BET hosted its 2011 Upfront event this past Wednesday (Apr 20) at the Best Buy Theater, in New York City. Celebs who attended the event included “The Game” stars Hosea Chanchez, Wendy Raquel Robinson, and Pooch Hall, along with BET CEO Debra Lee, 106 and Park hosts Rocsi and Terrence J, on-air personality Wendy Williams, and more.

The press event also featured a performance from R&B singer Marsha Ambrosius and a surprise appearance from rapper Doug E. Fresh.

Check out 10+ pics below!

Congratulations are definitely in order for BET and the latest addition to their line-up of sitcoms, “The Game!”

According to stats released this week, when the show made its big return to television Tuesday night (1.11.11) via BET (after being dropped from the CW 2 two years ago), “The Game” brought in nearly 8 million viewers, making history as the biggest audience EVER on the network!

More info (along with pics from the premiere party in New York City) below and when you continue reading:

In three seasons on the low-rated CW broadcast network, the sitcom The Game never averaged more than 2.3 million viewers, and in its final season, it averaged a measly 1.68 million, but in its debut on the BET cable network on Tuesday, the show attracted 7.7 million, putting it ahead of much of its broadcast competition. It was the biggest audience ever to tune in to a program on the Viacom-owned network.

“It’s so great to hear from a community that feels they’re being overlooked by the major networks,” BET chief Debra Lee told Advertising Age magazine. Separately, she said in a statement “It is clear these two shows are real game changers for the Network and the proven success of last night tells us that our viewers are not only passionate about the types of programming that we offer, but continue to crave on-air programming that reflects and respects our voices.” (Source)

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On Thursday (Dec 9) many celebrities took to the Lincoln Center to celebrate the roast of Stephen Hill presented by City Of Hope in New York City.

Hill, who is the President of Music Programming and Specials for BET, was roasted by stars like Nick Cannon, Mike Epps, Diddy and 106 & Park hosts Raquel Diaz and Terrence J. Others who came out to the roast included Keri Hilson, Brandy, L.A. Reid, Matthew Knowles and Trey Songz.

After the funny roast, Stephen changed into some shorts and a tee to play dunk tank. Former 106 & Park host A.J. Calloway, Mike Epps and Bruno Mars all took a shot at trying to dunk the roastee. Looks like it was a fun night for everyone!

Check out 15+ pics below!

Ciara, Keri Hilson, Keyshia Cole, Estelle and more were in attendance for the 5th Annual Black Girls Rock! Awards, held Saturday night (Oct 16) at the Paradise Theater in the Bronx borough of New York City. Keyshia Cole, Fantasia, Keri Hilson, Monica and Shontelle were featured performers for the evening.

Other celebs on hand for the event were Raven Symone, Jill Scott, Nia Long, Keke Palmer and more. The 5th Annual Black Girls Rock! Awards will air on BET next month (Nov 7).

Check out 15+ pics from the red carpet and the show below!!

BET Executive Vice President of Entertainment and Music Programming Stephen Hill is in damage control mode in an effort to clear up bogus allegations that Chris Brown used eye drops to help him cry during his Michael Jackson tribute at the 2010 BET Awards, held this past Sunday evening (Jun 27) in Los Angeles, CA. Hill also shut down rumors alleging that Jay-Z kept Beyonce and Rihanna from the show because he didn’t approve of the Chris Brown performance.

On the rumor that Chris Brown’s bodyguard gave him tear inducing drops so that he could “fake cry”

I think the pressure of the year and the lyrics of that song really just resonated. And, as someone who was backstage, there was nothing fake about that. I think there is a US Weekly story today about like his bodyguard gave him something to induce tears. Its just not true. I’ve been around actors who cry and when you fake cry, you don’t get…your throat doesn’t get swollen like it does [when you cry for real]. When he was trying to sing, he couldn’t get anything out. That’s a hard thing to fake. I appreciate people wanting to create controversy, but this guy has gone though a lot this past year, let this emotion be what it is. Everybody comes to the moment where you gotta make that change.

On the rumor that Jay-Z, Beyonce and Rihanna missed the awards before of the Chris Brown performance

They missed the awards, because…we have this conversation almost every year. And, some years we are really fortunate when Jay-Z and Beyonce are in the house and other times, they go on vacation. But I can absolutely say without reservation that there was no conversation at all around, “If Chris Brown’s coming, I’m not coming.” That’s just false.

Spotted @ Necole Bitchie

“He was bent on taking his own life. It’s very unfortunate.  We wanted this to end a different way.” Deputy Chief Kirk Albanese told press.

The struggling porn actor had been on the run ever since he lashed out and attacked a co-worker in Ultima Dvd Inc.’s distribution and production center.  Hill apparently snapped after being asked to pack his things and leave the facility by the next morning.

SMH… What is this world coming to?!?

Diddy brought along his Dirty Money crew to help him, Queen Latifah and network exec. Stephen Hill announce the nominees and performers for the upcoming 2010 BET Awards, which will be held next month in Los Angeles. Leading the nods is Hollywood power couple Jay-Z and Beyonce, who each have 5 and 4 nominations respectively. Other artists to note are Alicia Keys, Trey Songz and Melanie Fiona, who all have 4 nods a piece. Even teen pop sensation Justin Bieber scored himself a nomination of his own!

As far as performers are concerned, only three names have been announced so far: Drake, Trey Songz and Nicki Minaj. But expect more names to be added to the list soon! The 2010 BET Awards are scheduled to air live from Los Angeles on June 27th and will be hosted by Queen Latifah. And Diddy will host the post-show as he counts down the release of his new album Last Train to Paris, which is set to be released at midnight following the BET Awards.

