Atlanta-based ‘The Mo’Nique Show’ canceled
Mo'Nique has lost her talk show after two years. CREDIT: AP
Loading ...Earlier today, I heard that “The Mo’Nique Show” had been axed. I had sent an email out to various BET publicists to ask what was up. No word back.
At about 1:30 p.m., I called Rodney Perry, who was Mo’Nique’s sidekick on the show. He said he was running into a meeting and didn’t answer my question. While I was at lunch over at the mall court, at 1:40 p.m. EST, he texted me: “I was told indefinite hiatus.”
That’s a euphemism for canceled.
[UPDATE: At 3:40 p.m., I received an email from a spokesperson at BET which included a slightly milder euphemism: "The Mo'Nique Show will be on production hiatus beginning in the fall." ... Mo'Nique Hicks and The Mo'Nique Show are important to the BET Networks family and we look forward to continuing our relationship our with her."]
In an interview I did at 2:40 p.m., the stand-up comic said he enjoyed the experience working with Mo’Nique. “I’m selling out shows now,” he said. “That’s a win.” He heard the news from Mo’Nique’s husband but hasn’t spoken to the Oscar-winning actress yet. (He wouldn’t say when he knew about this, implying he has known for awhile.)
“We did some good work,” Perry said. “And I think the show is significant. There hasn’t been an outlet for people of color late night since Arsenio.”
The talk show, which Mo’Nique compared to a high-energy nightly party, lasted two seasons and had been taped in Turner Studios, which are now being used for BET’s show “Reed Between the Lines” through October. When I heard that earlier today, I wondered if that meant “Mo’Nique” was not coming back or had been moved to another studio. If her show were coming back, she would be taping by August. (Like many shows, it does not tape original episodes during the summer.)
This didn’t appear to be an issue of ratings. I didn’t have time to do an entire season’s check on ratings so I sampled four weeks in April, 2011 vs. April 2010. Ratings from April 5 to April 29, 2010 averaged 615,000 viewers a night. From April 4 to April 28, 2011, her show averaged 586,000. That’s only a five percent drop.
Mediatakeout, which broke the story, said there were conflicts between BET management and Mo’Nique. Was it creative and/or financial? The story does not say. It also doesn’t say if BET will seek another talk-show host or just drop the concept.
Perry isn’t sure why the show was cut but thinks it might have been a financial decision. “They haven’t had this type of investment ever,” he said. “We did 300 shows over two seasons. That’s a huge investment.”
Join my Facebook fan page and Twitter.
By Rodney Ho, rho@ajc.com, AJCRadioTV blog
accessAtlanta Partner Sites
Sections
Advertise on accessAtlanta.com »
Reach the audience you want by advertising on accessAtlanta.com
Join the Access Atlanta Network »
Advertisers and Publishers, expand your reach by joining the Access Atlanta Network.
Tell us what you think about the site
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement | About our ads
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
336 comments Add your comment
0bama=Feces
July 27th, 2011
5:52 pm
If Mo’Nique were to ever air a “Best Of” show, wouldn’t that just be a 1-hour test of the Emergency Broadcast System with scheduled commercial breaks?
Black Kobra
July 27th, 2011
5:58 pm
I loved the Monique Show. I am actually surprised at a lot of the negative comments that I am reading. The show was very conscience and gave black people a chance to see other black people on a national level, and talk about things that concerned us. The question now is: Without the Monique Show what truly black conscience show is on national TV now? She needs to be paid more money and the show needs to be properly financed. I do not know the reasons for the disagreement, but I believe it boils down to those two things, and that is a travesty. Monique was not afraid. She would call black, black and white, white and I guess ultimately when whites (Viacom) own the station that could “unjustifiably” get your show axed. Now, that’s the real.
CONFIRMED: BET Cancels The Mo’Nique Show… *UPDATED* | AllureVision
July 27th, 2011
6:02 pm
[...] 7/27/11 ~ 3:38pm: Rodney Ho of AJC’s Radio & TV Talk just confirmed that the show has been cancelled. He received [...]
racquel34@gmail.com
July 27th, 2011
6:06 pm
She was an over the top loudmouth Liar she started her career being proud to be fat then her homosexual husband/ bestfriend made her lose all the weight.
Gail Moore
July 27th, 2011
6:08 pm
Wow!!! Really surprised with the negative remarks regarding Monique’s show…..I bet the complainers rather watch the Kardashians or some Housewife show….unbelievable! We are always chopping our programs after a few years….I like by Blacks shows that are positive.!!!!
