SubscribeWill Michael and Janet Jackson help the BET Awards to win an Emmy?
Thank the spirit of Michael Jackson, and the earthly visit by his sister Janet Jackson, for saving the BET Awards last night. The kudofest not only was dull, awkward and boring, but also was blasted as a "train wreck" by some posters in The Envelope's live chat session.
But then Janet Jackson emerged on stage at the end and addressed the audience, tearfully: "My entire family wanted to be here tonight, but it was just too painful. To you, Michael is an icon. To us, Michael is family. And he will forever live in all of our hearts. On behalf of my family and myself, thank you for all of your love, thank you for all of your support. We miss him so much!"
Then Jamie Foxx and Ne-Yo sang a tender, quiet rendition of "I'll Be There." Suddenly, the awards show was not only redeemed, it became memorable. Maybe even Emmy worthy?
The BET Awards show has never been nominated for an Emmy. The Oscars, Tonys, Grammys and other award telecasts have been nommed for lots, although there's been much confusion in recent years over where they belong. For a while, award telecasts qualified in the races for variety specials, competing one year, for example, against a Chris Rock stand-up special on HBO and a Cirque du Soleil spectacle on Bravo. Then they got shoved into that grab bag called the "special class" category, competing against Prince's Super Bowl XLI halftime show. Last year, finally, award shows got their own Emmys category. The Tonys competed against the Oscars and — surprise — the Tonys won.
Last night's BET Awards telecast won't be eligible until 2010, having missed the most recent eligibility cut-off on May 31.
Photo: Kevin Winter/ Getty Images
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BET in itself is a joke, they paint people of color in such a negative light. With American Gangster, Keisha Coles, ghetto family, and other shows that interpret people of color so negatively. College Hill, is a knock off of MTV's Real World..and the BET Awards show was cheesey at best. I love Michael and the Jackson Family and Janet's speech was heartfelt, but the BET network needs a total overhaul - seriously.
Posted by: Troy | July 18, 2009 at 05:27 PM
Hello
First, let me say that it was not a tribute to MJ. It was a award show honoring MJ. the show was already in the making did - MJ pass.They had little or no time.
Second, some of the preformer had to change their routine in one or two days.
third, it a shame that you guy are coming down on the only BLACK aware show and we have; but MTV and VH1 can do whatever and say whatever.
fourth, I love Chris Brown and people favorie rapper ask BET not to let him perfom.
Fifth, I believe that J. Foxx did what he could to light the mood. Joe jackson was laughing.
Sixth, please leave leave lil Wayne alone.
Posted by: SONYA | July 09, 2009 at 11:01 AM
I like so many others was saddened by the shocking display of "Honoring" Michael Jackson.
No dignity !!! shown by the host Jamie Foxx parading on stage like a "black Pee Wee Herman"
I was so ashamed of the so-called "Awards show !!
There were very few moments that I thought were even worthy to watch....
Ne-Yo, was excellent, wished he was allowed to sing more of Micheal's songs.
Jamie Foxx and I love Jamie was just a walking self-promotion of his-self...
."Blame it on the Alcohol"(I guess)
Why wasn't Chris Brown allowed to perform? he could dance like Michael , like no one else. Seeing him pay homage to Michael would have been great.
B e t should be ashamed, and held accountable for a show that the had the nerve to be called a "TRIBUTE".
African-Americans should boycott the Studio and it's shows And last but not least, Lil'Wayne should never be allowed to EVER appear on television AGAIN !!!! Just no respect.....
Posted by: Marsha J | July 08, 2009 at 11:20 PM
LISA
It is absurd that you were offended by JJ's statement that to us MJ was an icon but to her family. She stated a FACT. It does not matter how connected u r to him and his music and that you "feel" like family. U R NOT family! That's her brother. She grew up with him and had an intimate relationship with him.
U had an intimate relationship with a persona.
Posted by: MDiddy | July 08, 2009 at 10:10 PM
I saw have of the show and I do think the show could have been a little bit better. That was great that they honored MJJ that was so cool because I'm a die hard fan...of MJJ ever since I was a little girl and I'm 35..but the cursing from Lil Wayne was terrible so disrespectful for everyone. I hope next year will be better and to have less disrespectful rappers. Wow and I really didn't like Janet Jackson's speech I thought she will a lil rude yeah he is and icon but to orthers like me I think of him as family as well. She made it seem like we didn't me anything so my feeling was a little hurt against that comment.
