Brew Quotes: Sheila Johnson

“Don’t even get me started. I don’t watch it. I suggest to my kids [a 20-something daughter and a college-age son] that they don’t watch it… I’m ashamed of it, if you want to know the truth.”
-Sheila Johnson's thoughts on BET, the network she co-founded with former husband Bob Johnson.

Johnson was in New York this week for the Tribeca Film Festival to promote The Other City, a documentary she produced about the AIDS epidemic in Washington, DC. Johnson said BET is making things worse by contributing to the spread of AIDS by promoting promiscuity in its videos.

Hmmmmmm...having a "heart" now, after you've built your riches?

Source

BET Bans A Video?

Well, well, well... looks like BET grew up and got some cojones (allegedly).

Word is the network has banned the new Teairra Mari (feat. Soulja Boy & Gucci Mane) video, "Sponsor," because it teaches girls to get showered with gifts and money by having sexual relations with men.

Teairra's people sent this letter over to The YBF:

I was informed that 106 and Park, a source for African Americans to promote their music, have banned Teairra Mari's song Sponsor and other projects from surfacing on their channel. No one else will report because they don't want to put it on blast. I feel bad for the underdogs because they are not given a fair chance and its even worse when your own kind won't promote you. What's bad about Sponsor that overshadows any work that Lil Wayne, Ludacris, and many others have showcased on BET? Why is it, do you think, that booty shaking and such is allowed but a video by a woman encouraging others to make it is bad. Why is it that Lil Wayne can perform "Every Girl In the World" with his daughter on stage, but women artists have to be "appropriate". I understand if they would at least let Teairra come on the show to explain the concept behind the song. It just seems like a shady business where people who have made it have certain control over those that haven't through shady connections.

Ok, so it does seem like there's a clear double standard going on here, but, where should BET start drawing the line with some morals? Which videos and overall messages should be banned and is this something BET should even do?

What's your call?

UPDATE: Teairra tweeted that her vid has NOT been banned from BET. Interesting turn of events. I find that rumors don't exist in a vacuum...so, stay tuned...

BET Money Ain’t Sure Money?

Word on the curb is BET co-founder and the country’s first black billionaire might need to get Cash4Gold on the horn, STAT.

Sources say Michael Jordan’s purchase of Johnson’s Charlotte Bobcats team is a sign that Johnson’s money is funny. These sources say Johnson is in desperate need of cash. The sale of his NBA team was reportedly sparked by a need for liquidity to fund his other investments. One person close to the situation says Johnson “put up a lot of cash and he’s nearly lost it all.”

Johnson’s fortune was estimated at $400 million but a huge part of that went to his ex-wife, and BET co-founder, Sheila. (Sidebar: Ya’ll know she's now married to the judge who handled their divorce, right? Gangsta move.)

Anyway, Johnson is involved in a number of businesses that require upfront cash (no CODs up in this piece), like hotels and whatnot. So he needs a serious cashflow to stay afloat.

Damn.

Source

Brew Bits: BET Bringing Back “The Game”?

Word on the curb is BET is close to bringing back the CW sitcom, The Game.  BET reportedly has a deal with the show’s parent company to produce new episodes of the show in May. The next step is getting all of the actors on board.

The conflict is with Coby Bell who plays Jason Pitts (the one who was injecting the ‘roids on the show).

He’s signed on for a role on the show Burn Notice, so perhaps he’ll be a recurring character on The Game instead of a cast member... so, stay tuned.

The big question is... are you still interested in watching The Game?

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Will You Watch?: BET’s Rip The Runway

Self-proclaimed Barbie Nicki Minaj will host BET’s Rip The Runway along with co-host, Pooch Hall from The Game. I sure hope Nicki has a translator cuz for the life of me, I don't know what she be taumbout.

Anywho, the show will be taped this Saturday in New York City. It’ll feature performances from Ludacris, Estelle, Janelle Monae and others.

Rip The Runway airs on BET March 15th. So, will you watch?

Will You Watch?: Sade on “106 & Park”

Selling records must be hella hard these days if Sade (theeeeeee Sade) is going on BET’s “106 & Park” of all places, to hawk her latest project, “Soldier of Love” (which drops next week).

Sade will perform on Monday, which will air on Tuesday, February 9th on BET at 6 pm (ET).

Matter of fact… Sade will be errrrywhere next week:
2/09 – Today Show (NBC)
2/09 – 106 & Park (BET)
2/09 – The Late Show with David Letterman (CBS)
2/10 – The View (ABC)
2/15 – The Ellen DeGeneres Show
2/16 – Jimmy Kimmel Live (ABC)
2/20 – The Wanda Sykes Show (appearing in a skit – not performing)

I sure the hell hope those "106 & Park" kids know who Helen Folasade Adu is. Some of them were probably conceived to her music.

So, will you watch?

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Will You Watch?: BET's Haiti Concert

BET is getting in on the Haiti relief effort all late and whatnot.  The network plans to do a concert for Haiti next month, with Diddy, Queen Latifah and Pharrell on deck as hosts. 

The two hour concert/telethon, called "SOS Saving OurSelves — Help for Haiti," will be broadcast live from Miami and it'll mark Chris Brown's first "major" return to TV.

Wyclef Jean, Mary J. Blige, Drake, Robin Thicke, Monica and Lil Wayne are also scheduled to perform. Proceeds from the event will go to Yele Haiti, CARE and other charities.

"SOS Saving OurSelves — Help for Haiti" airs on BET, MTV, VH1 and Centric at 8 pm (ET) on February 5th.

So, will you watch?

