Byron Allen Fetes Company’s Emmy Noms, New Shows (Photos, Audio)

by Cherie Saunders

Byron Allen and Vivica A. Fox attend Entertainment Studios' Emmy nomination celebration

*EURweb caught up with TV veteran Byron Allen last week at a party to celebrate his company’s three Daytime Emmy Nominations as well as his upcoming comedies “Mr. Box Office” and “The First Family,” both due to launch in syndication this fall.

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Mary J. Blige was the featured entertainment at the celeb-packed event, held Tuesday, June 19, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills. Dozens of stars from the two new shows were in attendance to help Allen toast his Entertainment Studios, a broadcast syndication company that produces and distributes nearly two dozen lifestyle-related and interview programs.

Allen says his television programs make a point to feature African Americans in a positive light.

“It’s important to me that we have a seat at the table, that we’re able to produce images that reflect us in a positive way,” Allen told EURweb’s Lee Bailey. “We have a seat at the table on how we’re produced and depicted around the world. So often, that’s left up to other people who don’t look like us, didn’t grow up with us and don’t really know us. I really want to always have a seat at the table to nurture and protect our image.”

Mary J. Blige performs for guests at Entertainment Studios' Emmy nomination celebration

Bill Bellamy, Jon Lovitz, Vivica A. Fox, Gary Busey and Keshia Knight Pulliam are among the cast of “Mr. Box Office,” about a major movie star who is sentenced to community service at an inner city high school in South Central Los Angeles. The cast also includes Rick Fox, Tim Meadows, Tony T. Roberts, Alex Thomas, Jeff Garcia, Marcus Paulk, Giovonnie Samuels, Tequan Richmond, Giselle Bonilla, Davi Santos, Nick Nervies, Erin Westbrook and Clifton Davis.

“The First Family” stars Christopher B. Duncan as the president of the United States, Gladys Knight as the president’s mother, veteran actor John Witherspoon as the president’s father and “The Bernie Mac Show’s” Kellita Smith as the First Lady. Marla Gibbs, her former “227” co-star Jackee Harry, “Seinfeld’s” Michael D. Roberts and comedian Paul Rodriguez round out the cast.

Most of Entertainment Studios shows air first in syndication and then later on one of the company’s half dozen HD channels which get cable, Telco or satellite distribution. Among his three Daytime Emmy-nominated programs this year were the syndicated “America’s Court with Judge Ross,” “We The People with Gloria Allred.”

Below, view pics from the event and listen to Allen discuss his Daytime Emmy nominations and more with EURweb’s Lee Bailey.

Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds

Byron Allen, Entertainment Studios founder and CEO Byron Allen and his wife, Jennifer Lucas, reveal she is pregnant with their third child (and first son) due in December.