Remember how, back in February, I told you that BET was doing a clean/Christian version of its hit stand-up comedy show, Comic View, titled A Time To Laugh?

Word has it that the series won’t even premiere on BET until January of 2010!  As you probably recall, Vickie Winans is slated to host the new comedy series, and has already begun taping some of the 30 episodes that are slated.

That’s a whole lot of preparation… kinda makes me wish BET had put that much thought and energy into 106 & Gospel before they cancelled it.

I got a personal email from Stephen Hill (Executive Vice President of Entertainment and Music Programming at BET) in response to our petition to Save 106 & Gospel.  Though it doesn’t look like BET plans to re-air 106 & Gospel, Mr. Hill’s email was kind and he stressed BET’s commitment to faith-based programming.  I appreciate that.

Below is BET’s Official Statement:

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NEW YORK, April 9, 2009—

BET is dedicated to providing a wide range of entertainment that relates to the overall African American experience, and we recognize that meeting the needs of our faith-based community is an important part of reaching this goal.  That’s why we’ve provided a staple of gospel originals on BET for nearly 30 years, including BOBBY JONES GOSPEL, LIFT EVERY VOICE, VIDEO GOSPEL, CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL, SUNDAY BEST and, most recently, 106 & GOSPEL.  Because of our commitment to faith-based programming, we will continue to create new and exciting shows to entertain our audience.  However, at times we must also face the hard task of making tough programming decisions, as in the case of 106 & GOSPEL, which was recently cancelled. We will actively continue to create quality programming that resonates with our faith-based community, and we ask for and appreciate your continued support.

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Aaarrrgggghhh.  As I said before, I’m sooooo not an activist.  Dunno if I’m supposed to say “okay, well thanks anyway,” or if I’m supposed to be chartering a bus so we can go and march somewhere.

What do you all think?  Do you accept this statement as sufficient, or do you demand MORE?!  Talk to me.

Whew!  Long week, but did not we have a TIME in the Lord?

Coupla updates:

1.  Shout-out to “gospelfan,” a loyal reader who informed us that Kim Burrell’s upcoming album (due on TUESDAY) can now be previewed at Amazon.com!  My review will be posted next week, but make sure you listen to the snippets NOW!  Click here.

2.  A bunch of y’all have been logging on here on Sunday nights, probably to catch my play-by-play responses to BET’s Sunday Best.  So, at my wife’s urging, I’m gonna do Twitter updates (you can see the Twitter widget on the sidebar to the right >>>>>>>>) as the show goes.  You should follow me on Twitter to receive up-to-the-minute notifications and to respond to me.  Aight?

3. The poll on the sidebar experienced some sort of glitch, causing incredibly skewed results and, subsequently, a really weird crash of sorts.  So, the results have been reset… sorry. VOTE ON!

4. Don’t forget to sign the petition to Save 106 & Gospel by clicking here: http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/save106andgospel.  We’re 1,455 signatures AND GROWING.  I know I’ve seen that Richard Smallwood and Hezekiah Walker signed it, as well as a BUNCH of other artists, industry folks and fans.

See ya!

I’m doin’ a dual recap of this past Sunday’s Bobby Jones Gospel and 106 & Gospel cuz… I am.

Bobby Jones Gospel

I particularly enjoyed George Huff.  He’s just such a pleasant person– you kinda can’t help but to smile when you see him (cuz you KNOW he’s gonna be cheesin’).  He sang “I Won’t Complain.”  When he started, I did NOT feel like hearing some drawn out, hyper-dramatic performance of the same ol’ song.  Just being real.

But lemme TELL you, that he MINISTERED that song in a way that I’ve rarely heard (even with all the funerals I’ve been to).  I had goosebumps and nearly got to runnin’ through the house. Watch yo’self, brutha!

Also on the show were Lance Williams & True Worship.  I really like his music.  He did what I’ve seen a coupla artists on the show do– though he was clearly booked for only one performance slot, he made two songs into a medley for that slot.  The only problem with that, this time, is that I was reeeeaaally feelin’ his first song, a powerful worship track.  Then, the band flipped it suddenly, a beat came in and snatched me right out of my mindset.  Let that worship marinate for a minute, doc!  Still, the second song was hot, too, so I wasn’t too mad.

The show also featured Shekinah Glory.  They are such a huge blessing to soooooo many people.  It’s a beautiful thing!  Personally, though, I don’t really know anything about them aside from “Praise Is What I do” and “Yes,” and I’ve kinda decided that I’m fine with that for now. Is it just me?

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106 & Gospel

Don’t get it twisted– it’s still cancelled, but they have a few shows already taped and, fortunately, they aired one this weekend.  So, we’re gonna chat about it like always.

