But perhaps some of the most interesting action came from "Twilight" fans. When the theatre was about to open, a long line of vehicles which stretched down a busy road, began honking their horns in excitement. Later, a young woman was asked by another whether she was "Team Edward" (the vampire) or "Team Jacob" (the werewolf). When the young woman provided the wrong answer, the other's response was an eye roll. 

Twi-Hards are intensely serious about their devotion to the characters and the series in general. And it's not really hard to see why.

This is the classic love story that both the young and mature can appreciate. "Eclipse", specifically, has a more "guy-friendly" tone that may debunk the arguable belief that "Twilight" is a "chick flick". 

Time will tell how the next two chapters, "Breaking Dawn", make an impact on fans. But this latest installment may have raised the bar. 

TEAM.... No, I better not say.

Last year’s tribute to the King of Pop was questionable according to many folks. But this year’s tribute introduced by Jermaine Jackson can't be argued with. After an arguably rocky comeback, Chris Brown burst back onto the scene in a big way. Jermaine Jackson introduced Chris’ phenomenal song and dance tribute to Michael Jackson. Chris was so overcome with emotion, he couldn’t even sing. The audience sang for him. Later Chris Brown took home the "AOL Fandemonium Award". He told the audience “I let ya’ll down before, but I won’t do it again. I promise”.  Ironically, his former girlfriend, Rihanna, took home the "Viewer’s Choice Award".

Chaka Khan and Patti Labelle presented Prince with "Lifetime Achievement".  Prince was honored by all female talent. Janelle Monae threw down. Esperanza Spalding did her thing. Alicia Keys must have forgotten she was pregnant because she sang and danced on top of a piano. And Patti LaBelle stole the show with her rendition of “Purple Rain”. Prince stood for her performance. And when Patti kicked off a shoe, Prince happily retrieved it.

After an absence from the spotlight following last year’s MTV controversy with Taylor Swift, Kanye West returned. He opened up the show with a dimly lit and foggy performance that garnered thick applause from the audience.  Unfortunately, the fog was so thick and the camera angles were rarely close up, viewers really didn’t have a front row seat. These issues also seemed to affect performances by Usher, Diddy-Dirty Money, and T.I., who also made a return to the spotlight following his stint in jail.

Keyshia Cole performed her rendition of “Airplanes” with B.o.B. But things were taken to another level when Eminem joined the show. It seemed like the first time during the broadcast that the audience really seemed to rise to their feet. Eminem’s performance was on fire!

BET is known for creating dazzling duets. This year was no different. Alicia Keys and Kim Burrell sang: “If I Ain’t Got You” and Monica and Deniece Williams sang: “Everything To Me” and “Silly’. But perhaps the most surprising duo yet was the reunion of “Love Jones” stars, the gorgeous Nia Long and Larenz Tate. They performed spoken word like in the film before presenting one of the evening’s awards.

Performances by veteran El Debarge and newcomer Drake also make the Hit List.

And for fans of the hit CW dramedy, “The Game”: the cast made an appearance and announced that the show will return early next year to BET.

Lastly, Mrs. Jada. That’s all that needs to be said. Jada Pinkett Smith looked beautiful as ever. 

‘Til Next Time! 

The King of Pop: Michael Jackson.

Hard to believe that it wasn’t yesterday. It was one year ago today. M.J’s. contribution to the music industry and the world through his philanthropic efforts is a part of recorded history. So there’s no need to recap his achievements. But something has weighed heavily on my mind since last year this time…

Through the final chapters of Michael’s life, the media ostracized him. Many people treated him like a joke. Many people ignored his exoneration and still considered him a criminal. Some folks even stopped buying his music. But when he died it was an entirely different story. Everybody and their mother jumped on the ‘Long Live The King of Pop’ bandwagon. Some of the same people who practically spit on the man’s name now regard him with some form of respect.

