COMEDIAN MICHAEL JR. BRINGS ‘THE FUNNY’ TO HOLLYWOOD ’S 16TH ANNUAL ‘FAITH & VALUES’ MOVIEGUIDE® AWARDS

The power and the glory of Tuesday evenings 16th annual Faith & Values Movieguide Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel went to comedy great Michael Jr., who opened the show like Oscar hosts Billy Crystal and Whoopie Goldberg all rolled into one.

Hailed as the next ‘break-out’ star in family comedy for 2008 and often compared to a ‘young’ Bill Cosby, Michael Jr. is funny for a reason! “When I saw Michael Jr. perform on the ‘Tonight Show’ I knew he just had to host the ‘Movieguide® Awards!’” says executive producer Susan Wales. “His comedy is genuine, it’s intelligent and speaks to every generation – he really took the show to a new level -- comparable to the Oscars!”

Brilliant performances were the order of the day with Grammy Award Winners Macy Gray performing ‘Amazing Grace’ and Natalie Grant performing her hit single “Home”. Founder & publisher Ted Baehr was on hand to introduce his 2008 Report to the Entertainment Industry but it was Hollywood ’s big night! Awards presenters included Lou Gossett, Jr., Lee Merewether, Buzz Aldrin, Nadia Bjorlin, Steven Baldwin, Eric Close, Eduardo Verastequi, Alli Landry, to name a few.

Warner Bros. Pictures’ “I am Legend” garnered the award for ‘Best Mature Film’, Disney’s “Ratatouille” took the award for “Best Family Film”; Bailee Madison and Abigail Mason tied for the “Grace Prize for Television” for their performances in “Saving Sarah Cain” (“Fox Faith/Lifetime TV/News Corp); Eduardo Verastequi received the “Grace Prize for Film” for his performance in “Bella,” distributed by Roadside Attractions/Lionsgate; the ‘Kairos Award” bestowed upon first-time screen writers was given to Guy W. Forrest for “If By Chance;” CBS Entertainment/Viacom received the “Epiphany Prize for Most Inspirational Television Program” with Valley of the Light,” and Samuel Goldwyn Films and Roadside Attractions took home the “Epiphany Prize for Most Inspirational Movie” for “Amazing Grace”

After the Awards presentation, comic host, Michael Jr. exclaimed, “Well, gee, I guess my prize is just being here!” And what a prize it was! In between Michael Jr.’s busy touring schedule for 2008 which includes multiple performances in California , Washington, Virginia , Michigan , Oklahoma , Tennessee and Texas , Michael Jr. has authored a new children’s book entitled “The Parts We Play” which is garnering rave reviews. www.thepartsweplay.com
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