Behind the scenes: Jesse Collins’ journey from radio to TV production powerhouse
A whirlwind of events
In less than 24 hours after wrapping up the 76th Emmy Awards, Jesse Collins and his team are already on the move. Their next destination? New Orleans, where they will scout the Superdome for the upcoming Super Bowl LIX halftime show featuring Kendrick Lamar. This marks the first time the artist’s team and Jesse Collins Entertainment will come together for this monumental event.
Dionne Harmon, president of Jesse Collins Entertainment, shares, “It’s our first time with the artist team. We’ve been preparing for a while, but this is the first time Kendrick’s team and us will all come together.” Jeannae Rouzan-Clay, the senior VP of specials, adds, “There’s always something going on!” And she’s right. The team is also gearing up for the BET Hip Hop Awards, which will be held in Las Vegas next month.
A packed schedule
Between now and the Super Bowl on February 9, Collins and his team have a jam-packed schedule. They are working on three holiday specials for NBC and CBS in December, the return of Netflix’s Rhythm + Flow in November, the premiere of We TV’s new reality show Tia Mowry: My Next Act, and the BET Hip Hop Awards in October. Additionally, they are preparing for the January launch of CBS’s revival of Hollywood Squares, in collaboration with Drew Barrymore.
Looking further ahead, Collins has another Grammy Awards ceremony, another BET Awards, and more on the horizon. The strength of his team, including Harmon and Rouzan-Clay, keeps everything running smoothly. “I love to work,” Collins says. “I love to do all this stuff. It’s stressful and hard, but it’s also fun. Producing the Emmys is a dream come true.”
From radio to TV
Collins’ journey began in high school as an intern at a top 40 radio station. He later landed a summer job at New York’s WQHT Hot 97 and his first full-time gig at WKHI in Ocean City, Maryland. His big break came when he joined Washington’s legendary urban CHR WPGC, where he worked the evening shift. “That meant I could go to the club and then back to work,” Collins recalls.
The call that changed everything came from the program director of Los Angeles’ 92.3 The Beat, who recruited Collins to join the hip hop station’s team. He helped host Ruthless Radio with Eazy-E, Julio G, and others. “That was an incredible time,” Collins remembers. “1994, ’95, ’96. When Snoop and Dr. Dre really broke out. Just a wild time in hip hop.”
Transition to TV
Collins’ time on The Beat caught the attention of filmmaker Robert Townsend, who recruited him to serve as a writer on the WB Network sitcom The Parent ‘Hood. “Once I got out here, I started meeting people in the TV and film business, and I knew I wanted to get over into this side some way,” Collins says. “Robert Townsend really took a chance and helped me become a sitcom writer.”
Working on The Parent ‘Hood was like TV boot camp for Collins. “Townsend was great about letting me experience everything,” he says. “We weren’t just locked in the writers’ room. We were on set, involved with casting, and met with directors. I’ll forever be grateful to Robert because he let me see the whole process.”
The live TV bug
Collins also wrote for host Montell Jordan on Townsend’s variety series Motown Live, which led to a meeting with live TV producer John Cossette. Cossette was producing the first-ever BET Awards in 2001, and Collins came in with gusto. “I just said, ‘You should make me a producer on the show.’ He laughed and asked, ‘Why?’ And I said, ‘You’re gonna need Snoop. And I know Snoop.’ He said OK, and Snoop wound up doing the show.”
Cossette, the son of famed Grammys producer Pierre Cossette, became another mentor for Collins. “There’s an energy to live TV,” Collins says. “I love scripted, unscripted, all the things we do. But there’s an adrenaline with live TV. You’re really making the impossible possible.”
Building a legacy
After Cossette’s death in 2011, Collins launched Jesse Collins Entertainment the following year. His roster continued to grow, adding the American Music Awards, the Oscars, and the Golden Globes to the Grammys and multiple BET ceremonies. He received an Emmy nomination for The Light We Carry: Michelle Obama & Oprah Winfrey, and other specials have included CNN’s Juneteenth: A Global Celebration of Freedom, Martin: The Reunion, John Lewis: Celebrating A Hero, Love & Happiness: An Obama Celebration, Leslie Jones: Time Machine, and Rip the Runway.
