Posted on Wednesday, June 19, 2013

TV Land’s “The Soul Man” Starring Cedric the Entertainer and Niecy Nash Returns Tonight!

Hello World,

I’m a finicky TV viewer…I’ve never watched a complete episode of the runaway hit “Scandal.” I didn’t watch my all-time favorite program “Sex and the City” until several seasons in. And I prefer to watch sitcoms from yesteryear from “The Golden Girls” to “The Cosby Show” rather than the sitcoms of today…So you could imagine that I would be somewhat skeptical about enjoying TV Land’s sitcom “The Soul Man.” However, I did enjoy Cedric the Entertainer when he portrayed Cedric Jackie Robinson on the sitcom “The Steve Harvey Show!” I loved the relationship between “Ceddy” and Lovita Alize Jenkins! They were hilarious!

On Monday, I was invited to a blogger reception to watch an episode of “The Soul Man” and meet Wesley Jonathan, who portrays the younger brother of the Reverend Boyce “The Voice” Ballantine, portrayed by Cedric the Entertainer. Here is the premise of the show from its website:

From the creators of Hot in Cleveland, The Soul Man revolves around Cedric’s character, Reverend Boyce “The Voice” Ballentine, an R&B superstar-turned-minister who takes over as preacher of his fathers church. Niecy Nash (“Reno 911”) stars as the reverend’s wife, Lolli. The pilot also features John Beasley (Everwood) as his father, Wesley Jonathan (“What I Like About You”) as his younger brother, and Jazz Raycole (“My Wife and Kids”) as his daughter. The character of Reverend Boyce originated on a second season episode of “Hot in Cleveland” in which Cedric guest-starred.

Actor Wesley Jonathan talking about his new show “The Soul Man.”

The sitcom premiered last year and was picked for a second season beginning tonight! However, some changes have been made to the lineup since the show’s debut. Jazz Raycole, who portrayed the daughter on the show, is no longer there as she is attending boarding school. According to Jonathan, budget constraints for the show led to Raycole’s departure which is especially unfortunate as Raycole was also dropped from the popular “My Wife and Kids” sitcom. Also, since the show will come on at 11 p.m., Jonathan said the show will be “not as family-oriented” and “a little sharper” as far as the comedy is concerned. Also, I noticed that Yvette Lee Bowser (“Living Single”) is the showrunner rather than the original showrunner Phoef Sutton. (I loved “Living Single” too by the way!)

Me and Wesley Jonathan.

In the episode that we watched at the blogger reception, Stamps is having a hard time adjusting after being the Reverend Ballentine’s stage manager and then suddenly not having a career after the reverend decides to leave entertainment for the ministry. He ends up moving with the reverend and his wife after being kicked out of their father’s home. My honest verdict: I thought the show was funny. But with my busy schedule, I have to remember that a show is on for me build it in my schedule which as you know includes planning a wedding/marriage, working full-time, training for the Peachtree Road Race, etc. A show has to really pull me in to make me remember to watch it so I will see…and you should too…

Check out the season premiere tonight at 11/10C on TV Land! A preview clip is below…

Any thoughts?

Posted on Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Reality Show Roundup…Christian Edition…

Hello World,

Ever since the “The Real World,” debuted in 1992, the year that I graduated from high school, I’ve been a fan of reality show television…I must say in recent years, I have been shocked by the depth of debauchery, depravity and downright “dumbness” of the reality shows that are allowed to be on television. Still, I do love the concept of seeing real people in real situations.

For the longest time, the religious world was absent from reality show programming, but over the last few years, we are finding a way to be included in this cultural phenomenon.

