LALATE GRAMMY COVERAGE
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 Denzel Washington’s “The Great Debaters” and Tyler Perry’s TBS series “House of Payne” took the most awards tonight at the NAACP Image Awards.

“The Great Debaters” nabbed top film, with acting awards going to stars Washington, Jurnee Smollett and teenager Denzel Whitaker. “I’ll be at that other show next week but my heart is here,” said Washington about the Oscars. “I’m just so happy to see these young people get recognized.”

“Tyler Perry’s House of Payne” won best comedy series with its stars, LaVan Davis and Lance Gross, taking acting prizes. Perry 100 shows had been shot in 1 year and TBS had ordered 26 more. “Nobody thought it would work,” Perry said. “I don’t care if 1,000 people tell you no, if you get one yes from God, that’s all you need to make it. Today I stand here with that God yes.”

Janet Jackson won for supporting actress for Perry’s film “Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married?”

Jackson later introduced Stevie Wonder for his induction into the NAACP Hall of Fame. Wonder said “It’s through this organization that we now have two (presidential) candidates, one a female and the other an African-American.I say let them both win so that we can have a strong, united people of the United States,” Wonder said to applause. “I’m very very excited about the possibility.”

Special awards went to Ruby Dee and Aretha Franklin. Franklin was at the first awards show and said “I was here when the sets were falling down and cue cards were being written in the wings just before the artists walked on stage,” she said. “This is the icing on the cake for me.”