BET Awards...Who are They Keeping Up With?

Bob Johnson (BET Founder) and Debra Lee (BET CEO)

Interesting conclusion after watching the BET awards last night....our creativity as a race is slowly going downward with the introduction of the mediocre standards that have been recently set. We have traded in our souls. We have given up our creativity in exchange for easy ways to make money. Let's talk about how the show made me come to this conclusion: (but before I do...let me give BET some props)

1. It is great that you were able to incorporate Mike last minute. That is never an easy task in three days.

2. Your set design for the awards show was better than it has been in the past.

3. I will always be grateful that you honor our black stars and bring us all together.

4. You have continued to change up your pre-show, and I think it is nice how you gave out awards before the show (it just isn't enough time during and everyone should be honored)

5. It is always amazing to know that my people put something together. It takes alot of time, dedication, and creativity to put any major production together.

BUT....

1. There was not one performance that created a memory in my head that would last forever. Every one's performance was average at best, and no I did not see Black Star Power last night.

Drake and Wayne had little girls on stage

Oh snaps I don't remember anything else....

2. When you talk about coming up with a tribute for a man that pushed greatness to its limit, you do not picture the show that was put on last night. Granted you must take into consideration that they only had a few days to put something together. I give props to BET for being able to incorporate Mike last minute. That is not an easy task no matter which way you swing it. But you are talking about our generations "greats", a black network, and a world icon that has passed...this couldn't create something amazing?

3. Thanks to the fact that I was watching the awards live, I could not rewind through the commercials. That pissed me off for more than one reason. The main reason is that I had to sit there and watch the sorry excuse for television shows that BET is coming out with. Could there be anything worse than seeing TI's girl and Wayne's ex girl on a reality TV show? Yes I agree that it would probably be funny, but have we given up on being creative, and rather put an easy laugh on TV? Mind you we will be laughing at them not with them.

4. Ok so I remember being able to watch some of the pass generations greats, and all they needed was a mic and their voice. They didn't need the fancy lights, back up dancers, and props. But someone reminded me that our generation looks for all of that. SO WHERE THE HELL WAS IT? I need either great talent or an amazing production. What are we left with...oh the BET awards.

The problem that we are facing when it comes to our generation, is that we will do anything that makes money at the cost of losing ourselves. For example: It is true that making reality television shows is more cost effective and an easy production. So in an exchange for taking the time out to create another show like Fresh Prince, we rather put out five more reality shows that will bring us fast ratings.

Another example: We have three days to put on a production that will not only honor our current celebrities, but one of the greatest performers to ever live. So we take only one day to practice, and leave the rest to figuring out what we are going to wear to the show.

Third example: We will continue to listen to the top executives at Viacom and not to the comments of the viewers. "But Socialite they will take away our funding if we don't" -BET Staff

"Create something that they cannot deny...they want to make money as much as you do. If it is a great idea they will not turn it down" -The Socialite (If you gave them something such as the Cosby's show...they would be fools to turn it down)

Forth example: We will focus more on glitz and glam. We will not perfect our crafts and become better than we already are. It is more about becoming celebrities than actually expanding the talents that God gave us. Damn even the people behind the scenes want to shine these days. Who cares what you wear on the red carpet, you hold a huge camera in the front of your dress.

People let's bring back what made us stand out from the rest. Let's remind them who created Rock & Roll, Jazz, hip-hop, DC, blood transfusions, traffic lights, hot comb, soul food, and carried the entire U.S. on their backs for over 400 years.

They followed us before....why the hell are we following them now? Creativity in exchange for money has never been our goal. We used creativity, brains, and our passions to make life better for ourselves. (and the entire freakin country)

-Keep Up!