So, yeah… as I alluded to on Friday, the Dove Awards came on at the same time as this week’s episode of Sunday Best, and only one program would win my attention and energy…

I think I made a good decision.  In fact, though I recorded Sunday Best on DVR, I still don’t have an inclination to watch yesterday’s episode.

I believe my waning interest (and yours– I’ve seen the comments here and in the world wide ethos) is indicative of a fairly lackluster season from BET so far… or maybe I just didn’t feel like watching.

Either way, I’ve got no recap for you.  In exchange, though, why don’t YOU folks tell ME what you thought of it.  Specifically, I need your advice–

(1) Should I watch it?

(2) What were the highlights?

(3) What were the low points?

(4) Was it good enough to watch again next week?

There’s your assignment! Talk to me, pleeeeeeaaaaaaaase!

BET’s Sunday Best headed to Philadelphia for this week’s auditions.  Donnie McClurkin and Tina Campbell were joined by Kim Burrell to judge this round.

To me, it was probably the best week so far– the judges were hilarious and the talent was more evident than in other cities.

Hilarious highlights this week came from the “gospel hands,” and a one-liner from Tina Campbell: “It was very ‘Black History Month,’ but I think you could do something with the other months too.”

The judges were TOUGH– they weren’t letting folks just slip on through cuz they were “good.”  That said, I don’t think I disagreed with any of their picks, or their rejections.

Stand-outs vocalists for me were Bethany Divine, who sang “Soon I Will Be Done” (great tone and not too extreme with the acrobatics) and the 79-year-old Elder McClendon, whose passion and presence captivated me, and whose tone and control blew me away.  Excited to hear more from him.

And uhh… that’s about it.  What did you guys think???

The second week of BET’s Sunday Best continued with auditions in Detroit.  I dunno if they simply chose to edit out the incredible performances, but… I don’t think I saw much that excited me.

At the judges table, Erica & Tina Campbell (Mary Mary) joined Donnie McClurkin this week.  They were not giving any freebies, and I’m glad about it.  Just cuz you can sing doesn’t mean you can be an artist.

Tina had some GREAT one-liners… my favorite was probably, to the woman who sang ”I Know I’ve Been Changed,” Tina responded “DEFINITELY take that to the Black History Program.”

I have two favorites from the night.  One was Missy, the soft-spoken, but confidently sung young lady from the UK.  The second was Brian Smith (the last contestant).  He and I used to sing together (along with Jermaine Sellers) in Walt Whitman & The Soul Children Of Chicago.  I wonder if this means that I’ve gotta audition for Sunday Best next year…

Anyway, I’m already excited for the episodes with the finalists in New Orleans (they’re taping now and some of the guest performers include Y’Anna Crawley and J Moss).  That’s when the gettin’ gets good.

What did you think of the show?

Okay, who caught the world premiere of season three of Sunday Best on BET?

It began with auditions in Lagos, Nigeria. Host Kirk Franklin introduced the day’s audition-round judges– Donnie McClurkin, Kim Burrell and Nigerian artist Muyiwa Olarewaju.

In my opinion, this premiere was a little anticlimactic… I think I missed Erica and Tina Campbell, and maybe even BeBe Winans. There wasn’t much funny banter among the judges like in previous years (partly cuz Donnie and Kim were clearly not in agreement with Muyiwa on most musical matters).

There were, no doubt, a couple of funny moments– like when Kim Burrell who, after drawing out some vocal strengths from one contestant in leopard heels, said “you don’t wear shoes like that and be timid.” POW! Or when Kirk Franklin kept trying to MAKE the man admit that he was hot in his garb: “Did you have a short-set version of this outfit?”

As far as potential winners are concerned, I dunno. Honestly, the only stand-out for me was Ekeng Bassey (he was the penultimate auditioner… I think Donnie called him “trendy”). In the end, no one really jumped out as a great vocalist with artistic appeal. Some folks could sing well, but… I honestly don’t think that anyone from this group is gonna be crowned the winner of Sunday Best…

Nice of BET to go to Africa, though…

[Editor's Note: In response to several criticisms he received in the comments section of this blog, Nigerian gospel artist Muyiwa Olarewaju posted the following comment on April 6, 2010:

Blessings Folks
I was the baddie my big thing was 1) the auditions were on a sunday morning all our best are in church… 2) the producers were keen on a good show…..not convinced that was going to equal brilliant singers from Nigeria more comedy content……3) dont know about you but I didnt see many that could stand up against the standard that will be on the show…which means those watching look and say whao! is that the best Nigeria have to offer…when i know for a fact Nigeria has much more and as someone kindly pointed out many that would sing me out of town…I think even Kirk will give me a run for my money on the singing front. Ekeng Bassey for me represented the quality I see on a regular from Nigeria… check out Lara George, Sammy Okposo’ Olufunmi, Niki Laoye, Onos Brisibi, Efe Nathan, Tim Godfrey to name a few. If I am the baddie for attempting to protect Brand Nigeria from the ridicule of a global audience who take a view of all our best gospel artist from one half hour show thats made for entertainment then I’m happy to wear that tag.
By the way we’ll be in concert at the worlds Number 1 music venue O2 the london on the 14th May if you’re in London why not check it out http://www.riversongz.com]