BET Going For Comedy With The Return Of “Punk’d”, New Brandy Sitcom
BET is getting ambitious with orders for 7 new TV series. Two of those new shows on Black Entertainment Television include comedy series. The network is retooling the former MTV hidden camera prank show “Punk’d” and ordering a sitcom starring Brandy.
The Hollywood Reporter says no talent has been announced for “Punk’d” yet, but BET did say the new version would be “tailored” for its audience and a new feature will include behind-the-scenes looks at what goes into pulling off a prank on a celebrity. “Punk’d” was originally from the big brain of Ashton Kutcher and ran on MTV from 2003 to 2007 and came back briefly in 2012.
A sitcom starring singer Brandy, who was TV’s “Moesha” on UPN for 6 seasons starting in 1996, is also going into production for BET. The network described the sitcom to Billboard saying, Brandy will play “a newly divorced single mom embarking on her new life and career as a fledgling cosmetics mogul — but it won’t be easy. Her ex-husband is not ready to take a back seat in her life, nor is her precocious 10 year-old son ready for her new dating life.”
BET Networks chairman and CEO Debra Lee said the new original programming line up will be “stronger than ever”. She added, “Black consumers experience BET Networks differently than any other network because of our 35 years of history, tremendous experience and insights. We continue to give our viewers what they want – high quality content that respects, reflects and elevates them.”
