Grey's and Ugly Are Hot at Image Awards

Fri., Mar. 2, 2007 9:27 PM PST by Natalie Finn

The name of the game Friday at the 38th NAACP Image Awards was redemption.

Proving that onscreen, tumultuous melodrama can beat off-camera scandal and unrest any day, Isaiah Washington was named Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series for Grey's Anatomy, his second win in a row and, this year, a much needed image boost for the beleaguered performer.

"The last time I was up here I felt deserving of something," said an emotional Washington, who came thisclose in January to losing his tenure at Seattle Grace after letting a gay slur fly in costar T.R. Knight's direction, moments after Grey's won Best Drama Series at the Golden Globes.

"This time, I feel extraordinarily privileged," he said. "I'm humbled and honored to be recognized by the NAACP."

Then, after the usual thanks, none of which singled out any part of the Grey's team, the wrap-up music cut Washington off before he was finished. So, we'll never know whether he was about to acknowledge the recent conflict that prompted him to seek treatment for his "issues."

Grey's was also named Outstanding Drama Series, Chandra Wilson won for Supporting Actress in a Drama Series and series creator Shonda Rhimes was honored for writing, giving the hit ABC series a leading four wins for the night.

And the NAACP kept on giving to ABC, passing out a second-best three awards to newcomer Ugly Betty: Outstanding Comedy, Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for Mode's resident queen-of-mean Vanessa L. Williams and Writing in a Comedy Series for Silvio Horta.

The NAACP Image Awards honor achievement in film, television, music and literature with an event that is obviously more about venerating one's artistic and cultural peers than it as about doling out statuettes, most of which are not handed out during the televised portion of the ceremony, hosted this year by LL Cool J.

CNN newswoman Soledad O'Brien, recipient of the special President's Award for public service, certainly seemed appreciative of being in the company of fellow greatness.

"Jennifer Hudson, you're amazing. Mary J., I love you. Raven Symone, I have four small children—I watch more Disney Channel than anyone in this room," the excited journalist said.

Lengthy segments were devoted to Bill Cosby, who received the Hall of Fame Award, and to Bono, who was given the Chairman's Award for his commitment to fighting poverty in Africa.

"He's doin' a lot for Africa—and he ain't even black!" Chris Tucker joked during the tribute to Bono, which also featured a performance by the Roots, who rocked Los Angeles' Shrine Auditorium with a hip-hop-infused interpretation of "Pride."

After jauntily informing presenter Tyra Banks that he had been a finalist for Ireland's Next Top Model, Bono addressed the audience with an impassioned plea for more unity in the fight against AIDS, poverty and other scourges in Africa, adding that the NAACP has pledged its support to the U2 frontman's One Foundation.

"We need the community that taught us something about civil rights to teach us about human rights," Bono said. "This is not about charity. It's about justice and equality."

Also taking a political slant was Prince, who was named Outstanding Male Artist, although he offered up a more pointed attack.

"There's only two kinds of people and the difference they make, the ones that give and the ones that take," the dapper performer said, adding, "I would just challenge the phone companies and the new digital providers to let us be the gateways, rather than the accountants and lawyers who ruined the music industry the first time around."

Said the artist formerly known as The Artist.

Mary J. Blige, whose "Be Without You" won Outstanding Music Video, was deemed Outstanding Female Artist and India.Arie's "I Am Not My Hair" was chosen for best song.

Over on the big screen, Will Smith's triumph-over-adversity drama The Pursuit of Happyness was named Outstanding Motion Picture.

Meanwhile, Jennifer Hudson continued to utterly dominate the competition, beating out costar Anika Noni Rose for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture. Dreamgirls' soundtrack also won for Outstanding Album, giving the film two wins.

"There is nothing like being recognized and honored by your own," said Hudson, who apparently has lost zero momentum since pocketing her Oscar last weekend.

Also keeping the streak alive was Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture winner Forest Whitaker, who snagged nearly every trophy available this year for his role as Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in The Last King of Scotland.

"Doing this role gave me so many blessings," said Whitaker. "One was being able to go back to Africa and touch my roots." (The nonstop kudos weren't so bad, either.)

No-show Eddie Murphy also picked up where he left off at the Oscars, losing out to Djimon Hounsou in Blood Diamond for Outstanding Supporting Actor.

Here's a rundown of some of the major winners at the 38th NAACP Image Awards (for a complete list, check out naacpimageawards.net):

Film

Outstanding Motion Picture: The Pursuit of Happyness
Actor: Forest Whitaker, The Last King of Scotland
Actress: Keke Palmer, Akeelah and the Bee
Supporting Actor: Djimon Hounsou, Blood Diamond
Supporting Actress: Jennifer Hudson, Dreamgirls

Television

Comedy Series: Ugly Betty
Actor in a Comedy Series: Tyler James Williams, Everybody Hates Chris
Actress in a Comedy Series: Tracee Ellis Ross, Girlfriends
Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: Reggie Hayes, Girlfriends
Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Vanessa L. Williams, Ugly Betty
Drama Series: Grey's Anatomy
Actor in a Drama Series: Isaiah Washington, Grey's Anatomy
Actress in a Drama Series: Kimberly Elise, Close to Home
Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Omar Epps, House
Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Chandra Wilson, Grey's Anatomy
TV Movie, Miniseries or Dramatic Special: When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts
Actor in a TV Movie, Miniseries or Dramatic Special: Kadeem Hardison, Life Is Not a Fairytale: The Fantasia Barrino Story
Actress in a TV Movie, Miniseries or Dramatic Special: Sophie Okonedo, Tsunami, The Aftermath