Award-winning journalist Marc Lamont Hill. Photo courtesy of VH1.com.
Cable network VH1 is trying its hand in the world of late-night television.
The Viacom-owned network announced Wednesday that scholar and CNN commentator Marc Lamont Hill will host its new late-night talk show series, “VH1 Live!.” The award-winning journalist is no stranger to the Viacom family, as he starred as host of BET News.
“Hill, one of the nation’s leading voices on culture, sports and politics, infuses his opinions with equal parts unfiltered wit and raw street savvy,” the network said in a statement. “With the audience and social media playing a major role in the conversation, Hill will dish on pop culture with some of VH1’s biggest stars to get exclusive, behind-the-scenes buzz from VH1’s top rated shows.”
Per the Hollywood Reporter, Hill will anchor the weekly series, which premieres Sunday, July 17 at 10 p.m.
Television company Embassy Row will produce the show, alongside Vh1 reality overseer Nina L. Diaz, Trevor Rose, Jen McGovern and Tolani Holmes, the VH1 news release states. Embassy Row is known for producing other popular late-night talk shows, such as AMC’s “The Talking Dead” and Bravo’s “Watch What Happens Live” with Andy Cohen.
As of late, VH1 has boasted huge success, airing nine of the top 20 reality shows among viewers ages 18-34 and 18-49, according to the Hollywood Reporter. A separate talk show starring model Amber Rose is among the cable network’s latest additions. A revival of “America’s Next Top Model” and “a straight-to-series order based on Star Jones’ saga at The View,” are also in the works, the news site reports.
Aside from his prominent hosting stints on BET and HuffPost Live, Hill has taught urban education and American studies courses at Temple University, Columbia University’s Teachers College and Morehouse College, according to Color Lines. He has also worked with organizations dedicated to youth advocacy, death penalty abolition, and drug informant policy reform.
“VH1 Live!” could find success in the realm of late-night television, which other cable networks have struggled to break into.
