Bob Johnson is at it again

Bob Johnson. The only Black male billionaire in the United States. The man that created Black Entertainment Television (no relation to this blog).

Bob Johnson is getting back to his roots. That is he is proposing a new Black-oriented television network to compete with his former BET and TV One. And I would equate that to a crack dealer finding religion and then going back out to sell more crack. If that doesn’t sound complementary, it isn’t meant to be.

Bob Johnson’s BET has more than a few comparisons for drug dealing. Its main adiction it sold were music videos so repulsive in the style and message that no other cable channel would dare play them. Not even the once rebellious MTV. These images of belittling women, and glorification of violence were not the initial programming but the end result. The big pay off. And he sold this to Black audiences because their only choice was to drink sand.

Bob Johnson had the opportunity to present an image of African Americans to the world that is not seen in other media. He could have emphasized the businesses we run, the educations we gain, the success we derive out of difficult and unbalanced situations. He could have promoted the achievements we make in the arts, and the advances we tread in politics. Instead he made a lot of money on the backs of the people he proposed to serve.

And now he plans to do it again.

According to an Ion and RLJ joint statement, the proposed share-time arrangement would allow Urban Television to operate “a continuous television program service aimed at serving the needs and interests of urban viewers and traditionally underserved minority communities. Urban Television will be a new addition to the current broadcast channel lineup, and Ion Media Networks will continue to operate its own broadcast networks.”

Urban Television is Bob Johnson’s new brand of crack so to speak. The goals sound lofty, but so did those at BET. The plea to the Government to back his venture are the same he stated before. And you can see the result right now, you might even be in time to see the movie Soul Plane.

Whether or not Bob Johnson launches Urban Television, he’s rich. He might be feeling remorse for the accusations he leveled at Barack Obama during the Democratic Primaries. He might be trying to make amends for the damage that BET has done over the years. He could even make a quality station that really does promote an image of African Americans as anything besides minstrels and pitbulls.

But I for one do not trust his intentions. I do not forget the high ideals he issued before diving to the gutter. I recall all to well his sell-out and escape to the fast lane. I don’t begrudge his money, just the way he got it. And I won’t help him get more.

Black Entertainment Television loses Procter & Gamble, but is it enough?

Viacom must be proud. I really have to believe that they are in a great mood today. If they aren’t all the better because I feel better. Why? Because Procter & Gamble and GM have pulled their ads from the network – specifically those found on Rap City and 106 & Park.

Both of these cable network programs are found on the infamous Black Entertainment Television (BET) [No relation], created by Bob Johnson based on the same theory as that of Marie Antoinette. But whereas Marie Antoinette was beheaded by the starving masses, the intellectually starving made Bob Johnson a billionaire. And Viacom was more than happy to jump on the bandwagon that Johnson started.

If television can be called the opiate of the masses, then gangsta rap and hip hop music videos are its crack. Bob Johnson figured out the formula and how to spread sales when he started his infamous late-night music video line-up. Viacom simply figured out how to sell this crack to schoolchildren during the day. Reginald Hudlin must be proud, because Sumner Redstone surely is.

But many others in the Black community, and those concerned about the welfare of children, were not pleased. Thus when the later re-named Hot Ghetto Mess was first imagined, we spoke out. While the changes were minor (program title was quickly altered, and some of the content it’s rumored) advertisers acted lest they stir the ire of the $1 trillion African American community. And again the voices were raised and that attention has caused action.

As most would agree, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize that Rap City and 106&Park promoted videos to kids just out of school that focused on sex, violence and profane language. But for those, like the advertising executives at GM and Procter & Gamble, that obviously never actually watch the program an April Parent Television Council study found the following:

“…among other things, that Rap City featured on average 31.6 instances of sex, 25.3 instances of explicit language and 11.7 instances of violence per hour.”

And Bob Johnson had the balls to allege that Senator Obama was a drug dealer.

Don’t get too happy though. While these 2 companies are in the top 5 of advertisers in the nation they have not made the impact that really would have made a difference to Viacom. GM did take their ads from these BET programs, but it moved them to other programs on this troubled network. Thus the financial slap in the face has become a tap on the wrists and BET continues in silence.

