2010 Grammy Awards
This is a great and hysterical article which summed up the strange and unsual grammy awards last night.
By Kati Johnston
Special to MSN Music
Photos: 2010 Grammy Highlights
It wasn't for lack of star power, but didn't this year's Grammys manage to be not only over the top but a little...awkward? Stephen Colbert seemed to think he was hosting his own show; moments that should have been inspired--like pairing Lady Gaga and Elton John--seemed forced at times. And let's call a moratorium on supporting casts of stormtroopers and robots, shall we? Still, "the coolest people in the world" managed to induce a few gasps, both great and cringe-worthy. Here, a few of the show's highlights, and lowlights:
Most Overdue (Though Crazy-Underwhelming) Grammy: After being toasted by a dazzling tribute concert earlier in the week for his charitable works by the likes of Sheryl Crow, Emmylou Harris and Jackson Browne, Neil Young won his first-ever Grammy for...wait for it... best art direction on a boxed or special edition package. (The album was "Archives, Vol. 1.") The musician who's kept us rocking in the free world for four decades deserves something less about the box and more about his musical heart of gold. Long may he run.
Best Utility Infielder: Chanteuse Colbie Caillat, who dueted on not one but two nominated tunes, with Taylor Swift ("Breathe") and Jason Mraz ("Lucky").
Best Sartorial Homage by One Nominee to Another: Lady Gaga's red-carpet Armani dress encircled with layers and hoops of delicate "Halos." Thanks, Beyoncé!
If Freddy Mercury and the Lucky Charms Leprechaun Had a Love Child: It would be Gaga in her opening number, in emerald green glitter and dueting with Elton John, combining some sweet lyrics from "Your Song" and shout-outs of mutual admiration. Though it was hard not to be a little distracted by Sir Elton, who had some kind of solar system dangling from his right ear that kept snagging on his collar.
Best Backhanded Compliment: Stephen Colbert acknowledging Susan Boyle, "this 48-year-old Scottish cat lady" who saved the music industry. Meow!
That Baby Was Right!: The little dancing viral-video baby who grooved to Beyoncé's "Single Ladies" got it early on--that song rules and it deserved Song of the Year.
Best Unbroken Streak of Wacky Award-Show Fashions: Jennifer Lopez did not disappoint, announcing the musical cast of "American Idiot"--wearing half a shower curtain liner.
Most Fake Pretend Shock: Taylor Swift, who's lugged home about 150 awards in the last six months, feigned total and utter surprise ("Me? Really?") when she won Best Country Album--and, OK, we were a little surprised by this--Album of the Year.
Nuttiest Sidekicks: Beyoncé's hip-hop stormtroopers who tromped up the stage with her. How many bodyguards does that girl need? Then again, the homage to Alanis killed. And she oughta know.
Most Creative Use of Garment Pieces: Pink, who crafted a dramatic outfit out of an elongated cowl and a few long white strips.
Worst Seating Ever: Those unfortunate few who ended up directly underneath Pink's drippy mobile, getting sprayed with inexplicable streams of water flying off her in every direction. Arty? Sure. Worth getting your Zac Posen drenched? Not so much.
Second Worst Seating Ever: Whoever the poor schmoe was who had to sit behind Lady Gaga and her towering origami headgear.
When Soft and Sensitive Rocks: Jason Mraz may seem like a weenie, but Grammy voters recognized his charismatic connection with his audience. Not that we're biased.
Hottest-Looking Costume: Black Eyed Peas' will.i.am was encased in some kind of sweat-inducing latex Blue Man Group shrink wrap (with epaulets), but it didn't seem to stop his pumpin' delivery.
Nor did it mess his hair's side point when he finally ripped off the head.
Welcome to Web 1.20: Not a bad idea to make the stuck-in-the-past Grammy show interactive with an audience vote, but... for favorite Bon Jovi song? Hey, you kids, turn down that tape deck!
Best Imitation of a Whirling Dervish: M.I.A., wearing what looked like a giant hand-quilted bell, with matching giant bell sleeves, in cornflower blue, and matching blue tennies. (We have finally found the limit of the reach of the long arm of Rachel Zoe.)
Britney Makes a Splash: On the red carpet, she looked happy and healthy--but wearing an unfortunate black Esther Williams bathing suit under a wisp of black nylon net.
Oddest Introduction of a Presenter: Robert Downey Jr., on to introduce his "The Soloist" costar, Jamie Foxx, was called "the most self-important actor of his generation." Does Mickey Rourke know?
Red, White and Blues: Great pairing of Zac Brown Band with legendary Oklahoma blues rocker Leon Russell on a set of patriotic country rockers. And loved the lightning-fast "breakdown" Brown played on his guitar, worthy of the best banjo picker or fiddler.
Witchy...and Pitchy: Poor Stevie Nicks had to hear Taylor Swift shoot for the moon--and miss--on the harmonies on "Rhiannon"--which had to hurt. But the veteran players backing them, including the revered Waddy Wachtel, were grooving extra hard in the background, almost willing Taylor to stay on key.
"Put Your 3D Glasses on Now!": The only one who looked cool in those silly specs was will.i.am in his kryptonite wraparounds. Think people in the audience were a little seasick watching the 3D movie and the non-3D singers?
Most Creative Use of Olympic Gold Medals: Sheryl Crow's giant disc earrings that dangled past her collarbone.
Prettiest Little Bird in the Crowd: Rap collaboration co-winner Rihanna, whose hair was sculpted into a rooster comb and whose gown collar was encased in white fluffy feathers. How tweet!
Award-Winner We Most Wish We'd Heard From: Mississippi Bluesman Honeyboy Edwards, 94, who received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, was in the audience, but not asked to sing--despite the fact that the soulful singer still tours rigorously.
Un-Hippest Hip-Hop Speech: Oh, Quentin Tarantino. Though you may be all things to all races, your punk-tu-ated delivery was so not dope, bro.
Coolest Retro Act: Guitarist Jeff Beck (who has a kickass album coming out later this year, so is due for a high-profile comeback) accompanying Irish singer Imelda May on "How High the Moon." It was swingy, rockabillyish and very soulful.
Most Stunning Use of Pop Can Pull-Tabs: Six-award-winner Beyoncé, in an inspired and layered mini that seemed to be made completely of tiny metal rings. Yes, it sounds weird, but it was somehow truly gorgeous. Oh, and she thanked "my husband," Jay-Z, whom she rarely acknowledges publicly. Congrats, Mr. and Mrs. Z--you've got a lot to celebrate tonight!