LOS ANGELES - The world's most celebrated performers of yesterday and today will gather at Los Angeles' Shrine Auditorium to celebrate a quarter century of ground-breaking, African-American programming from BET when the network hosts 25 STRONG: THE BET SILVER ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL on Wednesday, October 26 at 8 p.m. PT.

A sparkling "A- List" of entertainers, including R&B sensation Usher, the sultry Alicia Keys, the multi-talented Queen Latifah, the soulful Earth Wind & Fire, hip-hop soul diva Mary J. Blige, the masterful John Legend, contemporary genius R. Kelly and many more will be a part of the star-studded toast to the network's silver anniversary milestone. In addition to celebrating more than two decades of unforgettable entertainment, BET will bid farewell to retiring Founder and Chairman, Robert L. Johnson in a special tribute.

BET has again teamed with Cossette Productions, famed producers of the GRAMMY Awards® and five record- setting BET AWARDS shows, to handle production of the telecast, which will premiere on Tuesday, November 1 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

Over the course of two-and-a-half-hours, viewers will take a 25-year-long, foot-stomping entertainment ride. Stops along the way will feature rap impresarios such as West Coast hit-maker Snoop Dogg, Queens, New York-born hip hop legend LL Cool J and Wu-Tang alumni Method Man, rocking the mic opposite hard-hitting "Dirty South" lyricists Nelly, Big Gipp, Murphy Lee and Ali in a battle for old school versus new school bragging rights. With Hollywood's finest in attendance, audiences will also be in the presence of such star power as Steve Harvey, Yolanda Adams, Serena Williams, Kirk Franklin, Pastor Shirley Caesar, Donnie Simpson, Dr. Bobby Jones, Parliament Funkadelic featuring George Clinton and Bootsy Collins, New Edition, Arsenio Hall, Jeffrey Osbourne, Donnie McClurkin, Hammer, Howard Hewett, and Leon.

The night will begin with an hour-long pre-show hosted by Terri J. Vaughn and Tony Rock who'll kick off the evening by taking viewers on a virtual stroll down the red carpet, capturing the sizzling fashions and arrival excitement of Black entertainment's glamour set. The half-hour post show hosted by BET News anchor Jacque Reid will recap the festivities, highlighting the network's favorite celebrity moments and performances.

"The only way to truly celebrate 25 years of BET's place in entertainment history is with an amazing event and televised special loaded with unparalleled talent and creative passion," said Debra Lee, BET President and CEO. "This event is more than a look back at BET's greatness over the years. It's our chance -- and that of our many friends, advertisers, viewers and partners -- to celebrate an incredible milestone and set in motion a new era for BET. It's also the perfect salute to the pioneering achievements of BET Founder and Chairman Bob Johnson."

"This year, BET cemented its reputation of giving the best award shows on television," added BET President of Entertainment, acclaimed director Reginald Hudlin. "Both the BET AWARDS and BET COMEDY AWARDS were huge successes. Our SILVER ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL will be the trifecta, the hat trick, the topping of toppers. I didn't just jinx it, did I?"

To pay tribute to the network's pioneering history, BET will break with the traditional host format in favor of an approach that incorporates a variety of A-list celebrities. Stars including Donnie Simpson, Queen Latifah, Serena Williams, Dr. Bobby Jones, Steve Harvey and Arsenio Hall will helm show segments, each representing a five-year span of the past 25 years. BET's greatest moments from 1980 to 2005 will be punctuated by period performances and special tributes, with each superstar-host personally connected to their time period.

Unforgettable performances are ubiquitous to BET mega-specials and 25 STRONG: THE BET SILVER ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL will keep up that tradition. The night will offer a powerful mix of classic soul and old-school funk with fresh rhythms and new-school flavor as the past, present and future unite to recognize entertainment greatness.

"There will be no place anywhere more electrifying than our stage with performances that are classic and contemporary; spiritual and funky; poetic and pulsating. BET's presence for 25 years has been a gateway to the musical universe. And that's exactly how we're building our anniversary show," said Stephen Hill, Executive Vice President for Music Programming and Talent.

BET.com users will get an exclusive All-Access Pass to behind-the-scenes backstage action, hosted by former BET personality Big Lez. Big Lez will lead online users in a guided tour of all the highlights and excitement of backstage, mingle with stars participating in the show and give a rare glimpse of the green room activities as celebrity performers prepare for their turn onstage at BET's biggest celebration ever!

Serving as a prelude to all the excitement of 25 STRONG: THE BET SILVER ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL, the network kicked off a series of special programming aimed at enticing viewers leading up to the official celebration with ALL SHADES OF FINE: 25 HOTTEST FEMALES OF THE PAST 25 YEARS. Hosted by Bill Bellamy, this special paid tribute to the most blazin' ebony starlets of the past 25 years. Other upcoming features include:


* MADE YOU LOOK: TOP 25 MOMENTS OF BET HISTORY (5 PART SERIES) -- Monday,
October 24th through Friday, October 28th @ 10:00 p.m. ET/PT: The
countdown will feature 25 of the most significant moments on BET that
made you look, laugh, cheer, or cry. From the exclusive OJ Simpson
interview, to the Million Man March and Biggie's last interview on Rap
City, these moments are the ones viewers will still be talking about
this time next year. Host: Donnie Simpson.

* ALL SHADES OF FINE: 25 HOTTEST MEN OF THE PAST 25 YEARS -- Sunday,
October 30th @ 2:30 p.m. ET/PT: BET takes a look at the finest Black Men
in the past 25 years. Host: Meagan Good.

BET will air encore performances of 25 STRONG: THE BET SILVER ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL on Friday, November 4 from 7:30-11 p.m. ET/PT; Thursday, November 10 from 8-10:30 p.m. ET/PT; and Thursday, November 24 from 7:30-10 p.m. ET/PT.