And what about the advertisers that have not changed their position? That would be McDonald’s, YUM! Brands (ie. KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and A&W root beer), and Verizon. Not one of these companies seems to be fazed by children being spoon-fed sex and violence. Yet not one of these companies would dare advertise on a program targeting White children with the same reported numbers. Obviously their opinion matches that of Sumner Redstone and Viacom. What great company to associate with.

And the Black community must be admonished for supporting these kinds of actions. With so much money being spent on keeping up with the Jones’, so much importance placed on style over substance we effectively beg for more intellectual crack and they whip it up on demand.

But until we act in the same manner as the poor French with Marie Antoinette, expect to eat more cake and have children more damaged every year. I have to wonder how well Debra Lee, Reginald Hudlin, and Bob Johnson sleep? I’d guess as well as the crack dealer on the corner.

Bob Johnson of BET and Clinton supporter apologizes to Senator Obama - 1.17.2008.1

So Bob Johnson has apologized to Senator Barack Obama for attacking the Democratic Presidential candidates past, for the express benefit of Senator Hillary Clinton. Isn’t that nice.

I have no doubt that virtually everyone has heard the comments made on Sunday, but if for some reason you missed it here it is:

[NOTE - This video contains material that young readers should not see. It is the very same material that Bob Johnson promoted on BET daily.]



That’s what Bob Johnson said. The implication was clear and his denials were disingenuous. And as has been done repeatedly by the Clinton campaign, it was an attack on Senator Obama with several desired results.

It was meant to insist the thought and stereotype that Black men are drug users. That we are untrustworthy and dangerous. These themes are not new to Bob Johnson as he was critical in placing that portrayal front and center on national cable via Black Entertainment Television.

The second thought was to split Whites from Blacks in their voting. It was a direct play on the race card, issued by the Clinton campaign. He was speaking on her behalf, and given the Clinton’s penchant for micromanagement of every aspect of the campaign I would have to believe it was cleared before Johnson spoke. It was meant as a means to imply that White America should avoid an African American.

Third it was meant as a means to divert attention from any positive message Senator Obama might have and any new support he might have gained from Iowa. It was meant to distract from the fact that 40% of Michigan voters came out to vote with only one goal, to deny Hillary Clinton a sweeping unchallenged win. The implication being that she is weak and disliked.

It has succeeded in each point.

But I must ask, how important is it that a man responsible for damaging the image of Black men, and the value of Black women wants to attack an African American that has spent decades serving the public and has voluntarily admitted his own failures long before he ever had an aspiration for the Presidency.

Obviously very little since Bob Johnson has now apologized, though far less publicly, and in a vague manner.



At least he admits the attack was uncalled for and underhanded. Similar to the music videos that degraded Black women, especially popular at BET when Bob Johnson was at the helm. Similar to the Clinton staffer that was promoting a false and derogatory email about Obama being Islamic and an undercover terrorist. A dirty political attack that the Clinton campaign loves to use. Or so it would seem as the do this constantly.

Johnson goes on to mention that the comments were ‘inappropriate’. I disagree, they were perfect to weaken the chances of the first viable Black Presidential candidate. They were timed and planned, and he knew it. His apology, after the effect has taken hold, is hollow and pitiful.

But I expect no more from a man that has proliferated the worst images and commentary on African Americans in decades. He sought out music videos and programming, that no other cable network would dare play. And the reason he got away with it was because he is Black.

And his legacy continues to insult and inflame millions of African Americans. Hot Ghetto Mess (or whatever name has been given to it now), College Hill, Read-A-Book, and so much more are still spewing forth. This has even lead to equally offensive material like the various Flava of Love television shows and spin-offs. All justified by what Bob Johnson created and promoted.

I don’t know which is worse. The fact that the Clinton campaign must resort to personal attacks and lies, or that Bob Johnson would dare to try to take a moral stance above anyone.

So I say to Bob Johnson, your apology is as without merit as Read-A-Book was without class, good taste, or a message.

And I have to question Senator Clinton. If your campaign has taken for granted the support of Blacks, and neither you nor your husband can point to any actual law (that I can recall or an aware of) that directly and specifically benefited African Americans, what would make you think that gaining the support of the man responsible for more negative imagery and content against Blacks would improve your support? Perhaps this person, and his obvious venom-spitting proves one thing, that you may not have the best interest of African Americans in mind.

At least that is what I conclude, how about you?