TV One recently announced changes to its first quarter 2013 primetime lineup. Those changes are new episodes of returning series, with some moving to new nights. Most notably, there will be new episodes of the documentary series “Unsung,” the S. Epatha Merkerson-hosted “Find Our Missing” and the premiere of a new, scripted series in “Belle.”
Season six of “Unsung,” the series that focuses on successful artists whose contributions still go unrecognized, returns this season on Wednesday, Jan. 23, at 10 p.m. with new episodes featuring Isaac Hayes, Midnight Star, EPMD, Lou Rawls, Eddie Kendricks, the Whispers, Mint Condition and Johnny Gill. In addition, TV One will air a two-hour “Unsung” special on disco music with commentary from Gloria Gaynor, Nile Rodgers of Chic, Thelma Houston, the Village People and KC of KC & the Sunshine Band.
Season two of “Find Our Missing,” which focuses on people of color who have disappeared, premiered on Wednesday, Jan. 9, at 9 p.m., but will then move to Monday nights on Jan. 14 at 9 p.m. According to the network, stories from this season include “a Hunter College student last seen leaving New York’s Port Authority, a 19-year-old in Syracuse who disappeared after attending a high school basketball game and the disappearance of Terrance Deon Williams of Naples, Fla., who is the second man to go missing after an encounter with the local sheriff’s deputy.” The episode about the Williams case will feature appearances from writer, director and actor Tyler Perry and National Action Network President the Rev. Al Sharpton.
“TV One strives to provide our audience with diverse content, and we are confident that these changes will allow us to best spotlight our new and returning series,” said TV One Senior Vice President of Program Strategy and Acquisitions Maureen Guthman in a released statement. “As we seek to grow our content base, we will continue to identify and present the most compelling viewing options, providing a robust slate of programming for our viewers each night of the week.”
Along with those two shows comes a new, scripted series titled “Belle,” starring Elise Neal (“The Hughleys”), Emmy Award-winner Keith David (“Crash”), Miguel Nunez (“Juwanna Mann”), Ella Joyce (“Roc”) and Tami Roman (VH1’s “Basketball Wives”). The half-hour series, about a widower who owns and operates his family’s upscale soul food restaurant, will be produced by Emmy Award-winner Ed. Weinberger, who worked on “The Cosby Show” and “Taxi.”