*Since the Johnson’s sold BET to the wolves, the network has taken on a new look, new theme, and a new direction. And neither side seems very happy about it.
Sheila Johnson, co-founder of the black network, gave BET a piece of her mind before, and she did it again, recently.
She was the speaker at the “Conversations and Encounters” program at the Carmel Art and Film Festival in Monterey County, Calif. this weekend.
She shared her story about the successes and life achievements both she and her husband built together over the years, expressing that she is most proud of BET’s Teen Summit, which ran from 1989 to 2002.
But her moment of admitted accomplishments quickly turned to what appeared to be disappointment and built up anger; claiming that her product now ”reinforces negative stereotypes of young people, African Americans in particular.”
And you know it didn’t end there.
“I think we squandered a really important cable network, when it really could have been the voice of Black America. We’re losing our voice as a race as a result,” she ranted. “I’m really worried about what our young people are watching. There are so many young people who are using the television as a babysitter. We have parents who are not being parents and not monitoring what their children are watching.”
And there it is. From the founder herself to your ears, she admits BET has transformed into a vehicle for buffoonery.
On the other hand, she did not offer any suggestions.
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Why then did you sell the network? Build a new one…
so the question remains….why didn’t you do so when you had it? You knew the importance of media!!
Co-sign. They’re the ones who set the tone.
Mz. Sheila is right.
BET is just like any other channel, ratings and money. Unfortunately, the people who were both business minded and socially aware walked way. But that’s not the real problem. The problem is the demographic that watches BET’s programming, doesn’t have a problem with it. When the viewers start demanding more, stations listen. They may not care about the content, but they care about the revenue. When the channel’s viewership diminishes so will the money.
Bob and Sheila both new that BET wouldn’t reach the masses under their ownership. I never liked Teen Summit. It was boring. What is BET now that it wouldn’t have been with you still owning it? Television has evolved since the days of old. Nobody’s watching a bunch of talk shows anymore.
Ms Sheila is 1000% correct what BET has become after they sold it. It is the station of Coonery and Bafoonery. I knew it was in trouble when they canceled BET news. But I also have to say Bob and Sheila U had to know this could happen when u sold it to Viacom a company ran by white people giving them full control to put on shows that make us look like complete and total idiots. look what they have done with other network shows when it comes to us. so saying this is good but u do share in the blame of y BET is the state that it is today. and for me i dont even watch the channel anymore. They completely messed up the Game tv show, that was my last straw with them.
So many people lose sight of their original mission when dollars are being flashed before their eyes. They are no different than the entertainers that start off doing songs with dignity, like Brian Mcknight, then turn into something unconscienable when $$$ show up. If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything. We must stand firm in what is right and stay true to that call.
I prefer TV One over BET ANY day…love the quality of the shows on TV One…BET is wack and pointless can’t hold a candle to TV One…their network is on point!
The king of Buffoonery is Tyler Perry, now he or should I say MADEA, wants to be a straight man. Too late, how can you take him seriously, when Madea, pops out to capture the bad guys in a bad movie.
Is this hind sight or is it having the wrong ideology resulting in you squandering a tool to use against the enemy instead of selling it to the enemy. And now you want to say, Oh, what have I done?”
With the right ideology, you build institutions to further the race and improve the quality of life for everyone and you make sure you pass that “institution” in the right hands to the right people not the highest bidder. Don’t come back now talking sh*t about basically what you allowed to happen.
Solution: start a movement against the “industry” to end this ‘age of decadence’ music.
With all due respect to the Johnsons,I think BET itself was the worst “squanderer”.
What should have been a TRUE voice of Black America, the network was 95% singing and dancing and the other five percent devoted to liberal partisan commentary that ave the impression that all blacks have the same mindset about everything from who we vote for to foreign policy to the type of music we like.