As progressive as society seems to be becoming with its acceptance of other lifestyles and gay marriage, there are still some places in our country that refuse to roll with the times or accepting changing societal norms. Thus, we are not surprised to hear that the state of Alabama has refused to air Arthur’s 22nd Season Premiere which would feature one its main characters, Mr. Ratburn, not only coming out, but marrying another man in a same-sex wedding! Alabama Public Television states it has no plans to air the episode at all.

via NBCNews.com

Alabama Public Television chose not to air PBS’ recent “Arthur” episode that featured a same-sex marriage.

During the animated series’ 22nd season premiere, titled “Mr. Ratburn and the Special Someone,” Arthur’s third-grade teacher, Mr. Ratburn, marries Patrick, a chocolatier, at a wedding attended by his students, Arthur, Francine, Buster and Muffy. It aired May 13.

Mike McKenzie, director of programming at APT, told NBC News on Monday that PBS sent a message to stations in mid-April alerting them “to possible viewer concerns about the content of the program.” After he and others at APT viewed the episode, they decided not to broadcast it and showed a re-run instead.

McKenzie said the network has no plans to air it.

McKenzie also said if they aired it, APT would take away the choice of parents who felt it was inappropriate for their children.

“The vast majority of parents will not have heard about the content, whether they agree with it or not,” he said. “Because of this, we felt it would be a violation of trust to broadcast the episode.”

“Arthur” debuted in 1996 and follows the adventures of its title character, his friends and family.

In 2005, APT pulled an episode of “Arthur” in which the character Buster visited a girl who had two mothers, according to AL.com.

“’Our feeling is that we basically have a trust with parents about our programming,” then-executive director Allan Pizzato said at the time. “This program doesn’t fit into that.”

Alabama has made a lot of controversial and conservative decisions as of late. As you may already know the state passed one of the most restrictive abortion bans in modern history just two weeks ago. “Sweet Home Alabama” just seems pretty archaic nowadays.

It seems “Real Tea” has been spilled as the cast of Bravo’s hit reality series, The Real Housewives of Atlanta’s salaries have been revealed! The new information on their seasonal compensation for their antics–as some might say–reveals Kandi Buruss and NOT Nene Leakes is the highest paid Atlanta housewife! The salary information for upcoming 12th season of the series for the other ladies is quite telling as well!

via Love B. Scott

Highly-connected sources tell lovebscott.com that the payouts for season 12 of ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta’ may surprise you.

Newbie Shamari DeVoe, who was demoted from official housewife to ‘friend of the show,’ is set to take home $20k for the upcoming season.

Eva Marcille, who will keep her peach, was paid under $100,000 last season and will see a small pay bump for season 12.

Cynthia Bailey is set to take home around $1.25 million.

New mom Porsha Williams is said to be making around $1.3 million.

For all of Marlo Hampton‘s mess, sources tell us that she’s still making less than $100,000 for her appearances this season.

Tanya Sam is is being paid on a day rate. Her money depends on the days she’s available to film.

NeNe Leakes made $100,000 PER EPISODE last season — bringing her season salary to $2.3 million. It’s expected that she’ll be making just a bit more this season.

Contrary to popular belief, we’ve also been told that Kandi Burruss is actually the highest-paid housewife of the Atlanta franchise and will be making just a little over what NeNe is taking home.

Kenya Moore‘s pay rate was just below NeNe and Kandi’s at the time of her departure, however sources tell us that Bravo wants to give her a substantial pay cut to return. They’re still ‘far off’ from coming to a deal.

We had no idea Shamari and Tanya would be paid so little for the upcoming season. Maybe the former can do something to get her peach back, it is not impossible. Porsha was temporarily demoted to a “friend of the housewives” after her fight with Kenya Moore.

Fox has canceled six Black-led television series; REL, The Cool Kids, Lethal Weapon, Proven Innocent, Star, and now Empire, issues of diversity and racism are now swarming. Fox’s CEO, Charlie Collier, is addressing the issues, stating that diversity and inclusion are still a priority at the network. He also plans to make Empire’s  series finale a television event, but states there are no plans to bring Jussie Smollett back. Smollett’s character, “Jamal Lyon,” is one of the few openly Black Gay characters on network television.

via Deadline & The Grapevine

Charlie Collier, Fox CEO

Deadline reports that after five seasons of twists, turns and trysts, the Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson-led series will be bowing out after its upcoming sixth season.

“We are turning the final season into a large TV event, we are trying to go out guns a blazing,” Fox CEO Charlie Collier said of what will be Empire’s final season. “You allow fans to lean in and have the ending they deserve.”

And no, Fox has no plans whatsoever to involve embattled actor Jussie Smollett in any future episodes as the show rides off into the sunset. But thanks for asking.

“There’s an option to have Jussie in the series but we have no plans for that,” he said. Which sounds a lot like when you break up with your girlfriend, but aren’t quite ready to post memes about inner strength and moving on on Instagram.

Empire serves as the latest show on the network to get the axe. But more specifically, it’s the latest featuring a black lead.

This announcement of Empire’s demise comes on the heels of Fox pulling the plug on the Damon Wayans helmed-Lethal Weapon, Lil’ Rel Howery’s Rel, Russell Hornsby’s Proven Innocent, Lee Daniels’ Star and David Alan Grier’s The Cool Kids, denoting a troubling trend at the network.

But Collier insists that unlike other rival networks, diversity will remain a priority at Fox.

“The diversity of Fox is an issue that is so important and an ongoing effort for us to make sure we’re best in class. As I was looking at Fox and joining, what’s remarkable is that the history of this company and what it’s done in terms of diversity,” Collier said. “If you look across our slate in terms of scripted and unscripted and sports, we really are doing a good job but the job never stops. The effort continues, it never stops.”

We are also wondering what diversity looks like for Fox in the future, especially with Disney and the former’s merger. Black television series are often used to boost numbers on networks in distress, but in turn are often the first canceled. Interestingly, the rumor mill is churning and states there may be an Empire spin-off based on Gabourney Sidibe and Nicole Ari Parker’s characters. We will keep you posted.