Source

Will You Watch?: BET Honors

BET is honoring more Black folks this weekend. And, that's a good thing. But some of the chosen honorees got a *blank stare* from me at first. On January 16^th, BET will honor Whitney Houston, Queen Latifah, Sean "Diddy" Combs, educator Ruth Simmons and neurosurgeon Keith Black. The show will be taped at Washington, DC's Warner Theatre.

BET's president of Music Programming & Specials, Stephen Hill, says "each of our five celebrants are dedicated to reaching back to help bring more forward and represent integrity, perseverance, fortitude and outsized talent."

So, do you agree with this list?

The BET Honors special airs Monday, February 1^st at 9 pm, ET. Dwyane Wade's ball handler Gabrielle Union will host.  Will you watch it? 

Photo: Getty Images

BET Hip-Hop Awards Highlights*

*...and I use that term very, very loosely

Here are the better moments from last night's BET Hip-Hop Awards.  I watch the coonery so you don't have to.  Consider it a public service.

Seriously, why wasn't the whole show just one big cypher?

Will You Watch?: BET Hip Hop Awards

The 2009 BET Hip Hop awards air tonight on the Buffoon Black Entertainment Network.  The show was taped in early October and was hosted by Mike Epps.

Among the performers: Gucci Mane (yawn), Goodie M.O.B and Wale (who, by the way has a smokin' song with John Mayer).

Ice Cube was honored with the “I am Hip-Hop” icon award.

The show kicks off at 8 pm (ET).

So, will you watch?

Brew Politics: BET Co-Founder Hits New Low

The Virginia gubernatorial race is getting ugly, thanks to Sheila Johnson (former wife of BET founder Bob Johnson). Johnson is endorsing Republican Bob McDonnell in the race. While speaking at an event, she mocked the stutter of Democratic candidate Creigh Deeds.

Johnson says: "We need someone who can really communicate. And Bob McDonnell can communicate. The other people that I talk to, especially his o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-opponent... could not articulate what needed to be done."

Take a listen.



What a low blow!

Deeds' spokesman called Johnson's comment a "cheap shot and a new low for this race."

Somebody get Comcast on the phone, STAT. Cancel my BET immejitley.

Brew Bits: Debra Lee Pops Off Son!

Looks like BET CEO Debra Lee is trying to do a little damage control over at the Negrids Network after former BET.com Executive Editor Andreas Hale spit hot Dylan fiyah all over her network. Hale resigned and then wrote his friends a very detail letter that the Brew reported on earlier that basically exposed the Coon Channel for being what respectable black people knew all along, SELL OUTS!

Check the letter you'll see first on THE BREW!

Hi everyone,


I wanted to thank so many of you who have reached out to me directly with your concerns about the recent media coverage surrounding an individual who has left the company. Let me first say, that we respect the privacy and confidentiality of every employee at this company, even when they do not show the same respect to the company or their colleagues. That said, I wanted to address your concerns directly.



Clearly, the opinions of one disgruntled former employee who had to be let go, does not represent the great work and positive values of the vast majority of BET and its employees.



While we still have much work to do across the company, I am so proud of all of you and the work that you do everyday. Please continue to let me know when issues arise so that we can address them as swiftly as possible.



Thank you for your hard work and continued dedication to BET Networks.



Debi

I like the informal closing...Debi. Uh, Debi can you do better?

BET Sucks Monkey Balls!....... Well Duh!

Andreas Hale, now the former executive editor of music at BET.com, was canned by the company recently and he has lots to say about his former employer. Not in a angry black man sorta way, more like he's purging poison from his body. He confirms all that we already knew, BET has very little interest in the black community. If their programming wasn't enough proof of that then read a little of what Andreas has to say....... long but interesting:

Upon entering the position at BET I said that I needed one year to see what really went on inside the belly of the beast. I needed 365 days to sleep with the enemy and infiltrate the system. One year to see if they REALLY wanted change at BET.

As someone who has been critical of BET for many years, it surprised many that I would leave my post at HipHopDX last year to take a position at BET. But it was an opportunity I absolutely had to take. I could no longer be critical of this company without accepting the opportunity to change it when given. Although I was hired to bring about change, I was systematically shut down. I wasn't hired to make noise, I was hired to be silenced.

The truth of the matter is that everything that you thought was wrong with BET is true.

Over the past year I've seen a lot to reinforce my position that BET is too far gone in the negative to turn into a positive. We have all always thought the worst, but to actually see it in action is another thing in its entirety. The unprofessionalism, the tom foolery, the favors, the misappropriation of resources, the bad ideas that reinforce negative stereotypes, the emasculation of men, the meetings that break down in full fledged cursing battles, the unpaid overtime, the tears from employees scared for their underpaid and overworked positions and ultimately the unwillingness to change are all harsh realities that I've witnessed firsthand.

That is not to say that there aren't some good people who have sat in the offices of BET. Unfortunately, the good people are not in positions of power to instill any change. Instead, they work their fingers to the bone just to keep their jobs in this harsh economic climate. The other good people ran out of the door as soon as an another employment opportunity presented itself. To say BET was a revolving door would be an understatement.

I came in with a plan to provide balance and to deliver good music to the masses and help make BET relevant again - at least in the dot com world. Those attempts were shut down by out of touch executives who run a dot com but could barely turn on a computer. By those who judge their metrics by page views over absolute unique visitors (that‘s ad sales talk). By those who simply don't understand the internet.

They brought me in because of my track record but never once took a look at my body of work. If they did, they would have known that I was the pen behind editorials such as "BET's Coon Picnic" or were aware of the many times I have been critical of their award shows and programming. All they knew is that I played a major role in making a once unknown website into a online media outlet that surpassed theirs and they wanted a piece of the action. Too bad they never researched who I really was.

