I was very excited to hear that TV One had picked up Tatyana Ali’s new sitcom “Love That Girl” which has Martin Lawrence as its executive producer. Bentley Kyle Evans produced, wrote and directed this series without any studio support and for that alone the brother gets props. But I am sad to say that so far I’m more ‘in like’ than ‘in love’ with this new sitcom. For the record I really want to love this show. One of the reason I haven’t been won over yet is the show is more like “Martin” and less like “Girlfriends” or “The Game”. (Even the title sequence reminded of a vintage “Martin” opener sans the wassup voiceover.) In other words, the comedy is not subtle or sophisticated it’s in your face. And some of you may love that more than I did. Read the full story

It looks like more black folks in Hollywood are done waiting for the powers that be to green light projects that feature us and deciding to do it themselves. We already seen this manifested in web series but now The Hollywood Reporter brings news that Martin Lawrence is the executive producer of a new sitcom called “Love That Girl” starring Tatyana Ali and written and directed by Bentley Kyle Evans. TV One has picked up the episodes that have been shot and will air them the week of January 19th so mark your calendars (more on that later). Read the full story

I’ve got to say that this network is in many ways the antithesis on what makes us crazy about BET. No rump shaking videos, instead they’ve got obscure tv series and movies featuring folks that look like us as well as some of our favorites. Just be aware that if you switch it on during the course of the weekend you may find yourself caught up in some nostalgia. But it is one of their original programs, “UnSung,” that keeps me riveted. Cathy Hughes and company profiles the folks that everyone else has forgotten like DeBarge, Phyllis Hyman and Donny Hathaway and gives us the real deal on the trials and triumphs. The new season doesn’t start until June but in the meantime, check out the reruns on March 29th, April 5th and 6th. Here’s hoping that they’ll release these shows on DVD soon.