BET Networks' 'July Jump Off' is Blazing Hot with Five New Original Shows

LOS ANGELES, June 29 /PRNewswire/ -- BET Networks, a unit of Viacom Inc. , announces its hottest July ever, with five new original shows joining its primetime lineup. BET's "July Jump Off" begins Monday, July 9, and will include the following programs: HELL DATE and BALDWIN HILLS, two tantalizing reality shows; SOCIALLY OFFENSIVE BEHAVIOR (S.O.B.), a hidden camera show; TAKE THE CAKE, an innovative new interactive game show; and HOT GHETTO MESS, a hilarious video clip show with powerful social commentary.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070629/NEF020 )

"We're bringing the summer heat inside this year, with five new shows that really speak to our audience and are different from anything else on TV," said Reginald Hudlin, President of Entertainment, BET Networks. BET Networks is serious about our commitment to original programming, and this is just the jump-off to what will be our most ambitious slate in history."

These five new shows were first announced at BET's Upfront presentation in May. While HELL DATE will likely make those on the single scene screen their potential dates much more carefully, TAKE THE CAKE, hosted by Toccara and Joe Clair, will not only entertain viewers with featured guest stars and performances, but will fatten their wallets as well. BALDWIN HILLS will explore the lives of 12 kids - some from this upscale area while others live north of Crenshaw Blvd. in a rough neighborhood called "The Jungle" - as they interact and split their time between school, parties, college entrance exams and hanging out. Lastly, S.O.B., from the producers of Punk'd and hosted by D.L. Hughley, shows pranks with a political edge, and the videos brought to you by Charlie Murphy on HOT GHETTO MESS are sure to spark some healthy debate about our culture.

A brief description and show times for each new program are listed below: HELL DATE Monday-Friday, starting July 9 at 7:30 p.m. ET/PT Encores: Monday-Friday at 12:30 p.m. ET/PT

Is it a dating show? Is it a comedy? Or is it...the blind date from Hell? In HELL DATE, a nightly reality show, contestants are searching for their soulmate, and are then paired with an actor or actress who will actually be their worst nightmare come to life. It's a fun dating show with a hilarious twist!

TAKE THE CAKE Monday-Friday, starting July 9 at 11 p.m. ET/CT Encores: Monday-Friday at 11 p.m. ET/PT

Tired of the late night talk show scene? Need to get paid? Here's the solution! BET's new one-hour live ultimate interactive game show hosted by Toccara and Joe Clair will not only entertain you with featured guest stars and performances, but fatten your wallet as well. If you have a cell phone or computer you can compete for prizes just by texting or emailing your responses to various pop culture trivia questions. Winners will be chosen instantaneously and announced live on the air. Additionally, all text messengers will receive show-branded entertainment on their headsets throughout the show. It pays to TAKE THE CAKE!

BALDWIN HILLS Tuesdays starting July 10 at 10 p.m. ET/PT Encores: Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 9 p.m.

You've seen teen angst in a plethora of network dramas over the years, but The O.C. and Beverly Hills, 90210 have nothing on the kids from Baldwin Hills. Twelve African American teens ages 16-19 star in this half-hour reality docu- drama (10 episodes). BALDWIN HILLS explores the lives of the sons and daughters of doctors, lawyers, actors and athletes, while also following the lives of teenagers who live in a rough neighborhood nearby. Yes, some of them are spoiled with a strong sense of entitlement, but they'll come to understand that growing up isn't always a party-even if you do have Daddy's platinum card and a Benz of your own.

SOCIALLY OFFENSIVE BEHAVIOR (S.O.B.) Wednesdays starting July 25 at 10 p.m. ET/PT

Encores: Saturday at 2 a.m., Sunday at 9 p.m., Monday at 9 p.m. and Tuesday at 10:30 p.m.

With all the politically incorrect mishaps that have happened recently like the Don Imus-Rutgers debacle-it's about time for a network to take a raw, uncensored look at the issues that confound and divide us. S.O.B. does just that in a half-hour weekly show hosted by irreverent comic D.L. Hughley. S.O.B.'s hidden cameras and microphones will expose what people are saying about such hot button social issues as racism, classism, religion, sexuality and politics. It will be real, fresh, funny, thought-provoking and most of all, P.I.-politically incorrect.

HOT GHETTO MESS Wednesdays starting July 25th at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT

Encores: Thursday at 9 p.m., Saturday at 2:30 a.m., Sunday at 8:30 p.m. and Monday at 9:30 p.m.

Charlie Murphy ("Norbit," "Chappelle Show") is the host of this in-your- face half-hour clip show, whose real blend of tough love and social commentary challenges and inspires its viewers to improve themselves and their communities. Utilizing comedy, man-on-the-street interviews and some of the most shocking video clips from around the country, HGM dares to go where most shows fear to tread. It aims to shine a spotlight on the good, the bad and the ugly of Black popular culture, featuring prevalent images in our society and examines what role they play in the American lifestyle and what these images in the media really mean to all of us. It's original, relevant and irreverent, with the mission of sparking dialogue, debate and, most importantly, change - because we've GOT to do better.

ABOUT BET NETWORKS

BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom Inc. , is the leading provider of media and entertainment for African Americans and consumers of Black culture on a global basis. The primary BET cable network reaches more than 84 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. BET Digital Networks - BET J, BET Gospel, and BET Hip-Hop - are brands that combine to serve a broader and more diverse audience than the core network. BET.com is the number one Internet destination for their target audiences. BET Mobile delivers music, gaming, and video content to the target audiences on wireless devices across virtually all service providers. BET Event Productions is a full-scale event management and production company with festivals and live events spanning the globe. BET International delivers BET content to the consumers of Black culture around the world. BET Networks inspires its audiences to make a difference in their lives and communities with a series of impactful and pro-social initiatives under the Touch BET umbrella.