San
July 27th, 2011
6:15 pm
I could not get into her show. Monique laughed and clapped too loud. She lacks interviewing skills. Hope to see her do comedy again.
BET’s Has Cancelled The Mo’Nique Show | GBCWow
July 27th, 2011
6:19 pm
[...] is currently in pre-production.Until then… Say goodbye to “The Mo’Nique Show.”Source: AJCPhoto courtesy of BET pressRodney Perry Confirms BET’s Has Cancelled The Mo’Nique [...]
Dirty South TV
July 27th, 2011
6:19 pm
Dear Mo’Nique,
We would like to talk to you about picking up or replacing your show.
Please call us at (404) 759-0046.
Thank you in advance,
Giuseppe
President and CEO
Dirty South TV
(404) 759-0046
BET Cancels 'The Mo'Nique Show' | So Fly Diva
July 27th, 2011
6:24 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal-Constitution is reporting that BET placed the popular late night talk show on “indefinite hiatus” [...]
_JayBoo_
July 27th, 2011
6:32 pm
Finally its over….since the show has been canceled, hopefully they bump the wendy williams show up an hour.
Proud To Be Me
July 27th, 2011
6:37 pm
You don’t have to look for WET because 98% of what’s on TV is WET. This was one outlet that focused on black experiences, whether it was music, books, movies, or politics. Yes she could be a little loud, but seeing that BET is not “black owned”, more black entertainers are finding more increasingly difficult to work with BET on any level. I am not shocked. I hope she finds another network and continue.
BET Cancels Monique Show « DallasNoir
July 27th, 2011
6:40 pm
[...] a lot of talk surrounding BET’s “The Monique Show” being cancelled. According to Access Atlanta, Rodney Perry (Monique’s sidekick comedian on the show) confirmed the rumor. Taped in [...]
Mo’Nique Gets That Gawd Awful Talk Show Cancelled! - The Onyx Report
July 27th, 2011
6:42 pm
[...] Peep game [...]
Uh Oh, Speghetti O’s… Oscar Winning Mo’nique Has Lost Her Show
July 27th, 2011
6:51 pm
[...] Winning Mo’nique Has Lost Her Show By Taylormade On July 27, 2011 According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, the loosely popular “The Mo’nique Show” has been canceled after 3 seasons. According to the [...]
nita
July 27th, 2011
6:53 pm
I would turn to try and catch certain guest on occasion, but Monique is so loud. I can’t deal with loud people. My daughter is the same way, just way too loud. It’s like they just want to be seen. I even told my daughter that if she and I were the same age, I could not be her friend because of the decibel level at which she operates.
truthpaste
July 27th, 2011
6:55 pm
I didn’t watch her show because I was, and am still on, a BET boycott. However, I was ordered to watch last week because of the cast reunion of the Five Heartbeats. While it was amazing to have the cast sit down and expose the secrets of such a great movie, I was less enthralled by the pace of the show over all. It reminded me of when Magic Johnson tried to host a late show.
Isaac
July 27th, 2011
6:56 pm
Too loud, too brash, too ghetto, and too over the top. MoNique did not seem genuine.
I won’t miss anything from her show except the band.
PMK
July 27th, 2011
7:04 pm
Black people are so unsupportive. Here is a show where we see guest we will not see on other shows. Instead of supporting Monique, you run your mouths like you are doing so much better. Shut up and give support where needed. Now you will be bitchin because there is not enough of us on TV. What the hell. If you think you can do better and survive the BS that comes with being a black entertainer in the business go for it. I see why some blacks sell out. Look at Oprah (billionaire). It wasn’t because of support from blacks. I am disappointed. Good Luck Mo.
Joshua McDowell
July 27th, 2011
7:08 pm
I love Mo’Nique but a late night talk show was not a good look. It was a good show. I liked the platform. But Mo’Nique lack interview skills and she couldn’t fill the void that Arenso left. She had some great guests. I want to see her do more acting. She surprised everybody with her dramatic performance in Precious. Now that she got an oscar. she should use it to get better roles.
I want Bet canceled the show because they want to produce more original television series. If they do another talk show, I want Steve Harvey to host. And Steve wouldn’t need no co-host like Mo’Nique. And Bet should give Mo’Nique her own sitcom. The Parkers was the only sitcom that starred in. Who want Mo’Nique to have another tv show?
KING
July 27th, 2011
7:10 pm
NO SHAME IN THE GAME
YOU ARE SO ON POINT! DAMN A BLACK SHOW AND TO HELL WITH A WHITE SHOW!!!!! HOW ABOUT A PEOPLE SHOW…….AND DONT GET MAD @ FOX EDUCATE YOURSELF AND UNDERSTAND WHY FOX IS WHAT IT IS….
