TJ Holmes: 'I'm No Arsenio or Letterman'

(The Root) -- With a soothing baritone that sounds more like an R&B singer than a news anchor, it's rather appropriate -- especially for some women -- that T.J. Holmes' voice is the last thing they might hear before falling asleep.

Holmes, who bolted from CNN to BET earlier this year to host Don't Sleep With T.J. Holmes, will host one of the network's most promising late-night efforts when the show premieres on Oct. 1 at 11 p.m. ET.

The award-winning journalist told The Root that he was particularly excited about changing gears at this time because Don't Sleep will begin airing a month before the November elections. "It's great timing," said Holmes after his session at the annual Television Critics Association press tour at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. "That first month we'll focus heavily on the elections. It's going to be an interesting time."

And although news will be the focus, Holmes points out that BET is an entertainment network, so there will be a bit of that, too. Just don't expect him to do any stupid pet tricks or pimp his relatives to hit the streets to interview random people!

Miki Turner is an award-winning photojournalist in Los Angeles.

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