Tj Holmes' Don't Sleep: A Show To Keep You Up

Former CNN news anchor and correspondent T.J. Holmes hosts the late-night talk show Don't Sleep!. The show, which premiered in 2012, airs from Monday to Thursday and features a combination of Holmes' commentary on issues important to Black Americans, as well as input from in-studio and on-location correspondents who provide additional perspectives, humour, and commentary on a variety of topics.

T.J. Holmes' background

Loutelious "T. J." Holmes Jr. is an American journalist and national television personality. He was born on August 19, 1977, in West Memphis, Arkansas, and is the younger of two children. He attended the University of Arkansas, where he earned a degree in broadcast journalism.

Holmes started his television career at KSNF Channel 16 in Joplin, Missouri, where he worked as a producer, assignment reporter, and weekend anchor. After less than a year at KSNF, he moved back to his home state of Arkansas in 2000 to join CBS affiliate KTHV in Little Rock as a general assignment reporter. Within a year, he was promoted to weekend anchor.

In 2003, Holmes joined KNTV, the NBC O&O station in the San Francisco Bay Area, as anchor of the 5 p.m. evening news. During his time at KNTV, he covered several significant stories, including the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece, the historic recall election of California Gov. Gray Davis, and the double murder trial of Scott Peterson.

Holmes joined CNN as a news anchor and correspondent in October 2006. During his five years at the network, he anchored "CNN Saturday & Sunday Morning" and reported on numerous breaking news events, including the Joplin, Missouri tornadoes, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in New Orleans, and the shootings at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. He also covered major international news stories, such as Saddam Hussein's execution in 2006, the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, India, in 2008, and the terrorist attacks at the Glasgow Airport in 2007.

In December 2011, Holmes signed a multi-platform deal with BET Networks, which included a new show called "Don't Sleep." The show, which premiered in October 2012, featured Holmes delivering smart, biting social commentary on issues important to the black community. Despite the show's success, BET cancelled "Don't Sleep" in March 2013, and Holmes parted ways with the network.

Since then, Holmes has worked for various networks, including MSNBC and ABC News, contributing to programs such as "America This Morning" and "World News Now." He has also been recognised for his community service and journalism, being named to The Grio's "100 List of History Makers" and The Root's "100 List of Influential African Americans."

Late-night series format

The late-night talk show format is characterised by humorous monologues about the day's news, guest interviews, comedy sketches, and musical performances. The host's personality is a key component of the show's success, with spontaneous conversations creating an effect of immediacy and intimacy as if the host were speaking directly to each member of the watching audience.

Late-night talk shows typically air from 11:00 pm to 2:00 am, with the "Big Three" television networks (ABC, NBC, and CBS) beginning their programming at or shortly before 11:35 pm ET/PT. The format was popularised by Johnny Carson and Ed McMahon with "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" on NBC. The show included an opening monologue, celebrity interviews, audience participation, comedy bits, and musical performances, setting the standard for future late-night shows.

The host usually conducts interviews from behind a desk, while the guest is seated on a couch. Many shows also feature a house band that performs cover songs during commercial breaks and occasionally backs up guest artists.

While the format is widely viewed in the United States, it is not as prominent in other parts of the world. Shows that loosely follow the format air in other countries but typically air weekly instead of nightly and are broadcast during prime time slots.

"Don't Sleep! Hosted by T.J. Holmes" is a late-night series that airs on Mondays through Thursdays. The show presents a combination of commentary from Holmes on issues important to Black Americans, with in-studio and on-location correspondents providing additional perspectives, humour, and commentary on a wide range of topics. Holmes also reviews headlines affecting the Black community and spotlights stories that the mainstream media tends to ignore.

Commentary on issues important to Black Americans

"Don't Sleep!", hosted by T.J. Holmes, is a late-night series that aired on BET from Monday to Thursday at 11 p.m. ET/PT. The show focused on delivering smart and biting social commentary on significant issues important to Black Americans.

Holmes, an award-winning journalist and respected television personality, provided insightful perspectives on topics relevant to the Black community. He reviewed headlines that affected Black Americans and brought attention to stories that were often overlooked by mainstream media. The show aimed to keep Black America engaged, awake, and informed.

