Star Clients: Ben Cory Jones Is Young, Black, Queer And ‘Boomerang’s’ Showrunner

The former ‘Insecure’ writer is leading a writer’s room for the first time. As one of our first customers and continuous supporter we felt it was important to share this awesome story! 

Some excerpts from the interview: 

Last April, the pair were in the back of a car on the way to the GLAAD Media Awards where Waithe was being honored. It’s in these moments, to and from events, Jones said, that the friends of 10 years catch up on life what with their busy schedules. They both had heard about BET and Paramount partnering on a reboot of the 1992 Black, classic comedy that starred Eddie Murphy, Robin Givens, and Halle Berry and it came up in conversation.

“She was like, ‘You know BET is gonna do Boomerang. I was like, ‘Yeah, that's interesting.’ And she was like, ‘Should we do it?’ I was like, ‘I don't know. I mean, maybe.' And then she was like, ‘Alright, I'll call BET tomorrow and see what's up,’” recalled Jones. “And If you know anything about Lena, when she says she's gonna call the head of BET, she means she's gonna call the head of BET.”

 

Ironically enough, at the awards that night, Berry presented Waithe her award. When Waithe and Berry exited the stage, Jones says, “in true Lena fashion, she goes back in the green room with Halle Berry and is like, ‘Yo, me and my friend Ben were just talking about doing Boomerang and if we do this, would you do this with us and be an executive producer?’ And Halle Berry that night said ‘Yes.’”

Two days later Waithe and Jones had a meeting at BET where they pitched their version of the show.