Lil’ Kim’s new reality
series Lil’ Kim: Countdown To Lockdown, which premiered March 9 on BET,
was the most-watched series debut in the
network’s 25-year history.
According to figures
released by BET, 1.9 million viewers tuned in nationwide. The series chronicles
the last 14 days of Lil’ Kim’s freedom before she entered prison on a perjury
conviction.
The Brooklyn rapper
was sentenced to 366 days in prison in July of 2005, for lying to a grand jury
about her knowledge of a shoot-out in front of Hot 97’s New York offices.
During the show,
which airs Thursdays at 9:30 p.m., Lil’ Kim makes her final public appearances
with cameras in tow.
"When we showed
the first episode of Lil’ Kim to test audiences, we got the highest scores
in the history of the company," said Reginald Hudlin, BET’s president of
entertainment. "So when it became the biggest series debut in the history
of the network, I wasn’t surprised."
The series was
produced by Lil’ Kim’s Queen Bee Productions and Edmonds Entertainment, which
also produced BET’s reality series College Park.
"As powerful
as the first episode is, the series finale is even better," Hudlin continued.
"I’m pleased and relieved that my first new series on BET has become a
‘must see’ for so many people. I’m grateful to Edmonds Entertainment for delivering
another great show for the network, and to the entire team at BET for fantastic
work in every department."
The next episode
is scheduled to air March 23 at 9:00 pm EST.
