AJ and Free Refused Short Term Offers

AJ and Free's abrupt exit from BET's 106 & Park was a disappointment to some, not necessarily because they were leaving, but because they didn't make a real show of it and because Free literally phoned in her final act.

Though insiders apparently knew something was up, AJ Calloway spoke with the AP's David Bauder and revealed more details of what was happening behind the scenes. Basically AJ was offered a short term contract to continue with the understanding that he was out the door, though BET's executive vice president for music and entertainment programming Stephen Hill said that AJ was never told he wasn't wanted.

AJ stated that, "If you're trying to aggressively keep someone, you don't offer them a month-to-month contract." I guess they just didn't want to put a happy face on things and decided to split. Perhaps Free just couldn't stand to appear again after they chose to surprise the network with their decision to leave, knowing it was all over.

And, really, when you know you're on your way out, such a pre-emptive strike is about the only power move available. Believe me, there's nothing like telling the boss "I quit" when you know he's about to say "You're fired."

Fans have been phoning and emailing BET to express their disappointment and some parents have called in as well.

Apparently, during their final appearance, AJ announced that he's starting a restaurant in Brooklyn called Mahogany and that Free would have a website coming soon.

Update: I missed Boondocks on AJ and Free but Trader Mike didn't!

Comments

[Harriet]

I'm dissappointed

[582 DASIP]

I THINK THAT WAS ONE THE CRAZIEST MOVES THAT HAPPEN ON BET. I WAS ALWAYS TOLD IF ISN'T BROKE DON'T TRY TO FIX IT. I THINK THE WRONG PLUMBER WAS CALLED FOR THIS JOB. THE 106 SPIRIT WAS BROKEN AND SOME LOYAL FANS.

[Tee in Atl]

I'm very upset, Free & AJ appeared to have the full package, they represent hip-hop and they was able to be professional at the same time. It seems like BET is making some errors and looking to once again lose to MTV.

[CONNIE THURSTON]

THIS IS AS TYSON WOULD SAY ( LUDACRISS). WHY A NIGGA ALWAYS WANT TO CHANGE SOMETHING WHEN THEY GET A LITTLE POWER. "BOOM", DID I SCARE YOU, CAUSE YOU SCARED AJ AND FREE OFF THE FU%^ING AIR.

[Clyde Smith]

You know, there's been a really strong response to this news from 106 & Park fans. Though I didn't watch the show very often, I can see it meant a lot to folks. For my part, I've noticed that BET's website has become less and less useful for keeping up with topics that interest me, especially hip hop. Plus, Boondocks is always on their case!

I think it's weird that MTV has done a much better job, at least on their website, of covering hip hop news. And all the responses I've seen to AJ and Free leaving make it look like BET's upsetting the more devoted members of their audience.

I'll have to start paying more attention to BET as a business because one big slip usually leads to another and this certainly wasn't the first.

[Felicia]

I don't believe that there will ever be greater hosts for this show. The real reason the show was so successful was that these two (A.J. and Free) weren't having chemistry. Opposites attract! They are vibrant independent and hilarious personality-wise. Guys were attracted to Free and girls wished they could have A.J. as their man. They created an illusion that was very much real. Jalissa or whatever her name is as one of the new hosts isn't creative or exciting. Big Tigger was the perfect host for Rap City and nothing more. People aren't going to respond to the show or watch it even if they do try to apply something unspecial for every day of the week. The show is a failure to their viewers and their employees. Now is that a show you'd watch!!!

[Yung due]

Julissa Is Dominican By the way!

[Exodus]

Man wen i herd this stuff i got mad as hell. AJ n' Free rocked this show. I've been wit it since it started. Now i dunno who da hells hostin it, they started wit tigga (A TRULY GREAT HOST) and julissa(meh). Den da gy tryna replace tigga on rapcity is wit julissa hostin. NOW DEY FRIGGIN GOT J BOOG (former b2k member) AND TEAIIRA MARI(no complaints at all) hostin. This is bizzare and BET better chek demselves.

[Kee]

Just a few words...

BET ain't been the same since Robert Johnson sold it to Viacom, plain and simple.

[Edukkkated Consumer]

First off I would like to say that a lot of you need to learn how to spell. Next thing I would like to say is that change is a fact of life. Tigger was not the only host RAP CITY has ever had. There were hosts before he was there and there will be hosts after he is long gone.

MTV and BET are owned by the same company of culture bandits whose ultimate goal is making $$$$$$ at any and all costs. Free and AJ were merely hosts who ultimately had no say in what was said or done on the show. All they did was act out a script submitted to them from upper management. Everything from the videos to the interviews to the cd promtions is carefully calculated and orchestrated. Basically what they were was friendly faces for a company whose main objective is to sell product to the youth.

For all of you who think the show's programming is based on viewers votes well I am afraid that you all are sadly mistaken. The countdown is based on close relationships between VIACOM and the MAJOR RECORD LABELS.

The music business is very evil and it is based on deception. Currently we have a lot of CRAP and TRASH being sold and marketed as culture. Gimmicks and marketing schemes thought up in corporate board rooms for the sake of making profits. Black death and black stereotypes being marketed under the umbrella of entertainment along with hired negro rappers thugging for their corporate bosses.

But the kids have no idea of the evil corporate forces preying upon them. They only know that two very friendly faces they have grown up with for the past few years are gone now and they are very sad.

For all of you little kids out there do not assume that something is hot just because you hear it on the radio 100 times a day and do not assume that something is hot just because a friendly face on television has been paid to brainwash you into thinking that it is. There are forces at work behind the scenes and you have no clue how desperately they want your dollars and your sense.

[Skolar]

The post above is on point, although it doesn't take in account the simple fact that kids these seem to be more about CRUNK and GANGSTA rap rather than GOOD music. At least that's the majority, and of course, the major labels are gonna cater to their taste.

I think it's up to young parents (the 18-34 crowd) to play some Marvin Gaye, Eddie Jefferson, Nas, Freestyle Fellowship and what have you at home, so their youngins can learn what GOOD music is ... as well as Young Jeezy and others. That way the next generation can shape the music industry in the years to come.

[lesa]

i agree with some comments in here free and aj were good hosts on 106 & park and the show will go on eventually but it looks kinda empty in a way without them they did have some kind of chemistry on tv but at the same note they needed some changes for the show. they got to think bigger and better like mtv does

[Jennifer]

I must agree that BET has not been the same since it was sold to Viacom. It is also appauling that Nightly News has been pulled. BET once had at least a few quality programs that broke the monotony of music videos. I remember watching Teen Summit every Saturday when I was in middle school. The Tavis Smiley show was very intersting (cancelled when the station was sold. I don't think that was much of a coincidence). Nightly News was always great--seeing a Black anchorwoman. The bottom line is that BET is owned and operated by the majority. I think it's amusing that we are more outraged that a music video show is having a change of hosts than that BET only plays music. Our race is more than just a bunch of people who like to sing and dance. A station that is targeted towards us, especially our youth, should reflect our diversity and other talents. We need to shift our priorities. Yes, it is a difficult task when we aren't the ones in control, but we need to write-in about quality programming and not about VJs. AJ and Free grew on us all, but our kids need other influences also. The owners will listen if we are loud enough. We are the highest consuming race in the country. They will listen to our dollars.

[monica c]

It is a well known fact that even though AJ and Free were great as host this is not going to change much or shall I say the mind of the viewers. sure they may stop watchin for a while but they will come around because its not like they have so many other options when it comes down to black entertainment I wish the both of them(AJ@Free)the best of luck in whatever their future may lead them to do. I hate to see them go I hope the person(s)whom will be replacing them will be able to live up to the standards that they have set in place butplease realize that the show must go on and go on it will.

[Lil C]

Say I don't know what all yall saying but to me AJ and Free represented 106 to a perfection,And that should have not been messed with.I knew something was up when Aj was literally crying on the last show and to hear him saying shouts out to all stars who have came through but all this sudden when they held a big ass extravaganda for the set changing but, free and aj can't get a farewell show that was bull shit and BET knows it. HOlla at ya boy

[Upset]

It just goes to show that BET is not really all about the people they are just all about the money.

[pito]

change is always good but do it with class not out of the blues they should of let us vote for AJ and FREE ill bett they will still be thear .peace

[Mizz Meow]

To Edukkkated Consumer: PREACH!!! Personally, I say bring back Chris Thomas, Joe Clair and Prince DuJour from Rap City.....bring back Donnie Simpson and Madeline Woods...Tavis Smiley...the original Midnight Soul and Teen Summit..AND not to mention the BET on Jazz restaurant in DC and the Soundstage restaurant in Maryland (*ahhh* reminiscing about the good ol days...). BET's evolution has continued to spiral downward.....someone or another group should start up another national channel that picks up where the old BET left off WITHOUT the influence of these imperialist record labels and corporate america. I bet if all the dissatisfied folks chipped in the money, it would be possible with some talented, creative folks...

[Michelle]

I personally think that 106 & Park is not as good to watch anymore without AJ & Free.I am a fshion "nut" and I enjoyed wathching to see what type of clothing they would wear or the style of Free's shoes. I really think the way that it was handled was wrong. One day, Free wasn't there anymore and AJ, all alone, hosted the last show by himself...he even shed some tears. I had never paid much attention to videos until those 2 came on the scene.

[mindyourown]

u all are slaves to your generation, just because you believe that what you grew up listening to is "good music" doesn't mean that children of today will feel the same way. they are going to grow up preaching to their children about artists of today, just as you are doing about past artists. as for aj and free, if julissa and tigga would have been the first hosts and then got kicked off, you'd be crying about that. do not be surprised.

[blair]

I feel like this everybody loved A.J and Free those two was the reason why,everybody tuned into 106th and park at 5:oo it wasn't about the videos it was about them. Don't get me wrong the videos was hot but they brought that business to the set. The mangers should have gave the audience a chance or say in should they stay or go. But to me personally I don't watch it anymore because it's boring Julissa ain't hitting on anything her speech is slurry her clothes don't match and she is just not Free. There isn't anything wrong with Tigga but I still love A.J. A.J and Free I love you and good luck whereever you guys are.

A very disappointed Fan!

[Tha Loc]

Its very sad to sit back and watch the corporate takeover of what was once BET (BLACK ENTERTAINMENT TELEVISION) okay so all black folks do is sit and watch videos all day? Hell no and as a parent who grew up watching BET I cant even let my 8 year old watch BET these days(BLACK ENTERTAINMENT?) There is nothing educational, no diversity in programming, very few positive black role models unless you think gangsta rappers and video hoes are role models, Im not tryin to knock anyone on their chosen career path but it just dominates and its not what our children need to be regularly exposed to. As for AJ and Free I wish you the best its very sad that you were a pawn in the devils game.

[Natasha]

Some people always expect to hear the worse in anything someone wants to do in life. Free and AJ were great people and they just wanted to take a change at doing something else with there selves, and yes they were very great people, but 106th & park is a great show, and I think who ever hosts it will always be good, reguardless!!!!!

[connie]

To all the peeps that enjoyed watching 106 and park,get over it the show is so much better on Tigger being host alone.Julissa is just a mess she needs fashion sense and speech classes,because my husband family is dominican and believe me when i say this they dont talk like that .I truly think she is retarded.So in closing if you dont want to watch the show with the new hosts then dont but do stop harping on free and a.j they were 2 of the ugliest hosts in hiphop and im glad that they are gone.they were very pretentious.

[crystal]

first of all entertainment is not about the way a host or celebrity looks its about what they produce...if they produce laughter fulfilment and good entertainment, thats all that matters!

[brittany]

i like big tigg and ju ju better than free and aj

[Bryan H]

Create a positive world for our youth, that is all that realy matters. AJ and Free are doing fine. I actually have a couple of events where I will have Free and/or AJ hosting. Take care of you and use your own Brain. Don't be programmed by TV nor Radio.

[BMW]

this is a huge disappointment. What does BET stand for, because the 2 you got on there now is very very WACK. The Black guy try tooo hard, and so FAKE. Second, the other chick is NOT Black. Black people are their biggest haters. I no longer watch the show.

[Trina V.]

I loved Free and A.J. they had become celebrities in their own right. They would have stars excited to sit and chat with THEM. I know the show must go on, but it made a huge mistake with the new host. They would of been better off keeping Tigga and Ju Ju. The new guy, tries to HARD to be HARD. It's so fake he needs to be easy. Yeah, he's cute but you need more then that. The new girl is also pretty, but I dunno.I don't know their names. They just don't pull me in. I watch freestyle friday. That's about it. MTV keeps is hot. BET always copying them. BET was better when they was original and doing they own thang. Good Day....

[SHINEVA]

I LOVED AJ AND FREE I KNOW THIS IS OLD NOW BUT I STILL MISS THEM, I WOULD LOVE FOR THEM TO COME BACK IF NOT TO BET SOMEWHERE ON TELEVISION.WHEREVER THEY GO I WILL FOLLOW THESE ARE TO BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE WITH GREAT HEADS ON THERE SHOULDER I WISH YOU GUY'S THE BEST IF YOU DECIDE CAN EMAIL ME ZYKIA01@YAHOO.COM TO LET ME KNOW YOU GUY'S ARE OK.

[rachelle smith]

You dats waz sum fucked up shit they did 2 them and Stephen when I see u in person im gon fuck u up u stank ass mutha fuckin bitch. Free I love u babi with yo sexy self , wat it do a.j Fuck u Stephen.

[Raven]

i hated when they left the show...i officially boycotted....the new hosts haven't done the show any real justice