The BET Awards started off with a dream.
No, I'm not talking about ANTM Toccara's wardrobe malfunction. And certainly not Erikah Badu's Diana-interpretation -- that was a nightmare!
We're talking about the uniting of "Dreamgirls" Jennifer Holliday and Oscar-winner Jennifer Hudson.
Though Hudson won a best supporting actress Academy Award for her role as Effie in the movie "Dreamgirls," it was Holliday who originated the role on Broadway and made the song "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" one of the most memorable performances in music.
The night's most touching performance was O'Jays singer Eddie Levert's tribute to his late son, singer Gerald Levert, who died in November 2006.
The elder Levert was joined by Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle and Yolanda Adams for a heart-wrenching rendition of "Wind Beneath My Wings," which Gerald Levert often performed.
Gold was the color of the night as Beyonce took it to a whole new level.
She graced the stage - after winning the night's first award, video of the year for "Irreplaceable" - in gold robot gear, which she whittled down to sleek gold lame' pants and a matching bra top for a rousing rendition of her dance anthem, "Get Me Bodied."
Was it me, or did Kelly Rowland really come into her own tonight when the former "Destiny's Child" alum performed her solo hit "Like This" with Eve.
Her body was slammin'!
Looks like Rowlands is going to do whatever it takes to sell those units. We won't hate on you Kelly -- go' head and shake yo moneymaker.
While the ladies were tasteful in their presentations, 50 Cent took us -- unfortunately -- back to the Don Imus days when he performed "Amusement Park," which was bleeped several times because of the vulgarity.Perhaps with that performance in mind, Ross, as she accepted her lifetime achievement award, implored performers to keep it clean.
"I have tried to keep the standards high," she said. "We do not have to say the F-word, we do not have to pump and grind, we do not have to some of these things to have longevity in our career. ... I will do the diva master class for you!"
Speaking of the master of class, Don Cheadle brought substance to the awards show when he accepted the humanitarian award for his efforts to bring attention to the crisis in Darfur. 
Personally, that's what being "black and proud" is all about.
We also want to give props to Forest Whitaker for his Best Actor nod. It's good to see real brothers representing, even if Michael Clarke Duncan had to fill-in for brother Whitaker.
I don't know about you, but I'm not buying Fiddy's music or his vitamin water. I'm done!
Finally, show host Mo'Nique made a splashy entrance of her own.
Introduced by boxing announcer Michael Buffer, who shouted, "Are you ready to jiggle?," she was joined by a bevy of plus-sized dancers in matching silver minidresses as they performed Beyonce's song "Deja Vu" music-video style.
The comedian, who has hosted the show twice before, previously opened the show with a booty-shaking rendition of Beyonce's "Crazy in Love."
Original story by AP Entertainment Writer Sandy Cohen
