BET picks up Kelly Rowland scripted pilot, Bobby Brown reality show
Kelly Rowland is getting into acting in a BET pilot to be shot in Atlanta. CREDIT: AP
BET is seeking to expand its lineup with a new sitcom pilot set to tape in Atlanta this fall starring former Destiny’s Child star Kelly Rowland. The Hollywood Reporter broke the story. A BET spokeswoman confirmed to me it’s going to be shot locally.
In fact, all BET scripted shows are now taped here, including “Let’s Stay Together,” “The Game,” “Reed Between the Lines” and the upcoming dramedy “Being Mary Jane” starring Gabrielle Union.
Rowland, whose acting credits include episodes of “American Dreams,” “The Hughleys” and “Girlfriends,” will star as Dylan, a struggling L.A.-based relationship blogger who lives with her best friend Cherise (Gabrielle Dennis, “The Game”) and wealthy and divorced roommate Brooke (Melanie Liburd, Cinemax’s “Strike Back”).
On the reality front, The Los Angeles Times also says BET is working with former Atlanta bad boy Bobby Brown, who is no stranger to reality shows. He’s been on (of course) the infamous “Being Bobby Brown” on Bravo seven years ago with his late wife Whitney Houston. On VH1, he did “Celebrity Fit Club” in 2010. On CMT, he did “Gone Country” and a silly trifle with Maureen McCormick and Carnie Wilson in 2008.
According to the Times:
The project with Brown, who is currently touring with the reunited New Edition, will be executive produced by James DuBose, who has developed several other celebrity-based reality shows for BET. One of his most high-profile series centered on Philadelphia Eagles star Michael Vick, who staged a comeback after being imprisoned for his involvement in a dogfighting ring.
DuBose has also worked extensively with reality shows related to Atlanta’s Keyshia Cole, including her latest called “Family First” on October 9.
BET confirmed the Times story with me today.
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By Rodney Ho, Radio & TV Talk
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14 comments Add your comment
1st mate
September 11th, 2012
12:30 pm
The Kelly Row sitcom sounds boring.
lolo
September 11th, 2012
1:16 pm
I agree w/ the above comment. I am sorry, but all of these BET/Vh1/Tyler Perry sitcoms have been horrid. They get a recycled A- celeb and cast them. First off why not cast the supporting characters out of ATL? Why cast typical boring LA actors? They give us the one liners and its not okay. These shows are all written poorly, acted badly, and just down right suck. I guess black people are only good for reality shows and not good enough for the big networks anymore…perhaps that’s why u don’t see us on ABC, NBC, CBS, ect. Its the truth and its sad. I sure do miss Martin, Fresh Prince, Cosby, Jeffersons, Living Single, Sister Sister, Everybody hates Chris and The bernie3 mac show were the last funny black shows.
see me
September 11th, 2012
3:07 pm
RE Kelly’s show…yawn. Another self-hating black woman (with fake breasts and fake hair down to the floor) on TV. Can a Black woman appear on television without FAKE-NESS? Kelly Rowlands has no talent and the show will be cancelled in one season–if it even makes it that long. She needs to just go away and be replaced with some more worthy Black folks. They only want Bobby Brown because of how IGNORANT he is. BET: why dont you bring back your NEWS program? ignorant a**es.
maria
September 11th, 2012
3:09 pm
Bobby brown needs to realize nobody cares about his over inflated ego, he knows he could have save Whitney
arff
September 11th, 2012
3:34 pm
Gotta agree with the other posts. Bobby Brown is boring and very lame who probably got this deal shortly after the death of Whitney. He is like a scavenger cashing in on someone else’s misfortune. I won’t be watching his show. Kelly Rowland is a beautiful lady once you get past the fake hair. (As a man I’m so tired of seeing all of this bone straight fake hair.) I’ll probably watch her show.
I wish BET, TV1, CENTRIC, ASPIRE, etc were more like Univision and Telemundo. Our networks are full of old programming (usually comedies) and infomercials. I flip to the Latino channels and they have original programming, news, sports, reality shows, etc all directed towards their community. I wish that our networks had more original programming, daily news and HBCU sports. I guess they don’t want to invest the money even though I’ve been told that our community watches more tv than any other ethnic group.
Taye
September 11th, 2012
3:41 pm
Wow..Kelly Rowland talentless?!! that’s harsh not to mention absolutely not true. She is a capable actress. Wether she has a good script and supporting actors that remains to be seen. I agree with the other posts about BET and the other networks dumming down their shows. I don’t support coonery at all.
blkshepherd
September 11th, 2012
4:04 pm
Kelly Rowland is the Mary Wilson(Supremes) of today. Just as Mary Wilson will forever be in the shadow of Diana Ross. Kelly will forever be in the shadow of Beyonce. No matter how hard she trys..Note. whenever they mention Mary Wilson, they always say former original member of the Supremes(why? if she was such a big talent they would not have to tack on Former Original Supremes member. Same with Kelly, former Destiny’s Child member. They never say that when saying Beyonce name. That is a sure sign a name can NOT stand on its own if they have to say ” former member of ..”
Atl_Finest
September 11th, 2012
4:52 pm
I hate reality tv. I do not watch at all but unfortunatly millions do & that is why the networks keep airing these cheaply made shows.
Guest
September 11th, 2012
8:25 pm
Being with Bobby Brown was embarrassing public display of Whitney and Bobby’s personal life. Bobby’s new reality show is not going to be different, same script different cast. I understand why BET might give him a reality show since it’ll show him dealing with issues regarding his rehab, reuniting with new edition and if he has an album coming up. Seriously, the only reason why Being with Bobby Brown lasted a whole season was because of Whitney. Bobby could have had his previous reality show renewed but it wouldn’t since Whitney wasn’t going to do it and networks didn’t want the show without Whitney. Otherwise Bobby could have had many reality shows by now, networks are not interested in him and BET is the last resort.
sana
September 12th, 2012
11:22 am
WHY THEY CANT BAIL OUT MORRIS BROWN? U NO THEY GOT THE MONEY!
Pari
September 12th, 2012
12:37 pm
It’s funny how the people with the most to say don’t actually know anything about the subject. BET is bringing back a nightly news show with T.J. Holmes who was previously at CNN. Kelly normally wears her hair curly. And, this is subjective, but BET’s original scripted shows are actually pretty good and depict the black community in a good light.
Anita Vacation
September 13th, 2012
1:44 pm
Another Bobby Brown reality show?
“I’m not doing this with him to-daaay!”
maria
September 14th, 2012
1:26 pm
very funny anita vacation. as bobby yells HONEY
rahul
September 15th, 2012
12:43 pm
What’s going to be new if BET gives bobby brown a reality show, I can understand if he has a superstar in his family since that would be of interest. Since that’s not the case, I can’t believe they’re going to waste their air time on him. Just because none of the other networks are interested in bobby (since when did they ever have interest in bobby), they should’t encourage this guy and waste their money and time.