News

BET+ has set premiere dates for its fall slate of films and new and returning TV series.

First on the list is “Love & Murder: Atlanta Playboy,” a film series starring Taye Diggs. Part 1 debuts on Sept. 21 while Part 2 will arrive on the streamer a week later, on Sept. 28. The films follow an investigation into the murder of Lance (Diggs), a successful Atlanta businessman known both for revolutionizing the city’s 911 system and for being a womanizer. The cast also includes Keesha Sharp, Ciera Payton, Apryl Jones, Ernestine Johnson, Nicole Lyn, Robert Brown, Tye White, Anton Peeples, Yung Joc, Karlie Redd and Yandy Smith. Jaira Thomas directs scripts from Gregory R. Anderson. Mona Scott-Young and Eric Tomosunas executive produce, with co-executive producers including Lorisa Bates, Marvin Neil, Stephanie R. Gayle, Abbey MacDonald and Nick Roses and producers including Ron Robinson, Jimmy Watson, Ron Stodghill, Keith Neal, Brian Rikuda and Devin Griffin.

Lifetime has announced the airdate for “Reba McEntire’s The Hammer,” which marks Lifetime’s second collaboration with the country music singer following 2021’s “Reba McEntire’s Christmas in Tune.”

Inspired by the life of traveling circuit judge Kim Wanker, the original film follows Kim Wheeler (McEntire), a lawyer who is appointed Judge of the 5th District of Nevada and becomes one of the few traveling judges left in America. “The Hammer” reunites McEntire with her “Reba” co-star Melissa Peterman and stars Kay Shioma Metchie and Rex Linn.

The film is produced by The Cartel and Pahrump Pictures with Stan Spry, Eric Woods, Anthony Fankhauser, Steven St. Arnaud and McEntire serving as executive producers. Jeff Beesley directs from a script by Karen Wyscarver and Sanford Golden.

“Reba McEntire’s The Hammer” premieres Jan. 7 at 8 p.m. Et on Lifetime.

Also in today’s TV news:

Cast

Skyh Black is set...

Exclusive: OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network has announced two original Christmas movies for its OWN For The Holidays slate.

The Great Holiday Bake War, starring LeToya Luckett and Finesse Mitchell, debuts on Saturday, December 3 at 9 p.m. Et/Pt and A Christmas Fumble, starring Eva Marcille and Devale Ellis, premieres on Saturday, December 10 at 9 p.m. Et/Pt on OWN.

In The Great Holiday Bake War, when former pastry school rivals Julian (Mitchell) and Brianna (Luckett) meet years later in a TV baking competition, the sparks – and the flour – fly! Each has their own plans for the winning prize money, but only one can win…unless they work together. While Brianna struggles to support her daughter Willow (Naomi Sogbein) and Julian longs to escape his mother’s shadow, they learn that collaboration can create a new recipe for success – and love.

The Great Holiday Bake War is produced for OWN...

Hush is coming to Allblk this fall. Created by Angela Burt-Murray, the drama series will follow Dr. Draya Logan (Joyful Drake), a marriage and sex therapist who finds her life turned upside down when she is caught up in a web of lies, sex, and murder.

Caryn Ward Ross, Erica Mena, Candiace Dillard Bassett, and Ts Madison also star in the series which will consist of eight thirty-five-minute episodes.

revealed more about the new series in a press release.

“Allblk, AMC Networks' popular streaming service for Black TV and film, today announced that seductive new drama, Hush, from creator Angela Burt-Murray (Games People Play), will join its rapidly evolving programming lineup this fall. Comprised of eight, 35-minute episodes, the new series tells the story of female protagonist Dr. Draya Logan, a top marriage and sex therapist, TV personality and...

Exclusive: AllBlk has greenlit the drama series Hush from creator Angela Burt-Murray. Joyful Drake, Caryn Ward Ross, Erica Mena, Candiace Dillard Bassett, and Ts Madison are set to star.

The 8-episode (35 minutes) new series tells the story of “relationship fixer” Dr. Draya Logan (Drake), a top marriage and sex therapist, TV personality, and best-selling author entangled in a web of lies, sex, and murder that could cost her everything.

