‘Ali,’ ‘Steve Harvey’ Top NAACP Image Nods

The Muhammad Ali biopic “Ali” and the WB’s “The Steve Harvey Show” were the leaders in nominations Wednesday for the 33rd annual NAACP Image Awards, honoring the best of black entertainment in film, TV, music and literature.

Also receiving several major nominations was the controversial film “Baby Boy,” about an irresponsible, unemployed and unmarried young man who has out-of-wedlock children with two “baby mamas.” The film, directed by John Singleton, caused some uproar for what many viewers saw as the glorification of black male stereotypes.

“Ali” and “Baby Boy” were both nominated for outstanding motion picture, along with “The Brothers,” “Rush Hour 2” and “Training Day.”

Will Smith and R&B; singer Tyrese Gibson received outstanding motion picture lead actor nods respectively for “Ali” and “Baby Boy.” Other best actor nominees include Denzel Washington (“Training Day”), Chris Tucker (“Rush Hour 2”) and Morgan Freeman (“Along Came a Spider”).

Squaring off in the outstanding motion picture lead actress division are Alfre Woodard (“K-PAX”), Halle Berry (“Swordfish”), Regina King (“Down to Earth”), Vivica A. Fox (“Two Can Play That Game”) and Whoopi Goldberg (“Kingdom Come”).

In the TV arena, “The Steve Harvey Show,” about a 1970s R&B; star turned high school music teacher and now vice principal, received the most nominations of any series. The show was nominated for outstanding comedy series, including nods for lead actors Steve Harvey and Wendy Raquel Robinson and supporting players Cedric “The Entertainer,” Merlin Santana and Terri J. Vaughn.

The WB comedy, which was the big winner at the previous Image Awards, will compete for best comedy this time around against Fox’s new sitcom “The Bernie Mac Show,” UPN’s “Girlfriends” and “The Hughleys,” and ABC’s “My Wife & Kids.”

Harvey’s competition in the best actor category is Bernie Mac, D.L. Hughley, Damon Wayans (“My Wife and Kids”) and Michael Boatman (HBO’s “Arliss”).

In addition to Robinson, the outstanding comedy lead actress nominees are Tracee Ellis Ross (“Girlfriends”), Mo’Nique (“The Parkers”), Holly Robinson Peete (“For Your Love”) and Tisha Campbell-Martin (“My Wife and Kids”).

Showtime’s “Soul Food” received the most TV drama nominations, including outstanding drama, actress (Nicole Ari Parker), supporting actor (Boris Kodjoe and Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds), supporting actress (Debbi Morgan) and youth actor/actress (Aaron Meeks).

“Soul Food” will compete against Lifetime’s “Any Day Now,” NBC’s “ER,” Fox’s “Boston Public” and ABC’s “The Practice” for outstanding drama.

Competing for outstanding album is “Aaliyah” by Aaliyah, “Acoustic Soul” by India.Arie, “Experience-Jill Scott” by Jill Scott, “Invincible” by Michael Jackson and “Songs in A Minor” by Alicia Keys.

The ceremony will take place Feb. 23 at the Universal Amphitheatre, and a shortened version will be broadcast March 1 on Fox.