Every year, the BET Awards is by far the single best program that airs on BET. With a mixture of great performances, unbelievable surprises, and other memorable moments, it has consistently outshined older awards shows, such as the MTV Video Music Awards, since its inception back in 2001.
This year's show saw some big changes. It's the first BET Awards officially under the regime of BET Networks Chairwoman/CEO Debra Lee, the first person to run the network after founder Robert Johnson. In addition, the show moved from the Kodak Theatre to the Shrine Auditorium. Actor/comedian Damon Wayans hosted this year's show and follows the very successful job Will and Jada Pinkett Smith did in 2005.
While I sincerely hoped that this year's show would be able to keep up the quality of previous years, I also knew that it's hard for events like this to be great every single year. Quite simply, the 2006 BET Awards wasn't as good as it has been in the past. While there were still great moments and great performances, the overall show was not up to snuff.
Here are my thoughts and observations on the 2006 BET Awards:
Damon Wayans was not very good as a host. His opening monologue was terribly unfunny. I heard not a single laugh when he began his monologue with a dated joke about Africans and hip-hop. It went downhill from there. Even after his monologue bombed, he was never that funny. His frequent appearances to introduce presenters and artists almost stopped the show in its tracks. The only thing that was funny was a short pre-taped skit where he brought back his infamous “Men On Film” character to talk about current hip-hop songs. The last portion of it was nearly as funny and edgy as his In Living Color stuff. Unlike Steve Harvey, Cedric The Entertainer, and Mo'Nique, Damon probably won't be asked back to host again.
Beyonce's opening performance was pretty good. She probably will never top her famous performance of “Crazy In Love” on the BET Awards a couple of years ago, but she sounded good and her dancing wasn't bad. However, the most memorable part of the performance had to be Jay-Z literally tapping Beyonce's booty. I wonder if that was Jay-Z's little way of putting all the rumors about Beyonce and Cam'ron to rest.
Article comments
1 - Essence Brown
Damon Wayans as a host for the Bet Awards 2006 was definitely a flop. The high light of the show was the spoken words of Harry Belafonte.
2 - E. Turner
I think the show was hot! True there were some technical problems but it had a lot more class and a lot less *ss than previous years. And the old school artists stole the nite! Prince, Prince, Chaka, Mary J., Yolanda, India.Arie, Stevie, all rocked the house. And much love and respect for Mr. Harry Belafonte. His words were beyond inspirational---too bad the performance after him was that Ne-Yo soulless set. Overall the performances were fantastic---and I liked it much better than last year's.
3 - Lisa Tolliver
June is the perfect time to hold the BET Music Awards. It's Black Music Month (which we've been celebrating on the "Lisa Tolliver Show") and it's summer in L.A. where it's easy to work up a black sweat. This year, I most enjoyed the acceptance speech by singer-activist Harry Belafonte and performances by Black Music icons Chaka Khan, Stevie Wonder and Prince.
4 - Eric Berlin
Great job on this, Sterfish. I imagine that Wayans is a better character actor / critic than a leading man / host.
5 - Jenna
love the performance
6 - Punkin
Even though I'm 28 years of age I still experienced the old school music and I feel that was the best BET Awards show. As for 2006, it was pumped up too much. My two best performances were Chaka Khan & Busta Rhymes, in that order. I really didn't care for this new song Beyonce performed and hopefully this isn't an omen to me not liking her new album. She did preform well but I agree that she didn't top "Crazy In Love". Also, I believe that Jay-Z got just as sick of the "Check Up On It" song, as a lot of us have. I believe HOV told B to what he did and sing a song from her upcoming album. If you've watch The 12 Moments in BET Awards Show then you know that Jay-Z perform a song that the public never heard.
7 - K. Jones
Ok. I totally agree with all of you. Damon Wayons was not as funny as I hoped he would be. It seemed that Steve Harvey got more laughs when he was introducing Chaka. And I was glued to the tv when Chaka, Prince, and Stevie Wonder were performing. For some reason, it reminded me of the old Motown shows that came on in the 80's. However, Chaka's music is so good that it doesn't sound dated; it's simply timeless. Other performances I loved were Busta, Prince, Mary J., Yolanda Adamas, India Arie, and Chris Brown. But I do give T.I props for continuing with his song through the technical difficulties. And let me not forget Harry Belafonte's speech. I hope the younger artists listened to his words and follow his lead with making our communities and world a better place. And not focus so much on material things. Kjones of sxonlineamg.com
8 - K. Jones
Ok. I totally agree with all of you. Damon Wayons was not as funny as I hoped he would be. It seemed that Steve Harvey got more laughs when he was introducing Chaka. And I was glued to the tv when Chaka, Prince, and Stevie Wonder were performing. For some reason, it reminded me of the old Motown shows that came on in the 80's. However, Chaka's music is so good that it doesn't sound dated; it's simply timeless. Other performances I loved were Busta, Prince, Mary J., Yolanda Adamas, India Arie, and Chris Brown. But I do give T.I props for continuing with his song through the technical difficulties. And let me not forget Harry Belafonte's speech. I hope the younger artists listened to his words and follow his lead with making our communities and world a better place. And not focus so much on material things. Kjones of sxonlineamag.com
9 - Keita
I didn't think it was possible to BOMB as a comedian if you're that seasoned...Well, after listening to Damon Wayans, I guess you can. He shoulda' let Marlon's silly self host if he wasn't gonna' prepare any better than that. That and the technical difficulties (even Beyonce's performance was hard to see on tv) kept this show from being as good as it usually is. Hope that didn't have anything to do with Bob Johnson being gone. But it was still VERY good. But Puffy, he might need to think about stayin' off the stage, unless he comes out with his own song. Unfamiliar peeps couldn't even tell that was Youn Joc's song. Now I know why so many leave Bad Boy.
