BET is getting back into the late-night business, this time via a weekly dating, sex and relationships chat show hosted by Nick Cannon. The star’s video podcast talker “Nick Cannon @ Night” is moving to BET, which Variety has learned will exclusively air the show weekly for 10 episodes starting Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 10 p.m.
The BET version of “Nick Cannon @ Night” is produced by Cannon’s Ncredible Entertainment shingle. Cannon had previously hosted “Nick Cannon @ Night” (also from Ncredible) as a video podcast partnership with Wondery, which ran 31 episodes on both YouTube and Wondery+ (and other podcast platforms) last year starting on July 23. Like those episodes, the BET version will be hosted by Cannon and is described as “a modern late-night conversation series.”
Here’s the logline: “Each episode uses pop culture, current events and personal stories to explore love, dating, relationships, health and modern intimacy as they unfold in everyday life. Audience questions and real-life dilemmas drive the conversation, while doctors and professionals anchor each discussion with informed perspectives and practical advice.”
Guests on the series include Chris “CP” Powell, Natalie Nunn, Skeet Carter, Dondré Whitfield, Tommy Davidson, Flame Monroe and Courtney Bee, as well as experts Dr. Umar Johnson, Dr. Alicia Watkins, Elliot Connie and Dr. Zoe Indigo, among others.
“I’m blending real advice with late-night entertainment,” Cannon said in a statement. “Grown folk conversation where we discuss and receive advice from the experts. Doctors, therapists and scholars guide us through all things pertaining to our culture and mental wellness journeys. Bringing humor and curiosity as we open up the phone lines and DMs exploring questions that people think about privately but rarely discuss out loud! The show has grown to be much more than just a successful podcast, so I am super excited to partner with my BET family to expand the brand by bringing it to their programming.”
Cannon, of course, has been one of the busiest stars on TV in recent years: Besides his staple “Wild ‘N Out” series, he hosts “The Masked Singer” at Fox and makes a guest host appearance on Netflix’s “Wonka’s The Golden Ticket.” He’s also currently touring his 20-city live tour “Nick Cannon Presents: Wild ‘N Out Live: The Next Generation.”
BET has entered the late-night space several times over the years, with shows of various forms including “BET Tonight” with Tavis Smiley and later Ed Gordon (1998-2002), “Oh Drama!” with Kym Whitley, Vanessa Bell Calloway and Mari Morrow (2000-2001), “The Mo’Nique Show” (2009-2011), “Don’t Sleep!” hosted by T.J. Holmes (2012-2013), “The Rundown With Robin Thede” (2017-2018) and “BET’s Mancave” (2018).
“Nick Cannon @ Night” is executive produced by Cannon and Benjamin Sumpter, while Ncredible Entertainment is the producer behind the show.
Here’s a first look: