Veteran TV producer Ed. Weinberger is returning to the small screen next month with TV One’s new sitcom, “Belle’s,” starring Keith David, Elise Neal, Tami Roman, Ella Joyce and Miguel Nunez (who co-created the show and will also executive-produce).
The show centers around William “Big Bill” Cooper (David), who owns and operates his family’s upscale soul-food restaurant with his daughter Jill (Neal) and his sister-in-law (Joyce) — while his other daughter, Loreta (Roman) is described as a “self-absorbed prima donna” who’s trying to decide between a career in the music biz and snaring a rich husband. “Belle’s” will premiere Monday, Jan. 21 (10 p.m.).
Weinberger’s resume includes “Taxi,” “The Cosby Show,” “The Dean Martin Variety Hour,” “Amen” and “Dear John,” among many others.
Meanwhile, S. Epatha Merkerson will be in The Bronx next week to film an episode of TV One’s “Find Our Missing,” which returns for its second season Jan. 9. The show’s stated goal is “to put names and faces to people of color who have disappeared without a trace.” One of the cases will involve the disappearance of a Hunter College student last seen leaving the Port Authority.
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“Mob Wives” stars Karen Gravano, Renee Graziano and Ramona Rizzo will at “Operation Mob Wives Saving Lives,” taking place Dec. 14 at Chelsea Manor (138 West. 25th). It’s sponsored by LaChic Media & JustJenn Productions, with a special performance by Judy Torres.
Meanwhile, another “Mob Wives” star, Drita D’Avanzo, will introduce MHP’s 8-hour Alert Energy supplement this Saturday at the GNC in the Garden State Plaza (Paramus, NJ) from 1 to 3 p.m. She’ll also be publicizing her charity, Single But Not Alone, which provides fundraising for single-parent households; Drita will be giving a single mom-in-need a gift certificate to buy winter clothes and Christmas gifts for her kids.
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Carmen Electra is making the talk show rounds tomorrow — appearing on VH1’s “The Morning Buzz Live,” “The Wendy Williams Show” and “Anderson Live” before heading over to XL Nightclub to premiere her new single, “I Like It Loud” at photographer Mike Ruiz’s benefit birthday party. Proceeds from the party will benefit The Ali Forney Center, which helps LGBT homeless youth and supports them.
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Last, but not least:
* That was wealth manager Michelle Smith and CNBC regular Alexandra Lebenthal welcoming 30 high-powered New Yorkers to their Ladies Poker Night at Maserati of Manhattan (in Tribeca) Monday night. CNBC cameras covered the event . . . “Access Hollywood Live,” hosted by Billy Bush and Kit Hoover, was up 25 percent last month on Ch. 4, here in New York, over its Nov. 2011 numbers.