During my tenure I worked long hours and sometimes succeeded at bringing in decent content to try to reflect the change I wanted to achieve. But it wasn't without opposition. While some interviews and content initiatives were able to make it through, many others were either shut down or met with ridicule. I offered ideas to incorporate the blog world and to spotlight new talent before MTV did. Those ideas were met with comments such as "This isn't HipHopDX" or "You don't know what you are talking about."

BET is not about the quality of your work. Rather, BET is about the relationships you have with powerful people within the company. BET is not about challenging. Instead, BET is about accepting and saying "yes." If you have known or followed me over the years, you would know that these are things that simply are not in my character and ultimately resulted in my removal.

For the artists and labels that I have worked with for years, I tried. I did whatever I could to achieve that balance many of us wanted to see happen. To the writers who wanted to writer for BET, I made an attempt but was never given a budget to work with.

Upon my arrival, I was told I would be given a staff. Not true. I had a staff of one to carry out daily operations on a website. I fought tooth and nail to accomplish the minimum (an embeddable player and a site people could navigate) and was constantly brushed off. It was a position that was set up for failure. But I endured as long as I could.

Alas, I have been removed from my position after infiltrating the system and the timing was perfect. I wasn't let go because the site's numbers were down. Not because I didn't work hard. Simply because of a personality clash with an individual whose proverbial ass I didn't kiss enough. Again, not about the work you do but about the relationships you keep and the sides you take.

I'd like to thank BET for covering the cost of my relocation to bring me to the great city of New York/New Jersey. I'd also like to thank them for putting me in close quarters with people who think like me and will hopefully work with in the near future. I'd also like to thank them for providing me enough controversial content that I observed firsthand and will make for many tales to be told.

I said it and I meant in: One year to either make changes or move on. I left HipHopDX on September 16th 2008. Today is September 8, 2009. Eight days short of a year. Most thought I wouldn't even last that long. But in that year I've had my greatest fears about Black Entertainment Television affirmed.

There is so much wrong with BET that I'd rather not break it down in a single email.

It is pretty good fodder for a book don't you think?

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Brew Bits: BET In Talks to Defibrillate 'The Game'

and I am excited about this! maybe not about BET being involved but 'The Game' is a really good show and I really wanna see what happened after Kelly cold clocked Tasha at the wedding, that white girl has pizazz!

"The Game" is not over yet. Cable channel BET is in talks with "Game" producer CBS TV Studio about ordering a new season of the multicamera comedy, a spinoff from the long-running "Girlfriends." The CW canceled "Game" in May after three seasons.

Series creator Mara Brock Akil in April pitched CW an hourlong version of the show as a way of to keep it on the network, which was exiting the half-hour comedy business. Following "Game's" cancellation, BET began preliminary talks with CBS Studios about possibly taking in the series with new originals. The cable net already runs repeats of both "Game" and "Girfriends."

The options on the "Game" actors have lapsed, so if a deal is reached with BET, CBS Studios would have to make new pacts with them.

BET's only previous stab at launching an original scripted series was the 2008 comedy "Somebodies," which ran for one season.

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BET Tackles Anorexia

BET’s “106 and Park” co-host Rocsi is coming clean on her history with body image issues. Rocsi says she wanted to be skinny in high school to move up on the cheerleading squad, so she starved herself.

While obesity is a huge problem for African Americans and many of us couldn’t fathom starving ourselves… overweight or thin, these struggles can all be filed under body image issues in some way.

So, hats off to BET for tackling such a critical issue in our community. As much as we talk smack about BET around these parts, good for them for turning off the music and having a real conversation.

Tiny & Toya: "I'm scared to tell TIP I wanna sang"

Ok, I wasn't supposed to watch this show (and honestly when the 2 of them speak I swear my eyes roam to the bottom of the tv looking for subtitles..... yes the diction is that bad) and technically I haven't been watching but last night they got me and I couldn't turn away. So here's what had me perplexed and a bit concerned..... By my guesstimation TI weighs about what? 97.5 lbs? maybe.... Now I ask this because it's quite disturbing how afraid Tiny is of him. She kept saying repeatedly how much she misses music and how badly she wants to get back to it but "I'm afraid of how TIP will react". Now correct me if I'm wrong but if you've ever watched an after school special growing up or Lifetime, isn't the first tip-off that your boo might be a little abusive evident when you start saying things like "..... afraid to tell him, scared how he will react... blah blah blah". From what I gathered TIP is controlling, a bit of a caveman as it relates to a woman's role and is strongly against Tiny working, even if it's doing the thing she loves.

Aren't you pretty much dead when you give up what you love for someone else solely based on them dictating what you'll do? WTF is that shit? I mean he gets to perform his hippity hop and no one is stopping him. Insane...... but seriously, I doubt he's kicking her ass but hearing her use words like "afraid, scared to tell him" that just raised a red flag for me. But not to be "Captain Obvious" but um, he's in jail! What is he gonna do anyway?!

It's easy to sit back and say "sheeeiiittt I'm dying for a ninja to tell me I don't have to work" but never forget that thing they say about the grass being greener....

If you can understand this chicken squabble language being spoken listen to her ask her girls for advice on this issue...

BET Awards: Play by Play

7:58 pm: T-2 minutes til the start of the BET Awards and the highly-anticipated tribute to Michael Jackson. I've got my Jesus Juice ready and I've taken my pee break. Let's get it!

8:00 pm: BET kicks off the show with a replay of MJ putting the cape on James Brown... cue to New Edition cranking that "I Want You Back/ABC" medley. Somewhere, our very own Vanessa is creaming her pannies!
P.S. Ralph Tresvant...where have you been and why are you the only one in tune?

8:02 pm: Somebody turn Bobby's mic on... On second thought, DON'T!

8:03 pm: To quote Randy "American Idol" Jackson... "You're sounding a lil pitchy, dawg!"

