At the Mo’Nique BET talk show taping in Atlanta
Mo'Nique is all energy during a taping of her show Sept. 22
BET has effectively turned Atlanta into its secondary headquarters. The network has taped several reality shows here, its hip-hop awards and now a nightly talk show starring larger-than-life comedienne Mo’Nique.
I attended the 11th taping of the show, which has been shot at Turner Studios the past couple of weeks. They are doing 150 episodes this year at a pace of six a week (and saving them up down the road)
The show I was invited to will the first one to air at 11 p.m. October 5 on BET and has a “Welcome to Atlanta” theme. Guests included her friend and Atlanta-based star Steve Harvey, Atlanta R&B singer Monica (who has a reality show coming up on BET), Atlanta mayor Shirley Franklin and singer Jeremih (’Birthday Sex,” “I’m a Star”)
Former Dekalb CEO Vernon Jones was spotted in the audience as well.
The set is impressive. It includes a sizable stage for singers with a large screen behind it on the left, another area for a live band to the right and a center arena for interviews. Over each is a massive chandelier. The focal backdrop is a night-time cityscape from a high vantage point. Thus, Mo’Nique dubs her TV home “the penthouse” and the 135-person audience (mostly middle-aged black women) is there to party.
It takes two hours for the producers to tape a one-hour show. There are plenty of breaks, a few re-dos and extra material likely to be trimmed for airing.
The warmup comic Gerard Guillory told the audience that this is not just a show but a late-night shindig, that they are there to celebrate the new “queen of late night talk.” He even has the crowd tape various reactions such as boisterous laughter and minor chuckle to be used later if necessary.
At about 7:40 p.m., Mo’Nique hit the stage in a tight black dress with red lips emobssed on her right butt cheek, dancing her way down a set of stairs. She starts the show giving props to local civil rights legend Xernona Clayton, who did her own local talk show back in the late 1960s.
During her first commercial break, she threw out a few cuss words (her standup act can get down and dirty), then sang about the fact she was cussing. “Cussing is good, cussing is great,I’m cussing around my plate,” she sang, extemporaneously. She then re-shot her opening closeout because she forgot to introduce her four”big girl dancers.” (Yes, she supports the size 14s of the world!)
The set includes chandeliers, huge screens and big late-night city backdrop
Her sidekick is comic Rodney Perry, who just moved to Atlanta a few weeks earlier. He tries to introduce Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin but the teleprompter does not have her name on it. He is fed the line and gets a good laugh before doing it in a second take. The mayor gives Mo’Nique a “Phoenix” award and scotts off the stage before the comedienne gets a chance to ask her any questions.
Mo’Nique introduced her first sit-down guest. Steve Harvey, who like Mo’Nique has found a home in Atlanta. She recounted Harvey encouraging her 16 years earlier at Atlanta’s Uptown Comedy Corner. He predicted at the time that she’ll be a big star in the business. She never forgot that.
And better yet – he got it right. Then she surprised him with an odd request. Harvey had placed her as the opener for the weekend for $250 that day in 1993. People liked her so much, they moved her to the opener, then the headliner. But she only got paid that $250. This night, she demanded a facetious $1.7 million, $1 for each of his current bestselling book in print.
“She’s my girl,” he said later in a brief interview to me. “This is a big moment.” As for the money, “I owe her nothing!”
Mo'Nique guest Steve Harvey hangs with the Big Girl Dancers after his appearance set to air October 5
Her other sit-down guest Monica, in a new ‘do, promoted her reality show. She also sang a bit during the breaks, much to the delight of the crowd. Jeremih then sang on the big stage while Mo’Nique boogied away.
At the end, to Stevie Wonder’s “Happy Birthday,” Mo’Nique feted Xernona Clayton once again.
After the show, she hugged her fans who came up to her, a signature move of hers that goes back years. Overall, it was a good time had by all. It’ll be interesting to see if the goodwill and energy translates on the TV screen next Monday. I’ll be posting my interview with Mo’Nique later in the week or Monday.
If you want tickets, you can call 404-885-4357. The tickets are free and the show will be shot at 12PM and 4PM on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
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81 comments Add your comment
lisa
November 3rd, 2009
10:33 am
i like the boost that moncia had on they were gray and they went up her thigh. and as always mo show has alot of fun and i would love to be at a taping please e-mail me back .