Check out a few pictures from the 2010 BET Awards press conference at the Rooftop Garden in New York City Tuesday (May 18) below and continue reading for the full list of nominees…

Best Female R&B Artist
Beyonce
Mary J. Blige
Melanie Fiona
Alicia Keys
Rihanna

Best Male R&B Artist
Chris Brown
Raheem DeVaughn
Maxwell
Trey Songz
Usher

Best Female Hip Hop Artist
Ester Dean
Lil Kim
Nicki Minaj
Rasheeda
Trina

Best Male Hip Hop Artist
B.o.B
Drake
Fabolous
Jay-Z
Ludacris

Best New Artist
Justin Bieber
Melanie Fiona
Nicki Minaj
Wale
Young Money

Best Gospel
The Anointed Pace Sisters
Kirk Franklin Presents: Artists United for Haiti
Tamela Mann
Marvin Sapp
Vickie Winans

Best Group
Black Eyed Peas
Clipse
Diddy-Dirty Money
New Boyz
Young Money

Best Collaboration
Beyoncé (F/ Lady Gaga) – “Video Phone”
B.o.B (F/ Bruno Mars) – Nothin’ on You
Drake and Trey Songz – “Successful”
Drake (F/ Lil Wayne, Kanye West and Eminem) – “Forever”
Jay-Z and Alicia Keys – “Empire State of Mind”
Trey Songz (F/ Fabolous) – “Say Aah”

Video Director of the Year
Benny Boom
Gil Green
Anthony Mandler
Chris Robinson
Hype Williams

Video of the Year
Beyonce (F/ Lady Gaga) – “Video Phone”
B.o.B (F/ Bruno Mars) – “Nothin’ on You”
Melanie Fiona – “It Kills Me”
Jay-Z and Alicia Keys – “Empire State of Mind”
Jay-Z, Rihanna and Kanye West – “Run This Town”

Best Actress
Taraji P. Henson
Regina King
Mo’Nique
Zoe Saldana
Gabourey Sidibe

Best Actor
Quinton Aaron
Don Cheadle
Idris Elba
Jamie Foxx
Denzel Washington

Best Movie
“Avatar”
“Law Abiding Citizen”
“Michael Jackson’s This Is It”
“Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire”
“The Blind Side”

Young Stars Award
Selena Gomez
Lil JJ
Keke Palmer
Willow Smith
Tyler James Williams

Subway Sportswoman of the Year
Tamika Catchings
Vanessa James
Candace Parker
Serena Williams
Venus Williams

Subway Sportsman of the Year
Carmelo Anthony
Usain Bolt
Kobe Bryant
LeBron James
Tiger Woods

Viewer’s Choice
Beyonce – “Sweet Dreams”
Jay-Z and Alicia Keys – “Empire State of Mind”
Monica – “Everything to Me”
Rihanna (F/ Young Jeezy) – “Hard”
Trey Songz (F/ Fabolous) – “Say Aah”
Young Money (F/ Lloyd) – “Bedrock”

Best International Act
Kojo Antwi (Ghana)
Chipmunk (U.K.)
Dizzee Rascal (U.K.)
Estelle (U.K.)
Hip Hop Pantsula (South Africa)
K’NAAN (Somalia)
M.I. (Nigeria)
P-Square (Nigeria)
Corinne Bailey Rae (U.K.)
Sade (U.K.)

Centric Award
Melanie Fiona
Maxwell
Chrisette Michele
Monica
Sade

After the show it’s the after party!

Rapper Jay-Z hosted an after-party at his famous 40/40 club in New York City following his sold out concert in Madison Square Garden last night (Tues. Mar 2). His wife Beyonce was there, and so was Michelle Williams, Lebron James, Drake, BET’s Stephen Hill and his tour-mate Young Jeezy. Peep the pics below…

The biggest names in hip-hop entertainment hit up the 2009 BET Hip-Hop awards, held in Atlanta, GA this past weekend. Folks like Soulja Boy, Gucci Mane, Monica, Tiny & Toya, Pretty Ricky, Shawty Lo, Plies, Rick Ross and more all walked the red carpet before making their way into the building to enjoy the show, which will air on BET Tuesday, October 27th at 8/7c.

PHOTOS: NIGEL D / WIRE IMAGE / GETTY IMAGES

Russell Simmons hosted the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation’s 10th Anniversary Art for Life Benefit at his East Hampton Estate Saturday (Jul 18) in East Hampton, New York. He’s pictured above with his two daughters Ming Lee and Aoki Lee. Tila Tequila, Star Jones, Vanessa Williams and others also hit up the event.

PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES

Here’s a shot of Kanye West and his girlfriend Amber Rose on the red carpet of the 2009 BET Awards, which went down Sunday (Jun 28) in Los Angeles at the Shrine Auditorium. The show itself pretty much sucked. And that’s us being nice. But for the most part, everyone looked good on the red carpet. Continue reading for 80+ pics of celebrities like Beyonce, Ne-Yo, Tyrese, Soulja Boy, Ciara, Mario and tons more!

PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES / WIRE IMAGE / FILM MAGIC

Singers Monica and Maxwell stopped for a photo backstage during the BET Networks’ 2009 Upfront media presentation, where they announced 4 brand new shows in addition to a new entertainment and music channel called CENTRIC. The presentation, held at the Nokia Theatre in New York Thursday night, featured special appearances by Mary J. Blige, Mo’Nique, MC Lyte and more.

According to several announcements made at the event, Monica will be getting her own “docu-drama” (aka reality series) titled Monica: Still Standing and Mo’Nique has her own nightly talk/variety show. No word on when the new shows will be premiering yet, but continue reading for more photos from the media event.

PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES / FREDDY O