T. J. Holmes: BET Bound

“Simply ecstatic.” CNN Newsroom weekend host Loutelious Ann “T. J.” Holmes indeed had “another gig lined up” before he bid his CNN colleagues adieu, apparently. According to Deadline Hollywood, CNN’s ebony Adonis has inked a “multi-platform” deal with BET Networks: I.e., T. J. will anchor a new television program for BET and “contribute” to its website.

In a BET.com report, Music Programming and Specials Prez Stephen G. Hill declared, “We are simply ecstatic to have T. J. Holmes coming to our fold. He’s been an outstanding news anchor and we look forward to working with him in a variety of ways on BET.” Perhaps, waxing a whit hyperbolic about his prized new catch, Hill elaborated, “It’s now upon us to develop vehicles that capture his intelligence, curiosity about the world, warmth, humor, and compassion. It’s a challenge that we are happy to have.”

T.J, you and your better half should be proud. Congratulations!

H/t J$P.

Where’s T. J. Holmes?

Kiran: Don’t freak out. American Morning interim co-host T. J. Holmes has been gone from his interim post for two full days and his fans are beginning to notice. Even though T. J. did not announce his absence on the air, he did tersely Tweet that he was not going to be on AM this week. And, happily, his co-anchor Kiran Chetry, apparently, revealed why: I.e., he’s out celebrating with his woman.

In a February 18 interview with Mediaite.com about her unannounced absence from AM which caused a “little panic attack” (after a five-day vacation alone with her hubby, not a two-day one as mistakenly reported by the Mediaite.com columnist), Kiran was asked about her relationship with T. J. In answer, she declared, “He’s a newlywed. He’s celebrating his one-year wedding anniversary pretty soon. So, he gonna be away for a while.” Laughing, she added, “And, so, I hope everybody doesn’t freak out because he deserves to have his one-year anniversary as well.”

So, don’t worry, T. J. fans. Your Prince of West Memphis is with his new Princess. For now, his man, Ali “Shady” Velshi, will have to do.

[Author’s aside: According to the Commercial Appeal, T. J. a/k/a Loutelious Holmes, Jr. and Marilee Fiebig obtained their marriage license in a post dated March 2. Earlier, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution had reported that the two would “tie the knot in March in Memphis.]

T. J.’s Secret: Telious Jr.?

“I could tell you but then we’d have to take your camera.” Yesterday American Morning co-host T. J. Holmes seemed somewhat embarrassed when his CNN colleague and personal doctor, Sanjay Gupta, revealed his first name “Loutelious” to the AM audience. In an undated Blip TV “My Urban Report” interview, T. J. had a similar reaction when asked what the “T.J.” stood for and whether it was a secret.”  Breaking into a huge grin, T. J. put his right index finger to his lips, bowed his head and closed his eyes: sounding like a Southern gentleman mafioso, he replied, “I could tell you but we’d have to take your camera….It’s kind of a family nickname. So, yeah.”

As Sanjay indicated, apparently, T. J.’s first name is Loutelious. If the reader distrusts Sanjay (or the author), please consider the following facts. Less than five months ago, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that T. J. and Marilee Fiebag would “tie the knot in March in Memphis: Later, according to the Commercial Appeal (dated March 2, 2010, at midnight), a certain Loutelious Holmes, Jr. and Marilee Fiebig obtained their marriage license. And, for that lingering doubting Thomas, remember, T. J.’s hometown is West Memphis, Arkansas (just across the Mississippi River from the aforementioned Memphis, TN) and T.J. said that his father was the principal of his hometown high school: the principal of West Memphis High School was Loutelious Holmes, Sr.

As to T.J.’s middle name, it is Ann according to Wikipedia (and T.J.-following sites such as the Black Snob and Black America Web appear to confirm that fact).

Pertaining to the “secret” of T.J.’s sobriquet, did Black Snob commenter Karen H. provided the answer? She claimed that she attended college with “Loutelious Ann Holmes, Jr., of West Memphis, Arkansas, [who was] better known as TJ or Telious Jr.” T. J. said that his monikner was a “family nickname.” Sounds like Karen H. may have well nailed it.

Kiran: “Living the Teenage Dream” With TJ

T. J.: “What are you trying to say?” Rowrrr! American Morning co-host Kiran Chetry took her onscreen flirting with interim co-anchor T. J. Holmes to a whole new level on AM this morning. When the show returned from commercial break for its final ten minutes to the lilt of “Teenage Dream,” Katy Perry was heard singing “You and I will be young forever: you make me feel like I’m living a teenage dream the way you turn me on.”* As if on cue, Kiran coquettishly commented, “Katy Perry, you gotta love her: Um, I’m living the teenage dream today sitting here by T.J.”

Uncertain of her meaning, T.J. queried, “You [sic] saying I’m young? What are you trying to say?” Laughing, Kiran answered, “I don’t know. You got to listen to the lyrics to find out.” Chuckling, T. J. concurred, “Okay.”

Later, if recently wed T. J. finally does indeed listen to those lyrics, he may well get more than a little flushed (as he remembers Kiran’s siren tease this morning). Yes, Perry’s pop hit does open rather  innocently, viz., “You think I’m pretty without any make-up on; You think I’m funny when I tell the punch line wrong.” However, Perry’s paean to youthful passion does get steamier with passages such as “I’m a [sic] get your heart racing in my skin-tight jeans; be your teenage dream tonight.” Not to mention, the dirty ditty culminates with the comely chanteuse’s carnal call,” viz., “Let’s go all the way tonight; no regrets, just love; we can dance until we die; you and I, we’ll be young forever.”

Doubtlessly, Kiran’s colorful exchange with T. J. was probably little more than playful, bawdy banter between colleagues–albeit AM‘s Nepalese Aphrodite and CNN’s ebony Adonis. Nevertheless, even if Kiran’s hubby of ten years does not mind the on-camera coquetting, T.J.’s new bride may be less understanding. I.e., if T.J. is not careful, his “‘interim’ period” at AM may be shorter than he had hoped.

*American Morning – 01/20/11 (8:50 a.m. ET)