Essence Atkins Reveals If UPN Didn’t Go Under They Would’ve Continued With Half & Half

Earlier this month, it was announced that Netflix would release The Noel Diary. The Noel Diary is a romantic comedy based on the successful New York novel by Richard Paul Evans, a New York Times bestseller New York Times bestseller novel in 2017. It is one of the few Christmas films to arrive on Netflix this year and seems promising enough to keep the audience engaged.
The romantic comic movie features Justin Harley, Bonnie Bedelia, Barrett Doss, and Treat Williams. This movie was directed by Charles Shyer and co-produced by Margret H. Huddleston, Stephanie Slack, and Ridoyanul Hoq.
The film also star James Remar and Essence Atkins portray Justin Harley’s mom and dad, Bonnie and Bedelia.
Speaking of Essence Atkins, She was recently interviewed by Nick Hamilton of Nite Cast Media at ‘The Merge Awards.’ During the interview, Hamilton asked Atkins how fun it was to star in the early 2000s show Half & Half on UPN.
“So Half and Half was one of my favorite projects. We did 91 episodes in Four Seasons love the show. We would have continued, but as you guys know UPN went under and they kind of got absorbed into what became the CW,” said Atkins.
So. we were cut short, but at the time, I spent more time in my office. I’m sorry that I was not in my office on the stage, which I consider my office my learning office than I ever spent in my dressing room. Just because we always had so much fun with Valerie Pettifords, Telma Hopkins, Chico Benham, and Rachel true Alec Mapa, it was a joy and a pleasure to go to work every day. I never wanted to be in my dressing room, “
She added, “I always wanted to be on stage whether I was in a scene or not in a scene whether I had seen it and we’d rehearsed it five times or ten times it didn’t matter I laughed every time because it was just such a blessing and a joy.”
Landon Buford is an accomplished sports and entertainment journalist based in Richardson, Texas, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA, WNBA, NFL, WWE, MLB, and the entertainment industry. Known for delivering high-impact stories and headline-making interviews, Buford has earned a global audience through content that blends insider access with compelling storytelling.
He previously served as director of editorial and brand communications at PlayersTV, where he helped shape the platform’s editorial voice and brand identity. He is also the founder and editor-in-chief of LandonBuford.com—an independent outlet with more than 1.6 million views and syndication from major platforms including Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated and Yahoo Sports. Buford’s interviews with stars like Gary Payton, Kevin Durant, Mark Cuban and Chris Paul showcase his talent for meaningful, in-depth conversations.
His bylines have appeared in Sports Illustrated, Forbes, Heavy.com, Meta’s Bulletin and One37pm, where he has contributed exclusive interviews, breaking news and cultural insights. At Heavy.com, his work drew more than a million views in just eight months, and at One37pm, it contributed to record-breaking traffic numbers.
His work highlights the intersection of sports, fashion, music, and entrepreneurship—showcasing how athletes and entertainers use their platforms to inspire change, influence trends, and shape culture beyond the game. Landon has interviewed a wide range of figures from the NBA, NFL, and entertainment industries, consistently bringing authentic voices and untold stories to the forefront.
In addition to his journalism, Buford is an entrepreneur and content creator, dedicated to amplifying diverse narratives and driving meaningful conversations across media platforms. His passion for storytelling, culture, and innovation continues to make him a respected voice in the evolving landscape of sports and entertainment media.