The streamer describes Logan as the gatekeeper of her high-profile clients’ secrets whose job is to keep their trysts away from the media. She also hosts therapeutic couples’ retreats for those in dire straits. But after she launches her ‘Penthouse Project,’ the deadly secrets of three women threaten her career and life when a dead body is found, and...

Exclusive: Brandi Denise has been cast as a new series regular for the second season of Games People Play, BET’s hour-long scripted drama series from executive producer Tracey Edmonds. Denise joins previously announced Karrueche Tran, Lauren London in a limited role, Sarunas J. Jackson, Karen Obilom, Parker McKenna Posey, Jackie Long, and Kendall Kyndall. Additionally, Cynthia Bailey, Nazanin Mandi, Ro Parrish, Hitman Holla, Leon and Calvin Seabrooks have been tapped for recurring roles in Season 2 joining returning cast Vanessa Bell Calloway, Vanessa Simmons, Shaun Robinson, Kevin Jackson, Barry Brewer, and Monti Washington who will reprise their recurring roles. Season 2 is set to premiere this fall on BET.

The second season picks up with Marques (Jackson) and Vanessa (London) learning the paternity of their new child as he struggles to find his footing on and off the court. Meanwhile, Nia’s (Obilom) investigation into a...

Exclusive: Claws alumna Karrueche Tran has been tapped for a lead role in the second season of Games People Play, BET’s hour-long scripted drama series from executive producer Tracey Edmonds.

She’ll join returning series regulars Sarunas J. Jackson, Karen Obilom, Parker McKenna Posey, Jackie Long, and Kendall Kyndall. Lauren London will return in a limited role this season.

Based on the book Games Divas Play by Angela Burt-Murray, Games People Play is a sexy, stylized drama about the L.A. high life, where everyone plays to win. A desperate basketball wife (London) trying to protect her family, a tenacious journalist (Obilom) struggling to rebuild a tarnished career, and a scandalous groupie (Posey) looking to become a star, find it’s murder trying to stay on top.

Season two picks up with Marques (Jackson) and Vanessa (London) learning the paternity of their new child as he struggles to find...

Are you game for the first season of the Games People Play TV show on Bet? As we all know, the Nielsen ratings typically play a big role in determining whether a TV show like Games People Play is cancelled or renewed for season two. Unfortunately, most of us do not live in Nielsen households. Because many viewers feel frustration when their viewing habits and opinions aren't considered, we'd like to offer you the chance to rate all of the Games People Play season one episodes here. *Status update below.

A Bet drama based on the novel, Games Divas Play by Angela Burt-Murray, Games People Play stars Lauren London, Sarunas J. Jackson, Karen Obilom, Parker McKenna Posey and Jackie Long. The thriller centers on Vanessa King (London). Vanessa married her sweetheart, Marques (Jackson), when he was on the cusp of becoming a professional basketball player.

Vulture Watch

Is the game still afoot? Has the Games People Play TV show been cancelled or renewed for a second season on Bet? The television vulture is watching all the latest cancellation and renewal news, so this page is the place to track the status of Games People Play, season two. Bookmark it, or subscribe for the latest updates. Remember, the television vulture is watching your shows. Are you?

What's This TV Show About?

A Bet drama based on the Angela Burt-Murray novel Games Divas Play, Games People Play stars Lauren London, Sarunas J. Jackson, Karen Obilom, Parker McKenna Posey and Jackie Long. The thriller centers on Vanessa King (London). Vanessa married her sweetheart, Marques (Jackson), when he was on the cusp of becoming a professional basketball player. Although he’s now a big star and Vanessa is a loyal wife, she has...

When they're good, original Bet TV series develop a small but devoted fanbase and earn a second season. The cable network's newest entry in the Nielsen ratings race is the Games People Play TV series. Does this thriller know how to play this game and land a return engagement? Will Games People Play be cancelled or renewed for season two? Stay tuned. *Status update below.