Posted by: lisa | July 05, 2009 at 08:27 PM
Please keep in mind, the BET DEDICATED and should not be classified as a TRIBUTE as was the 30 yr. Anniversary tribute that was not a few years back. Once the final results are back from the investigation, I hope and pray that whomever may have played a part in taking Michael's life is dealt with appropriately. With all the people that Michael was surrounded by, not ONE person could step up and realize the damage that was being done due to their own selfish reasons. Anyone who truly cared for Michael that may have been providing prescribed drugs could have easily said NO and look at other alternatives that would reinforce Michaels value/worth to the world, GOD and most of all HIMSELF! Michael-your are a musical genious and I thank GOD for allowing you to share yourself and your talents with the world. It's a shame, that it had to take a tragic accident to let people see that you are a good person and did good things for people. For those people who wanted to see Michael fall- I guess it was accomplished...
Posted by: VAW | July 04, 2009 at 08:23 PM
loving michael and his music B.E.T. should have taken jamie foxx off.all those cracks about michael jackson how can you say you admired or even liked his music .the show was a disgrace.i bet at the grammys next year michael will be honered in a classy way as he should be .for goodness sake he is gone now.enough with the nose jokes and the tight pants seemed like an inside joke .michael wore highwaters not kiddie jeans.maybe there was jealousy underneath because jamie,lil wayne combined with many other so called singers there will never ,ever see record sales like michael jackson. r.i.p. michael and i suggest b.e.t. do the same. b.e.t. baboonish ,entertainment,terrible.
Posted by: silk | July 04, 2009 at 03:23 PM
Jamie Foxx was awful with his plugging, show hogging self. The show was crude due to all the cursing. One song was almost entirely bleeped out. Janet couldn't save this wreck. We do miss MJ, but the man surely deserves a better tribute that Jamie telling us the dates of his comedy show every two seconds, bossing ppl around and singing every other song on the show. A Travesty. Where is Cedric the Entertainer when you need him?
Posted by: patricia | July 03, 2009 at 02:48 PM
dull, tasteless and disrespectful.
Posted by: terrence | July 01, 2009 at 06:23 AM
Emmy? psshhh Please! Nominate something else...
Posted by: Tina | June 30, 2009 at 03:10 PM
BET IS HORRIBLE AND IT KILLS BRAIN CELLS!!!! I HAVE LOST ALOT OF RESPECT FOR THEM....WHAT A HORRIBLE AWARDS SHOW.....! JAMIE FOXX SHOULD BE BANNED FROM EVER HOSTING A SHOW AGAIN!!!!
Posted by: Tina | June 30, 2009 at 03:10 PM
To the poster "Nygel"...umm..did you say Janet just lost her baby brother?
LOL!!!
