View Full Version : Mo'Nique Talks About Why BET Cancelled Her Talk Show


TMC
07-25-2017, 07:57 PM
https://www.lipstickalley.com/threads/monique-and-sidney-talk-about-why-bet-cancelled-her-talk-show.1209330/

Listening to her podcast (https://player.fm/series/monique-sidneys-open-relationship-1511309/what-happened-to-the-monique-show-on-bet) and she delves into the subject matter of why her talk was cancelled, says she is only addressing this because people still ask her.

Says that former exec, Loretha Jones convinced her to do the show, even though people say "you know BET (http://www.bet.com/topics/m/monique.html) ain't ****". Says they worked with some really great young producers in their 3 seasons and that people were really passionate about their jobs. Wanted to bring something positive to late night and give attention to "us and ours"

Talks about not being paid for 3 weeks in a row. Says someone from accounting approached her hairstylist about the cost of a bun ("as if I was stealing from the network to get my hair done"). Says

Starts off by saying that Debra Lee and her team had came to a taping of the show that was discussing cancer. Says Debra and her team were late. Says that Debra never apologizes for being late just introduces all the "chefs". Monique says that she tells the group "this is something special, we know people believe the rumors about bet and not wanting to be on the show/network but we can turn this around, and if your not here to make it beautiful get the **** off the train and let somebody else get on............" she hugs Debra lee and tells her that if there is anything she needs to just call and the night ends.

Sidney flies to D.C. the next day trying to get an interview with Barack Obama. Says Loretha jones calls and says Debra wants a meeting. Debra says that someone on her staff were offended by Monique's Speech, Debra won't say who it was but that Monique should apologize. Sidney asks some who were there if they were offended and they all say no.

Debra asks Monique, through Sidney, if she can host a retreat for the higher ups, they ask if it's a paying gig (NO) and they decline Sidney says he felt like it was "a power move". Says another comedian did it (for free) but won't reveal who it was (hmm)

Monique says that Loretha Jones tells them that Monique's show kicked gorge Lopez in the ratings with no advertisements but in the same breathe tells them that the network is pulling 50 shows, leaving them with only 100 shows for the season. Loretha has no answer and is just telling them what she was told.

Monique's talks about signing contracts and how there is always a clause about "disparaging" remarks.

Talks to Debra Lee, the budget was being cut even though she is bringing in the biggest numbers the network had seen at that time.

Monique says that during a meeting on the phone Debra's tone towards Mo is that of someone who was being "dishonest and not genuine. Mo asked Debra "do you think I'm a genuine person" Debra said "sometimes" and Monique wanted to know from Debra at what time had she ever not been genuine???? Says that there is some back and forth and that Debra tells her that from her understanding that "if I was white we wouldn't be having this conversation". Mo tells Debra "check my resume" it's not about your color, if it's wrong it's wrong. Says that this is the reason why she would not do the "Free" show in The Bahamas's. The next week after saying No to the trip is when they found out the show was picked up for season 3 but the show was being cut to 100 shows.

A week after they find out the show is going on "hiatus". Says they never got an explanation on why the show was canceled even though it was the highest rated show.

Talks about bringing black talent on the show and how some were reluctant at first but people like Snoop Dogg called out other rappers about not supporting our own

Talks about execs who have left BET

Says with all the rumors of them being difficult no one has called to have a conversation (Oprah, Tyler, Lee or Debra)

Monique says she saw Debra last year at Alvin Ailey. Debra was sitting behind her got up and got in front of her bent down and said "Hello Monique", Monique said it wasn't a hello from the heart so Monique's face was like "bitch get lost" (my words). Monique said that Debra approached her again and This time Mo scooted up and said to Debra "You need to get outta my face". Mo says that Debra went back to her seat and that Debra's daughter asked what was that about, Debra said that everything was ok. Monique feels this was show put on by Debra for the folks looking on

Mo says she has no animosity towards Debra. Says they would love to do another show but someone else would have to be at the helm.