BET renewed Lena Waithe comedy Twenties on Friday, citing its status as the No.1 new comedy series on cable for African-Americans 18-49 and award buzz as reasons for the pickup. In addition, the network revealed that the full first season of the show will be airing on Showtime beginning, Monday, July 6th at 10:00.
The decision comes not long after the merger between Viacom and CBS, which made BET and Showtime sister networks. Showtime already has a working relationship with Waithe due to acclaimed drama The Chi and a long-standing history of supporting queer content, as they’ve been home to the likes of Work in Progress, The L Word and followup The L Word: Generation Q, and Queer as Folk. Additionally, BET has already been re-airing the first two seasons of The Chi in recent weeks, so there’s audience familiarity on both sides.
Originally in development at BET circa 2014 before getting a pilot order from TBS in 2018 and eventually moving back to BET in 2019, Twenties tells the story of aspiring screenwriter Hattie (Jonica T. Gibbs), a queer Black woman attempting to navigate Hollywood alongside best friends Marie (Christina Elmore), a TV studio executive, and yoga teacher Nia (Gabrielle Graham).
It’s part of a scripted slate for the network that includes Tyler Perry entries The Oval and Sistas, as well as basketball soap Games People Play, period drama American Soul, and relationship comedy Boomerang.
You can check out listings for the Showtime Twenties re-air below.
July 6th – “Pilot”
Aspiring screenwriter Hattie finds herself evicted, jobless, and down on her luck before she runs into famed writer and producer Ida B whose show “Cocoa’s Butter” Hattie has shaded on social media.
July 13th – “I’ve Got the World on a String”
Hattie navigates office politics on her first day as a writer’s PA. Meanwhile, Marie gets hassled by her gambling mother, while Nia takes a chance on a date with her yoga client.
July 20th – “Happy Place”
Hattie keeps looking for her “happy place” to write; Marie is put against the only other black executive in her workplace; Nia is doubting her career path.
July 27th – “You Know How I Like It”
Time is against Hattie as she dashes through Hollywood on various assignments from Ida B. Meanwhile, Nia struggles in an audition.
August 3rd – “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing”
An earthquake shakes up the girls’ relationships. Meanwhile, Marie becomes wary of Chuck when a night watching porn together goes awry. And Hattie grows more fond of Ida when she’s tasked with sorting her old manuscripts.
August 10th – “Redemption Song”
Hattie learns a lesson in balancing work and family. Meanwhile, work leads Nia to church to clean up Zac’s mess, and persuade star basketball player, Quintrelle, to sign with the studio.
August 17th – “What Would Todd Do?”
Nia struggles with being given stereotypical Black roles. Marie looks for answers while Hattie attempts to make her voice heard.
August 24th – “Living the Dream”
In a brave move to get Nia a role on Cocoa’s Butter, Hattie is fired from the show. Marie holds a special birthday dinner that takes a turn when an unexpected guest arrives.