Megan
November 5th, 2009
12:15 pm
I just have one thing to say. The monique show is so ghetto and annoying!!! All she does is talk loud how do u take her serious??
Drop 2~3 sizes in minutes!
November 14th, 2009
12:28 am
I think that the Monique Show is wonderful. Monique continue doing what you do. Just want to leave everone with this “What is man that I (we) are mindful of him. What can man do to me? the answer is NOTHING!! man can’t go anthing to you so who cares what they have to say. Keep your head up and your eyes towards the hill were your (our) help come from.God Bless you and much success!!
denise heard
November 14th, 2009
4:59 pm
monique monique so unique you girl.haters haters haters let them be your motorvaters. I applaud youYou are still one of the great queen oh comidies and now the queen of late night talk shows.Im proud of all our black tv talk shows.Iwant to also applaud for two mor accomplishmentyour weight loss omg you look fantastic and you an inspiration for me to pursue my weight Im working on it as we speak I hope tohave lost at least 60pounds when I come to one of you tapeings.Thanks for always reconizing big girls on your show and making them feel like somebody you keep up the good work. Now the moviePRECIOUS omg what a great movie,it made you sad I cried and I cried. Ieven got angry and even laughed a little bit I love a good tear jerker.Im sure it will be help for someone.Now lets keep it real I did not like your character but damn you played the hell out of your part and precious played her part too.I give the movie 10 stars.Stay faithful and prayerfull. Hats off to ophrah and tyler perry awsome
denise heard
November 14th, 2009
5:02 pm
I think monique is phenominol
chillie
November 14th, 2009
5:25 pm
mo what ashow when you had George clinton and parliament the funk master. You took me way back old school.Dont get me wrong all the shows have been great, but that one bebe.I programed it when freinds come over we go in concert baby see it be in my spirit deep in my crawl. Who will be next I want to be a part of that show. Lets see who would be it has got be old school somfbody like prince yeah I said it he was a genius too Dont let me take you down the rusty road and bring out some dusties on you I can even go further old jays you want me to further little richardis sugar hill and the gang around Ill stop there thats just how it gets in my craw;
Yellow16.
November 14th, 2009
11:11 pm
who know’s the address so I can write a letter.?
kim scott
November 20th, 2009
11:01 am
baby you are doin it now that’s how we do it love your show much
love to you mo congradulations.
Major Fan
December 2nd, 2009
4:53 am
I love the Mo’nique show it is nice to see “US” on TV doing the right thing and Mo is the one who always keeps it real and makes sure the truth is told… Mo Im on my way from California to see your show.. keep doing what you are doing. You inspire me a lot of other with your topics and facts. Ive learned so much from the artist who appear from their stuggles to their visions., both the yourng and old, if wont no body esle feel you… I do! Much Love DR. Joshua P.S. I am a woman and I love your dresses.
j
December 2nd, 2009
12:56 pm
i probably would have been a mo’nique fan if i was a “skinny b____” she hates so much…i will say i watched the show when the cast from “the game” was on there but i felt she blow the interview because she asked some of the dumbest questions and heard thats not the time she asked dumb questions…good luck but thats not from the heart…i also think its kinda funny that she lost weight but whatever!
Mark3
December 28th, 2009
10:31 am
Negativity makes you a natural hater with nothing GOOD to say at all….Only God can show who is good and blessed with happiness and who is miserable and negative as a hater!! May HE turn some of the haters into realizing the good that Monique, Rodney, and everyone else on this great show I hope succeeds to being the best late night talk show for many years like Jay Leno….God bless!!
CHUCK DOBEY
January 14th, 2010
7:42 pm
FROM MY BLOCK TA YO BLOCK TV SHOW WILL BE 2/16/2010 THE SPRING4TH CENTER ,ATL. GA.SEEKING MUSIC PRODUCERS http://www.iwovumusic.com
CHUCK DOBEY
January 14th, 2010
7:46 pm
FROM MY BLOCK TA YO BLOCK TV SHOW WILL BE 2/16/2010 THE SPRING4TH CENTER ,ATL. GA. SEEKING COMEDIANS http://www.iwovumusic.com
Silya
January 29th, 2010
2:39 pm
I hope to get tickets to Monique’s show. She is a wonderful teacher of love for all people.
