BET revives Comic View, renews Kevin Hart’s “Real Husbands” and Tony Rock’s “Apollo Live”

After a five-year absence, BET’s stand-up showcase is coming back at the end of 2013 and into 2014 with the revival of Comic View.

The announcement came during BET’s annual upfront presentation on Tuesday to advertisers.

ComicView originally ran from 1992 to 2006 on BET, with a slightly modified version called Comic View: One Mic Stand running half-hour episodes with two stand-ups each in 2008.

Hosts over the years have included D.L. Hughley, Cedric the Entertainer, White Chocolate, Sommore, Don “D.C.” Curry, Montana Taylor and Lester Barris, Gary Owen, Rickey Smiley, Bruce Bruce, Arnez J, J. Anthony Brown and Sheryl Underwood. Kevin Hart presided over the “One Mic Stand” episodes five years ago. New episodes of ComicView will debut in the fourth quarter of 2013. No word on a new host — the BET announcement only says “the beloved original comedy series is back, reimagined for a new season on BET.”

Is this better news for aspiring stand-up comedians looking for their first TV credits? Or for old comedians looking to make their old BET credits relevant again? That’s for you to decide!

Also part of BET upfronts for 2013-2014…

The Comic’s Comic already reported the early second-season renewal for reality spoof Real Husbands of Hollywood (starring Kevin Hart, with Boris Kodjoe, Nick Cannon, JB Smoove, and Duane Martin), which is cable TV’s top sitcom — new episodes return in the fourth quarter of 2013. As will a new season of Apollo Live, the weekly amateur competition from Harlem’s Apollo Theatre, hosted by Tony Rock and judged by  Michael Bivins, Doug E. Fresh and Gladys Knight.

On BET sister station Centric, the network announced two new sitcoms:

  • First Family, starring Christopher B. Duncan as fictional President William Johnson and Kellita Smith as his First Lady. The cast includes Gladys Knight, Jackeé Harry, John Witherspoon and Marla Gibbs. Premiering second quarter of 2013.
  • Mr. Box Office, starring Bill Bellamy as a Hollywood star who breaks the law and serves his punishment in community service as a high school English teacher in South Central Los Angeles. With Vivica A. Fox, Keshia Knight Pulliam, Gary Busey and Jon Lovitz. Also premiering in the second quarter of 2013.

Sean L. McCarthy

Editor and publisher since 2007, when he was named New York's Funniest Reporter. Former newspaper reporter at the New York Daily News, Boston Herald and smaller dailies and community papers across America. Loves comedy so much he founded this site.

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