Highlights of the show were indeed the collaborations between Coldplay and- and I am ashamed to admit my pleasure of this performance- Kanye West, T.I with Mr. Justin Timberlake, Lil' Wayne and Robin Thicke, Justin Timberlake and Al Green, as well as the performances with Adele, Sugarland and the incredible Jennifer Hudson. These performances highlighted the arguable fact that perhaps there is still a glimmer of talent in this sad sad generation in which I find myself. I questioned what occurred to the producers and individuals in charge with arranging the performances as I watched the "collaboration” between MIA, TI, Kanye West and Jay-Z; Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift. That was surpassed by the aneurysm I suffered when the curtain revealed a performance between the generational star Stevie Wonder and the un-explained phenomena that is The Jonas Brothers. I will digress at this juncture; if you have any positive emotional attachment towards these three individuals I warn you that reading from this point on will not be to your favor.
The Jonas Brothers are much like that rare oddity such as Sponge-Bob Square Pants, Rock of Love, Momma’s Boys and Paris Hilton- the question WHY is never answered. Why have the Jonas Brothers become such a Pop Phenomena? Why do people keep linking the word “talent” with their names? Why are they not flogged when comparing themselves to Elvis Costello? And why, for the greatness of all that is holy not stopped when stepping on stage with Stevie Wonder?? WHY!? Someone please answer this three letter word for me!
Alright, if you skipped over this digression you are welcome to re-join at this point. After the blood began to flow to its delegated locations once again, I continued in amazement as the presenters took the stage and the winners their awards. In an homage to the late Anna Nicole, Whitney Houston made a come back into the world of 3 digit poundage as she presented the award for best R&B Album to Ms. Jennifer Hudson. With her heart felt acceptance speech, Hudson thanked her family living and gone for their support as well as the public for theirs.
Kate Perry, an advertisement for Jamba Juice and Smoothy King, took the stage with an all out performance of “I kissed a girl”. Proving all the more that studios are now focusing on over producing vocals, Perry tried her very best no doubt to sound a notch above late night karaoke at Uncle Bob’s Pub.
U2, constantly trying to distinguish themselves from Coldplay, brought out the rainbows in their performance- an attempt to hypnotize the public into donating all of our 401K and investments towards famine and overseas causes?
The star of the evening was no doubt Lil’ Wayne, taking home 6 out of 8 awards for Best Rap Album, Best Solo Rap Performance, Best Rap Performance & Rap Performance for Duo or Group.
Coldplay had their share in awards for Best Rock Album of the Year, Song of the year and best pop performance by a duo or group with vocals.
The surprise of the night was unquestionably the award given to Alison Krauss and Robert Plant for Best Album of the Year along with 4 other award. They were accompanied in this category by Coldplay, Neyo and TI. The quiver of disagreement and disbelief rippled through the audience as Robert Plant tried to stay hip and modern stating that in the past this would be called “selling out”. That statement flew over the low hung heads of all as they tried to grasp the reality that Robert Plant and Alison Krauss had beat out Coldplay, TI and Neyo.
The evening salvaged itself with the onstage magic that was B.B. King, John Mayer, Keith Urban and Buddy Guy as they made tribute to the late Bo Diddley. Without this life-saver of a performance, the evening would have been all to easily dismissed as material for Talk Soup and Best Week ever rather than a tribute to music and entertainment. In all, this year rose above last years elementary school recital award show but lacked in what is most important- TALENT.
Here’s hoping that 2010 brings with it something more.
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