LOS ANGELES – The BET Awards became the Bleep Awards on Sunday, as entire segments of performances were muted out due to foul language. Still, censors failed to catch many vulgarities that were uttered onstage, from performances by Nicki Minaj to even a parody by Samuel L. Jackson and Spike Lee.
It started during the opening number by Kanye West’s G.O.O.D. music group, which included Big Sean, Pusha T and 2 Chainz.
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There were extended moments of censored silence when the rappers performed “Mercy,” though not all the offending words were bleeped out. Moments later, Jackson, the show’s host, was joined by Lee as they did a comedic version of Jay-Z and West’s hit song “… In Paris,” to laughs.
“Two distinguished Morehouse (College) men,” Lee joked after the performance, referring to the alma mater of the two.
The censor police also worked overtime when Rick Ross performed with his Maybach Music Group and during Minaj’s performance and acceptance speech for best female hip-hop artist. Minaj’s win was her third consecutive time taking the prize.
“I really, really appreciate BET for keeping this category alive, and I appreciate all the female rappers doing their thing, past, present and future,” she said, before uttering an obscenity.
Gospel star Yolanda Adams, who also performed, gently took some of her peers to task as she won best gospel artist, urging them to act mature and use their fame wisely.
“Please make sure that you use your gift responsibly, ’cause we’re watching,” she said. “Our babies are watching, and they want to be like us.”
West and Jay-Z won the ceremony’s first award; at first, West arrived onstage alone, and alluded to his many awards-show mishaps.
“I wish Jay-Z was here to say something politically correct for me,” he said, before his mentor came to the stage.
Other early winners included Chris Brown for best male R&B artist, his second consecutive win in the category.
Kevin Hart — who hosted the awards last year — also won for best actor, Big Sean was named best new artist, and Wale and Miguel’s smooth hit “Lotus Flower Bomb” won best collaboration.
West, who was up for seven awards, was the top nominee. Beyonce was the second most nominated act with six. She won best female R&B artist and thanked the genre and her female influences.
“I fell in love with music by listening to R&B. It’s the core of who I am,” she said, giving special thanks to Lauryn Hill, Mary J. Blige and “Whitney Houston, my angel.”
Later, she lost the night’s top award, video of the year, to Jay-Z and West’s “Otis.” When her husband won, she playfully hit himas she laughed.
‘Ted’ outstrips ‘Mike’ at box office
LOS ANGELES – It’s both a bear and bull market for Hollywood.
The bear is “Ted,” Mark Wahlberg and Seth MacFarlane’s comedy about a talking teddy bear, which opened as the No. 1 movie with $54.1 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.
And the bulls are baring it in “Magic Mike,” Channing Tatum and Steven Soderbergh’s male-stripper tale that debuted a strong No. 2 with $39.2 million.
Pixar Animation’s Disney fairy tale “Brave” held up well at No. 3 with $34 million in its second weekend. “Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Witness Protection,” opened solidly at No. 4 with $26.4 million.
The four movies combined to keep Hollywood in the money compared to the same weekend last year, when “Transformers: Dark of the Moon” launched with $97.9 million.
Baldwin weds yoga teacher in New York
NEW YORK – Alec Baldwin and his yoga instructor fiancee tied the knot Saturday in a New York City church, with a guest list that included family and famous Hollywood pals.
Baldwin, 54, and Hilaria Thomas, 28, married at St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral in a Catholic ceremony performed by the Rev. George Deas. His “30 Rock” co-star Tina Fey, actress Mariska Hargitay, director Woody Allen, environmental lawyer Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Baldwin’s actor-brother, Stephen, were among those in attendance.
Thomas wore a silk magnolia Amsale gown with cap sleeves and a keyhole-back neckline. Baldwin’s suit was designed by Tom Ford.
The two began dating last year and became in engaged in April. Baldwin was previously married to actress Kim Basinger; they have a daughter, Ireland, who attended the wedding Saturday.
The reception was being held at New York University’s Kimmel Center.
— From news service reports
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