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.

The Black Entertainment Television PSA, insult or slap in the face - 8.13.2007.1

Some wondered why BET (Black Entertainment Television) caused so much animosity with the latest round of ‘original’ programming. Obviously the title of its headline program, Hot Ghetto Mess, was pretty bad. The content while less troubling than originally thought is no walk in sunshine either. But most expect nothing better from the executives, including Reginald Hudlin and Viacom head Philippe Dauman, as there is a consensus that they provide a program line-up that is less than positive towards African Americans.

Possibly proving this point is the recent addition to BET. It’s called a Public Service Announcement (PSA) though who it is serving, and how it’s a positive influence is beyond me. I will not say that this is a positive satire as I do not suffer from dementia. The concept is good on its surface, sadly the execution fails miserably. [I will not place this video on my site, but you can see it on YouTube.]

Of thee many things I could say about how insulting and wrong this supposed PSA is I will instead submit a conversation that I had with a friend on this subject. [Note that the conversation does include language that some will deem offensive. Curses are used occasionally, so children should not listen to this without a parent having first approved it. I am placing it here on the site because I feel that the language is not nearly as bad as most television programs or movies.]



I should also note that the video has one obvious omission. Did you notice that it says nothing about drugs? Was there no time left to say something about this? Was it more important to discuss hygiene (which I am unaware as being an issue) or to keep one more rousing chorus rendition?

I will add this. BET seems bent on providing programs that are as anti-African American as possible. The programs S.O.B. and We Got To Do Better are marginal in the quality and message they present. The caliber of movies found on this channel (such as Soul Plane – a bomb in the movie theaters and DVD markets) represent the best in bargain bin shopping, and virtually every other cable television network (not owned by Viacom) has numerous better quality films. The introduction of this PSA is not surprising, though it is sad.

We are not a mindless consumer that will accept anything thrown at us. Black culture is not a commodity up for sale to the highest bidder; no matter how sneaker, clothing, and who ever it is that creates the stupid money-wasting platinum teeth, companies try to make us believe we are for sale.

I don’t understand why any executive that has a concern about African Americans, beyond our available cashflow, would condone what this channel provides. Viacom does not understand its target audience, obviously. The degree to which it does not is amazing to me. I can’t wait until they pop up a PSA featuring a burning cross while a guy in a white hood raps about Blacks going to church and having a family with a mother and father.

BET, anything but black entertainment. And people say I’m a sellout because of the way I speak.

Oh, here are the lyrics (provided by Warner Todd Huston who also hated the PSA)

Read a book, read a book, read a motherf**kin’ book (pronounced mah f**kin' book in street fashion)

r-e-a-d-a-b-o–o-k

Not a sports page, not a magazine, but a book n*****, a f**kin’ book n*****

Read a book, read a book, read a motherf**kin’ book

r-e-a-d-a-b-o-o-k

Raise yo kids, raise yo kids, raise yo goddamn kids

Yo body needs water, so drink that shit

Buy some land, buy some land, what, f**k spinning rims

Brush yo teeth, brush yo teeth, brush yo goddamn teeth

Wear deodorant n*****, wear deodorant n*****

It’s called Speedstick, it’s not expensive

Read a book, read a book, read a motherf**kin’ book

r-e-a-d-a-b-o–o-k

This is what I think, what do you think?

I was wrong about We Got To Do Better Part 3 - 7.26.2007.2

Concluded from I was wrong about We Got To Do Better Part 2...

Obviously there were changes made in the program before it aired in this form. Some we can see directly. The change in the logo graphic was a very obvious example that the program was revamped after the negative attention. The changes in content are unknown, but it is worth noting that the promised booty-shakin, and pimped-out high schoolers were not shown.

I will say to Jam Donaldson, you did better than I had expected. Your vision as it was presented does prove my suspicions wrong. Next time talk about it.

To Mr. Reginald Hudlin I state, while you have provided a good first program you could have done better of the show. Speaking to the media, as you have with all your other programs, helps you not hurts. I still believe you re-worked the program massively. That’s something I will never know.

