Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture - Idris Elba – "Obsessed"
Word? Really? Stringer Bell's portrayal as an idiotic, clueless cheating husband in a B-level movie was really good enough to garner a coveted spot alongside such folks as Denzel Washington, Jamie Foxx, and Morgan Freeman? I thought the movie was okay, but c'mon. I suppose Stringer Bell's godawful Mos Def-ripoff on a debut album will be up for a Grammy next year? Jesus, lets hope not. After listening to some snippets, my ears are still bleeding a week later. Stick to "acting", buddy.
Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture - Sandra Bullock – "The Blind Side"
Word? Really? A stereotypical portrayal of a rich white woman with a white of gold who rescues a clueless Negro oaf from the projects and wills him to the Honor Roll and NFL with sheer determination and tough love is worthy of an Image Award for making black folks look good? I have no words for this.
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture - Adam Rodriguez – "Tyler Perry's I Can Do Bad All By Myself"
I suppose at least Rodriguez is a person of color, but c'mon. Once again, a non-black person with a heart of gold and zero personal demons rescues a hapless Negro (Taraji P. Henson) from herself with sheer determination and tough love. At least Henson was also nominated for an award herself. For that matter, so was the black dude (Quinton Aaron) that Sandra Bullock saved in "The Blind Side". I guess it's a all good as long as all involved parties get a nod.
Outstanding Independent Motion Picture - "Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire" (Lionsgate)
Boy, we're clearly stretching the bounds of what "independent" means. "Precious" got the critical nod of nearly every industry insider, as well as a huge co-sign from Oprah and Tyler Perry. Perhaps it shouldn't be included in a list of other truly "indie" films I've never even heard of.
Outstanding Comedy Series - "Tyler Perry's House of Payne"
I cannot. And I will not. But note the list of competitors. "30 Rock" (Tracy Morgan, Grizz, DotCom, and Two-fer), "Everybody Hates Chris" (cancelled!), "Glee" (no idea), "Ugly Betty" (cancelled!). I guess Tyler Perry should clear some space on the mantel.
Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series - CCH Pounder – "Brothers"
Uh, this show only aired about 3 times before getting canned. Is that really a big enough sample size?
Outstanding Reality Series - "Real Housewives of Atlanta"
This nomination is especially troubling, given the other nominees in the category are all shows like "American Idol" and "Dancing With the Stars", which I doubt anyone considers "reality shows" as much as they are talent competitions. Again, why the hell does "RHOA" belong on this list, and to whom was this a paidback favor?
Outstanding Performance in a Youth/Children's Program - LaShawn Jefferies – "The Backyardigans"
Okay, no hatin' here. I love me some Uniqua just as much as the next suburban Dad. It does bug me that the kids who do the speaking parts aren't the same as the kids who do the singing (that little girl who sang Alicia Keys' "I Keep On Fallin'" on Showtime at the Apollo does Uniqua's songs), but that's just being nitpicky.
Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture (Theatrical or Television) - Tyler Perry – "Tyler Perry's I Can Do Bad All By Myself"
Negroes Please. A drunk monkey on an iPad could have written this cliche ridden monstrosity.
Outstanding Album - Soulja Boy Tell 'Em - "iSouljaBoyTellem"
That sound you just heard was Rosa Parks rolling over in her grave.[1]
I know some of ya'll are wondering how in the world these lists of nominees are compiled. The Image Award site provides the following explanation.
We received over 1,200 entries for the NAACP Image Awards. Potential nominees are submitted to our submissions committee by the artist, manager, publicist, production company, record label, studio, network or publisher to be selected as a final nominee for the NAACP Image Awards. From those entries, a special committee of 300 industry professionals and NAACP leaders from across the country selected five nominees in each of the 53 categories.Soooo... basically anything that includes at least one Negro, and/or anything by Tyler Perry? Yeah, pretty much.
Where Is Obama?!?
Question: Given the lack of quality nominees, is there are real reason to hold the NAACP Image Awards, or is this nearly indicative of the paucity of quality black themed media?
41st Annual NAACP Image Awards Nominees [Official Site]
[1] Okay, not really. Just wanted to see if ya'll were paying attention.
