Sean Johnson Fills The Screen

By Keith Boykin, in pop culture
Wednesday, December 12 2007, 12:26AM

It's not every day you get to interview the boss, but that's sort of what I'm doing today with my interview of Sean Johnson. Well, Sean isn't really my boss, but he does produce the TV talk show I host on BET J, and he authorizes the paychecks I receive. So please forgive me if I pitch him a softball or two. Don't want to upset the guy who pays me.

I first met Sean at a Black Entertainment and Sports Law conference in Puerto Rico several years ago. He was an entertainment lawyer before he became a big TV producer and network executive. Now Sean is a producer of several shows on BET J and a creator of several other shows. He's the force behind so many different projects that it's hard to name them all. You may not know him by name, but if you've ever watched BET J, you've seen Sean's influence.

INTERVIEW WITH SEAN JOHNSON

Sean Johnson: I like listening and participating in real conversations and I wasn't seeing anything on television that asked the questions that I think people in my age group and other age groups wanted to hear. My Two Cents for the most part does away with political correctness. I did want to make sure that this wasn't an arguefest and I think we've accomplished this.

My Two Cents is where different opinions could be heard in a way that is respectful and encourages people to form their own viewpoints or reexamine viewpoints they already had. I wanted a show that addressed provocative issues in the black community - church, sexuality, skin color, class, finances, [and so on]. I like to think each host on the show has a distinct [point of view] borne from their education, environment, upbringing - when a person knows who they are, their positions take on a realness that I believe a viewer can feel.

Keith Boykin: The new season is on the air now. What should the audience expect this season?

Sean Johnson: Viewers should expect a complete upgrade. We have new graphics, new news packages, new music, a new anthem, the return of best selling author [and] TV and film producer Crystal McCrary Anthony, and guests such as cultural critic Nelson George, fashion expert Beverly Smith, HBO's Felicia "Snoop" Pearson ("The Wire"), R&B group Boys II Men and author Walter Moseley.

We have topics such as "The Mis-Education of the Church," "Black Genocide," "Ghetto Culture," "Black on Black Crime," "Bisexuality," and "Marriage in the 21st Century." And last but not least, the return of my incredible hosts - you, Tony Award winning poet Staceyann Chin, respected journalist [and] reporter Jennifer Lewis-Hall, TV personality Ryan Smith, and prison activist and spoken word artist Bryonn Bain.

Keith Boykin: I know you do programming at BET J and produce several shows. What's your exact role with BET J?

Sean Johnson: I was initially brought in as the Programming Strategist for the network and I was one of the key architects behind the change from BET Jazz (as the network was formerly known) to BET J in 2006. Along with that I have created and executive produced a number of television shows for the network including My Two Cents, Real Life Divas (Crystal McCrary Anthony and Nathan Hale Williams executive produce the series with me), The Best Shorts, Black Stories, Africana, My Model Looks Better Than Your Model, The Turn On and others. My responsibilities include developing show pitches, maintaining the network's relationships in both the film and music communities, staying abreast of trends and developing strategies in television.

Keith Boykin: Prior to BET J, you worked directly with Viacom, which owns BET. What did you do with Viacom before BET?

Sean Johnson: I was the Head of Production and Development for Tempo, MTV's Caribbean channel. I was on the founding team for the network and was with the network from its inception through its launch. Prior to that I had a first-look production deal with MTV - one of the few African Americans ever to have that kind of deal at the network.

Before that I was Vice President of Law and Business Affairs for MTV for almost 9 years. During my time there I oversaw business affairs for the Video Music Awards, Movie Awards and negotiated the deals for some of MTV's biggest hits, including 'The Osbournes,' 'Punk'd,' and 'Pimp My Ride.' It's actually kind of funny because I began my career under Debra Lee (Chairmen and CEO of BET Networks) and Maurita Coley at BET in the legal department, though BET was independent at that time, so when I look back I've really come full circle.

Keith Boykin: For people who don't know, tell us what BET J is and how it came about from the old BET Jazz?

Sean Johnson: BET J is the adult complement to BET. In a way it's what VH1 was to MTV originally. In 2005, BET decided to focus on a younger demo 18-34 and there was an opportunity for an older network. While TVOne targets adult African Americans it's programming generally tended to skew older and there was a space for a network such as BET J to jump in.

Keith Boykin: Do you still hear people calling it BET Jazz, and what do you say to them if they do?

Sean Johnson: I tell them its BET J. That the network has evolved, though there is still jazz on the channel and probably more jazz than you can find on any US network out there right now. Jazz is a limited audience though and in order for the network to survive it had to change. I say think of the 'J' as standing for 'Journey.'

Keith Boykin: So what makes BET J different from BET is the age range?

Sean Johnson: Yes, it's older, the programming is created and targeted to a grown audience, and so, for the regular viewer the network has a distinctly different style and feel to it.

Keith Boykin: Now you already mentioned that I'm one of the hosts of My Two Cents along with Staceyann Chin. Was there any resistance to casting a new show with two openly gay hosts?

Sean Johnson: I was given a lot of leeway in choosing the hosts of My Two Cents. This was a wonderful opportunity to be bold and forward thinking. I wanted hosts who had a point of view and something to say. It may sound weird but I think people can really relate and 'feel' the show. I want viewers to relate to my hosts, and as African Americans we are all different, and it was extremely important to me to bring everyone to the table because every viewpoint has value, and to really get to the best community solution you have to start by accepting that fact.

