The "BET Awards" turned into an impromptu Michael Jackson tribute and preliminary ratings show that it will have the event's biggest audience ever.

Nielsen Media Research says the ratings from its 56 biggest markets showed Sunday's "BET Awards" were up 61 percent compared to last year. An estimated 10 percent of turned-on television sets were tuned to the "BET Awards" -- an unusually large number for a cable channel, the Associated Press reports.

Nielsen says the show got a 5.8 rating in the overnight ratings. The awards ceremony has been held since 2001 and has never gotten more than a 3.7 rating.

Several celebrities, including host Jamie Foxx, paid tribute to Jackson.

The evening was capped by the emotional appearance of Jackson's sister Janet.

But many who watched the awards show were disappointed, with viewers posting complaints to online entertainment and social networking message boards.

"That was no tribute. That was a travesty," said one person about the show at EW.com. "That did not honor Michael in anyway what he deserved. And as far as Foxx goes, have been a fan of his but not so much now. Shameful performance all around."

Wrote another viewer on EW.com: "I'll be honest, I was disappointed. The only reason I watched was because I was told they were honoring MJ. No one really said anything. Like someone said they should have waited and done a REAL tribute.…"

Promoters say fans who bought tickets to Michael Jackson's 50 canceled concerts in London will receive a full refund.

Los Angeles-based tour operator AEG Live said in a statement released today that all those who bought tickets through an authorized agent will be refunded the cost of their ticket, and service charges.

AEG Live says details will be provided at the Web site www.MichaelJacksonLive.com tomorrow.

It says fans can choose to take a refund, or instead receive their actual ticket, which the company said features graphics designed by Jackson.

The offer to receive the ticket will continue until August 14, AEG said.

Around 750,000 fans bought tickets for the shows in London, which were due to begin July 13 and continue until next year.

In happier King of Pop news…

Michael Jackson never got around to recording that long-awaited comeback album, but that doesn't mean there isn't plenty of material.

E! News has obtained the King of Pop's recording of "Shout" -- the first of what will likely be a slew of posthumous recordings unearthed in the next few years.

The tune, which puts a distinctive Jackson twist on the Isley Brothers' seminal 1959 hit, was cowritten by the New Jersey-based team of Cyph and Crystal and recorded in the fall of 2001 at Sony Recording Studios in New York City, but was never released.

"After the recording was done, we could see him dancing to the song," Cyph, who was introduced to the star by producer Teddy Riley, tells E! News. "He really was feeling that record, but, unfortunately, the record got railroaded by politics within the album and the dispute between M.J. and Tommy [Mottola], so it got released as a maxi single to R. Kelly's "Cry." No one's heard "Shout" in the U.S."

Jackson's last studio album, "Invincible," came out in 2001.

One of Jackson's biographers, Ian Halperin, claims the singer may have left more than 100 unreleased songs to his three children as a "personal legacy," according to the Times of London.

Meanwhile, per TheWrap.com, Jackson's final Los Angeles rehearsal for his upcoming London concert series was recorded by AEG as part of his multimillion-dollar deal, and the concert promoter is reportedly planning to release it on DVD and CD as a "live concert."

You didn't have to search far to find stars paying tribute to Ed McMahon Sunday.

The memorial service for "The Tonight Show's" second banana, who died June 23, was held at the Church of the Hills at Forest Lawn Memorial Parks and Mortuaries in the Hollywood Hills and included more than 200 friends and family members, his wife, Pamela, his five children and his grandchildren among them, Entertainment Tonight reports.

Natalie Cole performed her song "Smile" alongside David Foster, who also accompanied former Star Search winner Nita Whitaker. Tony Danza, Jimmy Kimmel and Johnny Carson's widow, Joanna Carson, were also in attendance.

The ceremony concluded with a thundering standing ovation for the late television icon.

Friends and family will celebrate the life of Farrah Fawcett in private today. The funeral service will be held at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Angels in Los Angeles, according to church officials.

The "Charlie's Angels" actress died of anal cancer last Thursday at age 62.

She had originally been diagnosed in September 2006 and declared herself free of the disease four months later. Cancer returned in May 2007, and recently made her struggle public with the TV documentary, "Farrah's Story."

Days before her death, her longtime lover Ryan O'Neal announced the couple would finally get married, but they never got the chance, Popeater.com reports.