Rumor: The Mo’Nique Show Cancelled By BET | FeeWorldOrder.com
July 27th, 2011
7:13 pm
[...] canceled, just before starting it’s third season. According to StraightFromTheA, Rodney Ho of AJC’s Radio & TV Talk confirmed that the show was cancelled after receiving a text from [...]
Kinda7
July 27th, 2011
7:13 pm
yall can’t take our monique away! We love you monique!
SAD
July 27th, 2011
7:28 pm
All I have’t say is WOW to ALL of these comments. “Crab Syndrome” you never want to see a person make it up or out the box but surely not over……. SAD……… Have any of you made it to that level, do any of you have her money NOOOOOOOOOOOOO…. All I can say is get there.
A comedian not on TV
July 27th, 2011
7:35 pm
Why are people so hard on Monique? She didn’t hold BET at gunpoint and make them put her on TV, she was hired by them because of who she is and her celebrity. I was never a big fan of the show but I always smiled when I saw that it was on TV. And as for WET, white people act as if the government funded BET. Robert Johnson came up with an innovative concept that black people to gravitate to because it is interesting to them. So either the problem is that no white person has been innovative enough to come up with such programming…or white people just aren’t that interesting. I opt for the latter.
Kcool
July 27th, 2011
7:47 pm
Monique is not a fake person. She always told the truth in her own way. Most people couldn’t handle that. I’m sure it was financial reasons why its gone.No other talk show focused on black talent since Arsenio. He needs to come out of retirement he was a class act. ARSENIO COME BACK PLEASE!
In Flex We Trust » Mo’Nique Show Canceled?!
July 27th, 2011
7:52 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal: Earlier today, I heard that “The Mo’Nique Show” had been axed. I had sent an email out to various BET publicists to ask what was up. No word back. [...]
Joe white
July 27th, 2011
7:56 pm
I love mo,mo to death but the show was wack and she was too loud
fail
July 27th, 2011
8:18 pm
who is Mo Nique??? I guess I pay too much attention to things which actually matter.
Pretty Tony
July 27th, 2011
8:18 pm
The cancellation reason was financial and the fact her husmanager is a “Nut”. Back when Mo’Nique won the oscar Time wanted to feature her on the cover and the husmanager wanted a guarantee that she would be bumped from the cover in the event of a larger story including a world disaster, death of a head of state or a financial crash etc. Plus some other weird unreal things. The Time execs told him to take a walk. A clear lost for Mo’Nique. She also would not participate in the pre-oscar luncheon prior to her winning the award. Again terrible move on her husband’s part. Needless to say this isn’t racist. BET cancelled her show which is a black network. Can’t claim racist move unless we are talking light-skined v/s dark-skined. People come on love one another regardless of color or network watched.
R Dubb
July 27th, 2011
8:42 pm
never liked the show anyway. she was way too loud..lol. Good while it lasted im sure..she’ll land on her feet!
Atlcy
July 27th, 2011
8:52 pm
Just another loud mouthed, un talented, angry Black girl…like NeNe.
Mo could be funny, though.
NeNe is disgusting..plastic surgery and wigs and weaves can’ t make her into what she isn’t.
Wadi Abdul-haleem
July 27th, 2011
8:53 pm
I get so sick and tierd of black people talking about Monique is very loud.Monique is great,funny and a joy to watch.I will miss the show,I appreciate a strong black women like Monique.This women tell it like it is with humor I love that.Monique appeals to the black audience,because they do not get the praise they are due, which is great! One of the problems black folks have with Monique is self hatred on another level.Muhammad Ali use to be a voice for black people when they did not have a voice and yes he was Loud!
I wish Monique and the Cast of the show all the best!
kgirl004
July 27th, 2011
8:58 pm
Wow. I cannot believe some of the comments that I am reading. The mo’nique show is needed for our community. She had guests on her show that are not on other talk shows. That in itself says alot. Her style may have been different, but it is unique at the same time. Sometimes loud, but look at the bigger picture. Other doors need to be open for people of color. I enjoyed the show and I am an intelligent woman.
Lady Mo. You will be missed on BET…….
About Time
July 27th, 2011
8:58 pm
Mo’Nique was an embarrassment. Loud, and crude, and could not interview a wooden box! I only checked the first minutes to see who the guests were, if they were not interesting I would immediately flip the channel.
