The premiere episode of BET’s 106 & Park Presents: Generation Gospel came on yesterday at noon ET/PT. It featured performances from Marvin Sapp and Kierra Sheard, as well as a choir battle between Jules Bartholomew & JudaCamp and the Howard University Gospel Choir.
Soooooooooo??? What did y’all think?
Personally, I loved some stuff, didn’t love some stuff…
1. Kierra Sheard looked and sounded amazing. She’s really come into her own and she is KILLIN’ it.
2. Good touch on having outside correspondents, Tye Tribbett, iRocc, and Jermaine Sellers.
3. I don’t need the song that the house choir, Youth Explosion, sings before every commercial break, but I realize that it can’t be a deal-breaker for me. I will say, though, that if you’re gonna gather 50+ kids together to be “the house choir,” you should let ‘em sing something during the show.
4. I feel some kinda way about the show being so geared toward the youth, but I can’t articulate it yet… stick around for that one.
5. The interview questions were good and relevant. Marvin Sapp candidly offered his testimony of teenage alcohol and drug abuse, then related it to the issues that youth face today. Likewise, Kierra Sheard talked about how she lost weight naturally, and how she’s in college despite a busy travel schedule. Great stuff for youth to hear. So, kudos on the interviews.
6. The choir battle… well, JudaCamp had a good song… like, really good. But, they didn’t actually sing on the show. People dancing to a recorded choir track does not a choir battle make. That’s a dance troupe. Like, Howard U’s choir sang “Total Praise,” and did a great job. I think if it’s a choir battle, you’ll actually have to sing on the program. Otherwise, what are we voting on? But, no love lost, Jules Bartholomew & JudaCamp… it’s not your fault and I know you’re legit. I think this should’ve been a rule that BET implemented and carried out.
7. I think, overall, it’s a great concept and the folks at BET did a lot of planning to make things interesting for us. I can appreciate the effort and I’ll certainly be tuning in for the next one. Let’s just keep tweaking it…
Ok, that’s it off the bat. What did y’all think?
Well, it will be interesting to see how the next few shows go. On the positive side, it definitely gives the youth something to watch. I guess they figured us older folks have Bobby Jones, lol. KiKi Sheard & Howard gospel choir were both awesome. I thought both interviews were well done. On the negative side, I especially wasnt feeling the edit of Marvin Sapp's performance. That song could have been a lil longer. The people they had backing him were over doing it a bit with the (worship faces), lol. They could definitely do away with the "house choir". They should just use a dj the way 106 & Park does. Hopefully, when Tye Tribbett does his gospel industry news update, it won't just be the news that's affiliated with BET. Overall, I thought it was a good show, and I think its GREAT for the youth! Our young people have not really had any "cool", "hip" christian programming. So while I may not relate to some of the things on the show, I'm happy to see that the youth have something positive to watch.
Well, I enjoyed the show a lot. I do think that the choir could've done more singing than they did. I agree with you all about the choir competition as well. I do wonder about the show being geared towards the youth. I think any youth that are interested would probably be in church at that time and the youth not interested will be home. I think it's really going to turn into a show for young adults who attend church but have some type of recording device to watch it later. Not sure, any ideas?...
Dag...i missed it. I forgot it was coming on. EJ, you already know how i feel about choirs battling...but whatev... i do agree, if there IS going to be a battle, then it should be live. I fear that they will broaden it to a solo riffing battle... (i'm shaking my head at the thought) Can you imagine that mess? LOL I look forward to seeing the show though... i def appreciate the effort from BET.
I missed the show but I did record it.
First of all I'd like to say I LOVE your site!! extremely informative!! I visit frequently. (Back to the subject... lol) I agree, (I wrote a whole blog on my opinion as well, www.lovejeniselavonne.blogspot.com) I think there are a lot of things that needs work, but for some reason down in my gut I feel like this can possibly work. I'm definitely excited at the fact that gospel music is becoming more and more accessable to everyone. God Bless, Keep up the Great work!!!
I hate BET and never watch it...uh uh! And I'm not even trying to come across as a 'holier-than-thou'...I just believe that BET is seriously damaging to us as Black people. Their values are faulty and disgusting. So I haven't seen the show - ha! But I'm happy to hear JudaCamp was on it. NOT happy to hear they weren't singing, but dancing. Juda needs to come out with a new CD...NOW!!!