James
February 1st, 2010
1:44 am
Mississippi loves the Monique show and keep on letting God use you in the beautiful way that He is right now. I thank you for all of the kindness that you share with us all. I have someone here that wants to sing for you and lift the name of Jesus……you just have to hear for yourself!!!!!
Ms. Brown
February 16th, 2010
9:22 am
Man How do we get tickets to the Monique show?????
pmiller
February 22nd, 2010
12:56 pm
CAN ANYONE PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEASE TELL ME HOW TO GET TICKETS!!!!!!! I’VE CALLED AND THE ANSWERING SERVICE IS FULL OF MESSAGES…. SOMEBODY,ANYBODY,HEEEEEEEELP!!!
Cdavis
February 23rd, 2010
2:07 pm
I’ve never been to Atlanta and would love to get tickets to Monique Show
Pleasepleasepleasepleaseplease
Vickie M. Oliver-Lawson
March 1st, 2010
10:01 am
Hi. I am a poet, author and retired principal from the Baltimore area. I am interested in appearing on the show. Let’s make it happen!
My website is http://www.authorsden.com/vickiemoliverlawson.
Maria-Antoinette
March 5th, 2010
7:46 pm
Monique, Thank you for bringing the flavor, comedy, music and real dialogue into our homes at night.
Keep dancing, and a special thank you for the “Old School” flavor; George Clinton, Melba Moore.
Thank you, Peace n love
Maria-Antoinette
March 5th, 2010
7:55 pm
Hi Monique, this is a request that I hope you get to read, or should I say two request.
#1 I would love to bring my girlfriend to your show for her birthday, 3/19/2010.
#2 I would be so honored if you ever have Maya Angelou or Patti La belle on your show, if I could get
tkts to do a do over on my 50th birthday that took place on 7/7/2009; the day of
Michael Jackson’s memorial, I spent the day crying.
Major Fan
March 6th, 2010
12:20 am
Monique, I love your show, because its the real deal. Johnny Carson, Leno, David Letterman; and the rest, they all have a long way to go to compare. Finally a show for us, and by us. By the way, your band is great too. Introduce the young lady that plays the guitar, she is hot.
Angie V Lucas
March 8th, 2010
8:45 am
Much congrats to you on all you do… you are certainly an inspiration to many.
C-Larock CEO of C-larock Records
March 8th, 2010
10:53 am
MO ne ne i am going to keep it real you are doing a wonderful job as a talk late nite i repeat late nite host i love you my staff love you and i am one of the realist brotha out here, that is why i stay underground leave me alone i dont want no t.v. plug cause there are all fake, but you boo, are going to make black folks feel free again in the industry i love you so much south bronx babt 4 life ceo c-larock records tell mr. P keep up the good work
rosetta
March 8th, 2010
10:55 am
will my tickets come for the march 11 taping hollla back and let me know thanks
Kesha Wiggins
March 10th, 2010
11:46 pm
Hello I live two hrs away and I will love to visit the monique show. Can someone please email me kkfashions09@yahoo.com. I called the number above but it said the voicemail for full. Thanks a lot Kesha
Brittany
March 11th, 2010
4:24 pm
Hey I got tickets there, but there suppose to email the directions to the show..do anyone know the address?
Jason Milller
March 19th, 2010
1:00 pm
I will be on the Monique show soon. I plan to change the world, one relationship at a time. Checkout my website and tell me what you all think http://www.jasonmillerspeaks.com
roxy
March 20th, 2010
2:24 am
ou go girl Im so proud of you sister much love
alexis
March 20th, 2010
8:32 am
Good Morning, if someone has the address of the studio, can you please post it. Thanks.
Raja'ee (The Cheatologist)
March 22nd, 2010
11:48 am
I am an avid and respectable fan of Mo nique…I pray for her success as a strong black woman, to continue to undermine the negative downplay of our women by the racist implements of the media. Bless you Mo’nique. I am an author of a self published booked called: Why men cheat and why women allow it! I would love to send this book to Mo’nique and also see her show live. Can you send me two tickets please….and also an address to send the books? Thank you.