BET Puts Mo’Nique’s Talk Show on ‘Production Hiatus’ | EURweb
July 27th, 2011
9:02 pm
[...] has responded to reports by Media Take Out and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that “The Mo’Nique Show” has been cancelled. The network is choosing to go with another term [...]
Mo’Nique Shows Gets Canceled | HONEYGERMAN.COM
July 27th, 2011
9:13 pm
[...] to Rodney Ho of the Atlanta Journal’s Radio & TV Talk Blog, after two years on the air the Mo’Nique Show has been [...]
KimZ'sPackage
July 27th, 2011
9:19 pm
Peachtree Tv and TBS are basically Black TV stations too. TBS should be TPS the Tyler Perry Station.
Uncle Thomas
July 27th, 2011
9:19 pm
@_JayBOO_: …you mean WENDELL Williams don’t you?
@Joshua McDowell : Surely you don’t think Steve Harvey is quiet and bashful do you?
"Vote for Obama cause he's black"
July 27th, 2011
9:22 pm
Since BET is white owned,maybe some brutha or sista can get one of those minority based loans or a stimulus from Obama to start a new network that showcases black entertainment.
It’s probably a racist thing that Monique got cancelled.
“Da white man, he be havin his foot on our necks too long”.
Yeah !
NO MORE MO? BET’S “The Mo’Nique Show” Placed On “Indefinite Hiatus” | Celebrity Focus
July 27th, 2011
9:25 pm
[...] Earlier today, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution confirmed that "The Mo’Nique Show" has been placed on indefinite hiatus. That’s fancy TV talk for "won’t be no ‘Mo’ shows." [...]
beaui
July 27th, 2011
9:27 pm
No more fake “housewives” or (funny sounding voices ) Kardashians rather watch “Leave it to Beaver” Or Sanford(period)
The Mo’Nique Show Is On A “Indefinite Hiatus” | Harrington Kommunication
July 27th, 2011
9:34 pm
[...] show to other networks maybe Fox, Abc, Nbc. This show cant cancel. read the following details from AJC Blogs Earlier today, I heard that “The Mo’Nique Show” had been axed. I had sent an email out to [...]
Tiffany d
July 27th, 2011
9:35 pm
Thank God she was wayyyy to loud for that time of night. Pleease replace with steve harvey!
RoRo
July 27th, 2011
9:40 pm
I was a fan of the show. Monique may not have been Oprah, but she did a great “ghetto” style job of being a late night host and the guest were wonderful. She had a great variety of guests each and every show. The format was bad, but the interviews were good. She had potentiall of being good. She just needs some public speaking skills and to lose that hard Baltimore accent. All in all, I loved the show!
Tracey
July 27th, 2011
9:40 pm
@MattGrant Park, you said you had a problem finding WET (White Entertainment Television)? Well let me help you: ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, CNN, FX, BBC, USA, HLN, MSNBC, truTV, AMC, FAM, DSC, TLC, SPIKE, SYFY, LMN, HBO, ETC, ETC, ETC…. Just because the channel does not indicate White Television, that isn’t fooling anyone (How I Met Your Mother, ugh!). We all know that they cater to white people and their taste. You folk crack me up tripping off of one Black station. Get the heck out of here!
Gross-nique
July 27th, 2011
9:42 pm
She reminds me of Serena . . . or Serenea reminds me of her. Either way – gross!!
Chocolate14
July 27th, 2011
9:50 pm
So what Monique is loud. That is who she is & will always be. Instead of putting people down, try supporting them. People are so quick to judge & point fingers. I dont get it. If you dont try, you get labeled. When you do try, you get labeled, put down, and stomped on. Lets get it together people. Where is the love?
Tiffany Price
July 27th, 2011
9:51 pm
What’s up? I’m coming at you guys from Houston, Tx…It’s sad to hear the show being axed, but as the saying goes…all good things must come to an end!!
THE MONIQUE SHOW HAS BEEN CANCELLED!!! | Carlton Jordan
July 27th, 2011
9:52 pm
[...] to StraightFromTheA, Rodney Ho of AJC’s Radio & TV Talk confirmed that the show was cancelled after receiving a text from [...]
Joi
July 27th, 2011
9:54 pm
I loved her show. You dont see half the people she interviews on her show being interviewed by the other white tv show hosts…..@mattgrant park, I pity your ignorance. Its so sad and pathetic. I would rather have seen Chelsey lately be cancelled, with her lame self, or real housewives of atlanta be cancelled or wendy williams. those would have been more ideal to get rid of. Im sad to see mo’nique go. She brought a refreshing change to talkshow that I will miss.