After six years on air, "BET Uncut," has been canceled. A source for recent controversy, the show featured scantily-clad women and sexual themes resulting in a TV-MA rating unsuitable for children under the age of 17.

According to The New York Times, Dallas Austin's pardoning last week after his conviction on drug possession charges came courtesy of some high-level string-pulling.  Behind the feat: Utah Republican Senator Orrin Hatch, singer Lionel Richie, producer Quincy Jones and a fleet of well-connected businessmen and lawyers who vouched for Austin's character.  According to the Times, not long after his arrest, the wheels of justice began turning on Austin's behalf, beginning with a few calls from Senator Hatch to the ambassador and consul of the United Arab Emirates embassy in Washington, D.C. Austin's lawyers asked Hatch to make calls on the producer's behalf, the Times reported.

Following Hatch's call, Richie received a call from the UAE's consul in Washington asking for a character reference, the "All Night Long" singer told the Times.

In a lucky coincidence, one of Austin's lawyers, Joel Katz, also happens to represent Hatch, a singer/songwriter who has recorded a number of religious and patriotic albums with titles such as My God Is Love, Put Your Arms Around the World, America United and How His Glory Shines. Hatch is a proponent of rehabilitation for drug offenders and has been involved in efforts to revise federal sentencing guidelines regarding cocaine, as well as advocating treatment for nonviolent offenders. In a statement, Hatch said he was "confident that this talented young man will learn from this experience."