I just finished watching the Bet Awards, the first show to have the opportunity to honour Michael Jackson. The two hour 106 & Park red carpet show was ridiculous, laughable, and a sad sad tribute to an artist that helped put stations like BET on the map. Many of the artists performing were weak and to use a word from my youth, tired and damn right cheesy. Arsenio Hall, Amerie, and some other artists saved this red carpet mess by actually acknowledging the man of the hour Michael Jackson. BET made some big ol' thing about the show being completely "overhauled" to be a tribute to Michael but it did not seem that way to me. On websites such as, People, viewers are noting that indeed the show, SUCKED! I should have known this is what would happen when on the day Michael died and the following day all they could do was play his musical videos because the channel is completely devoid of strong journalists, like Tavis Smiley, and therefore, could not gather a round table to thoroughly discuss the life and times of M.J. Reminding me exactly why I consider this channel almost obsolete.
It started off with a rousing performance by the plump middle-aged New Edition and a vulgar, fat, tongue wagging, Bobbi Brown. It was mildly entertaining but the guys didn't have the singing stamina they once had to pull it off. The always entertaining Jamie Fox appeared dressed in M.J.'s iconic red jacket, white tee, short black pants, and did the moonwalk pretty well across the stage before doing a Beat it Dance off. Ne-Yo sang a beautiful version of Lady of my Life and it went down hill form there. Performer after performer tried to pay tribute by sending him shout outs in their songs and wearing pieces of his iconic outfits but for the most part they were preoccupied with their own awards. Between commercial breaks famous artists shared their fondest memories of Michael Jackson and many thanked him for the legacy he left behind that allowed them to have the careers they now enjoy.
But I have to say the tribute was not enough. It was disorganized. There was a complete lack of imagination. When an artist like M.J., who left such a rich ripe history to draw from, dies, how the hell do you still put on a show that casual and lackadaisical. It was boring for the most part and probably brought BET's award show more attention than it deserved. I was hoping to see dancers performing a medley of some of his best videos, Beat It, Smooth Criminal, and many more artist singing some of his greatest hits such as Thriller and Billy Jean.Many people like myself wondered if Chris Brown would be brought on to sing and dance to one of his songs. Despite his recent troubles, Brown has been viewed by many as the closest to the Michael J. appeal, looks and style, boyish charm, impeccable dancing and a great voice. In 2007 he paid a fantastic tribute to the King of Pop performing Thriller on the World Music Awards awards (2006, You tube it). His dancing had everyone amazed and on their feet, even celebs in the audience were taking pictures of his performance. On MTV's site many M.J. fans left messages saying they hoped Brown would make an appearance if only to pay tribute. One fan on the site wrote, " WE
Brown released a statement saying, "Michael Jackson is the reason why I do music and why I am an entertainer. I am devastated by this great loss, and I will continue to be humbled and inspired by his legacy. My prayers are with his family. Michael will be deeply missed, but never forgotten. He's the greatest ... the best ever. No one will ever be better." But a tribute performance from Brown was not to be, neither Rihanna nor Brown appeared. Another big moment of their careers they've missed out on. I hope he's learned. I would be sick with regret if I was him and realized that my actions caused me to miss out on honouring my artistic hero. And while BET did their best to pay tribute it made me even more aware how much that show has lost its relevancy. One of the red carpet hosts (ex contestant from America's Next Top Model) didn't even remember M.J.'s famous Pepsi commercial. That is why music stations need real music journalists! Duh! Usher was overseas and said he was disappointed that he would not be able to make it back on time. But he really didn't miss anything. He plans on taking part in another tribute show. I bet other awards shows will greatly outshine BET in the tribute department and do it right and with style and drama, just like M.J. I'm looking forward to the Grammy's and other tribute shows.
On a strange note, Joe Jackson arrived with his lawyer and business partner to "represent" the family. I was shocked because he has had a notorious reputation as a cruel and abusive patriarch in that family and I was hoping Janet Jackson would make an appearance because she is someone many fans respect as much as M.J. But there was Joe Jackson and his cronies and during a brief interview with CNN outside of the venue, he made a disgusting move. The man actually plugged his new business. Quote below from Rolling Stone magazine.
Jackson’s father Joe was in the audience with Rev. Al Sharpton. Before the show, the Jackson family patriarch granted an interview to CNN on the red carpet in which he spoke about the loss of Michael and briefly plugged his new business venture. “I’m great, my family’s doing pretty good,” he said. “It has been really tough,” he added. “Remember we just lost the biggest star in the world.” Saying his wife was “fine, thank you” he asked for his rep to read the family’s statement, which specified the family’s attorney is Londell McMillan, and said nobody else has authority to speak on behalf of the family. “I wish the world would have recognized him while he was living,” he said of Michael. “I wish he was here to see all this, to hear all this.”
Asked if he had concerns about those who surrounded his son during his final months, Joe Jackson responded, “I have a lot of concerns … I don’t like what happened.” Before the interview concluded, he said, “I want to make this statement,” and then mentioned, “I own a record company called Ranch Records,” which a companion noted was a blu-ray company.
I wanted to cry. It was such a shocking distasteful and weird comment for a father to make who had just lost his son. This man seems confused and heartless. It's still all about the business in some ways. The blogs and New magazines buzzed right away with this disgusting display. One person wrote into a blog called Jezebel and said: "Joe Jackson's behavior was almost too ghastly to consider: a man seems pursued pretty much to the grave by the demons his father planted in him, and even in death the (expletive) ghoul is still hustling his son's corpse." He did cry as Ne-Yo sang his tribute, maybe the father side of him temporarily slipped out. Even in death M.J. is reminding us about the kind of man his father was and is; age has brought this man neither kindness nor wisdom.
It was the end of the show, just when I thought all was lost, Jamie Fox came walking onto the stage holding a woman's hand, dressed all in white. At first I thought it was Diana Ross because of the huge dark hair, but they looked way younger. And then the camera drew in and it was Janet Jackson. She looked emotional, dignified, visibly shaken. The crowd became instantly emotional and this is what she said:
My entire family wanted to be here tonight, but it was just too painful. So they elected me to speak with all of you.” Promising to keep it short, she added, “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. Thank you so much.”
What was interesting is that she states that the family, "elected me to speak with all of you," and she was not accompanied by her father on stage. The camera did not even show him and she had not been sitting with him in the audience. I have a feeling the family did not trust him being there to represent them so they convinced Janet to show up, knowing she would have the class and dignity to represent the family and M.J. with the due respect he deserved. It was beautiful to see her. She looked beautiful and has been notoriously protective and close to her brother so it took a lot of courage and love for her to show up. She saved the day. What a loss for her.
Other highlights of the show were Maxwell's performance and rapper Drake. Canadians will remember him from Degrassi (he's the only reason I would watch that show and i have thought of him as sexy ever since) but now he's a rapper going on to amazing success. He hasn't even had an album yet but his mix tapes and collaborations, including one with Jamie Fox, is drawing so much major major attention. I will blog about Aubrey (Drake) soon.
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