If you missed the Black Movie Awards on TNT Wednesday night, you missed a total class act.  From the moment the show began, it grabbed your attention with the superb talent of the host, Tyler Perry.  Perry, who is well known in the African-American community, for his Madea character, opened up with classic movie re-enactments as only Perry can do it:  Madea Style.  He gave us plenty to laugh at as he re-created roles from movies like, The Color Purple, Waiting to Exhale and the best performance, in my opinion, is when he, or should I say Madea, portrayed Tina Turner and Ike in a scene from What’s Love Got To Do With It.  As Madea fell on the floor, so did I from laughing hysterically! 

What impressed most about this awards show is there were no long, drawn out speeches.  Everyone who won came to the stage did so in a dignified manner, said what they had to say and made their exit.  I hope executives from some of the other African-American awards shows were watching and taking notes.  And I could actually understand what the winners were saying because they spoke in clear, complete and concise sentences. 

It was so good to see Mr. Billy Dee Williams again.  He was the heart throb back in the day and I was delighted to see he was awarded for his performance in Lady Sings the Blues.  I can’t tell you the number of times I imagined myself being in Diana Ross’ shoes in that movie and feeling his imaginary touches and kisses.  But conspicuously absent was Ms. Ross.  This inquiring mind is curious if she had a problem being in the same room with Berry Gordy or if she may have felt slighted because she wasn’t given the Lifetime Achievement Award that Cicely Tyson received.  Oh, Whatever!  I didn’t miss her and she was represented by her children so that was good enough for me.

And speaking of Cicely Tyson, she looked awesome! 

And finally, it was certainly no surprise to me that Akeelah & the Bee made a clean sweep of the awards.  The entire cast:  Angela Bassett, Laurence Fishburne and 13-year-old KeKe Palmer gave absolutely outstanding performances.  It was definitely a feel good movie of the year and has been added to my collection of movies I watch over and over and over again. 

No, I didn’t mind staying up past my bedtime to watch this year’s Black Movie Awards.  It was a stellar night!