In January, “The Sisterhood,” which featured the wives of Atlanta pastors, debuted on TLC. While the show generated a lot of heated conversation inside and outside of religious circles, the show was canceled after the first season due to ratings. See my article “The Real Preachers’ Wives of Atlanta” about “The Sisterhood” at Urbanfaith.com.
This Saturday, on “Iyanla: Fix My Life,” Iyanla Vanzant will attempt to fix the life of the popular Atlanta-based gospel group the Anointed Pace Sisters in the episode entitled “Fix My Overweight Family.” I actually went to high school with two of the Pace Sisters. Also, I wrote an article “Can Iyanla Vanzant Fix Your Life?” for Urbanfaith.com
Bounce TV, the nation’s first-ever broadcast television network for African Americans, will premiere its first original non-scripted series, “Forever Jones” Presented by Wal-Mart on Wednesday, June 5th at 9:00 p.m. ET. The new reality series will delve deeper into the daily lives and challenges of the close-knit, faith-based family and gospel group foreverJONES. The series, set in the family’s hometown of Shreveport, LA, will run original episodes Wednesday nights at 9:00 p.m. over a six-week period.
Oxygen Media has teamed up with Lemuel Plummer, the creator and executive producer of “Vindicated” and producer of “The Sheards,” and Holly Carter, creator and executive producer of “106 & Gospel” and executive producer of “The Sheards,” for the network’s latest series greenlight, “Pastors of L.A.” (working title), an authentic new docu-series set to premiere in the fall of 2013. “Pastors of L.A.” will give viewers a candid and revealing look at six boldly different and world renowned mega-pastors in Southern California, who are willing to share diverse aspects of their lives, from their work in the community and with their parishioners to the very large and sometimes provocative lives they lead away from the pulpit. The cast includes Bishop Noel Jones, Deitrick Haddon, Bishop Clarence McClendon,Pastor Wayne Chaney, Bishop Ron Gibson and Pastor Jay Haizlip.

Will you be watching any of these new reality shows? Are you a fan of reality shows?

Any thoughts?

Posted on Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Bow Down to Beyonce’ or Ascend With Tavares Stephens…

Hello World,

Since Sunday, social media sites, blogs, radio programs and television outlets have been buzzing about a new song Beyonce’ released on her Tumblr account. “Bow Down/I Been On” is a shocking departure from Beyonce’s female empowerment anthems and beautiful ballads. In this expletive-laced song, Beyonce’ commands women to bow down to her. And she raps although her voice is unrecognizable as it distorted. She pays homage to her Houston roots by shouting out the Geto Boys and UGK as well. If all publicity is good publicity, Beyonce’ is still running the world as she stated in one of her more radio-friendly hits. But the mom force is not to be trifled with either, and many mothers have stated that Beyonce’s latest song may get her banned from their children’s playlist…

Below is just a sampling of blog posts from mothers in an uproar…

OK Beyonce’ – First We Run The World, Now Should We “Bow Down?!” by Radio Host Mo Ivory on Atlanta.CBSlocal.com

Beyonce’s New Song is Bad News For Blue Ivy by Jeanne Sager on TheStir.Cafemom

and below is the perspective from a Christian publication…

NEGATIVE REACTIONS: Beyonce’ Says ‘Bow Down’ to Her Pepsi-Sponsored Throne by Rebecca Johnson on EEW Online Magazine

What do I think? There is a part of me that thinks that Beyonce’ should abide by the principle in Philippians 4:8″…Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” And then there is a part of me that says that artists should be free to express themselves…

At any rate, I love positive and uplifting music! One of my fellow Georgia Bulldogs Tavares Stephens will be hosting his debut concert on Saturday, March 23 at the 14th Street Playhouse, 173 14th Street, Atlanta 30309 at 7 p.m. He will be performing gospel and spoken word songs from his new CD The Ascension Project. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. To buy tickets, go to woodruffcentertickets.org.

“The Ascension Project reminds listeners that communion with God can ignite their faith in order to uplift, heal and overcome. It is a testimony of the love, grace, and redemption of God expressed as notes, melody, and verse.” For the record, I only bow down to my Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ…Can I get an “Amen?”

Listen and be blessed…