You can try and ignore this ugly truth, but this turn around by folks is not simply opinion. It’s fact. And that’s the problem we have in our homes and communities today. We talk about people so much that we forget that they are in fact, people. I’m guilty of it. I imagine you are, too. And from time to time on this road called life, people go through trials and tribulations. They must take tests and endure battles. Wouldn’t it be far better if we were there for people when they need us? After all, wouldn’t we want them there for us? And I don’t mean praying for somebody one minute, and the next ripping their credibility to shreds.

Now I’ll admit that I’ve made jokes about people. But if possible, I will subsequently apologize if necessary, or at least acknowledge that they are managing the storm. It’s one thing to innocently make an off-color remark. It’s something else entirely to be malicious about it.

I don’t know about you, but I’d like to be given my flowers while I’m still alive to smell them.If you don’t give me a rose while I can respond with a “Thank you”, don’t bring a rose to my memorial.

And for the folks out there that may take this statement literally, giving a person flowers could mean encouragement, support, a pat on the back, a phone call, an email…whatever. You don’t even have to know the person. But it would help if your flower giving was genuine.

Michael’s death reminds me that life is short. I don’t expect everyone to like me. But I do expect respect. If you give some, you’ll get some.

Long Live The King of Pop! 

Some time ago at the Academy Awards, Sidney Poitier received an Honorary Oscar. That same night, Halle Berry also earned “Best Actress” (Monster’s Ball), and Denzel Washington took home an Oscar for “Best Actor” (Training Day). At the beginning of his speech, he said: “Two birds in one night…”  And little did Mr. Washington know, in 2010, he and Viola Davis would both earn Tony Awards for “(Leading ‘Actor’, ‘Actress in a Play’)” for their work in August Wilson’s “Fences”. So, ‘two birds in one night’ yet again.

Mrs. Davis’ tearful acceptance speech was one of the most memorable of the evening. In addition to thanking the creative forces behind “Fences”, she also said that she felt "God sent his blessings to the wrong house", when referring to her husband.  

Some other memorable moments of the night included:

1. A win for Bill T. Jones (Best choreography) for “Fela”, which was produced by Will and Jada Pinkett-Smith & Jay Z.  

2. Wins for Eddie Redmayne (Red), an amazing film actor and Scarlett Johansson (A View from the Bridge), who both made their Broadway debuts this year.

3. Tony host, Sean Hayes (Will & Grace), opened the show with a dazzling piano number. The man can play!

4. Best Revival of a Play went to “Fences”! Need I say more?

5. Catherine Zeta Jones’ touching performance from “A Little Night Music”.  She also won a Tony (her first) for her Broadway debut. At the tail of her acceptance speech, she said: ‘That man there is a movie star, and I get to sleep with him every night” when referring to her husband, Michael Douglas.  

6. Performances by the cast of “American Idiot” the musical, based on the songs of Green Day.

7. And the best dressed list has to go to the lovely lady in red, Jada Pinkett-Smith, the beautiful lady in blue, Catherine Zeta Jones, and the always stunning Paula Abdul.

Though for the most part, void of classic musical showtunes, all in all, this year’s Tony Awards was fun, diverse, and energetic.  Will Smith even earned a lap dance of sorts during a performance from “La Cage Aux Folles”. 

               However, the most memorable moments are probably that of some of the wins. For the first time in its 82 year history, the Oscar for “Best Director” could have gone to an African-American (Lee Daniels for “Precious: Based on the novel “Push” by Sapphire”) or a woman (Kathryn Bigelow for “The Hurt Locker”). But only one could make history, and that 'one' was Bigelow, whose film, reportedly one of the lowest grossing Oscar nominated films ever, also won “Best Picture”. And critics thought her former husband James Cameron (Avatar) was a shoo-in for such gold.

               Bigelow said: “This is the moment of a lifetime.”

