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The BET audience has certainly matured – even on the reality TV front.
Five years ago, TV and film producer Tracey Edmonds introduced the groundbreaking series, 'College Hill,' which chronicled the ups and downs of students at a historically black college in the south. Two years ago, the network launched, 'Baldwin Hills,' a younger spin on the drama – this time revolving around the lives of black teenagers in and around a tony section of Los Angeles.
In 2009, real adulthood sets in with 'Harlem Heights,' premiering March 2 at 10:00 p.m.
No student loans, campus confusion, prom date dilemmas or parental advisory on deck for this show, created by MTV industry insiders Randolph Sturrup and Kurt Williamson.
For the new show, it's all grown and sexy business for and by young, black, urban professionals setting out to make their way in the world. Each person joins the series at a defining moment in his or her life
And it all takes place in Harlem USA.
The series features a diverse cast of eight young adults from various backgrounds. BlackVoices.com has an exclusive sneak peek at the Facebook-friendly cast members from BET's most-buzzed about new show. Take a look.
Mel B Pictures
In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl "Mel B" poses for a photo wearing a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness, after a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
AP
In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl "Mel B" poses for a photo wearing a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness, after a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
AP
In this undated image released by Oxfam Tuesday Sept. 23, 2008, British singer Mel B participates in the 'In My Name' global campaign calling for action against poverty and demanding world leaders keep their promises on millennium development goals. (AP Photo/Oxfam, HO) ** NO SALES **
AP
In this photo provided by Kraft Foods, Spice Girl Mel B, left, serves as the emcee at a fashion show and launch of "Pose for the Cure" web site to help Kraft Foods raise money for the 'Susan G. Komen for the Cure' fight against breast cancer in New York, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008. Mel B wears a T-shirt she designed based on the classic pink ribbon used for breast cancer awareness. The shirt is for sale on the web site and the net proceeds will benefit the foundation. The woman at right is unidentified. (AP Photo/Kraft Foods, Ray Stubblebine) **NO SALES**
AP
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: TV personality and designer Khloe Kardashian and Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard (R) pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
Getty Images
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Ultimo Scottish designer lingerie brand founder Michelle Mone (L) and pop singer Melanie Brown pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown poses backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown and Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard (R) pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
Getty Images
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown and singer Aubrey O'Day (R) poses backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
Getty Images
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Pop singer Melanie Brown, Olympic-level swimmer and model Amanda Beard, singer Aubrey O'Day and TV personality and designer Khloe Kardashian pose backstage at the Mel B With Ultimo Spring 2009 fashion show during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week at the Metropolitan Pavilion on September 9, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images )
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Comments: (46)
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By: r310lambert on 1/21/2009 4:59PM
Hey Arc, I' would say its safe to say at least one of those people is gay or lesbian, just not admittedly.
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By: kpbrott on 1/21/2009 5:34PM
3. Congrats Randolph to what looks like will be a fantastic show that is badly needed for BET. Hopefully this type of show will help raise the quality and standard for BET programming. As the "world holds on" to Obama and America's every word now, this is great timing. Best of luck. -_-_- There is no such thing a a "fantastic" reality show. They were a cheap solution to a writer's strike that found popularity among the tiny brained folk. Reality TV is the worst development in the history of entertainment, and doesn't really qualify as entertainment, more televised voyeurism.
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By: Pam or Rodney on 1/21/2009 8:41PM
Why must there be "Black shows" and"white shows". Why can't the American media just have shows! no token African Americans, or "light skins" Or white people ,or any of that.Our media wants us to stay separated! It's good for their buisness.We just elected a President who happens to not look as the last 43 did,Great! He was elected by the majority of us. Not us blacks or us whites, but US! We must stop allowing other people tell us what to think! As a reminder, the President that Did the most for the African Americans was a White Republican Named Lincoln, and that black people have been in Washington as congressmen for 70 years! (all Republicans) not until the nineteen fifties did we ever elect a black democrat! Ever heard the term "Southern democrat"? It means Slave owner, Clan member!!! The republicans where the northerners, Who fought to free the in-slaved people.WAKE UP AMERICA!!!
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By: Lacey on 1/22/2009 5:39PM
"4. It is about time that the rest of America gets to see African Americans in the full spectrum. I am tired of the rest of America and the world seeing only a partial view of our reality, just like other ethnic groups, we have our poor, middle and upper class. I get tired of getting hearing others say and think that Obama is an exception. As if our folks cannot work hard to put our children thru college and we don't manage our money and careers. Each one of the participants in this show, will help open some close minded person view of African Americans and how varied we truly are. It is about time BET....its about time you redeem yourself after years of adding to that negative campaign against our people."
The rest of America WON'T get to see all that you mentioned above, because it is decided to be removed and seperated from regular television programming. BET (as well as AOL BLACK Voices)are exactly what is wrong with uniting the races. You can't have equality when you're seperating yourself. When you seperate yourselves from a group, you're either saying that you're better or worse than that group. Black people always say that want EQUALITY, but it's SUPERIORITY that they want, and that is where the problem lies. THAT is what makes us other races so angry. Stop the reverse racism, seperation, and lust for superiority. Can't we all be equal and be a part of the HUMAN race?
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By: Lorinq on 2/03/2009 6:45PM
sounds like a reality version of Living Single to me.
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By: Elle on 3/09/2009 9:18PM
I'm confused. I thought this show would represent buppies. After reading the cast's profiles, I don't think they represent buppies at all. Maybe they had to find people who have time on their hands. The term "buppie" means urban professionals. Professionals are mostly defined as white collar workers like lawyers, doctors, nurses, CPAs, bankers, etc. But since this show is on BET, I guess they couldn't show professional and well educated blacks because that would be too boring or no self respecting professional would risk being on BET.
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