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BET and BET J Shine for Black History Month with an Awe-Inspiring Lineup of Music Specials, Original Shows and New Movie Premieres Every Sunday

Posted on: Thursday, 29 January 2009, 12:51 CST

"THE BET HONORS," Premiere of "A RAISIN IN THE SUN" and a Compelling Nelson Mandela Documentary Are All Featured in February

NEW YORK, Jan. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- BET and BET J will commemorate Black History Month with a stunning lineup of gospel specials, provocative black films and compelling original programming that highlights the astounding accomplishments of African Americans who have paved the way in music, film, and entertainment.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070716/BETNETWORKSLOGO )

Showcasing African-American theatre and cinema, BET will air a new film every Sunday in February. As a part of the new lineup, BET will premiere the gripping film A RAISIN IN THE SUN, starring Sean "Diddy" Combs, Phylicia Rashad and Sanaa Lathan, on Sunday, February 15 at 5:00 p.m.*, and will premiere MANDELA, a thought-provoking documentary of the astonishing story of Nelson Mandela, told in his words on Sunday, February 1 at 3:00 p.m.* Adding to the rich programming is the second annual BET HONORS hosted by Gabrielle Union on Monday, February 9 at 9:00 p.m.*

BET J delivers a lineup of specials and original shows rich in African-American culture and heritage to complement Black History Month. INSIDE BLACK CULTURE will take viewers on an informational and historic journey of New York's famed Evidence Dance Company, the Studio Museum in Harlem and the renowned Abyssinian Baptist Church Mondays at 9:00 p.m.* starting Monday, February 9. THE BEST SHORTS honors Black Hollywood when emerging Black filmmakers make their cinematic mark with provocative short films on Sunday, February 1 from 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.*, and BLACK STORIES portrays African American documentaries of profound stories on Tuesday, February 3 at 8:00 p.m.*

ON BET:

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1

3:00 P.M.* on BET

MANDELA -- This outstanding documentary recounts the astonishing story of Nelson Mandela, told in his own words. Born in South Africa, Mandela's opposition to apartheid led to his 27-year imprisonment. Eventually released from prison, Mandela oversaw South Africa's transition to a genuine democracy and became its first Black president. Featuring Nelson and Winnie Mandela.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1

5:00 P.M.* on BET

THE GOSPEL -- Returning to his father's church after turning his back on God, a young singer makes an unpleasant discovery: His childhood nemesis has a "new vision" for the congregation. This inspiring drama based on the biblical parable of "The Prodigal Son" stars Boris Kodjoe and Idris Elba.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1

7:00 P.M.* on BET

MOTIVES 2 -- Starring Vivica A. Fox and Shemar Moore, this sexy sequel to Motives picks up three years after the steamy thrills of the original with a new web of lies, deceit and murder.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8

3:00 P.M.* on BET

THE JOSEPHINE BAKER STORY -- Catch this inspirational story of the first African American female to star in a major motion picture, to integrate an American concert hall, and to become a world-famous entertainer. Starring Lynn Whitfield and Louis Gossett, Jr.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8

6:00 P.M.* on BET

SOMETHING TO SING ABOUT -- An ex-con with the voice of an angel finds his luck changing when a kindly grandmother who hears him singing one day, takes him in. Soon, he's found God, lands a job and has a chance for his big singing break. Starring Irma P. Hall and Darius McCrary.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9

6:30 P.M.* on BET

DIARY OF A MAD BLACK WOMAN -- Tune in to BET for a mix of comedy and drama in the film Diary of a Mad Black Woman, based on the immensely popular play of the same name written by Tyler Perry. Starring Tyler Perry, Shemar Moore, and Kimberly Elise.