8:04 pm: Jamie Foxx comes out in a tight ass Thriller get-up. Not sure how I feel about this. Hmmm...

8:06 pm: Jamie leads crowd in a mammasaymammasahmammakusah call and response and a series of jokes. Stephen Hill, didn't you get my memo? Where the hell is Beyonce? Paging Chris Brown. Why is Jamie still on? Didn't I tell ya'll there'd be some Jamie coonin'? Who's next?

8:11 pm: Jamie announces his camel toe. Can I turn the channel yet?

8:12 pm: Jamie moonwalks. I'd rather see Chris Brown do "Beat It." (oops...maybe he shouldn't beat anything else)

8:13 pm: Tyra Banks enters (her forehead appears first though)

8:14 pm: LeBron James gets Best Athlete Award. Will he walk off without shaking Tyra's hand like he did Orlando?

8:15 pm: Lil Wayne wins Best Hip Hop. But did Tyra just call him Lil Weezer?

8:20 pm: Maxwell "Pretty Wings" commercial airs. So what, it's not a part of the show. Sue me!

8:21 pm: Jamie's now wearing the Billie Jean get-up. Sadly, he didn't get the cue that the show started.

8:22 pm: Keri Hilson takes the stage. Again, WHERE IS BEYONCE? I need more MJ tribute action.

8:25 pm: Keri does a mini-MJ tribute (or was she doing a tribute to the Fonz?). Epic fail? I dunno. I'm still hoping for more.

8:26 pm: Word to White Jesus, here comes Ne-Yo. And he took the hat off!

8:29 pm: Joe Jackson sighting. Doesn't he kinda look like the devil?

8:34 pm: Bump back in with a mini MJ montage of his videos. Aside from Ne-Yo, the first 30 minutes were a snooze. See, you shoulda called me Stephen! And why is Anthony Anderson wearing that suit?

8:35 pm: KeKe Palmer inadvertently plugs her album with a "Who's Loving You" verse. Blah. Can this Bobb'e Thompson boy just do the friggin' Nike puppet voice already?

8:36 pm: Are you forkin' kidding me. 36 minutes into the show and Jamie is singing the damn T-Pain Goose Nuvo song already? Ah well, at least Travis Barker was a bright spot.

8:47 pm: Who.the.fork.let.Soulja.Boy.in.the.Shrine.Auditorium?

8:48 pm: Can I gouge my eyes out now?

8:49 pm: Amber Rose sighting. Who has more hair, her or Kanye?

8:51 pm: Letoya Luckett on stage with Chaka Khan and Estelle. I didn't think Mathew Knowles would allow Letoya inside the Shrine. Maybe Beyonce isn't in the building yet.

8:52 pm: Jamie Foxx, T-Pain and T-Pain's $400K "Big Ass Chain" win the best collaboration award. Quoting my boy Richard: "I Hope They Put T-Pain's Big Ass Chain In MJ's Casket..."
My sentiments exactly!

8:54 pm: Ne-Yo wins best male R&B artist and all he can say is "Damn, damn..." Oh, then he thanks White Jesus and Def Jam.

8:55 pm: Can Trey Songz read?

8:59 pm: BET honors the normal people who do good work. Somehow, I can't buy this with Jamie wearing the Beat It jacket and after he just blamed it on the Goose.

9:00 pm: Finally! Beyonce!

9:01 pm: Beyonce does the Ave Maria without PANTS? WTF?

9:02 pm: I'm getting up right now to send a care package of pants to Beyonce, Lady GaGa and Katy Perry.

9:04 pm: Did Beyonce clear that song with the pet commercial and Sarah McLachlan?

9:05 pm: That was beautiful, B! Is that Italian (read: EYE-talian)?
Was she a bride, an angel, MJ's angel taking him to Heaven? I'm lost...

9:11 pm: Jamie tosses to a "movie" promo that took a few shots at Tyler Perry and features Martin Lawrence and Jamie Foxx in their Shenehneh and Wanda drag. Clearly, BET put a lot of pre-production into the show and they don't want to lose their money by just doing a full-on MJ tribute.

9:13 pm: Arsenio Hall sighting, in the audience though.

9:14 pm: I'm now wishing Monique was hosting this show.
Mary Mary takes the stage. Them girls got some hips. (Don't strike me White Jesus)

9:16 pm: Aww shucks, King Queen Latifah's in the building with Mary Mary! And she's rapping, not doing that sangin' thing.
Wait, did dude just thank his SEARS co-workers? *Dead!*

9:21 pm: MC Lyte doing the voice over. Aww shucks, paychecks still coming in!
Nichelle Nichols is in the ladies room so Zoe Saldana has to present the award by herself. $20 bucks says Nichelle was in there getting it onnnnn with Captain James T. Kirk!

9:23 pm: Taraji P. Henson wins best actress award. Is this show on speed or something? We don't even get the full list of nominees? Can we get a fullscreen list or something? Is Taraji rockin' a mullet? Is it that hard out there for a pimp?

9:25 pm: Keri Hilson wins best new artist. Something tells me we weren't supposed to hear that snippet of her song with the words "big shit poppin'". Ooops, BET!

9:27 pm: Jamie sings that independent song. I'm sorry, is this the Jamie Foxx show?
Here comes Ne-Yo with that bald head again. This reminds me of the first time I saw LL Cool J's head and wanted him to put the hat back on.
Fabolous joins the party. Every time I see him, I check to see if that tooth's been fixed........ FAIL!

9:30 pm: Oh, NOW Ne-Yo thanks MJ. It's all good Mr. Yo. Singing Lady In My Life was enough.

9:31 pm: Keith Sweat is still begging. Keith Sweat still has Duke curl products in his hair. Some things never change.

