Essence.com: Kudos to TV One

Unfortunately, I spend a good deal of my professional life wondering aloud some version of “What is wrong with people?” It’s kind of the nature of journalism (and blogging) to critique, cajole and question. I’m always clarifying something, rallying against someone, or shaking my head in astonishment at the stuff some of God’s children say and do. If it’s not a congressional representative confused about the the female anatomy, it’s a reality star advocating nonviolence and then threatening to hop on another woman (or actually hopping on her), or a rapper who seems to think  “b---h” is synonymous with “woman.” With all that battle-crying, occasionally I forget to give credit where it’s due.

I need to offer a slow clap of applause to TV One. Chairwoman Cathy Hughes, new president and CEO Wonya Lucas (no relation, and yes, she’s Black), and their team are doing their thing right now. That’s it. I don’t have any buts, howevers, or sarcasm to add.

The channel is living up to its tagline, “Where Black Life Unfolds.” (Which, until I put my glasses on, I thought read, “Where Black Folk Unwind.” It works either way.) They lured me in with the first season of Unsung, lined me with the Martin marathon on New Year’s Day, and had me staying up late to catch reruns of Lincoln Heights before I finally got a DVR. This year TV One stepped its game all the way up with Love Addiction and Dr. Steve Perry’s Save My Son — and now, after the season 2 premiere of Verses & Flow and the series debut of R&B Divas on Monday night, I’m officially hooked.

It seems I’m not the only one. R&B Divas set a new viewing record for the channel on Monday. And I’m not surprised — it was good TV.

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