But you should know that your commentary could have helped the show. Perhaps the negative publicity was intended to pump up rating, but it really cost you in advertisers. Out of 13 spots for commercials, you only had 3 advertisers. The main was for Whose Your Caddy? appearing 3 times, once per break. The other 2 were the American Red Cross and a local spot for Resort & Residence. You lost out horribly. Perhaps if you had provided advertisers and critics with an advanced view there would have been more and you wouldn’t have the need to plug your own programming 8 times.

Then again, perhaps if I and other, predominately Black, bloggers didn’t press you we would not have the final version we have.

I was wrong about We Got To Do Better - 7.25.2007.3

I stand corrected. I am man enough to admit when I am wrong. I am pleasantly surprised. Very pleasantly surprised.

I have harshly criticized Black Entertainment Television about what this program could be about. The lack of commentary by BET or it’s parent Viacom, coupled with the nature of the original name of the show and the logo for it led me to a very negative conclusion. Based on those facts, and the history of the programming found on BET, I and others sought to have the program removed.

I stand by my posts I have written since July 4th on this subject. Every attempt I made to investigate this issue was rebuffed. In a vacuum conclusions stand firm.

But I have always stated I hoped I would be wrong. In effect I am. As publicly and strongly as I commented on what I was lead to believe about this program, I will stand here and state that I had my wishes fulfilled.

I mentioned that there was no similarity between the message of the stated description of We Got To Do Better (formerly Hot Ghetto Mess) and the efforts of Dr. Bill Cosby. That is not entirely true. I also questioned the ability of Mr. Charlie Murphy to convey a more intellectual message than a comedic one. Mr. Murphy was critical in getting the correct message across and did so strongly at several points in the program.

The introduction was a solid description of how the program is meant to be social commentary AGAINST the images that were to be shown. Mr. Murphy made direct comments on improvement within the community such as his comment after the first set of video clips. I paraphrase

‘These people look like the ones that didn’t make it past the American Idol audition. And a good thing to. People, there are other professions out there besides being a singer or entertainer. Remember that, we got to do better.'

Well stated.

It was the commentary by Mr. Murphy that made the difference in the program. As I have commented previously, the context of this program was absolutely critical. Missed by even a little it fails to do what it was intended to do. Mr. Murphy did not miss a beat.

Further, I found the ‘Man on the Street’ portion of the show most telling and important. The questions asked of random people on the street were intelligent and critical to everyday life of African Americans.

I stand amazed at the number of people that thought Mr. Bill Gates was poorer than Jay-Z. Even scarier is that several of them felt that both men were so close as that if Jay-Z had one more successful albulm he could surpass Mr. Gates. The fact is that while Jay-Z is successful, he is merely a multi-millionaire. Mr. Gates is a multi-billioniare, larger than Jay-Z by a factor of roughly 10.

Continued in Part 2...

Mr. Reginald Hudlin of Black Entertainment Television speaks Part 2 - 7.17.2007.2

Continued from Mr. Reginald Hudlin of Black Entertainment Television speaks Part 1...

I submit that his television shows have been a constant statement on self-improvement and the rewards of education. In 1965 he was the FIRST Black actor to star in a dramatic series. His Cosby Show television program, that started in 1984 and lasted 8 years, was massively positive, well received, and a direct statement of success for Black families. Obviously the cartoon series Fat Albert has made a huge impact on generations of Americans, and children around the world. Non-violence, morality and humor featuring an All-Black cast that has lasted decades and was in first run production for roughly 15 years.

Mr. Hudlin would compare what BET describes as,

“…like the traffic accident you can’t look away from.”

I have never heard any television show or public speaking event that Mr. Cosby has appeared at given a similar description. I do not know Mr. Charlie Murphy, but I am not aware of his collegiate degrees, positive public comments on the Black community (outside of comedy). Neither am I aware of Mr. Murphy receiving a Presidential Medal. I am not putting down Mr. Murphy, just stating that there is little similarity between him and Mr. Cosby.

