BET Hits the Gridiron With New Series SEASON OF THE TIGER
Collegiate Reality Series Set at Grambling State University Debuts on April 27 at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT
BET is set to premiere the network′s original docu-drama SEASON OF THE TIGER, slated for April 27 at 9:30 p.m. ET/PT. BET and DaftFilms created the series around the 225-member award- winning Mighty Tiger Marching Band and championship football team from Grambling State University. In their world, champions are made, not born -- this gripping series highlights the passion, commitments and challenges of the relationships between the students, band members and football team of Grambling State -- and paints a picture of the blood, sweat and tears that go into their daily quest to be great.
While other Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) may brag about their football team or their band, none come close to matching the legacy of Grambling, a small HBCU of 4,500 students founded in 1901. The 12- time Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) champion Tigers, once led by legendary Hall of Fame coach Eddie Robinson and later by Super Bowl MVP XXII quarterback Doug Williams, is the winningest football program in HBCU history. And the band is known the world over.
That storied legacy, along with the plethora of issues affecting three musicians and two athletes, are deftly chronicled in this compelling and riveting series. Over the course of six half-hour episodes, SEASON OF THE TIGER reveals what it takes for the students to overcome all the obstacles and hurdles strewn in their respective paths as they strive for excellence on the field and off.
"I think the passion is very important," says James Dubose, one of the show′s executive producers. "And you get a chance to see these kids outside of their normal element in the classroom. They dream about playing for Grambling State football from high school and being a part of this incredible band."
With practices held as early as 4 a.m. and as late as midnight for players and musicians alike, SEASON OF THE TIGER shows why it takes a special kind of person to endure the physical and mental demands made by Doc, the no-nonsense band director -- and Coach Spears, the unyielding and uncompromising football coach overshadowed by the legends who have come before him.
In the first episode, Doc and Spears are preparing their teams for Grambling′s homecoming-the social event of the season. That means extra practice and extra pain. It′s an especially challenging time for the Tigers′ starting quarterback, who is trying to prove he still ′has it′ coming off last year′s season-ending knee injury.
It′s no cakewalk for some of the musicians either. The female master drill sergeant can′t get any respect, one of the best sax players has been kicked out of school, and a talented freshman is growing impatient over having to watch the band′s performance from the sidelines.
But they endure it all because they want to be part of something great. And in doing so, SEASON OF THE TIGER's cast members have successfully divorced themselves from the stereotypical urban youth who adults often complain want to emulate a bling-rich lifestyle, but are seemingly reluctant to put in the hard work required to achieve it.
"Black kids are often criticized for being low achievers or materialistic," notes Reginald Hudlin, BET President of Entertainment. "But in this show, we see them trying to measure up to the exacting standards of two great Black institutions, Grambling State University football team and marching band."
The cast includes:
Shunnie, the female master drill sergeant of the band who continually has to fight for respect. Her goal is to become the first female drum major in HBCU history.
Eva, a homesick freshman and the only girl on the drumline. Her goal in life is to be a rapper and she′s involved with another member of the drumline on the down low.
Mancell, a white sax player in the band who has been kicked out of school and subsequently the band over a possession bust. His life is the band and his dream is to become a band director.
Bruce, the star quarterback from the ′hood with his eyes on an NFL career. But Bruce is coming off a season-ending knee injury, his father is in jail and his home was destroyed in Hurricane Katrina.
Blue, a junior walk-on running back who also has hopes of making the NFL. He′s the team′s practical joker and is also the father of a newborn who lives with his baby′s mama.
During the series, we watch as Shunnie realizes her dream of recording a single; Eva struggles with academic issues; Mancell faces jail time if he can′t come up with the cash to pay his fine; Blue and his family face eviction; and Bruce is forced to seriously confront his weight issues, having gained 30 pounds while on bed rest recuperating from his injury.
None of the characters come from idyllic backgrounds, but that′s exactly what drives them. Like the movies DRUMLINE and FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, the glory is hard-earned whether it means taking hits on the football field or enduring grueling practice sessions for the band. Come Saturday, the players and the musicians showcase their talents and their passion not only to the local community, but to the world. Despite the hard knocks they′ve faced all week, on game day, they leave it all on the field.
They become somebody.
"They′re both going in for battle every Saturday and they both work hard," says executive producer Jesse Scaccia of Daftfilms, who pitched the project to BET. "Both the band and the football team have times when they′re waking up at four in the morning. Both have times when they stay until midnight. Ask any football player -- they′ll claim right there that the band works just as hard as the football team. There′s dedication on both sides."
Viewers can catch encore telecasts of each week′s episode on Thursdays at 1:30 a.m. (ET/PT), Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. (ET/PT) and Tuesdays at 10 p.m. (ET/PT).
