My Take on The 40th Annual NAACP Image Awards

The 40th Annual NAACP Image Awards took place Thursday night at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. This Halle Berry and Tyler Perry-hosted kudofest -- which celebrates the contributions of people of color in film, television, music, and literature -- is the one attended by the creme de la creme of African American society and various and sundry members of the Black Glitterati. Some of the folks I saw wandering down the red carpet included Lisa Raye, former Miss America Kenya Moore, Sanaa Lathan, Lou Gossett Jr., Danny Glover, Cicely Tyson, Laila Ali, Attilah Shabazz, Hill Harper, Tichina Arnold, Dr. Ian Smith, Judge Mabelean Ephraim, and Blair Underwood.

It turned out to be a really big night for Tyler Perry's House of Payne (pictured) and Jennifer Hudson. In addition to winning in the Outstanding Comedy Series category, the TBS show took four out of the five comedy series awards, including acting honors for LaVan Davis, Lance Goss, and Keisha Knight Pulliam. Meanwhile, J-Hud was the belle of the ball, taking home trophies in three music categories -- including Outstanding New Artist -- and one as part of the cast for this year's Outstanding Motion Picture, The Secret Life of Bees.

With the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People kicking off its celebration of the organization's 100th anniversary, I think I was expecting more. However, I found the show itself to be pretty typical. Most of didn't really impress me. Now, don't get me wrong -- it wasn't a bad show at all. The performers -- Beyonce, will.i.am, Seal, and Stevie Wonder -- were good. The presenters, which included Rosario Dawson, Nate Parker, Mo'Nique, Jeffrey Wright, Terrence Howard, and Regina Taylor; were mostly on point.

The highlight of the show was the presentation of the NAACP's 2009 President's Award to Muhammad Ali. The champ, the man who could float like a butterfly and sting like a bee, was recognized for his accomplishments both in and out of the ring. With his witty repartee silenced by Parkinson's Disease, his wife, Lonnie, was the one who spoke for him as he sat there and cried. Coupled with a song by J-Hud, it was an especially moving moment.

I was stationed in the press room for the festivities. That's where the stars are supposed to come after they've done their thug thizzles for the cameras. I normally don't expect much because usually the big names don't come in unless a) their publicist makes them or b) they have something to promote. This time, though, I was pleasantly surprised. We got Shonda Rimes, Chandra Wilson, and James Pickens, Jr. from Grey's Anatomy, the entire cast of Tyler Perry's House of Payne, Keke Palmer, Sean Combs, and Girlfriends' star, Tracee Ellis Ross.

Speaking of Miss Ross, how 'bout she got nasty with me? During the question-and-answer period, someone asked her if she had any plans to do anything with her mother, Diana Ross. After she said she'd love to work with her whole family, I thought it would be safe to ask her to address something I'd heard Tyler Perry say about how he wanted to have Diana in an upcoming film. Boy was I wrong! Not only did she act like she was offended by the question, she was like, "If you want to know what my mother thinks, why don't you call her?" I thought she was playing at first, but as she kept trying to humiliate me, I realized that this woman was dead-serious.

Don't get me wrong. I'm sure it's sickening to live in the shadow of someone as great as Diana Ross. I get that. However, attacking the Macklicious One is NOT the way to go. Even though I wish Tracee well in all that she does, she doesn't EVER have to worry about me asking her anything about anything ever.

Now that I've gotten that off my chest, here's a list of the major winners of the 40th Annual NAACP Image Awards. The complete list can be found on the NAACP's website.

MOVIES

• Motion Picture: The Secret Life of Bees
• Actor: Will Smith, Seven Pounds
• Actress: Rosario Dawson, Seven Pounds
• Supporting Actor: Columbus Short, Cadillac Records
• Supporting Actress: Taraji P. Henson, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

TELEVISION

• Drama Series: Grey's Anatomy
• Actor in a Drama Series: Hill Harper, CSI: NY
• Actress in a Drama Series: Chandra Wilson, Grey's Anatomy
• Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Taye Diggs, Private Practice
• Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Angela Bassett, ER
• Comedy Series: Tyler Perry's House of Payne
• Actor in a Comedy Series: LaVan Davis, House of Payne
• Actress in a Comedy Series: Tracee Ellis Ross, Girlfriends
• Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: Lance Gross, House of Payne
• Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Keshia Knight Pulliam, House of Payne
• TV Movie, Miniseries or Dramatic Special: A Raisin in the Sun
• Actor in a TV Movie, Miniseries or Dramatic Special: Sean Combs, A Raisin in the Sun
• Actress in a TV Movie, Miniseries or Dramatic Special: Phylicia Rashad, A Raisin in the Sun

MUSIC

• Male Artist: Jamie Foxx
• Female Artist: Beyoncé
• New Artist: Jennifer Hudson
• Gospel Artist: Mary Mary
• Jazz Artist: Natalie Cole
• Album: Jennifer Hudson, Jennifer Hudson
• Song: Yes We Can, will.i.am.
• Music Video: Yes We Can, will.i.am
• Duo, Group or Collaboration: I'm His Only Woman, Jennifer Hudson, featuring Fantasia