10 - gossett
i just want to say that thank god prince was on the show because you can just tell the difference between the way he performs and the way everybody else performs...everybody else is too damn predictable
11 - Kim W.
My favorite performances were Busta Rhymes and his whole crew, Mary Mary and coincidently T.I! Harry Belafonte was prolific and very deserving! And as always, it is great to see the old school artists, Prince, Stevie, and Chaka. Every thing else was average to weak at best and highly predictable. Even the winner of the "greatest fan" contest had more to offer than many of the hosts/presenters. The technical issues were definitely a distraction - video and sound! Marlon Wayans was pointless and ineffective. Keyshia Cole had a great opportunity to sing her song calmly and beautifully, but she ran out of gas very early in her "performance". Puffy just needs to sit back and enjoy the ride. Jay-Z and Beyonce are boring! Honestly, the show overall was embarrassing and truly reflective of the quality and the current state of the black music industry as a whole.
12 - Scott Butki
"When you say 'literally tapped' what exactly does that mean?"
13 - Sterfish
"When you say 'literally tapped' what exactly does that mean?"
I mean that Jay-Z physically tapped Beyonce's butt with his hand.
14 - Scott Butki
Ah, ok. For a second I thought you meant tapped with another body part.
15 - D. Landry
I really enjoyed the show. It was good to see the young cast members from "Good Times" together again. Everyone looked great, it brought back so many memories. I wish that Good
Times had a reunion show, for the member who were
still alive when the show ended.
16 - lioness78
I wished the show would have been better than it was because I always anxiously await to see the awards after I see the advertisement and who is gonna be on there. When I heard Damon Wayons was hosting the show I thought "he's a comedian and he should be funny to keep us entertained, but I was dead wrong." He was not funny at all. They need to bring Monique back and keep her there because that is her spot (she had to be good for them to bring her back twice). The performances that I enjoyed the most were Busta, Chaka, Prince, & Stevie, because they all brought it like it is suppose to be brought. I like Jamie, but I think his performance would have been better if he done maybe one song instead of remixing a snipnet of a couple songs because I was losing track of what song he was actually singing to. To see him and Fantasia kiss was a highlight and a shocker. I thought the tributes were well deserved for Harry Belafonte & Chaka Khan. Last but not least I still have to give TI his props even though he had technical difficulties he still held it done and done his thang.
17 - bet awards
Big ups to all the award winners at the BET AWARDS this year. However, I must say I was not impressed by the whole affair that evening. Being that they had hyped this awards for a while, I thought that they were going to be interesting. T.I. gave a brilliant perfomance laced with technical difficulties. He really did control himself in a manner that not many people would be able to carry out. When I had that YUNG JOC was going to perform his hit single "It's Going Down", I was hyped, but Diddy just decided to steal the spotlight away from his artist. How in the world are we supposed to know who is signed to his record label, when he doesn't even give them the time to showcase their talent? That was sad, but nonetheless I enjoyed the performance. India Arie and Yolanda Adams held it down for Chaka Khan. These two are a formidable force, very much talented but underrated, especially in the case of India Arie. The worst perfomance I must say was with Fantasia and Jamie Fox. Now I know that these two are talented singers, but damnnnnnnnnnn! that SLOBBERY kiss just killed everything!!! Seriously, that was no kissing, it was more like spittin' and drinkin' up! Damon-TRY AGAIN!
With that said, I hope the BET executives are going to learn from the many technical hitches, bad perfomances and all that!
18 - Beonka Brooks
Beyonce's performance was great. Although a lot of people might not like the song, you have to admit it takes a lot of talent to be able to dance and still hit every single note. The girl is talented and I wish people would really just quit hating on her. It takes a lot of work to get up and do what she does. She is not an overnight success. She works hard at what she does. BET keep up the good work. It might not have been as funny as Monique, but you guys are doing a great job at honoring our black talent.
19 - ERICA
WHAT WAS THE TWO FEMALES GOSPEL SINGERS NAME. NOT YOLANDA ADAMS.
20 - martin mullins
Harry Belafonte is definantely a wizard of intellect. He has a passion for life that many should have.