               "Precious” still managed to do quite well tonight. After a sweep at the NAACP Image and Independent Spirit Awards in all major categories, tonight it picked up “Best Adapted Screenplay” (Geoffrey Fletcher, the first African-American winner), and the widely expected “Best Supporting Actress” for Mo’Nique. Fletcher gave tear-filled speeches at both the Spirit and Oscars that have truly inspired this artist.

               And Mo’Nique’s Oscar speech says it all: “First, I would like to thank the Academy for showing that it can be about the performance and not the politics.”

And to top that off, Mo'Nique's royal blue dress and gardenia in her hair was modeled after the outfit that the legendary Hattie McDaniel wore when she accepted her little gold man way back in 1940 for her role as “Mammy” in “Gone With The Wind”. Amazing!

               While several other Oscars were issued, some came as no surprise.  Jeff Bridges' win for “Best Actor” in “Crazy Heart” and Christoph Waltz’s win for “Best Supporting Actor” in “Inglorious Basterds” are fine examples. Their work speaks for itself.

               Lastly, the amazing and severely underrated Sandra Bullock was finally recognized in the biggest of ways becoming the latest “Best Actress” for “The Blind Side”, beating out the 'Susan Lucci' of the Oscars, the legendary Meryl Streep and Hollywood’s “It Girl”, Gabourey Sidibe (“Precious”). Bullock’s emotional acceptance speech even moved her husband, Jesse James, who tried to conceal his tears. Sorry. The eyes don’t lie.

And just to add, Bullock made history by reportedly becoming the first actress to accept “Worst Actress” (All About Steve) at the Razzies and “Best Actress” at the Oscars in the same year. Now that’s quite a feat.

           My only gripe is that the late Farrah Fawcett and Bea Arthur were not included in the memorial tribute to those we have lost. Word is: there was not enough room. I love the King of Pop just as much as anyone, however, if removing him would have made room for these two, they should have done so. Michael Jackson has received more tributes than anyone in recent time, and we are all aware of his contributions to the arts. As far as I'm concerned, Fawcett and Arthur should be at the top of next year's tribute. They both left strong marks on the silver screen and should not be forgotten. 

    Overall, I am sure that most will agree this was certainly one of the most pleasurable Academy Awards to view. Hat’s off to the producers.

How will they top things next year? Hmmm. Time will tell.

               Congratulations to all of this year's nominees and winners! 

Darryl “Chill” Mitchell, star of the FOX sitcom “Brothers” was awarded for his role. For nearly a decade, he has been confined to a wheelchair but he was overcome with tears during his acceptance speech, telling the audience: “As long as you all got legs, I'm going to always walk”. Beautiful! 

Tyler Perry accepted the Chairman’s Award after a brief tribute from the legendary Cicely Tyson and a very spirited performance by Tamela Mann. Perry’s applause worthy speech included a sound bite that I am sure we will hear again and again. Paraphrased, he said: “We don’t have to wait for Hollywood to green light ‘our’ projects, we can build our own intersections”. He’s living proof of that.

While I was extremely happy that the likes of Morgan Freeman, Chris Rock, and the lovely Jada Pinkett Smith took home honors, the biggest accolades came for a precious film called “Precious”. Though she was nominated alongside the talented Paula Patton and Mariah Carey, it was no shocker that the phenomenal Mo’Nique took home Best Supporting Actress. First time actor Gabourey Sidibe beat out Sandra Bullock for Best Actress and her emotional acceptance speech seemed very genuine. But then came the biggie…Best Picture.

Here’s what I have to rant about. I thought it was a slap in the face for director Lee Daniels to be cut off while accepting his award. After a few music cues to try and wrap Mr. Daniels up, the powers that be cut to Hill Harper introducing a Mary Mary performance. As an entertainer myself, I realize that time is money. But with all due respect to Mary Mary and the show producers, a performance should never have been scheduled in the first place directly after a Best Picture win. At least not a 'must have' performance. Have one on standby in case you need to fill time.  The dimming of lights and Mr. Daniel’s microphone was distasteful, and he’s owed an apology as far as I am concerned.