TV ONE REPRESENT AT THE 2016 SUMMER TV CRITICS ASSOCIATION (TCA) PRESS TOUR
TV One is a 24-hour cable network that offers a broad range of real-life and entertainment-focused original programming, classic series, movies, music and news designed to entertain and inform a diverse audience of African American adult viewers. In February 2016, TV One introduced a new brand that promise to REPRESENT the best of Black culture and entertainment — past, present and future.
On August 1, 2016, the renowned 2016 Television Critics Association (TCA) Press Tour was held at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California. TV One made sure to represent by unveiling two new original TV movies,Ringside and MEDIA to television critics nationwide.
Ringside cast included Tyler Lepley (The Haves and the Have Nots; Baggage Claim), Raney Branch (Bones; Grey's Anatomy), Allen Maldonado (Blackish, Straight Outta Compton),Sevyn Streeter (R&B Singer/Songwriter), Jackie Long (ATL; Born Again Virgin; Real Husbands of Hollywood), and director/writer Russ Parr, (Nationally Syndicated Radio Personality). The MEDIA cast in attendance included Pooch Hall (Ray Donovan; The Game),Stephen Bishop (Moneyball; Battleship; Being Mary Jane), Penny Johnson Gerald (Castle; 24; The Larry Sanders Show), Denise Boutte (Meet the Browns; Why Did I Get Married?), writer Kevin Arkadie and director Craig Ross.
The casts of Ringside and Media engaged in a Q&A session with TCA press members and non-TCA press guests about the upcoming original television films set to debut on TV One. Proctor joined both cast groups on separate panels to discuss with press their roles, the films' story lines, and the experience creating these films with TV One.
In the original made-for-television movie, Ringside, Tyler Lepley (The Haves and the Have Nots) portrays Jaxon Holley, an undefeated boxer preparing for a game-changing fight while being taunted by his outrageous, belt-holding opponent and corrupt former manager. In order to win this life-altering bout, Jaxon must zone out the chaos, groupies and other distractions, including his rhyme-stealing rapper brother (Tequan Richmond), gambling manager (Jackie Long) and younger sister (Sevyn Streeter) who seems to be looking for love in all the wrong places. This multi-layered drama was written, produced and directed by nationally syndicated radio host Russ Parr (Hear No Evil, The Undershepherd, 35 and Ticking). Ringside premieres on TV One on Sunday, Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. ET with an immediate encore at 9 p.m. ET and an additional airing on Sunday, Sept. 11 at 5 p.m. ET.
In an exclusive interview, director, Russ Parr shared with THAheadline that being able to reach a vast demographic was the spark of interest he needed to create a boxing film.
"Well, they (TV One) were looking for something kind of hip and slick with some swagger. So I thought, 'What hasn't really been done?' Then I said, 'Boxing.' That would work because, when you think about Floyd Mayweather and how that world attracts everybody from every demographic. I thought that this would be the perfect genre in order to be able to deal with every demographic and please everybody from ages 18 to 55. This was the perfect vehicle for it," said Parr
The TV One original movie, MEDIA explores the drama and secrets behind a powerful family dynasty, during its presentation at the TCA. The executive producing team of Cathy Hughes and her production partner Susan Banks conceived and produced the project. MEDIA is a riveting story of a wealthy family battling the competitive challenges of keeping their status and position in the communications industry. The drama is the latest addition to the network's impressive slate of original films and is set to premiere in early 2017.
Actor, Stephen Bishop describes MEDIA as a film based on, " tension, betrayal, and vindication" he also shared that he hopes viewers can take away an aspiring message from the movie.
"The premise of it is, we have other images we can look at and aspire to. It is not just the rap world. It is not just the athletic world. It is a business. We (African Americans) have extremely creative minds and we have extreme amounts of intestinal fortitude based on the lives we have lived since we were children. We have what it takes to pursue any walk of life that we want, whether you want to be a doctor, a lawyer or a media mogul," said Bishop. He continued, "Whatever you want to do, get your education, put in the work, do not take 'No' for an answer. Do your thing! That is what I am hoping we can get from this, that we can do whatever we want. I am so happy that we are starting to see more positive images of our people in the media and I am happy that we are starting to see images of ownership in the media. That is where it is, the ownership. That way, you can put out the message you want to put out and not be subjected to the message that is forced upon you."
For more information about TV One's programming, including Ringside and Media , viewers can join the conversation by visiting the network's companion website at www.tvone.tv. TV One viewers can also join the conversation by connecting via social media on Twitter,Instagram and Facebook (@tvonetv) using the hashtags #REPRESENT, #Ringside and #Media and catch clips and promos on TV One's YouTube Channel.