I also didn't hire anyone just because of their orientation. I hired you because you're smart, thorough, opinionated and progressive. The fact that you can at times either educate viewers on or advocate on behalf of gay issues in a way they our viewers can understand and relate to is a bonus.

Keith Boykin: I know you're also a producer of the new movie Dirty Laundry. How did you get involved with that?

Sean Johnson: Nathan [Hale Williams] sent me the first draft of the script Maurice Jamal drafted and I was hooked. I was involved from the beginning and at that time I still had my first-look deal at MTV so I set up meetings throughout the Viacom family and assisted in getting things moving from the very beginning, office space, set locations, script notes, anything I could do, I did.

It's an extremely important story that people need to see. I think most African Americans can see themselves and their families in these characters. It's a study on how we relate to each other and it's important. One of my missions is to make sure all of our stories as African Americans are told. On BET J, I have the opportunity to do that through three of my shows 'The Best Shorts' (short films), 'Black Stories' (documentaries) and Africana (African films). This season on The Best Shorts we had themed shows including an LGBT themed show. I would also be remiss if I didn't shout out Ralph Scott who executive produces these series with me and is a tireless advocate for independent filmmakers.

Keith Boykin: Wow. That's great to hear about the LGBT-themed show. So whose responsibility is it to create more images of black LGBT people in TV and film? Is it the networks, the studios, the producers, the writers, the audience? Or is it everyone's responsibility?

Sean Johnson: It's everyone's responsibility. Of course, the more successful you're been, sometimes the more weight your voice carries, but I think it's up to all of us to make the change we want to see. I like to think my shows carry a running theme - they show black folks in all of our colors, persuasions and orientations.

One thing I love about The Best Shorts is we themed black horror films and black sci fi films - who would of thought? We are not just ghetto or bourgeois... we're conflicted, we're heroic, we're tainted, we're noble - that's what I want to see. That's what the majority culture gets to see of themselves everyday.

Keith Boykin: How do black people get to see more of these images in the media?

Sean Johnson: Wow - It takes people in power to say I haven't seen this before but go ahead. It takes strength and courage and fortitude and an ignorance of the bottom line in the short term. In a way it's circular - black folks go see the films that are made within the box [and] studios/networks continue to make films in that box. Even the network series that have been black are ofttimes (not all the time) either sitcoms with little substance or traditional black family drama. There's no 'Dirty Sexy Money' or 'Pushing Up Daisies' - nothing that hits you like - 'Wow, I've never seen that sh*t before.' I remember when '24' first started, people were like 'What is this sh*t.' but Fox stuck with it and look what happened.

Keith Boykin: You're a lawyer and you've practiced entertainment law before you became a producer. What made you decide to make the leap from law to TV? And how did you do it?

Sean Johnson: I always wanted to be an entertainment lawyer and one of the great things about bring a production attorney at MTV was that you're really in the production grind - on location, reviewing scripts, making last minute calls. You're the network's eyes and ears to a certain extent in terms of legal risk. It's this exposure that made me want to move to creative side and see my vision flushed out. I had ideas and treatments and stories that I wanted to see told.

As far as making the leap, I have to thank MTV. As a long time employee, I had told the chairman of the network and the president of programming that I wanted to be on the creative side. My boss, the general counsel, was supportive as well. I ended up selling a show to VH1 and (this is a quick summary) was given the chance to prove that I could do it. I like to think I'm still viewed by MTV as an example of someone wanting to move from the corporate side to the creative side.

Keith Boykin: Where did you grow up?

Sean Johnson: Southern California, South Bay. The suburbs. Mostly white, very few blacks.

Keith Boykin: How did that kind of family upbringing affect your determination to be who you are today?

Sean Johnson: My parents and grandparents have always believed in me. Always told me I could [achieve] even if they thought I was crazy. I was the constant overachiever. It wasn't until some very important people in my life passed away that I stopped thinking about career and started thinking about happiness. That's what led to my changing careers. And yes, my parents thought I was completely crazy.

Keith Boykin: Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?

Sean Johnson: Hopefully very happy and successful. Working on movie and television projects that are my passion, working with friends that are like family, and helping leave a legacy that my family (Momma and 'dem) will be proud of.

Keith Boykin: I'm sure your mama's proud of you. So what advice would you offer to others who want to follow in your footsteps?

Sean Johnson: Be persistent. Be resilient. Know most things don't happen overnight. Have an agenda or you'll be part of someone else's. Plan for your success - luck is when opportunity meets preparation. Respect your elders and find mentors that see a little of themselves in you. Remember integrity is like virginity.

Keith Boykin: I never heard that one before. Where are you getting all these sayings? Are you sitting there reading a quote book or something?

Sean Johnson: Here's some more. Sometimes opinions are just that..opinions [and like assholes everyone has one]. Find a few good friends who support your goals and whose shoulders you can cry on. Work to be happy - because sometimes it takes work. Carpe Diem [Seize the day]. I could go on but that's enough.

Keith Boykin: Yes, that's enough. [Laughter] Thanks for doing the interview Sean. And I look forward to seeing more of your projects.

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