9:33 pm: Guy takes the stage. That Crazy Legs dude is still dancing, but what the heck happened to Aaron Hall's voice? Does he smoke?

9:34 pm: Bell Biv DeVoe performing Poison. Vanessa's poopin' her pants! Somewhere Bobby Brown is mad these dudes get to perform twice.
Does this mean that New Jack Swing stuff is making a comeback?
What's up, Troop can't get no love? Mamacita...

9:42 pm: The Real Housewives of Atlanta without Kim? Was she "tardy to the party?" Epic fail!
No words for you Mr. Ray J.

9:43 pm: Uh, could we get an intro for Ciara? Who signed off on her singing a ballad?

9:45 pm: Paula Patton & Mike Epps. Where's Robin Thicke? Can we see him?
Aww shucks, Monica & Keyshia Cole. Let the party begin! Is Keyshia wearing a Peggy Bundy outfit?
I sure hope those Monica stans come back here and comment!
Eh, I preferred this song more when it was called "The Boy Is Mine."

9:51 pm: Let me get a sip of this Jesus Juice. Where the heck is Chris Brown already? I'm ready for a real MJ performance.

9:55 pm: Jamie tells the story of the Black mayor of Philadelphia, MS but the dude doesn't get to talk. Womp, womp.

9:57 pm: Jeremy Piven & Marlon Wayans present best female R&B artist but, first, they must give a shout out to Joe Jackson. Beyonce wins.
Joe Jackson takes a good look at Beyonce's rump as she walks to the stage. You ain't slick Joe!

10:00 pm: Jay-Z kills Autotune!!!!!!!!! Swagger on 100 now that he cut that awful Michael Evans 'fro.
Funny he's killing Autotune after Jamie and T-Pain won for it tonight.
Sidebar: Jazmine Sullivan is doing cotton commercials? A check is a check...

10:09 pm: Crazed fans in the nosebleed seats take out the BET camera man. Hey, everyone needs some shine, I guess.

10:10 pm: Day 26 introduces Don Cornelius. I thought he was doing time for wife beating?
Suddenly, this show just earned 15 extra minutes because you know Don can't say a sentence in 5 minutes.

10:12 pm: Al Sharpton sighting. Damn, his edges are tighter than mine. Paging a perm...paging a relaxer...stat!

10:13 pm: Don Cornelius begins the O'Jays tribute.

10:15 pm: TEVIN CAMPBELL!!!
Should we go get Kathy Griffin and the rest of the D list?

10:17 pm: Johnny Gill left Eddie Murphy's guest house long enough to join Trey Songz and Tyrese to tribute the young O'Jays.
Sidebar: This Trey kid is kinda sexay. You don't need to be able to read to be my man. I'm just sayin'...

10:22 pm: Oh shucks, they're singing Stairway To Heaven... I think I just heard panties drop across the street!

10:27 pm: And Don Cornelius is still talking!
Finally, the O'Jays take the stage. Uh, why is the new O'Jay allowed to talk. Get your Michelle Williams on and let Eddie and Walter talk.
Did Walter just thank Donnie Simpson? Donnie don't play no O'Jays music anymore.

10:30 pm: Eddie Levert takes the stage. Is he gonna talk about Gerald and Sean? Grab my tissues. Please don't make me cry.

10:31 pm: Eddie said "shit"... haaa. Too late BET censors!
What, no mention of your kids?

10:33 pm: The Mighty O'Jays take the stage. They're doing Let Me Make Love To Ya Baby. I think I may have been conceived to this song. I'm just sayin'...
Now they're doing For The Love of Money. Doesn't Donald Trump own this song now?

10:37 pm: Norwood Young & Niecy Nash sighting. Is she wearing gold lame?

10:43 pm: Johnny Gill tells his story of first meeting MJ back at the Grammy's at an afterparty. How you doin'?

10:47 pm: Sherri Shepard and Idris Elba introduce Debra Lee but first, Idris sends a prayer to Catherine Jackson. The man has class and a sexy accent.

10:49 pm: Debra Lee gives props to Stephen Hill, BET employees and celebrities for putting this BET Awards show together in honor of MJ. Mmmm, I'm not convinced yet.

10:52 pm: Debra announced Wyclef Jean and Mashonda's husband stealer Alicia Keys will get the humanitarian award. Alica won for her work in Africa. Wyclef won for his work in Haiti. He also reminded us he came from a hut.
Sidebar: Where are they hiding Maxwell?

11:06 pm: Taraji is back. Tyrese thinks he's Baby Boy still. And, scene...

11:08 pm: Taraji and Tyrese present the viewer's choice award to T.I. and Rihanna for Live Your Life. T.I.'s babymamma Tiny accepts it. I'm not even gonna say anything. Sigh.

11:10 pm: Now Ving Rhames wants to get in on the re-creation of Baby Boy. I'm over already. Why couldn't he come out butterball nekkid like he did in the movie? Then, I'd have something to blog about.
Uh, someone tell Ving these are not the BET Video Awards.
Beyonce wins video of the year for Single Ladies. Aww, a little peck for Mr. Carter.

11:13 pm: Jamie plugs his tour. But you already knew he was going to do that, right?

11:14 pm: Ok, Maxwell. I can die now.

Sorry, blog break.

11:20 pm: Okay, I'm back. All systems shut down when Maxwell is on. Even my Momma called me. Oh, that man and his Pretty Wings (now that's how you do falling feathers, take note Beyonce!)

11:24 pm: More real people get awards (Food From The Hood organization) but again, we don't get any comments from them.

11:25 pm: Drake performs with Lil Wayne and the rest of those Cash Money people. I'm sorry dude, you were on DeGrassi. I can't with you.

11:26 pm: Lil Mama sighting. Wonder where she got that ponytail? She should return it.

