BET’s new sitcom, “Reed Between the Lines,” follows Carla, a psychologist (played by Tracee Ellis Ross, “Girlfriends”), and Alex Reed, an English professor (played by Malcolm-Jamal Warner, “The Cosby Show), as they struggle to balance family, careers and the foibles of everyday living. It’s full of fun, wit and jokes along the way.
“I hope the audience identifies with Carla,” said Ross. “I hope I can represent working women who are faced every day with the tasks of juggling both work and family.”
“We’re excited about the series, which is about an African-American family,” said Warner, “but we’re trying to create a universality that a diverse audience can relate to.”
Warner feels the show is reminiscent of another television family-the Huxtables, in which he played Theo Huxtable, Cliff’s (Bill Cosby) son. “I hope our show has a fraction of the significance and social impact about it that ‘The Cosby Show’ had,” he said.
“It’s been a labor of love for us,” said Loretha Jones, head of programming for BET. “We wanted to bring a modern Black family show to television and they’ve brought their heart and talent to the show. We’ve already done 26 episodes, which is unprecedented.”
The series follows the blended family as Carla and Alex juggle three kids-Carla has twins from a previous marriage and she and Alex have a child-as well as the antics of two zany co-workers played by Anna Maria Horsford and Melissa DeSousa.
In the first episode, Carla is treating Dominique, a female patient (played by Robin Givens) who is battling sex addiction. However, Carla becomes increasingly concerned as Dominique takes more than a passing interest in Alex. Will there be drama between Carla and Dominique? I suggest you tune into “Reed Between the Lines” all season to find out.
By the way, “Reed Between the Lines” debuted Tuesday, Oct. 11 on BET at 10 p.m.