Posted January 27, 2008 - The Celebration of Gospel 2008 showcased some of gospel’s best talents from legends like Shirley Caesar to promising newcomers like Sunday Best winner Crystal Aikin. In his eighth consecutive year as host, Steve Harvey walked the fine line between keeping things gospel-friendly while sneaking in some edgy comedy. This year’s theme of “Spirit and Song,” was well-represented by some of the show’s most fantastic performances ever. The most popular religious program on television keeps on (holy) rolling along. Here are the show’s highlights.
ALL PRAISES DUE: To host Steve Harvey, who manages to make the church people laugh while slightly skewering them at the same time. After eight years, its hard to imagine anyone else as “COG” host. He has this gig down. Even though every year he gives the live audience of “church folks” a hard time, as someone who grew up in the church, he understands just how far he can go.
TOO HOT FOR TV? Controversial gospel artist Tonex and embattled Prophetess Juanita Bynum were both seen in the audience, though neither appeared on the show.
SECULAR SONGSTRESS: Not only did Patti Labelle grace the crowd with her fabulosity (we think she should have written the book instead of Kimora) but she delivered a rare gospel television performance with her stirring rendition of “Walk Around Heaven.”
COG STAPLES: Apparently, there can’t be a COG without these two – Kirk Franklin and Pastor Shirley Caesar. That’s because they represent the best of traditional gospel and it’s more contemporary incarnation.
WELCOMED NEWCOMER: R&B singer/songwriter John Legend, who sang “Show Me,” and he did so, beautifully.
LOOKING MOST LIKELY TO JUMP ONSTAGE: R&B singer Tyrese, spotted in the audience, looked as though he wanted to grab a mic and join in on the performances.
BEST DRESSED: Well, he didn’t arrive at COG with the flattering baldie he’s now sporting, but we have to give it up to Steve Harvey’s sparkling suit.
MOST PROMISING: “Sunday Best” finalist Jermaine Sellers, who prompted Steve Harvey to say he had to look to know the high voice he heard belonged to a male singer. Sellers’ amazing range and contemporary look should find him a place on the professional gospel circuit.
BEST PERFORMANCE: We don’t know if it’s possible for TV viewers to feel the energy in the house that greeted Marvin Sapp’s impassioned performance of “Never Would Have Made It.” For a minute there, the Orpheum Theatre turned into church as the audience was lifted by his testimony. (But just wondering…is he related to ex-NFL baller Warren Sapp?)
BEST OFFSCREEN EXCHANGE: The Sapp performance was so good, it left producers scrambling to figure out how to top it with the all-star finale that taped right afterward. From the stage, Steve told the audience that the production truck had no idea what to do. He told BET Entertainment President Reggie Hudlin, seated in the audience, that the show had its finale in the Sapp performance and then quipped, “I’ve got to host and direct, too?” The finale went on as planned.
MOST LIKELY TO SUCCEED: The lovely and talented “Sunday Best” winner Crystal Aikin, who rose to the challenge in the finale when the more experienced artists seemed a little lost after the Sapp performance.