BET announced the acquisition
of three new reality series yesterday (Jan. 9), including one starring imprisoned
rapper Lil’ Kim.
Famed director Reginald
Hudlin of the directing team The Hudlin Brothers, was named President
of Entertainment of BET in July of 2005.
Yesterday, Hudlin appeared
before TV critics for the first time since being appointed to the position.
He announced the acquisition
of “Lil’ Kim: Countdown to Lockdown” as well as two other
reality series, “Season of the Tiger” and “Meet the Faith
for BET’s 2006 season.
Hudlin said he aimed to
re-brand BET as a “leader of the new school” that will become a
“repository of all black culture.”
“Lil’ Kim: Countdown
to Lockdown” follows the rapper before she was sentenced to 366 days in
prison for perjury, after being found guilty of lying to a federal grand jury
about her knowledge of a broad daylight shootout in 2001 in New York.
“Mouth shut, head
held high, as she refuses to snitch” was the description Lil’ Kim’s
show, when it was presented to critics.
The series features Lil’
Kim at recording sessions, listening parties and spending time with family and
friends before she entered The Federal Detention Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
[Lil’ Kim: Countdown
to Lockdown] takes a very serious look at her life and her choices, and the
consequences of those choices,” Hudlin told critics. “It’s absurd,
and it’s tragic.”
“Season of the Tiger” focuses on the lives of three students from
Grambling State University, while “Meet the Faith” is a Sunday talk
show that will feature various religious leaders discussing the issues of the
day.
Hudlin has experience in television production as well as movie making.
He has directed episodes
of The Bernice Mac Show, Everybody Hates Chris as well as the classic movies
“House Party” “Boomerang” “The Ladies Man”
and others.
“Lil’ Kim: Countdown
to Lockdown” will debut on Mar. 9.
