Reality Beat: 'Selling Tampa' Cast React To Netflix Cancellation and VH1 Oversight Moved To BET Network
Jose Eduardo Derbez - Medios y Media
Competitive Series: The latest restructuring at Paramount sees RuPaul's Drag Race franchises and other shows now under the BET umbrella's oversight instead of MTV. Paramount's shift of VH1 oversight to Scott Mills, CEO of BET, follows the president and CEO of Paramount Media Networks gaining control of Showtime Networks, causing the company's restructuring. Paramount CEO, Bob Bakish, said in a statement, "This strategic alignment will ensure that VH1 − a leader in multi-cultural programming and the second largest U.S. cable network for Black viewership − is best positioned for future success as a key part of the powerful BET ecosystem under the leadership of Scott Mills."
The Food Network's long-running cooking competition series Chopped is now streaming selected episodes on HBO Max. The series features four chefs competing to make a three-course meal with mystery items meant to throw a curveball. The series has a rotating panel of judges, including Chef Maneet Chauhan, Chef Cris Santos, and Chef Aarón Sánchez.
Mexican actor and comedian José Eduardo Derbez signs on to co-develop and host multiple new series with unscripted production label Banijay Mexico & U.S. Two of the series are already in development titled Jinxed and Mexico Oscuro— Jinxed is set up as a competition-type series featuring contestants down on their luck given the opportunity to win possible cash prizes. Mexico Oscuro is a paranormal investigation series following Derbez, a celebrity guest and a paranormal expert investigating local legends and ghost stories around Mexico. The Mexican studio also recently signed singer Becky G for a reality docuseries.
Docuseries: Oprah Winfrey, Tracee Ellis Ross and Michaela Angela Davis are Executive Producers of The Hair Tales. The series will feature guests Issa Rae, Rep. Ayanna Pressley, Chika, Marsai Martin, Chloe Bailey and Oprah Winfrey in conversation with Tracee Ellis Ross. The series is said to focus on the high-powered celebration of Black women's identity, culture, humanity, and beauty— all expressed through the stories of Black hair. The personal care brand Dove sponsors the docu-series on both Hulu and OWN and is also known for co-founding the CROWN Coalition to advance the CROWN Act legislation, working toward outlawing discrimination based on hairstyle and hair texture in schools and the workplace. The Hair Tales are now streaming on Hulu.
Selling Tampa - Netflix
Docusoap: The Netflix reality series Selling Tampa will not return for a second season. The reality show was a spin-off of Selling Sunset and premiered in December 2021. The show quickly rose to popularity amongst its fanbase and was the number-one show on the streaming service 24 hours after its premiere. The show consisted of an all-women of-color cast working in the high-end realty business. Some of the cast have reacted to the cancellation and reflected on their time on set during season one stating they feel behind-the-scenes racial discrimination played a factor in the show's cancellation. "When they show us [black women] in a different light — when we're bickering, fighting, and name-calling — they get a Season 2 and Season 3, but that's not what we were displaying," said cast member Juawana Colbert, "Not being able to see women that look like us in a professional setting, a setting where they have a career, a setting where we can have disagreements but not be throwing glasses or punches … it's not fair." The series' producers have stated it had to do with streaming performance but reportedly have not gone into further detail.
Lilly Singh - Matt Winkelmeyer
Game Show: Lilly Singh signs on as host of the new Canadian quiz show Battle of the Generations, following the end of her NBC talk show last year. The quiz show series will have four multi-generational contestants competing for a cash prize of up to $25,000 by answering pop culture-themed questions. Singh is best known for hosting the NBC talk show A Little Late with Lilly Singh before its cancellation in 2021, being the first person of Indian descent to host a late-night talk show for an American major broadcast network.
Debbie Allen - Kennedy Pollard / Stringer
Lifestyle: Debbie Allen's new talk show Hello gets picked up by Scott Koondel's Sox Entertainment. The series will feature the award-winning actress and director in a one-on-one conversation-style format with guests like Tyler Perry, Shonda Rhimes, Ava DuVernay, and Whoopi Goldberg. The series has no current release date but is being shopped to streaming platforms.
Former Cheetah Girls member and The Real host Adrienne Bailon-Houghton signs a talent and development deal at NBCUniversal. The deal includes unscripted series across the NBCUniversal networks, with Peacock streaming as a possible distributor. Bailon-Houghton is also set to host the E! News comeback later this month with Justin Sylvester.
The courtroom series Hot Bench enters its ninth season with Judge Rachel Juarez and Judge Yodit Tewolde joining the panel. Judge Juarez co-founded a successful family law practice specializing in representing high-income individuals. Judge Tewolde previously hosted theGrio's Making the Case and served as an anchor for Court TV. David Theodosopoulos, an executive producer of the nationally syndicated show, said in a statement, "Judges Yodit Tewolde and Rachel Juarez bring an exciting new energy and a fresh, new dynamic to our series that viewers know and love."
Byron Allen's latest distribution partnership grants HBCU GO cable, linear, streaming, broadcast, VOD, and pay-per-view rights to premier Historically Black Colleges and Universities Basketball Association professional sporting events. HBCU Go by Allen Media Group is a free streaming platform. It is the lead media provider for the nation's 107 Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Kimberly Meadows Clark, Founder of the HBCU Basketball Association, said in a statement, "For years, HBCUs have desired to be a part of major networks, programming, leagues, and more. Now through our business relationship with HBCU GO, the HGCU BA will continue to create space for our legacy and culture to be recognized. I thank Byron Allen, Clinton Evans, and Curtis Symonds for seeing our vision and helping to bring it to life!"
