| NEWS 06.30.09 4:54 PM |
|
BET Awards' Hastily Planned Jackson Tribute Yields Ratings Triumph
|
After Michael Jackson died suddenly on Thursday afternoon, BET worked fast to transform its already-scheduled awards on Sunday at the Shrine Auditorium into a tribute to the pop star. And, in addition to being what some would consider an appropriate format change for a show celebrating black entertainment, the modified broadcast was also a boon for the network: It was the top-watched cable telecast this year and BET's biggest audience ever, according to a press release from the network.
The live broadcast, hosted by Jamie Foxx, drew 10.65 million viewers. About 10 percent of televisions that were on during the broadcast period were tuned to the awards program, uncommonly high for a cable network, according to Nielsen Media Research findings cited in The Los Angeles Times.
MORE >>
RELATED TOPICS
BET Awards, BET, Michael Jackson, Jamie Foxx, Twitter |
 |
| TOP 100 EVENTS 02.16.09 8:00 AM |
|
Southern California's Top Entertainment & Media Events 2009
|
 | SAG Awards
Photo: James Sequenzia |
|
1. Academy Awards
In a town cluttered with award shows, the Oscars always end up at the top of the heap, unrivaled for glitter, buzz, and packed after-parties. The 2009 event—the 81st annual—will hit the Kodak Theater on February 22 and will be broad-cast live on ABC.
MORE >>
RELATED TOPICS
Southern California's Top 100 Events, Hollywood Foreign Press Association, Recording Academy, Screen Actors Guild, Film Independent, Environmental Media Association, American Film Institute, Women in Film, British Academy of Film and Television Arts, Glaad, N.A.A.C.P., BET |
|
| EVENT REPORT 01.21.09 2:30 PM |
|
Inauguration Balls Feature A-List Performers, High-Tech Touches, and High- and Low-End Decor
|
 | The Obamas at the Neighborhood Ball
Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images |
|
FROM WASHINGTON
After a day of inaugural festivities held outside amid biting winds and clamoring crowds, last night the masses descended onto a slew of balls celebrating President Barack Obama's swearing in. The 10 Presidential Inauguration Committee-sanctioned parties—the official bashes graced with planned appearances by the new president and first lady—were the tickets to land, with most going to politicians, Hill staffers, and donors. Private functions also dotted the event landscape, with first-ever parties from BET at the Mandarin Oriental and Google at the Mellon Auditorium.
Obama's popularity among the Hollywood set was more evident than ever before, as an award show-worthy roster of performers entertained around town. On the slate at the televised Neighborhood Ball were Faith Hill, Stevie Wonder, Beyoncé, Jay-Z, and Alicia Keys. Other rosters included Sting and Elvis Costello at the Creative Coalition fete at the Harman Center, Wyclef Jean for BET, and Patti LaBelle at the Africa Ball at the Gaylord.
Street closures, freezing temperatures, and the ongoing taxi shortage made ball hopping a challenge, but as revelers showed throughout the weekend, little could dampen the spirits of those in town for the celebration.
Here are some highlights from the evening's biggest events.
MORE >>
RELATED TOPICS
Inauguration 2009, Google, BET, Creative Coalition, Hawaii State Socity, Pennsylvania State Society, Congressional Youth Leadership Council |
|
 |
|
| NEWS 01.15.09 12:00 PM |
|
BET Hosts First Inaugural Ball, Opts for Smaller After-Parties Following BET Honors
|
 | Last year's BET Honors after-party at the Ronald Reagan Building
Photo: Davide DePas |
|
FROM WASHINGTON
BET Networks is kicking off inauguration weekend with its second annual BET Honors on Saturday at the Warner Theatre, where Queen Latifah, Ne-Yo, Anthony Hamilton, Anita Baker, Joss Stone, Yolanda Adams, and the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater will perform. Hosted by actress Gabrielle Union, the show toasts the accomplishments of Tyler Perry, Mary J. Blige, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, B. Smith, Judith Jamison, and Congressman James E. Clyburn.
Booking talent for the show proved to be harder then it was last year with artists mulling possible options for the 10 prime Presidential Inaugural Committee balls and dozens of other events. “Everybody was waiting for Obama to call,” said BET line producer Robert Boyd. Last year’s massive Honors after-party at the Ronald Reagan Building will this year be replaced by two smaller private parties at Café Milano and private club L2, both in Georgetown.
MORE >>
RELATED TOPICS
BET Honors, BET Networks, BET, Inauguration 2009 |
|
| EVENT REPORT 06.24.08 4:28 PM |
|
In the Midst of a Heat Wave, BET Takes Awards Suites Poolside
|
 | The outdoor setup at BET's suite
Photo: Jonny Nunez/WireImage |
|
Today, BET is busily preparing for its award show tonight at the Shrine. But yesterday and Sunday, the vibe was more relaxed for some nominees, presenters, performers, celebrities, and media poolside at the Hollywood Roosevelt for the network's "Oasis Spa Lounge" with Akademiks.
The two-day event wrapped last evening just as the extended L.A. heat wave was finally beginning to break after days of 100-degree temps. Poolside was the right place to be in such weather, where lounge furniture sat under cover of white umbrellas and a DJs MOS, Q-Stick, DL, and Kelly G spun dance hits. Inside the ground-floor suites it was even cooler; there, guests scooped up gear from the likes of Akademiks, Rockport, and Cover Girl, and took time out for spa treatments like pedicures and massages.
BET Networks' director of integrated marketing, Derrin Woodhouse, worked with Entertainment Fusion Group on PR on the daytime lounges, which were the official hospitality suites of the awards. —Alesandra Dubin
RELATED TOPICS
BET, BET Networks, Viacom, BET Awards, Akademiks, Rockport, Cover Girl |
|
| TOP 100 EVENTS 02.29.08 7:29 PM |
|
Southern California's Top Entertainment Industry Events 2008
|
 | The Environmental Media Awards
Photo: Alex Berliner/Berliner Studios/BEImages |
|
1. Academy Awards
The most ballyhooed shindig of the entertainment year, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences’ Oscars take place at the Kodak Theatre. Vanity Fair generally has a lock on the most coveted after-party, but the magazine canceled its 2008 event in the wake of the Writers Guild strike, leaving Elton John's AIDS fund-raiser as this year's most high-profile Oscar bash. Sequoia Productions is the longtime producer of the academy’s official Governors Ball. The 80th annual show was held on February 24.
MORE >>
RELATED TOPICS
Southern California's Top 100 Events, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Hollywood Foreign Press Association, Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, DirecTV, People Magazine, ET, Recording Academy, Warner Brothers, Sony, Film Independent, Screen Actors Guild, American Film Institute, Environmental Media Association, Toyota, Goldenvoice, Women in Film, British Academy of Film and Television Arts, American Cinematheque, The Los Angeles Times, Glaad, N.A.A.C.P., Starz, BET |
|
|
|
|
| EVENT REPORT 06.27.07 11:42 AM |
|
Target's Black, White, and Red Luncheon Precedes BET Awards
|
 | Honoree L.A. Reid addressed the crowd.
Photo: Berliner Studio/BEImages |
|
The BET awards hit the Shrine Auditorium last night, but Target got the party started early with a luncheon at Social Hollywood on Monday. The retailer took advantage of the music-industry guests in town for the main event to host an intimate luncheon in honor of Black Music Month (a White House-proclaimed recognition of African-American artists' contributions to the country) and L.A. Reid, who handpicked 12 songs from Island Def Jam Music Group for a "Platinum Stacks" compilation CD available at Target.
MORE >>
RELATED TOPICS
BET, BET Awards, Target |
|
|