11:27 pm: BET censors suck. I really did not need to hear Lil Wayne tell me he had that "dope dick." Eww... I need a shower.

11:31 pm: Mom calls me and I quote: "Now this is some filth...are those girls underage?"

11:37 pm: Aww damn. Tearjerker. Here comes Janet Jackson! She says to the audience, Michael was an icon. To her, he was family. God is surely lifting her up. She looks strong.

11:39 pm: Jamie & Ne-Yo sing I'll Be There. Touching moment. But are there any other crooners there besides Jamie? Where's Mariah?
Ne-Yo touches my heart. I love that guy. He gets the magnitude of this moment.

11:42 pm: Show ends.

I'm left feeling a little duped. While there were several songs done in tribute to Michael and performers like Keri Hilson and Ciara gave a nod to him with their wardrobe, I just wanted to see a full on Michael Jackson moment. Breaking news catches the unprepared with their pants down. Perhaps that was the case here? Maybe I just expected too much for 3 days of preparation. I know how hard it is to pull off breaking news, so decent job BET. I think?!?

Good night!
-Jem.

BET Awards: Performances

11:35pm
Ne-yo and Jamie Foxx (*again*) singing, "I'll Be There"...this was a nice way to end the show. Should it have followed, "Always Strapped?" Um, no...but hey somethings are our of our control. Next up Jamie & Ne-Yo Collaboration, "Best of Both Worlds: We Run BET".

11:25pm
Drake singing "Best I Ever Had"...wearing a Kanye college dropout collection sweater. Bringing light-skinned back again. No chains, just a beaded necklace, nice style. He has a thick ass neck. I like that he's not all jumping around on stage...uh oh, cue the prayin mantis, Weezy F. Makedembabies. Dang, can't hear half the song because of sensors. We know the words BET, now you want to sensor? Hold up. Rapper dude with a hot leather jacket, dude with a lumberjack. Lots of confusion on this stage. Hold it down Drake. They are going to have to throw away Weezy's mic after this performance because it cannot be used again...ever! I liked that they brought all types of girls on the stage not just LSLH. Cue Baby on stage.. it's taking a turn for the worse..rapping "Always Strapped" Did they really just say "Rest in Peace MJ" then say the N-word in the next sentence? Really? Gonna have to throw Baby's mic away too. This is pure ass!

11:15pm
I'm awake now....MAXWELL!!!! Singing "Pretty Wings"..still a cutie, wish he grew his hair long again. Just him and smoke on stage. He really doesn't need anything else. This is a nice song. Confetti fallin' are these "wings"? Nice effect, 'cept they keep hittin' him in his dome. Couple of spins. That's some grown man ish right dere Maxi! Paid homage to MJ at the end. Yes!!!! 10 out of 10. Let's put this puppy to bed...please.

10:33pm
The O'Jays -- "Let Me Make Love To You"..okay I can't really talk about the O'Jays because old folks are off limits. Eddie can do no wrong anyway. Bless his heart. Next!

10:15pm
Tevin Campbell "Forever Mine" wow...he looks road hard and hung up wet. Poor thing. He still sounds better than a lot of the other acts tonight. He's got that blunt smokin' lips. Stepping from side to side. I guess that's all we're going to get huh TC? He's only on for a quick minute before he introduces Trey Songs, Tyrese, Johnny Gill. I guess he's in the bathroom smoking by now. They're singing "Backstabbers". All dressed in all black. I'm confused. Isn't this supposed to be about Mike? WTF are you singing the O-Jays? Is there some connection that I'm missing? They sound okay. Johnny Gill mushes his lips together like an old man who wants more jello.

10:00pm
Jay-Z, "Death to Autotune"...okay must admit I'm biased about this because this is my husband in my mind. He shut it down very simple. Not brewchies dancing, no hype man, just him bringin' it. B was on stage getting her award when Jamie escorted her back to her seat instead of her walking off to the back. He told her something exciting was about to happen and that's when Jay popped on stage. I was wondering where we was. 10 out of 10. This show can end now.

9:45pm
Keyshia Cole & Monica -- Singing, "When Hoodrats Attack"....just kidding. Singing whatever their new song is. Monica is full dominatrix gear and Keshia in a hotpink picnic outfit. Um, they're both talented..and need to stroll down a different musical road. I'm not feeling this. Standing at the top of some steps? For what? Oh, I get it, the stage is rotating. Wowzer! Keyshia legs look like yellow pixie sticks.

9:43pm
Ciara - I think. Gag me with a hot poker. Singing "Heal the World"...someone heal her voice, stat! Glad they kept that one short.
Next!

9:34pm
BBD singing "Poison" .....um yes, I could use some right about now. All the old heads in the crowd are trying to do the wrecks 'n effect. This song is still the shyt though. Ronnie still looks the same. Here come the Brewchies. Actually this performance isn't that bad. It has some energy. Please don't ask the crowd to sing along, clearly they're not. Why are you back on the stage Ne-Yo?

9:32pm
Keeping with the old man in the club theme...Here comes Aaron Hall singing "I Like"....pass the tea and honey to his ass cuz he sounds like he swallowed a hair ball from Rick Ross' beard. No LeBron isn't doing the "shake and bake" to this.

9:31pm
Old man in the club sighting number #7 Keith Sweat and his whiny ass singing "I Wanna". He sounds like ass. Shiny suit and S-curl in effect. Holding his imagination. Who is the little Buckwheat lookin' dude on stage with him? This sucks.

9:27pm
Negro Vu? Nope, it's Jamie Foxx...again. This time he's with Ne-yo so I'll forgive his frequent performances. Now he's at a piano. This dude is a freakin' Prince tonight. They're singing "Independent" remix. Love this song. Again with the ass and the smoke! Ballet? Really? No more gloves people, seriously. Neyo has a red ones. Fabo with a puffy vest making me hot. This is boring....zzzzzzzzz...

