There are many things one can say about "our" network, BET, but a positive thing I can say is that I generally find the BET Awards far more entertaining than any award show MTV ever puts out. The show airs tonight, with performances by Lil Wayne, Usher, Alicia Keys, Al Green, Chris Brown, and others, but last night everyone's favorite network president Debra Lee hosted a pre-show dinner in LA. A glowing post-engagement Jill Scott was in attendance, along with Ashanti, Nelly, Soulja Boy, Eva Pigford, and Robert Townsend. Eclectic pre-party crowd.

Things we can be sure to see tonight:
• Some surprise guest performance by Beyonce (thankfully, not this Beyonce).

• Lil Wayne's special styrofoam cup filled with a mysterious "Easter pink" substance.

• Children of rappers posing with their dads on the red carpet.

• A million references to Barack Obama; celebrities ordering the audience to "Vote or Die"

• No references to John McCain

• Numerous audience reaction shots of Rihanna and Chris Brown

• A lot of cuddling between Rick Ross and Foxy Brown