"Rickey Smiley For Real" Renewed For 3rd Season

New York, N.Y. – July 19, 2016 – TV One today announced the third season renewal of the heartwarming, comedic docu-series Rickey Smiley For Real. The third season will return with even stronger bonds and bigger laughs, as comic and radio personality Rickey Smiley continues to strive to achieve his quest for domination of the entertainment industry. In the second season, which debuted in May, viewers have watched Smiley journey through a wild ride, ranging from his parental style being put to the test to fun family vacations to an epic DJ battle with a friendly-rival morning radio show. Rickey Smiley For Real continues to post double digit gains, and is currently outperforming its first season across all total and key Black demos.

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“The consistent growth of Rickey Smiley For Real demonstrates the strong connection our viewers have with Rickey’s lovable family and laughable team,” said D’Angela Proctor, Head of Original Programming and Production for TV One. “Over two seasons, new and devoted fans have watched as the cast takes great strides in their personal lives and we look forward to watching as the cast exhibits their commitment to the community as well.”

“Although I am happy about the renewal for Season 3 of my show; it’s very difficult for me to celebrate as I sit here and watch the funerals of Philander Castile and Alton Sterling,” remarked Smiley. “I yearn for our country to be solid and to embrace our differences and to understand our differing communities and history. We have too many others in the world trying to destroy what our nation, on the pain and suffering of our own people, has built. I assure you that police violence will be a topic addressed in Season 3 as I feel compelled to use my platform to make change in this country for the good of all our citizens. I’m thankful my show is doing well, but our nation, especially black America, is grieving at this time.”

In the second season finale episode airing Tonight at 8 p.m. ET, Smiley pitches a new show to his team, who are surprised to find out Ebony Steele is involved. The morning show crew hosts a celebrity-bowling tournament with rival Ed Lover Morning Show, for Smiley’s foundation. Malik introduces his siblings to his new girlfriend and Craig gets a counseling session from Spirit.

Infusing his brand of comedy into every situation, Rickey Smiley For Real, also introduces viewers to his four children – sons Brandon and Malik and daughters D’Essence and Aaryn – as well as his extended family of co-workers, colleagues and friends – his nephew Craig, live-in assistant Miss Pat, personal assistant Angie, business consultant Bruce Demps, childhood friend and family lawyer Nikita Blockton, radio co-hosts Da Brat, Gary With Da Tea, Headkrack, Rock T and Juicy, and radio show producers Beyonce and Hollywood.

As a much-loved comedian, television host of Dish Nation, and top-rated nationally syndicated radio personality of The Rickey Smiley Morning Show, Smiley rose to superstardom after igniting his 25-year career serving as opening act for industry titans such as Steve Harvey, George Wallace and Carl Strong. Throughout his career trajectory, Smiley has been one of the industry’s most towering forces in building an impressive empire that has landed him preeminent roles on radio, television, film and on-stage performances.

For more information about Rickey Smiley For Real and Rickey Smiley, visit www.tvone.tv. Viewers can also join the conversation by connecting via social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Periscope (@tvonetv) using the hash tag #RickeySmileyForReal and catch clips and promos on TV One’s YouTube Channel.

Rickey Smiley For Real is produced by Bobbcat Films for TV One with Rickey Smiley and Roger M. Bobb as executive producers and Angi Bones as co-executive producer. For TV One, Lamar Chase is executive-in-charge of production, Robyn Greene Arrington is vice president of original programming and production, and D’Angela Proctor is head of original programming and production.

ABOUT TV ONE:
Launched in January 2004, TV One (www.tvone.tv) serves 57 million households, offering a broad range of real-life and entertainment-focused original programming, classic series, movies and music designed to entertain and inform a diverse audience of adult Black viewers. The network is the exclusive home of News One Now, the only live daily news program targeting Black viewers. In December 2008, the company launched TV One High Def, which now serves 14 million households. TV One is solely owned by Radio One [NASDAQ: ROIA and ROIAK, www.radio-one.com], the largest radio company that primarily targets Black and urban listeners.