A Bet drama based on the novel, Games Divas Play by Angela Burt-Murray, Games People Play stars Lauren London, Sarunas J. Jackson, Karen Obilom, Parker McKenna Posey and Jackie Long. The thriller centers on Vanessa King (London). Vanessa married her sweetheart, Marques (Jackson), when he was on the cusp of becoming a professional basketball player. Although he’s now a big star and Vanessa is a loyal wife, she has her doubts sometimes, and Marques isn’t immune to temptation. They’re...

Network: Bet.

Episodes: Ongoing (hour).

Seasons: Ongoing.

TV show dates: April 23, 2019 — present.

Series status: Has not been cancelled.

Performers include: Lauren London, Sarunas J. Jackson, Karen Obilom, Parker McKenna Posey, Jackie Long, Shaun Robinson, Vanessa Simmons, Barry Brewer, and Kendall Kyndall.

TV show description:

From executive producers Tracey Edmonds, Angela Burt-Murray, Vanessa Middleton, and Kim Newton, the Games People Play TV show is a drama based on Burt-Murray's 2014 mystery novel, Games Divas Play.

The thriller centers on Vanessa King (London). Vanessa married her sweetheart, Marques (Jackson), when he was on the cusp of becoming a professional basketball player. Although Vanessa is a loyal wife, and their lives are now far more glamorous than in college, she has her doubts...

Exclusive: Sarunas J. Jackson (Insecure) and Jackie Long (Real Husbands Of Hollywood) are set as male leads opposite Lauren London, Parker McKenna Posey and Karen Obilom in the newly titled Games People Play (formerly known as Games Divas Play), Bet’s hour-long scripted drama series from executive producer Tracey Edmonds, slated for premiere in 2019. In addition, comedian Barry Brewer (truTV’s Laff Mobb’s Laff Tracks) and Kendall Kyndall (Bet’s The Mane Event) have been cast in recurring roles.

Based on the book Games Divas Play by Angela Burt-Murray, Games People Play is a sexy, stylized drama about the L.A. high life, where everyone plays to win. A desperate basketball wife (London) trying to protect her family, a tenacious journalist (Obilom) struggling to rebuild a tarnished career, and a scandalous groupie (Posey) looking to become a star, find it’s murder trying to stay on top.

Jackson will play Marques King,...

Exclusive: STXalternative, a division of Robert Simonds’ Stx Entertainment, has signed a first-look development and production deal with Tracey Edmonds and her Edmonds Entertainment, to co-produce and co-develop scripted and unscripted content for traditional and alternative platforms. The first project under the pact is previously announced Game Divas Play, airing on Bet in 2019, with a diverse slate of projects to follow.

Based on the popular book of the same name by Angela Burt-Murray, Games Divas Play is a stylized drama about the high stakes world of the NBA that follows a desperate basketball wife (Lauren London) trying to protect her family, a tenacious journalist (Karen Obilom) struggling to rebuild a tarnished career, and a scandalous groupie (Parker McKenna Posey) looking to become a star at all costs.

Edmonds is executive producing Games Divas Play through her Edmonds Entertainment banner, along with Burt-Murray. Emmy nominee and Evp of Edmonds Entertainment, Vanessa Middleton wrote the pilot and is an executive producer and co-showrunner alongside Kim Newton.

“Tracey Edmonds is a prolific producer and entertainment powerhouse with an incredible track record for developing compelling content across TV, film and music,” said Jason Goldberg, Chief Creative Officer of New Media Group & Alternative Content at Stx Entertainment. “Her creative expertise will be essential to Stx as we continue to build our network and expand our programming capabilities across platforms and screens, and we couldn’t be happier to kick this producing partnership off with the wildly entertaining Games Divas Play.”

“I am thrilled to be in partnership with Stx, which has truly established itself as a global entertainment leader and continues to demonstrate expertise and success across multiple platforms,” said Edmonds. “I am looking forward to working closely with Jason Goldberg and his dynamic team on a diverse slate of exciting projects that are certain to make some noise, launching first with Games Divas Play.”