MONDAY FEBRUARY 9

9:00 P.M.* on BET

THE BET HONORS -- Hosted by world renowned actress Gabrielle Union, THE BET HONORS will celebrate legendary songstress Mary J. Blige, groundbreaking filmmaker Tyler Perry, celebrated dancer and choreographer Judith Jamison, businessman, philanthropist and basketball legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson, entrepreneur extraordinaire B. Smith, and the Honorable Congressman James E. Clyburn.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10

8:00 P.M.* on BET

LOVE AND OTHER FOUR-LETTER WORDS -- Workaholic talk show host Stormy La Rue (Tangi Miller) has no time for love. But when her beloved Nana's (Aloma Wright) dying wish is to see her marry, Stormy says she's engaged, news that suddenly restores Nana's health. Desperate to please Nana, Stormy starts planning a phony wedding, a scheme that brings her face to face with the love she's been avoiding. Starring Tangi Miller and Flex Alexander.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15

3:00 P.M.* on BET

TWO CAN PLAY THAT GAME -- Starring Vivica A. Fox and Morris Chestnut, Two Can Play That Game sizzles as a woman scorned plans to get her man back by any means necessary in this winning comedy about players and those who get played.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15

Premiere 5:00 P.M.* on BET

A RAISIN IN THE SUN -- Tune into BET for A Raisin in the Sun, the Emmy- and Golden Globe-nominated adaptation of Lorraine Hansberry's play starring Sean "Diddy" Combs, Phylicia Rashad and Sanaa Lathan. In a Chicago tenement in the 1950s, Lena Younger (Phylicia Rashad) and her children, Walter (Sean Combs) and Beneatha (Sanaa Lathan), each hope and struggle for a better life.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22

3:00 P.M.* on BET

SOUL OF THE GAME -- Starring Blair Underwood and Delroy Lindo, Soul of the Game depicts a story of the Negro Leagues baseball in the period immediately following World War II.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 22

5:00 P.M.* on BET

MALCOLM X -- BET airs this Oscar-nominated drama illuminating the life of civil rights leader Malcolm X following him from his early days as a prison-bound gangster to his conversion to Islam. Starring Denzel Washington.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24

8:00 P.M.* on BET

THE COOKOUT -- An NBA draft pick soon realizes his life is never going to be the same again. In an attempt at normality, he throws an old-fashioned neighborhood barbecue at his new house located in a stuffy white section of town. It's a culture clash just waiting to explode! Starring Queen Latifah and Ja Rule.

ON BET J:

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1

12:00 P.M.* on BET J

THE BEST SHORTS -- Tune in for a 10-hour marathon of emerging Black filmmakers making their cinematic mark with provocative short films.

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 3

8:00 P.M.* on BET J

BLACK STORIES -- Catch BET J's special marathon of BLACK STORIES, a provocative showcase of documentaries depicting African Americans writing, directing and portraying profound characters' experiences through powerful narratives.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 5

11:00 P.M.* on BET J

MINORITY REPORT -- Hosted by popular comedian and BET alum Joe Clair on a hilarious comedy tour around Washington, DC, and featuring a bevy of local funnymen, including Tony Roberts and Rodman.

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9

9:00 P.M.* on BET J

INSIDE BLACK CULTURE -- This special will take viewers on an informational and historic journey of New York's famed Evidence Dance Company, the prestigious Studio Museum in Harlem, and the renowned Abyssinian Baptist Church examined in three special one-hour episodes.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14

1:00 P.M.* on BET J

TOP 20 MOMENTS IN REGGAE -- Infectious island beats and rhythms are celebrated when the most memorable events in reggae are counted down.

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 15

8:00 P.M.* on BET J

CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL -- Special encore presentation featuring veteran host Steve Harvey and performances by Yolanda Adams, Smokie Norful and Mary Mary, to name a few.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19

8:00 P.M.* on BET J

THE BET HONORS -- BET J will air a special encore presentation of THE BET HONORS hosted by Gabrielle Union.

*All times are ET/PT

For up-to-the-minute information, footage and photos about these shows, please visit www.bet.com.

About BET Networks

BET Networks, a division of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is the nation's leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience. The primary BET channel reaches more than 98 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and sub-Saharan Africa. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of businesses extensions: BET.com, a leading Internet destination for Black entertainment, music, culture, and news; BET Digital Networks -- BET J, BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Mobile, which provides ringtones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, which operates BET in the United Kingdom and oversees the extension of BET network programming for global distribution.

SOURCE BET Networks

Source: PR Newswire

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