'WE GOT TO DO BETTER' A.K.A. 'HOT GHETTO MESS' PREMIERES TONIGHT ON BET

BET Attempts to Defend Its Controversial New Series with the

Television Critics Assn Press

July 25, 2007 - BET's turn at the Television Critics Association Press Tour in Beverly Hills began with a gospel choir greeting journalists to a traditional soul food lunch of catfish, mac & cheese, a barbeque chicken sandwich and iced tea.

After the fanfare, the network's entertainment head Reginald Hudlin gave an overview of BET's new offerings ("BUFU," "Hip Hop Vs. America," "S.O.B.," an "American Gangster" episode on Frank Lucas and "Sunday Best").

He mentioned every new show except for the one that journalists were anxious to talk about: "Hot Ghetto Mess."

Based on a website of the same name, the show features pictures and home video footage of African Americans depicted with hairstyles, attire, bling and behavior considered to be strictly of the inner city. Host Charlie Murphy provides commentary after each clip, according to the network.

Without naming the program, Hudlin suggested we save questions for "the show you all want to talk about" for after the session, which was dedicated to promoting its new animated sketch comedy series "BUFU" from Orlando Jones and Ali Leroi; and its special "Hip Hop vs. America."

Hot Ghetto Mess," however, premieres tonight with a new name - "We Got To Do Better."

Also, Rev. Al Sharpton was at BET's session to discuss his part in "Hip Hop vs. America." But, he goes one-on-one with EUR's Lee Bailey to discuss the possible return of Don Imus.

BET'S 'WE GOT TO DO BETTER' REPLACES 'HOT GHETTO MESS'

LOS ANGELES — BET's provocatively titled "Hot Ghetto Mess," which drew sharp criticism and overshadowed the rest of the cable channel's new schedule, is getting an upbeat new name.

"We Got to Do Better" is the title the series will have when it debuts Wednesday, BET spokeswoman Jeanine Liburd told The Associated Press on Monday.

"We've decided to change the name because we want to highlight the show's real intent, which is to offer social commentary in a context that sparks dialogue, debate, and most importantly, change," BET said in a statement.

The show's content remains unaltered, Liburd said.

The half-hour video clip show is based on the Web site hotghettomess.com, which shows examples of outrageous fashion and behavior, mostly in the black community. The BET show will combine viewer-submitted and BET-produced content.

BET is characterizing the show as "pure social commentary." But critics have said it risks holding blacks up to ridicule and perpetuating negative stereotypes.

The new title echoes the "we can do better" slogan of the Web site, which was founded by black lawyer Jam Donaldson of Washington, D.C., an executive producer on the BET show. On her site, she calls for a "new era of examination" by blacks.

For a sistah's perspective - you know what to do.