Edmonds, CEO and President of Edmonds Entertainment, earned an Emmy Award for her stint as co-host on ExtraTV alongside Mario Lopez and Charissa Thompson. As a producer, Edmonds’ past projects include the hit series Deion’s Family Playbook (Own); three-time NAACP Image Award nominated With This Ring (Lifetime); and Showtime’s Soul Food based on the film, which ran for five seasons and won multiple NAACP Image Awards, including Outstanding Drama Series three years in a row. She also executive produced reality shows College Hill (Bet’s first reality show), which ran for six seasons, and its spinoff College Hill Interns; Lil’ Kim: Countdown to Lockdown; and Dmx: Soul of a Man. Edmonds’ other film successes include the hit film Jumping the Broom, which earned several NAACP Image Awards.

Stx currently has several unscripted projects in different phases of development and production at third-party networks including ABC, CBS, Fox, E!, Hulu, Facebook, Snapchat and A&E.

Exclusive: Former The Game star Lauren London, My Wife and Kids alumna Parker McKenna Posey and Karen Obilom are set as the three leads in Games Divas Play (working title), Bet’s hour-long scripted drama series from executive producer Tracey Edmonds. Production on the 10-episode season began November 29 in Los Angeles. The drama is set to premiere in 2019.

Based on the popular book of the same name by Angela Burt-Murray, Games Divas Play (wt) is a sexy, stylized drama about the L.A. high life, where everyone plays to win. A desperate basketball wife (London) trying to protect her family, a tenacious journalist (Obilom) struggling to rebuild a tarnished career, and a scandalous groupie (Posey) looking to become a star, find it’s murder trying to stay on top.

London’s Vanessa King is a loyal yet skeptical wife, who married her high school sweetheart as...

Bet Networks is out with its slate for 2018-19, featuring a number of new scripted and reality series along with competitions, specials and awards shows. The cabler said the upcoming year will feature 21% more original programming than 2017-18.

Among the new scripted series is The Archer Connection (working title), a 10-episode half-hour dramedy from Chad Sanders about a young, black, iconoclastic mastermind who has developed an software that measures the sexual chemistry between its user and anyone in the room. It joins previously announced dramas American Soul and Games Divas Play and comedy Peachtree Place.

Among Bet’s newly announced docuseries are shows about the USA’s 1992 Olympic basketball Dream Team; Ladies Night, a series that follows the veteran girl groups En Vogue, Swv and Salt-n-Pepa as they embark on a national tour; and The Grand Hustle, a competition series from T.I.

Here is the full 2018-19 slate for Bet,...

Bet has ordered five new scripted series and six unscripted projects for the upcoming season. The slate includes a comedy remake inspired by the 1992 pic “Boomerang” and a look at the life of “Soul Train” maestro Don Cornelius.

Bet unveiled its 2018-19 season programming slate on Tuesday amid the crush of cable upfront presentations this month. The Viacom cabler has vowed to boost the volume of original series by 21% over last year. Bet Networks president Scott Mills emphasized the cabler’s “special connection with the African-American audience.”

During the past few years Bet has faced increased competition for African-American audiences from Own, TV One as well as Viacom’s own VH1. The original programming push is in keeping with Viacom’s larger strategy of focusing its cable resources on six core channels, of which Bet is one.

“Creating powerful, engaging and provocative content has been Bet Networks’ legacy for decades,...

I'm late, but better late than never... So I'll make this quick. Tonight, ASPiRE, Wednesday, May 6 at 9 pm Est only on the ASPiRE TV network, the season premiere of its weekly talk series, “Exhale” (@exhaleTV), which is hosted by renaissance woman Issa Rae; journalist and media maven Angela Burt-Murray; comedian Erin Jackson; author and TV anchor Rene Syler; and actress Malinda Williams. “The ladies of ‘Exhale’ are back!,” said ASPiRE general manager Paul Butler. “Our viewers are going to love the way ‘Exhale’ delivers the perfect blend of real talk on important topics, along with real laughs and emotion." In the all-new episodes (there'll be 8...

