BET your bottom dollar...
Monday, June 29, 2009 at 06:04PM
Who here thought BET was going to put on a classy show because it was an MJ Tribute? Please raise your hand.
You? And you? And you?
Okay.
All three of you, go to the corner. You get an F.
BET is BET. BET's demographic is 14-29, which we haven't been for some time. Well at least I haven't been 29 for at least two years. Shut it.
There were some highlights, where we almost looked polished, but most everyone that was there in the crowd loved exactly what they got. And I can't lie, I was entertained. Jamie Foxx is silly as all hell. NeYo is amazing. Keri Hilson is bad. Idris Elba is fine for no reason. Chaka Khan pretends black isn't the least bit hot. Eddie Levert cusses. This is what he does! This is BET. This is what they does.
My problem comes in when we are supposed to be trying to pay tribute to the greatest entertainer in the world. Janet Jackson comes on the stage barely holding it together and thanks everyone for honoring her brother, not the icon. And directly after, Weezie and Drake are singing about 'f*ckin every girl in the world' with little children dancing with them on the stage. It was like putting ice in Henny. It diluted and changed the taste.
And then we close out with JayZ performing DOA, without nary a tribute to Mike. Yes. We all know Hov calls the shots and is King. But many tuned in to see the tribute to THE King. Would it have been hard to kick the "You Rock My World Remix"? That would have at least marked one of MJ's most recent contributions - says, I, the backseat director.
Perhaps BET's timing/schedule of performers was just off, but I believe they owe us another a tribute: a grownup, well thought out one this time. I'll put money on it that MTV or a major network is going to take over the task. It's just that it would be nice to see us do it the right way for once.
View Printer Friendly Version
Email Article to Friend
Reader Comments (2)
Yeah, I didn't expect too much which is why I haven't watched it in many years.
I wish they would have just proceeded with the show as it was scheduled and REHEARSED, then included a moment of silence or the Jamie Foox/Ne-yo duet to close.
They could have easily announced a tribute concert for a later date. Mixing the two together DID NOT WORK.
I think your idea would have worked exceptionally well. But on the money side of things, I think BET also used the opportunity to rake in viewers. Whether or not that was to their advantage, I don't know...