Posted by | Cyrena Rose
It’s unfortunate, but ShadowAndAct is reporting that BET has officially cancelled Don’t Sleep! with T.J. Holmes.
From the show’s debut, the network demoted the program to just a night a week, due to low ratings (from a series high 1 million for its debut episode to averaging below 400,000 afterward).
Also according to S&A, Holmes is not a comedian, like say Bill Maher and John Stewart (in an early press release, BET made comparisons to shows hosted by both gentlemen). He’s a serious news guy. BET should’ve decided if it wanted a serious news program, or something that would appeal to its younger demographic, which I think is what they were shooting for. The combo just didn’t work.
In a statement, BET said Don’t Sleep:
… delivered smart social commentary on significant issues important to African Americans with the nation’s most prominent thought leaders. BET remains committed to being a resource for our audience on issues that directly affect the African American community.
Holmes told The Root in a phone interview about the *break up*:
“I’m a completely free agent […] I will never, ever regret thinking that my heart was in the right place […] to do something that was not being done for our community. You learn from the mistakes, there are questions I should have asked, things that should have been cleared up [it is] an opportunity I would love to have [again].”
Stay tuned RC fans, I am sure T.J. Holmes will find another gig!
