedefinedDiva 01-07-2004 07:09 PM

HC Tavis doesn't even air in New Orleans?! :eek: :mad:

*It's a conspiracy!! Bunch of bastids! :mad:

AKA2D '91 01-08-2004 10:15 AM

Speaks with Strom Thurman's daughter tomorrow night. Tonight his guests are Master P and Wesley Clark.

TonyB06 01-08-2004 11:05 AM

I know we all live in different time zones, but can someone tell me approximately when Tavis' airs? 8 p.m, 11 p.m? I haven't found it yet on any of the N.E. Ohio PBS stations.

I'd like to peep the Wesley Clark interview, myself...


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