TV Land Celebrates the Influence of African-Americans on American Culture With That's What I'm Talking About

TV Land Celebrates the Influence of African-Americans on American Culture With That's What I'm Talking About

Three-Part Special Hosted by Wayne Brady Features Harry Belafonte, Diahann Carroll, Paul Mooney, Spike Lee, Reverend Al Sharpton, Wanda Sykes, DL Hughley, Greg Anthony, Nia Long, Joey Fatone, John Ridley and several others

PASADENA, Calif., Jan. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- TV Land takes a candid look at the role of blacks in American culture and society with the premiere of That's What I'm Talking About, the network's three-part original special premiering on Wednesday, February 1 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Hosted and moderated by comedian and actor Wayne Brady, and executive produced by Tonya Lewis Lee, Nikki Silver and Orly Wiseman (Miracles Boys), each 60-minute installment features a lively discussion where Hollywood notables, athletes, politicians, journalists, musicians, writers and comics such as Harry Belafonte, Diahann Carroll, Paul Mooney, Spike Lee, Al Sharpton, Wanda Sykes, John Ridley, Greg Anthony, Toure, DL Hughley, Nia Long and more debate the various aspects of perceptions about African-Americans both on and off screen.

"TV Land is extremely honored to work with the amazing team of Tonya Lewis Lee, Nikki Silver and Orly Wiseman to make this ground-breaking special," states Larry W. Jones, President, TV Land and Nick at Nite. "The result of this collaboration is an energetic, meaningful and honest conversation, rarely if ever seen on television and one that is important to our audience."

That's What I'm Talking About airs in three consecutive installments each Wednesday night through February 15 at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Throughout each hour, host Wayne Brady engages the panelists -- who span the generational lines -- in an unfiltered conversation about the influence and impact of black culture and entertainment on American culture, from segregation, to the most influential TV shows to the popularity of athletes to interracial dating and more. The result is a captivating, lively hour in which strong opinions are expressed and anecdotes and jokes are exchanged. The series will also feature clips and images from dozens of iconic characters, television shows, movies and other forms of entertainment as panelists try to prove their case in this fast-paced, rapid fire exchange.

The three-part special includes:

"Greats, Dates and Debates"
Wednesday, February 1; 10-11 p.m. ET/PT

In the first installment of That's What I'm Talking About, legendary actors Diahann Carroll and Harry Belafonte, comedian Paul Mooney and writer Toure discuss influential black films, television shows and other pop culture topics with host Wayne Brady. The generations clash in this honest, funny and unfiltered discussion.

"Movers, Shakers and Playmakers"
Wednesday, February 8; 10-11 p.m. ET/PT

Filmmakers Spike Lee and John Ridley, comedian Wanda Sykes, civil rights leader Reverend Al Sharpton and former NBA player Greg Anthony face off in a lively and heated debate on the most influential blacks of sports, politics and comedy. Personal experiences, politics and backgrounds fuel the arguments. The result is a passionate look at these great individuals and an insight into the guests themselves.

"Riches, Pitches and Britches"
Wednesday, February 15; 10-11 p.m. ET/PT

Comedian D.L. Hughley, actress Nia Long, music producer Bud'da, musician Joey Fatone and reporter Lola Ogunnaike debate the greats of black music and the fashion, diva and urban myths associated with black culture. The group clashes on what will stand the test of time and the influence blacks have had on American culture as a whole. Discussions include the NBA dress code, bling and the longevity of rap music.

About On Screen Entertainment

On Screen Entertainment creates, develops and produces quality programming for the entire family. The company is jointly run by multiple Emmy Award- winning producers Nikki Silver and Orly Wiseman. Most recently the company produced the critically acclaimed "Miracle's Boys," a dramatic mini-series for teens which aired on The N Network. In addition they have produced Reading Rainbow a multi-award winning children's series on PBS which has won 24 Emmys in 20 years. On Screen has an impressive library of television series and development properties including What's Going ON?, a 10-part documentary series airing on Showtime, Outward Bound (Discovery Kids) and The Zack Files (re-airing on Showtime Family Zone).

About Tonya Lewis Lee

Tonya Lewis Lee, Esq. is the executive producer of The N's 2005 critically acclaimed mini-series Miracle's Boys. In 2005, Lee is also releasing her new children's book Please Puppy Please, a follow-up to the 2002 book she co-authored with her husband, Spike Lee, Please Baby Please. In 2004, Lee was the executive producer of the documentary film, I Sit Where I Want: The Legacy of Brown v. Board of Education for Noggin/The N which received Beacon and Parent's Choice Awards. 2004 also saw the release of Mrs. Lee's first novel, the national bestseller, Gotham Diaries. Outspoken on the issue of women and race, Lee has written for magazines such as Glamour and O at Home.

About TV Land

Now seen in over 85 million U.S. homes and throughout Canada, TV Land presents popular dramas, sitcoms, westerns, Retromercials and original programming, all packaged in a unique, award-winning on-air environment. The network celebrates all things Classic TV with a specific viewer in mind: the first generation of people to grow up watching television. Known for its celebrated line-up of Classic TV ranging from I Love Lucy to Little House on the Prairie, TV Land has made its mark with clever, critically-acclaimed original programming, developed by TV Land Productions, which was created in 2003. Original programming includes such hits as the annual TV Land Awards: A Celebration of Classic TV; an original special that reunited the cast of The Brady Bunch in 2004's Emmy-nominated Still Brady: After All These Years; Chasing Farrah, which follows the real-life happenings of iconic actress and sex symbol, Farrah Fawcett; as well as several other series and specials that enhance the overall Classic TV viewing experience. For more information about TV Land's originals, visit http://www.tvland.com/.

MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom Inc. (NYSE:VIA)(NYSE:VIA.B), is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. MTV Networks, with more than 100 channels worldwide, owns and operates the following television programming services -- MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, VH1, mtvU, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN, LOGO, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services, all of these brands are trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than 90 interactive properties worldwide, including online, broadband, wireless and interactive television services and also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.

Contacts: Jennifer Zaldivar Vanessa Reyes

212/846-8964 310/752-8081

Source: TV Land

CONTACT: Jennifer Zaldivar, +1-212-846-8964, or Vanessa Reyes,
+1-310-752-8081, both for TV Land

Web site: http://www.tvland.com/

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