Posted by: MJ4EVR | June 30, 2009 at 10:19 AM
HELLO, MY NAME IS BRIDGETTAND I AM WRITTING IN REGUARDS TO THAT HORRIBLE AWARD SHOW HONORING AN OUTSTANDING ICON. THE SHOW WAS IN VERY POOR TASTE WITH MANY FAMILIES SITTING HOME WITH KIDS WATCHING SOMETHING NOT EVEN FIT FOR A DOG TO WATCH. JAMIE FOX WAS CORNEY AS HELL ,NEW EDITION SOUND LIKE GARGABE AND KERI HELSON WAS SO OFF KEY I WAS EMBARRASSED FOR HER. ALSO LIL WAYNE WAS A DISGRACE WITH THOSE INAPPROPRIATE SONGS AND VINGS RANGES WAS LIKE A STONE MAD FOOL. BET SHOULD BE VERY EMBARRASSED FOR THAT KIND OF SHOW.IF YOU ALL WANTED TO HONOR MICHEAL JACKSON YOU ALL SHOULD HAVE WAITED AND WENT AHEAD WITH THE SHOW THAT WASD ALREADY SCHEDULE. I FELT LIKE THE SHOW SHOULD HAVE WENT LIKE THIS : MORE MICHEAL JACKSON LESS CORNEY LINE FROM JAMIE FOX . THIER ARE SO MANY CELEBRITIES THAT BET COULD HAVE USED TO MAKE A WONDERFUL TRIBUTE TO SUCH A WONDERFUL ENTERTAINER. WHAT HAPPEN TO QUINCY JONES, BERRY GORDON,DIANA ROSS,DIEONE WARICK,CHRIS BROWN, JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE, BRITTANY SPEARS , USHER,ETC.ETC. IT IS SO SAD THAT THE FAMILY HAD TO BE SUBJECTED TO THAT TYPE OF FOOLISHNESS. AGAIN,JAMIE FOX PROMOTED HIS CONCERT A MILLION TIMES LIKE A STONE ASS FOOL. BEYONCE SHOULD HAVE PERFORMED AT LEAST ONE OF MICHEAL JACKSON SONGS. WE AS BLACK PEOPLE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO. THE SHOW I WATCHED LAST NIGHT WAS JUST A PURE DISGRACE AND SHOWS HOW FAR BLACKS ARE STILL IN SLAVERY. COULD YOU IMAIGINE PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA PASSING AND YOU ALL PLAY BLAME IT ON THE ALCOHOL. BY JAMIE FOX. IF YOU CAN'T WHY WOULD YOU ALL ALLOW HIM TO SING THAT SONG FOR MICHEAL JACKSON?
I WILL PRAY FOR THE BET FAMILY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I COULD HAVE PUT ON A SHOW BETTER THAN THAT AND I AM NOT EVEN IN THE ENTERTAINMENT WORLD.
Posted by: BRIDGETT | June 30, 2009 at 09:24 AM
ya'll r hilarious jamie is madd funny. first off his jokes were funny. he was just trying to lighten the mood and ligten peoples spirits. ya'll are all angry he should do this he shouldnt do that. relax have fun. Michael himself would laugh at jamie's jokes. and what jamie was saying was that Michael is a black man and we should all remember that
Posted by: Nygel | June 30, 2009 at 07:06 AM
It's nice that they wanted to honour Michael through the show, because they were showing that he was an amazing singer/songwriter and that his music is still current in any time.
I feel for Janet because she has just lost her baby brother and coming from a big family myself I would probably find it hard if I lost any one of my siblings too.
At the company I'm working at we have a website called Thanksto.com and we've set up a profile for Michael as a tribute to him. Bloggers can go on the website and say thanks to Michael for his music and talk about how it may have changed their life in some way. Have a look cos there have been some really heartfelt thank yous posted up already.
Posted by: Charlotte Fong | June 30, 2009 at 01:57 AM
How can an awards show be nominated for something? It is very redundant!
Where are the WET awards?
Posted by: hockeyrick | June 29, 2009 at 10:25 PM
What a joke! if you think this stupid show will win an emmy, you guys should pop the same drugs mj was allegedely taking. first of all, jamie aint no MJ and you're not paying tribute to the king of pop if you turned your tribute to a stupid and sick comedy. i hope mj's kids didn't see it cause i too pray for them...
i pray for jamie's kids too for one day they'll realise how great mj was and how stupid their dad's comments were!
Posted by: Alos | June 29, 2009 at 10:24 PM
While entertaining, this awards show lacks the professional feel that others do, and most of it was quite boring.
Posted by: tim | June 29, 2009 at 08:07 PM
Memorable? Yes. Emmy-worthy, of course not.
Posted by: tim | June 29, 2009 at 08:05 PM
Jamie Foxx's commentary was divisive. Michael Jackson spent so much time breaking down barriers, to have Jamie Foxx build them back up by stating that Michael belonged to the black community is unhelpful to the memory of Jackson. Michael, we miss you; rest in peace.
Posted by: Bill | June 29, 2009 at 06:41 PM
The BET awards was very boring, and Lil' Wayne's performance at the end was very disrespectful. It was not the time or the place for him to behave in that manner. Yuck!!
Posted by: sandi | June 29, 2009 at 05:04 PM