They’re the image of success
Denzel Washington and Tyler Perry were the big winners at this year’s NAACP Image Awards.
“The Great Debaters” was named top film, while acting prizes went to its stars: Washington, Jurnee Smollett and teenager Denzel Whitaker.
Washington also directed the film, based on the real-life victories of a black debating team in the 1930s.
“I’ll be at that other (Oscars) show next week, but my heart is here,” said Washington, who will be a presenter at the Academy Awards on Feb. 24.
“I’m just so happy to see these young people get recognized.”
“Tyler Perry’s House of Payne” won for comedy series, and its stars LaVan Davis and Lance Gross won acting prizes.
Janet Jackson won for supporting actress in a motion picture for her turn as psychiatrist in Perry’s adaptation of his stage play, “Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married?”
Special honors at the 39th annual awards went to veteran Oscar-nominated actress Ruby Dee and to singer Aretha Franklin.
Now he’s royally peeved
Speaking of Aretha Franklin, her criticism of Beyonce Knowles for referring to Tina Turner as “the Queen” at Sunday’s Grammy Awards isn’t sitting well with Beyonce’s father.
Franklin, long known as the “Queen of Soul,” called the younger singer’s comment a “cheap shot for controversy.”
Says Matthew Knowles, who acts as his daughter’s manager: “Beyonce referred to Tina Turner as a ‘queen.’ Not queen of gospel, queen of soul, queen of blues, Queen of England.
“I consider my wife a queen and sometimes call her that,” he adds. “Does Aretha have a problem with that?”
Present and accounted for
With the Hollywood writers’ strike settled, the star power is back on for the 80th annual Academy Awards.
In addition to Denzel Washington, scheduled presenters for the Feb. 24 ceremony include Forest Whitaker, Helen Mirren, Jennifer Hudson, Miley Cyrus, George Clooney, Nicole Kidman, Martin Scorsese, Cate Blanchett, Cameron Diaz, Harrison Ford and Tom Hanks.
Jon Stewart returns as the show’s host.
Moon in the Rainn
Get ready to see a whole new side of Rainn Wilson when he hosts the Spirit Awards, the Oscars of independent film.
The co-star of NBC’s “The Office” says he dropped trou for a few comedy sketches he taped for the ceremony, which airs Feb. 23 on the IFC cable movie channel.
“My body being exposed is good for a great deal of laughs,” says Wilson. “They use it on ‘The Office’ quite a bit when they need a laugh – they have me take my shirt off.”
Quoteworthy
Actress Penelope Cruz, on aging: “I’m looking forward to having backaches and using that in my work.”
The birthday bunch
Actor William Katt (“Greatest American Hero”) is 57. Actor LeVar Burton is 51. Rapper-actor Ice-T is 50. Actress Lisa Loring (“The Addams Family”) is 50. Rapper Lupe Fiasco is 26.