9:14pm
Mary Mary - singing "God in Me". I noticed not a lot of people standing on this one. Heathens!!!! Queen Latifah with the long weave rapping, very nice. I like this song and I can't talk about another Christian on a Sunday. Next!

9:00pm
Uh oh -- B's in the house, cue fan machine. Singing Ave Maria..wait is someone getting married? Wonder woman get up. That's still my girl and at least she can sang like the good Creole she is. Uh oh. They're giving her sea amoeba for a skirt. It looks like a placebo. What was the point? Ummmm, I do like this B, not feeling this one bit..now she's singing that background song for the third world pet adoption commercial. I've got the sads. Where's the razor? Geeze, can you end on Freakum dress? Now it's snowing. This is eerie as fuck. This is over their heads B. The crowd is probably like Ava who? Who dat?

8:47pm
Soujah Boy Tell Em -- not even sure if I spelled his name right, who gives a fuck. Rapping "Turn My Swag On". What is this low-budget special effect bullshyt? Is that a leather vest? No sir. He took off his vest and lumberjacket. Bird chest. Pants hangin off his ass. Stupid ass. He looks 12 1/2. Camera man can you stop fast zooming, you're making me dizzy as hell. All that zooming and his jumping is not the biz. Uh oh, the porch monkey's off the porch. He's in the crowd, gave Kanye dap. Back on stage and ran off. I give him a 2 1/2.

8:36
Jamie Foxx --Singing "Blame It"...came out in all white sweat suit, MJ shirt, brewchies in the background, shameless plug...album cover on a big as bottle of champagne. Lots of smoke and ass. Tyra Banks knows the words to this? WTF? Kayne and his video ho enjoy this song too? Here come the minstrel show that is Snopp wearing a hot ass leather down to his knees. Jamie's a little boring on stage. Here comes T-Pain running up the aisle with his BIG ASS CHAIN. He's sporting a Rick Ross stinky beady beard. I know those mics smell like death and ass. All Shyt!!! Travis Baker is on the drums??!!!! It's about to get stupid now. He's dope. Jamie has a guitar. He really thinks he's a rock star. Didn't Jay do this already?

8:27
Ne-yo -- Singing "Lady in My Life" sans hat. Egghead need steze but that boy can blow...er...sing! I like Ne-yo ever ever since he told that chubby girl who liked cake that she should lose a few because the biz was shallow as hell. He keeps it real. Back to his noggin, it's big and I can't concentrate. Kept it short and sweet. Goodbye!

8:22pm
Keri Hilson -- She came out on a motorcycle complete with a smoke machine. Rihanna "Bad Girl" steze. Starting singing "Turing me on" then "Knock You Down" , white glittery Michael Jackson socks, cuffed jeans, just surfed into the crowd, that was kind of hot but what if they let her drop? Her outfit is a little plain though. Whole set is tough girl "West Side Story" lookin'....reeks of dykeness...hmmmmm. She's taking off her jacket, doing a little MJ tribute, cute but uhhhh ohhhh she's going rogue, asking the crowd to repeat "when it comes around..." (*crickets*) I'll give her 5 Brews out of 10.


8:00
New Edition MJ Tribute -- Oh yeah!!! Old men in the club unite! Started singing "Oh Baby Give Me One More Chance". Their moves are nice, segued into "ABC". Good opening of the show, but these mofos were probably fighting like hell until the curtains rose. Bobbayyyyyyy, your mouf is still crooked. Still good to see them all together. I used to love Ralph. He's looking a little skeletor like. Struggling on some of the notes. I think they're getting winded...

7:57
Day 26 -- Singing "I'm A Put It On Her"....no I'm a turn this off. I can't really say anything bad about these dudes.. Well yes I can. I guess corny nerd glasses are the theme because Mike is looking really "what you talkin' about Willis" with his. Why is Rocsi's accent so freak fake? Que is rocking one glove with his bitchass. Uh, they cut them off, fade to black, show time!

7:45pm
Jeremih singing "Birthday Sex" if these pre-show minstrel acts are any indication of how the show is going to go then we are in trouble...trouble. Again with the backup dancers? I'm mean damn, straight from the stroll to the stage. People please!

7:30pm
Pleasure P -- Coonin' to "Boyfriend Number 2". What is with the twin backup dancers theme? Their jumpsuits are hot though. Uh oh, he's giving a shout out to MJ, while singing that shitastical song? Um, no sir!!!

7:20pm
First up -- LeToya Luckett. I really like this chick because she refuses to bow dow to the Beyonce's machine. But her performance during the pre-show, not so much. LeToya sang "Not Anymore" and I wasn't feeling the sub-par dance routine or her twin backup brewchies at all. She's hot though, no denying that. There's just really no room for her in this "Beyonce-Rihanna world" as Charlemagne put it.

BET Awards: Michael Jackson Tribute

New Edition (all 6), Jamie leaning with a first edition MJ jacket....what more do you want!!!! They didn't sound their best, but Ricky's mic was out and Johnny looked crazy trying to be Tito with that damn Guitar!

Jamie's Monologue will go down in HISTORY as the most crass, brew-tastic brewshit in history!!! Wanker yanking aside....the moonwalk across the stage bought a tear to my eye.

Ne-yo just RIPPED it singing "The Lady in My Life". The tributes continue...and I will keep you posted.

And why is Joe Jackson in the audience??? Shouldn't he be with the rest of his kids in the house?

Next tribute comes from Ciara...who needs to SHUT THE HELL UP...Boo they pay you to dance, that's it.


WHERE IS THE OFFICIAL TRIBUTE!!! DO WE HAVE TO SETTLE FOR CIARA AND NE-YO???


