The 2010 Grammys: A VMA redux?

Watched last night's Grammys.

It's been years since I watched the Grammys. I haven't been plugged into the music scene as of late - actually, the last time I was really interested in music was in the early 90s. At any rate, I watched last night, mainly for the Michael Jackson tribute, which was the same motivation for watching last year's VMAs. And like last year's VMAs, Pink and Lady Gaga were the standouts, performance-wise. While I continue to be impressed with Gaga's musical chops, I found Pink to be absolutely dazzling. Yes, she did aerial work again, but instead of doing the flying trapeze, she did something more aerial and more dangerous - at least, that's my perception. I absolutely loved it and hope that Pink can top herself, although I think that, at some point, she will have to top herself, and I don't know how she can.

Beyonce... I could take or leave Beyonce. She's a good singer and performer, but there is something about her that seems cold and guarded, despite the Bootilicious reputation.

Lady Antebellum... I love them. Too bad the curtain fell on Hillary, although she was an absolute pro in dealing with it.

Taylor Swift - she sounded off; Stevie Nicks sounded on point.

Black Eye Peas - always energetic, always fun.

Now to the purpose of my watching - the Michael Jackson tribute.

Gotta say... I felt like I was watching the BET Awards all over again. While the people who performed at the Grammys tribute were impeccable vocally, the execution was all wrong. First, the Target 3D glasses didn't really work. Or rather, maybe I didn't work my 3D glasses. With the exception of 3D Imax, I always gum up my 3D viewing experience by sitting too close to the screen. Maybe I was sitting too close to the TV? At any rate, I did see some 3D aspects of the short film, but the control room kept cutting to the performers and I wanted to see the mini movie in all of its glory. Then I started thinking that if Michael was there, it would've been perfect, which made me profoundly sad. And the fact that they used some of his vocals just reminded me of what could happen; everybody and their mama will make him into this generation's Nat King Cole to everybody's Natalie, and frankly, that prospect scares me.

But I was happy to see Prince and Paris picking up MJ's award. It was a great touch to have Tito's boys, TJ, Taj, and Taryll, be there for their cousins, especially given how MJ was always there for them. Plus, 3T knows where Prince, Paris and Blanket's heads are, since they lost their mother unexpectedly and by someone else's hand. Plus, it sort of creeped me out because my Christmas post included videos of MJ with 3T and Prince and Paris.

Overall, the Grammys were pretty good. Too bad that, right now, there really isn't any incentive to watch the telecast next year.