This show featured one of the pioneers of the Holy Hip-Hop movement, The Ambassador of Cross Movement.  He had a great performance and, in my opinion, an even better interview.  He, like a bunch of Christian rappers, has gone to seminary, which makes me wonder why it’s so common in the Holy Hip-hop movement (the very artists that many gospel folks say are NOT in the Will of God), and why we don’t expect our other music ministers to go… that’s gonna have to be a ChitChat topic in a bit.

The show also featured Niyoki, who performed her song, “Joy.”  If you’ve EVER watched 106 & Gospel, you’ve seen the video of it cuz they play it almost weekly.  Her interview had a really weird moment, though, where Angel asked Niyoki to share the incredible story about how she gave birth in her home studio, and Niyoki said [paraphrasing] “ummm… I have a home studio, and I have a son, but I didn’t give birth to him there or anything like that.” Awwwwkwaaaaaaaaaard.  SOMEBODY ain’t tellin’ the truth!  LOL

Still, good show and I enjoyed it.  Make sure y’all sign the petition to keep it on the air!

What’s good, people?  A coupla quick updates:

1.  Don’t forget to email me if you want a chance to 2 VIP Tickets to Bishop Eric McDaniel’s live recording THIS SUNDAY featuring KIM BURRELL.  Click here for a reminder on how to win the tix!

2.  The petition I created to Save 106 & Gospel has gotten nearly 1,300 signatures in less than a week– that’s ASTOUNDING. And more are coming each day.  Make sure you’ve signed it at http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/save106andgospel.

3.  I chatted with Tonex last week and I’m posting my interview with him here TOMORROW, so don’t miss it!

I think that’s it for now… holla!

I have confirmed that BET has cancelled 106 & Gospel.

I’m soooooooooo not an activist, cuz I never really care enough, but I felt some kinda way about this.  So much so, in fact, that I kinda… launched a petition to save it.

READ AND SIGN IT HERE:

http://petitionspot.com/petitions/save106andgospel

And pass the link around!

BREAKING NEWS (cuz y’all know I don’t be posting new stuff this late at night)…

Word has it that BET has decided to discontinue production of 106 & Gospel.

This is not officially confirmed, but I was informed of the network’s plans by an INCREDIBLY reliable source.

I sure hope it’s not true, cuz I love the show.

And if it is true… have y’all gone mad?!  And does this mean I have to go back to watching Video Gospel?!

Well, thank you, BET, for playin’ me ALL DAY LONG yesterday. LOL

After church, my Wifey and I sat down to watch our usual Sunday gospel line-up only to learn that our DVR did not record 106 & Gospel.

Come to find out, it didn’t come on at noon.  So, we looked at our future scheduled recordings and it showed that 106 was coming on at 10pm.  Fine.  Then, I got a Facebook message from the 106 & Gospel group (are y’all members?) confirming that it would be coming on at 10pm Eastern.  Coolness.

But wouldn’t ya know… BET aired Sunday Best at 9pm, then aired it again at 10pm!

What the world?!  I’m not tryna start anything, but this WOULD add fuel to the rumors that were bouncing around last week… *whispering and leaning in closely* people were sayin’ the show was cancelled…

Now, I certainly hope not cuz 106 & Gospel has quickly catapulted itself to the top of my “must-see” gospel programs.  The hosts are doing their thing, the performances are great, the concept is nice, it’s getting better each week.

Just gimme my show, BET.  Don’t start nothin’, won’t be nothin’.

I have to admit that I don’t know much about this new artist YET (emphasis on the “YET” part), but I’m definitely gonna be doing my research for y’all cuz I think she’s reeeaally good.

Her name is Indigo and she’s a new artist, soon to be released on Universal Music Group.  She was recently featured on the One Love Gospel Cruise and on the Yolanda Adams Morning Show.  I watched her video and I thought “ummm… yes… we like!”

I could see her doing very well with Christian young women.  Role model-y and what not.  And I really like the song!  Note to BET: please put her video in the 106 & Gospel rotation so we ain’t gotta keep seein’ _______ (Y’all can fill in the blank as you see fit!)

Check her out and lemme know what y’all think! And check out the website for her ministry: http://www.jesusgroupie.com. Pretty cool stuff!

It was a good show, I guess.  But I have to say that I’m kinda tired of the same music videos now.  Like, reeeeaaaally tired.

Also, the choir “battle” was NO good for me… it seemed more like a subtle disagreement. And I love how diplomatic Donald Lawrence was in his critiques of them– stripping away the eloquent and encouraging words, though, I think he was basically just saying “me no likey.”

BTW, how THRILLED were we to see Donald Lawrence on the show?!  He did a great interview and sang “Let the Word Do the Work.”  The audience got with him more than they have with some of the more “urban/youth” artists.  Hmmm… makes you wonder what folks are really lookin’ for.

And I gotta shout out some of the sickest most enjoyable singers in the game– the “Co.”  (See?!  I’m using positive words, Donald!)  Only three of ‘em were there– Anita Wilson, Tobbi White-Darks and Blanche McAllister– but they were on point, as usual, doggone it!

What did you think???