In addition to Holmes' commentary, "Don't Sleep!" featured a team of in-studio and on-location correspondents who injected humour and offered diverse perspectives on a wide range of topics. The show's format encouraged lively discussions and provided a platform for voices that might not otherwise be heard.

Prior to "Don't Sleep!", Holmes worked as a weekend anchor for CNN, covering breaking news and significant events such as the 2004 Olympics in Athens, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, and the first presidential debate between Senators John McCain and Barack Obama. Holmes' experience as a journalist and his commitment to telling stories that mattered to the Black community made him an ideal host for "Don't Sleep!".

The show premiered on October 1, 2012, and ran until its cancellation in 2013. During its run, "Don't Sleep!" provided a much-needed platform for discussions on issues affecting Black Americans and contributed to a more informed and engaged Black community.

In-studio and on-location correspondents

"Don't Sleep!", hosted by T.J. Holmes, is a late-night series that airs four nights a week, from Monday to Thursday. The show is centred around issues that are important to the Black community, with Holmes providing commentary on headlines that affect Black Americans and highlighting stories that are often ignored by mainstream media.

The show features a variety of in-studio and on-location correspondents who offer diverse perspectives, humour, and commentary on a wide range of topics. These correspondents play a crucial role in engaging and connecting with the audience, ensuring that "Don't Sleep!" remains true to its mission of keeping Black America informed and aware.

The in-studio correspondents bring their unique insights and expertise to the studio, engaging in discussions with Holmes and each other. They might include journalists, experts, activists, or community leaders who have in-depth knowledge of the issues at hand. These correspondents provide analysis, offer opinions, and participate in debates, enriching the conversation with their presence in the studio.

On the other hand, the on-location correspondents bring viewers reports from the ground, providing first-hand accounts and interviews from various locations relevant to the topics being discussed. They might be at a site where a newsworthy event is taking place, conducting street interviews to gauge public opinion, or profiling individuals and communities with stories that deserve attention. By being on-location, these correspondents offer a more immersive and personalised perspective to the audience.

Both the in-studio and on-location correspondents contribute to the dynamic and informative nature of "Don't Sleep!". They ensure that the show covers a wide range of topics, providing a well-rounded perspective on issues that are important to Black Americans. Through their contributions, the correspondents help to create a show that is not only informative but also entertaining, engaging, and relatable to its audience.

By incorporating these diverse voices and viewpoints, "Don't Sleep!" strives to be more than just a late-night talk show. It aims to be a platform that empowers and amplifies the voices of the Black community, addressing the issues that matter most to them.

Headlines affecting the Black community

The show "Don't Sleep!", hosted by T.J. Holmes, is a late-night series that aired from Monday to Thursday on BET. The show focused on issues that are important to Black Americans and the Black community. Holmes, an award-winning journalist, provided insightful and witty commentary on significant topics, ensuring that Black America remained "engaged, awake and in the know".

One of the key features of "Don't Sleep!" was its attention to headlines that affect the Black community, which are often overlooked by mainstream media. By reviewing these headlines, Holmes shone a spotlight on vital stories that deserved attention. The show also included in-studio and on-location correspondents who added their own perspectives, humour, and insights on a range of topics.

Some of the topics that were discussed on the show included current events, politics, and social issues that directly impacted the Black community. For instance, during the premiere episode, Holmes welcomed a set of panelists for the "Sleep Talkers" segment, where they delved into subjects that specifically affect Black individuals.

In addition to his work on "Don't Sleep!", Holmes has had a distinguished career in journalism and television. He has worked with prominent networks such as CNN, MSNBC, and ABC News, covering a range of newsworthy events and contributing to Peabody Award-winning coverage. Holmes is also a member of organisations like the 100 Black Men of Atlanta and the National Association of Black Journalists, demonstrating his commitment to the Black community beyond his work on the show.

Through "Don't Sleep!", T.J. Holmes created a platform that addressed important issues within the Black community, ensuring that these topics received the attention and discussion they deserved.

Frequently asked questions