Collins won an Emmy in 2022 for the Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show. He has had plenty of “pinch me” moments as a producer for some of the biggest spectacles on TV. But he still remembers the opening to the 2016 BET Awards as a particularly magical moment. That year’s show kicked off with Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar performing an epic version of Freedom, with a formation of dancers on a stage filled with water. “I knew that this was going to be a performance to remember,” Collins says.
Final thoughts
Jesse Collins’ journey from radio intern to TV production powerhouse is a testament to his passion, dedication, and relentless drive. His ability to juggle multiple high-profile projects while maintaining a high standard of excellence has made him one of the most sought-after producers in the industry. As he continues to push the boundaries of live and scripted TV, there’s no doubt that Collins will keep delivering unforgettable moments for audiences around the world.# Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl spotlight: A new era for halftime shows
A memorable collaboration
The magic of live performances often lies in the unexpected moments that captivate audiences. One such moment was when Kendrick Lamar and Beyoncé shared the stage, creating an electrifying chemistry that left fans in awe. The way they interacted, dancing and splashing water, showcased a rare connection between artists that is seldom seen. This unforgettable performance set a high bar for future collaborations.
The anticipation for Super Bowl LIX
As we look forward to Super Bowl LIX, all eyes are on Kendrick Lamar, who will be the featured act during the halftime show. While some fans might have hoped for Lil Wayne to take the stage, the decision to go with Lamar has been met with excitement and high expectations. The creative minds behind the show are confident that Lamar will deliver an exceptional performance that will be remembered for years to come.
A winning formula
Lamar’s involvement in the Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show contributed to its success, earning an Emmy for outstanding variety special (live). The show, which paid tribute to hip-hop legends like Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Eminem, and 50 Cent, was a testament to the power of live music and the cultural impact of hip-hop. With Lamar at the helm, the upcoming halftime show promises to be another groundbreaking event.
Expanding horizons
While the team behind the Super Bowl halftime show is busy preparing for the big event, they are also exploring new opportunities. Jesse Collins Entertainment has been involved in a variety of projects, from talk shows like “Yara Shahidi’s Day Off” to children’s programming such as the Daytime Emmy-winning “Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices.” The company is also making strides in the unscripted genre with shows like “Gabrielle Union: My Journey to 50” and “My Killer Body With K. Michelle.”
Venturing into scripted content
Jesse Collins Entertainment is not limiting itself to one genre. The company has produced successful scripted series like “Real Husbands of Hollywood” and music-themed miniseries such as “The New Edition Story” and “The Bobby Brown Story.” Now, they are looking to expand further into scripted content and feature films. The goal is to become a versatile production company, much like Imagine Entertainment, capable of delivering high-quality content across various genres.
Navigating challenges
As the company grows, it faces the usual challenges that come with expansion. Recently, a tough decision had to be made regarding the showrunner of “Hollywood Squares” after an incident involving a bigoted comment. Such situations require careful handling to ensure a comfortable and inclusive workplace environment. Despite these challenges, the team remains optimistic about the future of “Squares” and their collaboration with Barrymore’s Flower Films.
The resurgence of live events
In an era where viewership for awards shows and specials has seen a decline, live events are experiencing a renaissance. Streaming platforms like Netflix are investing in live content, and social media continues to amplify the impact of real-time events. The appeal of live performances lies in their unpredictability and the sense of connection they create. As content creators, the challenge is to deliver engaging and entertaining live experiences that resonate with audiences.
Final thoughts
The world of entertainment is constantly evolving, and the ability to adapt and innovate is crucial. Whether it’s through live performances, scripted series, or feature films, the goal is to create content that captivates and entertains. As we look forward to Kendrick Lamar’s performance at Super Bowl LIX, it’s clear that the future of live entertainment is bright, and the possibilities are endless.
For more information on Kendrick Lamar’s upcoming performance, check out the Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show.
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