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2012
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Word around the campfire is that Viacom has plans to bring a new BET-type station [25], for middle-aged adults to the airwaves. What that means in plain English remains to be seen. If TV One [26] is any indication, it means re-runs of 70's era sitcoms with all the shucking and jiving in HD, so now you can cringe in stereo. The things is, when TV One does original programming [27], it's good. But it rarely does it, preferring to stay with tried and true formulas. I'm always perplexed why we have to stay in that box: why can't black people get television right?
The rundown of show ideas for Viacom's new channel, called "Centric," looks like a bunch of low-budget reality fare, and that's exactly what black people need: more reality, right? I wonder if this isn't just another attempt to cash in on Barack Obama and the New Black. I wouldn't have a problem with that if the programming was well-rounded, but I don't think I can take another Tyler Perry mistrel show. Can I get a black "Seinfeld," or a brown "House [28]?"
Please?
Why can't we get some smart black TV? What kind of shows would you like to see on Viacom's new channel? Pitch some show ideas in the comments section.
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