The Business of Television: Controlling Your Own Creativity

Bentley Kyle Evans began his entertainment career as an actor in feature films such as Robert Townsend’s“Hollywood Shuffle,” “I’m Gonna Get U Sucka” directed by Keenan Ivory Wayans and “House Party.”  He also had several guest starring roles on television shows such as “Family Matters,” “Head of the Class,” “Doogie Howser MD” and a host of pilots.  Evans had an epiphany that maybe behind the scenes was his true calling, so he started writing spec scripts and original pilots.  During this time, he also struck up a friendship with mega-star Martin Lawrence, who was looking to develop a television sitcom. Lawrence read one of Evans’ pilot scripts and immediately arranged for him to write for Lawrence’s upcoming show.

Evans served a five-year tenure at the Fox Network’s smash hit “Martin” starring Martin Lawrence from 1992 to 1997, moving up the ranks from a Staff Writer to Co-Executive Producer/Showrunner in just four seasons.  Evans simultaneously co-wrote Lawrence’s feature film, “A Thin Line Between Love and Hate,” which opened at #1 in the domestic market.  As the “Martin” show ended its fourth season, Evans teamed up with future Oscar winner Jamie Foxx to co-create the hit television sitcom “The Jamie Foxx Show” for the WB Network under an overall production deal, which enabled him to write, produce and direct for the show’s five season run from 1996 to 2000.  He found himself in the unique position of running both shows simultaneously.  Under the age of thirty, Evans became one of the rare individuals running two different shows for two different networks.  Both “Martin” and “The Jamie Foxx Show”exceeded 100 episodes and are currently in syndication in several countries all over the world.

Evans went on to write and produce the short lived, late night talk show “The Orlando Jones Show” for the FX Network.  Shortly after the Jones talk show ended, Evans took a three-year hiatus from the industry.  Upon his re-entry into the business, he wrote a freelance script for the television show “Tyler Perry’s Meet The Browns.”  Evans also directed four episodes of the independently produced sitcom “My Parents, My Sister and Me.”  During that experience, he was inspired to create, write, direct and produce his own independent situation comedy “Love That Girl,” starring former “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” co-star Tatyana Ali.  After producing four episodes of “Love that Girl” outside of the studio system, Evans negotiated his own distribution deal with the partially Comcast-owned TV One Network.  Sixty-five episodes of “Love That Girl” have been produced and are currently running on the TV One Network.  He recently formed a new distribution relationship with the BOUNCE Network, which is the first African-American, over the air network.  The BOUNCE Network debuted ten episodes of his new show “My Crazy Roommate,” and has ordered ten episodes of yet another one of his sitcoms “Family Time” to air in 2014.  Continuing his quest to bring quality scripted programming to television, Evans recently completed four episodes of a new sitcom “In The Cut,” starring Jackee’ Harry and Dorian Wilson.  Stay tuned as Evans makes his next move his best move.

For more info, check out www.bentleykyleevans.com