Jill Scott and Eve Jeffers Cooper co-star in this Lifetime original movie about three friends who vow to tie the knot within a year

After breakout roles in the “Scary Movie,” “Think Like a Man” and “The Best Man” franchises, Regina Hall is stepping into her first lead role in the Lifetime original movie “With This Ring.”

The romantic comedy centers on three single friends who vow to find Mr. Right within a year, after attending their best friend’s wedding without dates. It co-stars Grammy Award winners Jill Scott (“Get on Up” ), rapper-turned-actress Eve Jeffers Cooper (“Whip It”), Brooklyn Sudano...

Regina Hall, Jill Scott, and Eve Jeffers Cooper star as 3 single friends who vow to get married within a year after attending their best friend's wedding, in the Lifetime Original Movie "With This Ring," which the network has now set a premiere for on Saturday, January 24, 2015, at 8pm Et/Pt. Brooklyn Sudano, Deion Sanders, Stephen Bishop, Jason George and Brian White round out the key cast. Written and directed by Nzingha Stewart, the romantic comedy is based on the best seller, "The Vow," by Denene Millner, Angela Burt-Murray and Mitzi Miller, which tells the story of  Trista (Hall), a career-driven talent agent, Viviane (Scott), a successful gossip columnist,...

Regina Hall, Jill Scott, and Eve Jeffers Cooper star as 3 single friends who vow to get married within a year after attending their best friend's wedding, in the Lifetime Original Movie "With This Ring," which the network has now set a premiere for on Saturday, January 24, 2015, at 8pm Et/Pt. Brooklyn Sudano, Deion Sanders, Stephen Bishop, Jason George and Brian White round out the key cast. The romantic comedy is based on the best seller, "The Vow," by Denene Millner, Angela Burt-Murray and Mitzi Miller, which tells the story of  Trista (Hall), a career-driven talent agent, Viviane (Scott), a successful gossip columnist, and Amaya (Cooper), a struggling actress,...

Regina Hall, Jill Scott, and Eve Jeffers Cooper star as 3 single friends who vow to get married within a year after attending their best friend's wedding, in the Lifetime Original Movie "With This Ring," which the network has now set a premiere for on Saturday, January 24, 2015, at 8pm Et/Pt. Brooklyn Sudano, Deion Sanders, Stephen Bishop, Jason George and Brian White round out the key cast. The romantic comedy is based on the best seller, "The Vow," by Denene Millner, Angela Burt-Murray and Mitzi Miller, which tells the story of  Trista (Hall), a career-driven talent agent, Viviane (Scott), a successful gossip columnist, and Amaya (Cooper), a struggling actress,...

Regina Hall, Jill Scott, and Eve Jeffers Cooper star as 3 single friends who vow to get married within a year after attending their best friend's wedding, in the Lifetime Original Movie "With This Ring," which the network has now set a premiere for on Saturday, January 24, 2015, at 8pm Et/Pt. Brooklyn Sudano, Deion Sanders, Stephen Bishop, Jason George and Brian White round out the key cast. The romantic comedy is based on the best seller, "The Vow," by Denene Millner, Angela Burt-Murray and Mitzi Miller, which tells the story of  Trista (Hall), a career-driven talent agent, Viviane (Scott), a successful gossip columnist, and Amaya (Cooper), a struggling actress,...

Los Angeles — Five women sitting around talking has become a TV staple. Five women talking, each of whom is either black, Asian or Latino, is something different.

It's the approach tested by two shows: "The Real," airing on a handful of Fox-owned stations, and the Aspire channel's "Exhale."

For "The Real," concluding an experimental run Friday, the multi-ethnic panel of Tamar Braxton, Loni Love, Adrienne Bailon, Jeannie Mai and Tamera Mowry-Housley isn't the point, said executive producer SallyAnn Salsano.

"It's something we don't really talk about. ... We just picked who's best for the show. We didn't say, `Where's our white one?'" Salsano said.

The difference in "The Real," she said, is generational. Other female-centric talk shows like "The View," the genre groundbreaker when Barbara Walters launched it in 1997, tend toward older hosts with more settled lives and perspectives.

As a 39-year-old woman with friends who are single like her...