| We Got to Do Better | |
|---|---|
 The show's logo from when it was still titled Hot Ghetto Mess. | |
| Also known as | Hot Ghetto Mess |
| Starring | Charlie Murphy |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Jam Donaldson |
| Original release | |
| Network | Black Entertainment Television |
| Release | July 25, 2007 |
| Infobox instructions (only shown in preview) | |
We Got to Do Better, originally titled Hot Ghetto Mess, is an American television series on Black Entertainment Television. The show is based on the cult website hotghettomess.com, which satirizes aspects of the African-American working class. Jam Donaldson, creator of the website and lawyer, is the show's executive producer. Charlie Murphy, known for his role on Chappelle's Show, is the show's host. The show's content has been described as "combin[ing] viewer-submitted home videos and BET-produced man-on-the-street interviews that the channel said are intended to challenge and inspire 'viewers to improve themselves and their communities.'"[1]
Although Donaldson has said of Hotghettomess.com that "My mission with this site is to usher in a new era of self-examination",[2] the site has been described as merely an expansive gallery of the worst of hip hop culture. However, BET programming director Reginald Hudlin insisted that the show was not a direct translation of the website, and the show was billed by BET as a tongue-in-cheek social examination of black culture.[3] The show has experienced controversy due to its negative portrayals of African Americans, causing a name change. Despite the name change, it was reported that at least two sponsors withdrew from the show as a result of the surrounding controversy.
- ^ Elber, Lynn (2007-07-16). "BET exec defends 'Hot Ghetto Mess'". Associated Press. Retrieved 2007-07-28. [dead link]
- ^ Donaldson, Jam. "Hot Ghetto Mess - From the Editor". HotGhettoMess.com. Retrieved 2007-07-28.
- ^ Jenkins, Erin T. "Hot Ghetto Mess: About The Show". BET.com. Archived from the original on 2007-09-29. Retrieved 2007-07-28.