Still waiting on the tribute. These half assed Micheal Jackson memory moments could have been done a little better.

So I hope that Drake and his limping self and Wayne and the Pedophila was NOT the tribute to MJ...Joe Jackson's ass should have the flipped the switch and turned off the mics!

This mixing of the show that was already planned and the injection of the MJ is really not working. They should have JUST planned a complete tribute show to be aired a later date.

So I'm sure the Grammy's will do a MUCH better job at an official tribute. This brewshit is for the birds......

Janet Damita Jo Jackson was extremely poignant. Thanks for reminding us that Micheal is more than a performer. He is a member of her family. She is hurting. They need to grieve and we need to respect them for that....

The Coonery of the night was in no way a tribute to MJ....the white folks at the grammy's, oscars and AMA's will do a much better job!

SMDH!

BET Awards: "Dat's Dat Brewshit!"

7:28
Ewwww Mario.... no hur??? NO SIR!!!



7:32
Fuck Jeremiah and this wack ass "born day sex" shit! freakin garbage. Mike is not happy with this!

7:41
Hmmmm Monica's hur???? hmmmm...... (I'm not gonna even post a pic, last time we said something about Monica we got e-slapped...)

7:58
Ok Imma be needing Overbite Combs to sit dern somewhere and let these tools perform....



8:00
New Edition, opening.....not bad, not bad at all.... Ralph was a lil winded though.

8:05
Jamie Foxx, "Beat It" this some funny shit! He's a fool! doin it in his Beat it Knickers!



8:15
Truly hate the NBA players and their addiction to grandma's jewels.... ugh! Your iced out eear

8:17
Hmmm Weezy looks like he got a facial.... good shit dude



8:23
Kurry Hilson, okay, just okay, that fit at the end..... thumbs down! (did she get the wrong memo? We lost MJ genius!, Elvis already left us....)



8:26
Neyo, why do all the wrong people have baldies tonight??? NO SIR NEYO!!!
great job on your song though, really......



8:35
Holy Retina Batman! is Anthony Anderson thin?!!!!??
KeKe- the sangin.... hmmm ok - still not clear what the pink and red get up was about Ant but eh! eff it! So did you call 1-800-Jenny?



8:36
Jamie's back with "Blame It on the Alcohol" I love him, right now he can do no wrong

Tyra bet not sweat too much, her glued yaky pieces gon slip out.... trust me, I know....

T-Pain and his Big Ass Chain..... DIE!!!



Travis Barker!!!! YES!!! ok this was hot, dope, ya'll know....



Tiny, Toya... have a suicide party.... good grief!



8:48

Mike's glove is turning doo doo brown right now with the Soulja Doofis shit....



8:51
hmmmm Chaka took a couple bags of hair out her head.... interesting...

damn T-pain look like a barbecued raisin, WTF!

yes Neyo.... think hats... always.... even in the shower boo...

is Tre having a hard time reading??? could be that u have on SUNGLASSES INDOORS YOU DUMB FUCK!!

9:01
ok it's ya'lls second coming of Jesus with a vagina.... Beyonce...let's see...

she singing that song from the 'save the dogs" commercial w/ Sarah Mccoughlin, gets me every time..this vagina Jesus gon make me cry

I'm confused as fug by this performance but B got mad, crazy, stupid Stans and I don't want no trouble..... I come in peace...



9:11

Shanaynay and Wanda.... "Skank Robbers" I'm dead, YES!



9:14

oh shit these God broads gon have me in here humping my sofa, ..... "God in me..."
They a lil sexy for Jesus but that's for another blog......

King Latifah came out and really put it down! "Give it to em King!"



9:23
WHAT IN THE FUCK IS ON TARAJI'S HEAD????? A HAIR HAT??

9:27
Neyo didn't I tell you hats at all times?! even in the shower...... I hate forkin repeating myself! shit!

9:30

oh no no no no, me no likey the Sweat..... what is this elderly 2 step he's doing???? get off that stage pops!

9:33

Aaron Hall pay your video hoe baby mama her child support!!!



9:42
oh CiCi, go model and stop punishing me with this singing.... what the fork did I ever do to you?? damn!



10:01
That is one sexy ass Camel.... "HOVA HOVA HOVA!"



10:08

So when will this thing come back around to MJ??? they are not focused...

10:11

Um Don Cornelius finna die up there people!!!

Seems like Don can't read.... he got that Tre Songz, it's like the Swine Flu of reading....

10:18
Damn Johnny got that aggressive R&B voice, I think my pannies just fell....10:28
Ok I need Don escorted off...HIM IS RAMBLING AND HIM CAN'T READ!!!!10:33
Took a dump during the Ojay segment....

10:40
Ok I'm back and they are still performing, we need a BET sniper..... STAT!

10:43
Ok no disrespect, but is it a good thing for Michael Jackson to say 'I like what ur wearing?" I'm just asking Johnny Gill??? just asking....

10:56
So Chris Brown doing "Beat It" must be the crescendo for the end huh?

10:59
wow! check out Mr. Keys finally looking like she only has a vagina as opposed to a peen too..... you go! beautiful!

11:07

Oh God, I wanna burn Taraji's hair hat!.......

11:09
OH-MY-GAWD!!! Tiny is accepting: "mah husband in the pin ova dat thing, but we is reel reel thankful, watch mah show!"

11:15
NO! FAIL MAXWELL!! teeny weeny afro does not make my loins jump.....

11:20
Toya: "for years I been stuck in this box" roach motel?????

11:27
Um Drake looks like Jason Kidd and Tony Parker's love child.....

11:37
Awwww Janet....



11:40
I absolutely cannot take seeing pics of young Michael, the first boy I ever loved....