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American Music Awards predictable as ever with Usher on top

curlio

2004-11-15 05:06:50

The American Music Awards are usually pleasant and predictable. Tonight was no exception. Only two winners truly surprised me tonight, the rest I was able to predict. The performances were predictable. Even the "surprise guest" wasn't that surprising. But then again, we are in the "post-Super Bowl incident" age, and that does account for some of the predictability I suppose.

Gwen Stefani started out the evening with one of the few unpredictable events - she was lip-synching. I suppose one truly can't bounce around in a cute little outfit and sing at the same time. She's definitely better with No Doubt than without them.

Lenny Kravitz's performance was nice and laid back, singing his Gap commercial song. I missed Sarah Jessica Parker dancing around though, would have been a nice touch.

The cutest moment of the night came when host Jimmy Kimmel went to a backstage moment where Snoop Dogg was holding a bake sale, or as he called it a Bizzake sale. Snoop was offering muffins and cookies for around a dollar, and brownies for $100. Bobby Brown was waiting in line, wanting 4 of the brownies. Josh Groban was also in line and was just looking for the Bizzathroom, or some such nonsense.

Then began the first of 4 awards for Usher, yes that's right folks, he was nominated for 4 and won all of them. The only Soul / R&B category he didn't win was Best Female, and that went to "his boo" Alicia Keys. He also got Pop/Rock Male, which boggles my mind. They need to make up their minds at the AMAs, is he Soul, R&B, Pop or Rock?

Outkast won the first of three awards next, and Big Boi gave the only mention of O.D.B's death.

Jessica Simpson sang her hit "With You." It was definitely live, as it had that cutesy-wootsy, brainless, breathless, blonde bimbo quality to her voice that just makes me want to dye my hair any color but blonde.

Kenny Chesney and Uncle Kracker performed their hit "Sun Goes Down."

Brooks and Dunn won the Best Country Duo and Group for the fourth time.

Anna Nicole Smith provided the next bit of highly necessary comic relief. She came out either high or drunk, or possibly both, of course showing off her body. She actually introduced Kanye West's performance of "Work It Out." It was nice, but not my style.

The next, "not my style" performance was by John Mayer. It was B&W and his singing style is very hard to understand so I couldn't even begin to give you a title for that song.

Then a few more awards, followed by a performance by Rod Stewart. I've never liked his voice, but he wore lovely bright pants. This was followed by an Alicia Keys performance. Alicia looked lovely in her outfit tonight.

After another award, another performance followed by Gretchen Wilson. Having never seen her and only heard the song I actually expected her to look a bit like a "Redneck Woman," but pleasantly enough she's rather pretty.

Linkin Park gets the "best speech" award tonight, for thanking only the fans, saying that they are the only ones who matter. Which is true, considering that all the awards are voted on by fans.

Snoop Dogg and Pharrell performed "Drop It like it's Hot," which was definitely NOT HOT! For the record, that little tongue-clicky sound in the background is like fingernails on a chalkboard to me. I blacked out for most of the performance, so I can't tell you if it was good or not beyond that sound.

NBA basketball player and alleged rapist Kobe Bryant came out to a mixture of cheers and boos. Personally I thought the boos won out. He gave Usher his third win of the night.

Next up was my first miss of the night. I unwisely listened to Dusty and agreed that Tim McGraw would win Country Male, when my instinct said Toby Keith. Oh well, I only missed three tonight, not a bad record.

Bon Jovi performed and received the Award of Merit for their 20+ years in the business. Jon's speech was rather nice, except for the feedback that we figured came from Jon's earpiece.

Fantasia sang the title track off her debut album. As I've not really been a huge fan of hers, she also fell into the "nice but not my style" category. Maroon 5's "Sunday Morning" also was swallowed by that problem. I like their two previous songs, but this one just doesn't connect with me. Then again, the other two had to rub off on me, so maybe I need to give it more time.

Usher and Alicia Keys performed "My Boo" and received a standing ovation for it. Josh Groban performed "Remember When it Rained." I love his voice, but I still see the skinny geeky kid who appeared on Ally McBeal everytime I see him.

Kenny Chesney was one of my two surprise awards tonight. I really didn't expect a country artist to take home Artist of the Year. Never underestimate the power of rednecks with mobile phones.

Toby Keith performed "Stays in Mexico." Gretchen Wilson was my second surprise, winning Breakthrough Artist. Again, I underestimated country music. My sincerest apologies.

Sheryl Crow won her second award of the night, taking home both the Pop/Rock female and Adult Contemporary Artist. Next up was the "surprise guest", Jamie Foxx, doing a Ray Charles song. Gee, they're not pushing that movie much are they? Anyhow, it led to a performance by Twista and Kanye West. Again, it didn't thrill me.

Ringo Starr introduced the "lost Beatles tape" that everyone made such a big deal of. Honestly it looked like every other Beatles performance so I don't see why it was such a big deal.

Two more awards and my long night was over. All in all, those three hours seemed like at least six. At least I got some reading done.

Here's your list of winners announced during the show:

Soul/R&B Male - Usher
Pop/Rock Group - Outkast
Country Group - Brooks and Dunn
Rap/Hip Hop Album- Outkast
Soul/R&B female - Alicia Keys
Pop/Rock Album - Usher
Alternative Music Artist - Linkin Park
Soul/R&B Album - Usher
Country Male - Toby Keith
Award of Merit - Bon Jovi
Pop/Rock Female - Sheryl Crow
Rap/Hip Hop Group - Outkast
Country Album - Toby Keith
Artist of the Year - Kenny Chesney
Breakthrough Artist - Gretchen Wilson
Adult Contemporary Artist - Sheryl Crow
Country Female - Reba McEntire
Pop/Rock Male - Usher

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GUEST ( Guest )

2004-11-17 15:17:22


	I had my first Maroon 5 experience while watching the otherwise boring show. I thought they were outstanding! I did miss Anna's antics, and still haven't found a video link (the one offered -katu- is print only). Anyone have a video link?