“Sister Circle,” a panel-style talk show designed for African-American women, premiered this week on TV One and in 12 TEGNA markets.
The show, which debuted Sept. 11, is produced by WATL-TV in Atlanta. The panel consists of reality TV star Quad Webb-Lunceford, sports reporter and TV host Rashan Ali, stand-up comedian Kiana Dancie and “R&B Divas” reality star Syleena Johnson. DJ Q will join the ladies, spinning music and will periodically add a man’s point of view.
Airing weekdays from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., the show reaches 60 percent of U.S. households.
“This is the one and only African-American talk show ever,” said Webb-Lunceford, star of “Married to Medicine.” “We would like to have everyone in radio and TV to really get behind this show. This is not a talk show it’s the first ever (African-American) panel show in history.”
Johnson, a Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, said she wants the show to “transcend race.”
“We hope other races will understand us more,” she said. “All the women are outspoken … have degrees. It will be hard not to like the show.”
“Sister Circle” will focus on African-American women’s relationships, parenting, fitness, personal finances, latest trends, joys and frustrations.
“We’re going to put them in our shoes,” Webb-Lunceford said. “We’re going to interrupt the silence of black women and give women a voice.”
The show will also feature interviews with celebrity guests and opinions from experts on important issues.
“We like to dress up,” Johnson said with a laugh. “[But] we need more from black women. I am excited to show we can work together.”
Helen Swenson has been named senior executive producer and showrunner for “Sister Circle.” In her 30 years in entertainment, Swenson as served as senior vice president of The Weather Channel and created and developed “Wake Up With Al” featuring Al Roker.
For more information, go to www.TVOne.tv or www.TEGNA.com.
Eunice Moseley has an estimated weekly readership of over 1/4 million with The Pulse of Entertainment. She is also a public relations strategist and business management consultant at Freelance Associates and is promotions director (at-large) for The Baltimore Times.