For Mr. Hudlin to compare the program to the social commentary of Mr. Bill Cosby there must be similarities. They don’t appear to be in the host, a basis in education, or breaking ground in television history.

The comparison of Mr. Cosby’s social commentary – stating don’t shake your booty for a camera, or be a pimped-out high schooler – seems diametrically opposed to videoclips of exactly that. Mr. Cosby’s comments to seek out education seem to not be conveyed, as I am befuddled how a car accident is educational. So I ask Mr. Reginald Hudlin, where is the connection?

Mr. Hudlin appears to be a good corporate leader. His comments are rare, brief and sound great as a soundbite. Sadly they have no substance. These are the kinds of comments that as a stockbroker listening to earnings reports for a decade, caused me to drop a stock – and caused financial institutions to lower ratings. The comments don’t hold up to review.

I pose the same questions I asked Mr. Sumner Redstone and Mr. Phillippe Dauman to Mr. Hudlin. Perhaps, if BET is as independent as is claimed, he can answer the questions that his bosses will not. I again invite Mr. Hudlin to explain why my conclusions based on his comments, and those on the BET website are “an erroneous presumption” or how they can be considered based on “absolutely zero information.”

I have not seen the show, but I can only hope that it will not be what has been promoted. But if it is, there will be a reaction and I guarantee I will hold Mr. Hudlin, Mr. Dauman, and Mr. Redstone accountable.

To these men, and you my readers, I state – even if the major news media refuses to comment or acknowledge this subject, the blogosphere is. We are more powerful than traditional media believe. We are a voice of the people, and our influence (via you our readers) is immense. To ignore us is to dabble with peril.

This is what I think, what do you think?

Mr. Reginald Hudlin of Black Entertainment Television speaks - 7.17.2007.1

As the largest event that no major national news media will bother to cover continues to mount steam as the proposed launch of Black Entertainment Television’s Hot Ghetto Mess approaches, Mr. Reginald Hudlin has finally commented.
Mr. Hudlin didn’t comment to me, though I have described the efforts I have made to contact BET’s legal and public relations departments. [For that matter it seems that Mr. Sumner Redstone and Mr. Phillippe Dauman are without comment on the matter as well.] Rather he was besieged at the Television Critics Association Press Tour on Sunday.

I think most in the blogosphere are familiar at this point with the ongoing commentary on the proposed program Hot Ghetto Mess. To sum up for those less familiar, BET has a new show that features

“…shaking booties, thug life, baby-mama drama and pimped-out high schoolers…”

They also use a logo which features a blackface character. The public, and the blogosphere has reacted with outrage, and already State Farms and Home Depot have backed away from advertising on this program. Yet, the response to date from those at BET and Viacom (the company that owns BET) has either been no comment or surprise. Mr. Hudlin states,

“It's unfortunate that people are making an erroneous presumption based on absolutely zero information.”

Nice corporate response, except it’s not exactly true. While there is a presumption being made (as BET has not aired the show yet, nor have they allowed anyone outside the company – and many within the company – to review the program yet) it is based on information they have provided. The question not asked, or not answered to my knowledge, is how a video clip showing a Black woman shaking her bootie – hopefully at a club – would help anyone improve their lives? How would doing a segment featuring a “pimped-out high schooler[s]’ will do anything to prevent more of that, in an age of YouTube arranged fighting (not by YouTube, but the youth having fights just to present them on YouTube to gain attention).

Mr. Hudlin furthers his seemingly fallacious logic with this comment,

“The intent of the show is no different than what Bill Cosby is doing as he's going across the country and lecturing as he talks about the problems of the (black) community that we need to address.”

I must take this to task. Mr. Cosby hold a Masters in Education, at least 5 Honorary Doctorates, received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, served in the Navy and has been constant over decades in his efforts to promote the best for African American children and the community. Mr. Cosby has not suddenly started to highlight his belief that the Black culture needs to be improved, he has just recently changed the manner and attention he receives on it.

Continued in Part 2...