B.E.T. Blues

What is this mess? On Wednesday BET unveiled a development slate that boasts 16 new series, including projects from Will Smith (Cipha, an animated sci-fi series), Vin Diesel (Hannibal, an animated look at the ancient African king), D.L. Hughley (S.O.B., a hidden-camera reality series) and Orlando Jones (Bufu, an [again] animated sketch-comedy offering). (Nice to see BET drumming up so much on-camera work for black actors.) Also in the mix is the 26-year-old cabler's first original sitcom, Somebodies, based on the indie film of the same name.

BET = H.A.M. I told you guys weeks ago that Viacom planned to increase BET's budget to produce original programming and this is what they have to show for it. BET is always a day late and a dollar short. MTV did the whole animated thing years ago...as well as hidden-camera reality shows (Jackass and Punk'd anyone?). I know that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but does anyone over at BET have any creativity or independent thoughts?

My people...my people...SMH.