BET’s Centric TV tries “Keeping up with the Joneses” with new docu-soap

Dear BET and your latest venture with Centric, Please develop more innovative, quality programming. “Keeping up with the Joneses” for real? Doesn’t it so happen to sound like “Keeping up with the Kardashians?” Content-wise, following a magazine and the life of someone in high society Houston? I’m sure Bravo has done something similar, somewhere along the line, for mass audiences. You’re my little engine that could, but it’s been a whole lot of “I think I cans” along the way to the mountaintop. Ok, done venting. Now you may reading their press release. Also, why isn’t there anything coming up on Centric’s website when I do a search on “Keeping up with the Joneses?” I’m keeping hope alive.  By the way, I am for hire.  ~Ifelicious

NEW YORK, March 16, 2010, (PRNewswire)– Media maven Tracey Ferguson is taking it to the next level. Centric, BET’s newest network, is capturing the non-stop drama of the high society world of the beautiful and sassy Editor-in-Chief of Jones magazine (jonesmag.com) in “Keeping up with the Joneses,” premiering Thursday, April 8 at 8:00 P.M. ET. Viewers will be privy to the life of Tracey Ferguson, as she juggles the rigorous demands of taking her successful magazine to the national level and navigating through the complexities of Houston’s high society while trying to meet the needs of her family.

Founded and run by Ferguson, Jones magazine is considered the “It” guide for Houston high society and an upscale magazine catering to African American women. The “Go To” fashion magazine details the very best in fashion, hair, make-up, and parties. With big things blooming at Jones, ever the perfectionist, Tracey’s got high hopes for the future and wants it all both at home and at work.

Viewers can go to CenticTV.com for “Keeping up with Joneses” show information, photos and show clips.

Meet The Cast:

With an impossibly charismatic cast of characters at the helm, what goes on behind the scenes of Jones is even more captivating than what happens between the pages.

Tracey

Recognized as a fashion stalwart in the Houston community, Tracey is the Founder and Editor of Jones Magazine. Under her leadership, Jones has flourished from a wishful concept bantered about during a monthly book club meeting, into a vibrant, influential and beguiling quarterly publication that serves as the authority for discriminating shopping and services. Jones was further honed after exhaustive research led to determining a viable need and opportunity to successfully capture and influence the tastes and behaviors of a powerful, albeit ignored group of women with tremendous discretionary income.

Bryce

With nearly a decade of experience in marketing, public relations, corporate communications, and brand management, Bryce is the Society Editor and VP of Marketing – he’s well dressed, well educated and knows all the movers and shakers in town. He’s also a master at the rituals of the rich: what not to say, what not to do – and all the little rules that help to open the doors of high society. He’s become Tracey’s mentor of sorts, helping to introduce her to the people she needs to know in order to elevate her own social status.

Tamara

Tamara is a one-of-a-kind VP of Ad Sales with over twenty years in the publishing industry – primarily in advertising sales, brand strategy, and marketing. She’s over-the-top drama – all glamour and air kisses — she speaks fluent French, and the very best wine isn’t good enough for her. Forever imposing high expectations on everyone, she automatically asks her dates if they’re sending a town car for her. She’s a real character and a terrible name-dropper, too.

Josh

Josh is Tracey’s 16 year-old son, a typical teenage boy with all of his attention set on maintaining his social life. Tracey wants Josh to focus on his studies, but Josh would rather spend time pursuing a career in music – much to his mom’s chagrin. While Josh definitely has college goals he’s also harboring plans to be a professional singer/songwriter. Josh recently flew to L.A. and met with Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, and others to test the waters.

Kendall

Kendall is Tracey’s 14-year-old, look-alike, drama queen daughter. She is a high-energy budding actress and vocalist with a BIG personality and quirky sense of style. This little lady fully believes she is destined for a life of stardom, and doesn’t let anybody get in the way of her dreams. Kendall has been singing, acting and playing piano since she was 8. She is currently training with other aspiring stars at the very competitive Houston School of Performing Arts.

This eight episode series is produced by Film Garden. Nancy Jacobs Miller and Michelle Van Kempen are Executive Producers for Film Garden. For CENTRIC, Paxton Baker is Executive Producer and General Manager and Essie Chambers serves as Senior Vice President, Original Programming.

About CENTRIC

CENTRIC is a 24-hour music and entertainment channel that reflects the lifestyle and sophistication of today’s African-American and multicultural adult viewer. With a finger on the pulse of an ever-changing beat, its compelling music content fuses Soul, R&B, Neo-Soul, Hip Hop, Reggae, Gospel, Jazz, Old School, New School and everything in between with today’s hottest artists. It is a unique of mix of music, culture and lifestyle programming that embodies the lives, tastes and aspirations of the CENTRIC viewer: All you. All day. All night.

(source: Centric)