Grammys 2018: Best And Worst Moments
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BEST: JAMES CORDEN'S SELF-AWARENESS
Forgoing a traditional monologue this year — and sparing us the secondhand embarrassment of another "falling down the stairs" schtick — returning host James Corden was the first to poke fun at his repeat emcee performance. "This year, we don't just have the most diverse group of nominees in Grammys history," he said. "We also have, for the second year in a row, the least diverse host in Grammys history." Kudos for the self-mockery, sir!
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BEST: CURTAIN'S UP ON KENDRICK
If you're one of those award-show viewers who only tunes in at the very beginning and very end, Kendrick Lamar made the opening five minutes worth your while. Performing a medley of songs from his newest album DAMN., Lamar delivered a powerful, electric showcase filled with political commentary — and Dave Chappelle was there to provide some levity. "Is this OK... with CBS?" Chappelle joked after Lamar's second song, presumably shocked that Kevin James wasn't opening the show.
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WORST: TONY'S LOITERING
It was odd enough that Tony Bennett co-presented the Grammy for Best Rap/Sung Performance, which is... not exactly in his wheelhouse. Even odder, though, was when the jazz legend lingered by the mic throughout Kendrick Lamar and Rihanna's acceptance speech, then tossed the rapper a sweet-but-awkward two thumbs up.
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WORST: JAMES CORDEN'S LACK OF SELF-AWARENESS
But then Corden did a seemingly endless bit in which he (poorly) rapped Jay-Z's own lyrics to Jay-Z. Kudos immediately rescinded.
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WORST: KARAOKE GONE WRONG
Sure, James Corden's "Carpool Karaoke" segments have lost some of their luster since he took over The Late Late Show in 2015. But after sitting through this highly staged, exceedingly unfunny alternative — in which Corden, Shaggy and Sting moved the karaoke to the New York City subway, only to be brushed off by rude passengers — we'd like nothing more than to watch Adele rap a Nicki Minaj verse in Corden's car.
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WORST: "DESPACITO" DANCE-OFF
In the middle of an awards season that has been defined by female empowerment, the Grammys took that effort a step backward by flanking "Despacito" singers Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee with half-naked backup dancers. While the (fully clothed) men performed their smash hit for the audience, the women were left to flaunt their assets around the stage and perform endless body rolls. Yay...? (The silver lining: Justin Bieber was nowhere to be found.)
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BEST: PINK'S PIPES
It's not that we don't love when Pink's award-show moments feature acrobatics on the side of a skyscraper. But when she simply stands at a microphone, dressed in a casual jeans-and-top ensemble — as she did for her performance of "Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken" — Pink is truly sublime.
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BEST: PRECIOUS PUPS
We could all use a little more joy in our lives, so please enjoy this photo of Jerry Seinfeld enthusiastically receiving a consolation puppy. Wonderful, isn't it?
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WORST: SON OF A GLITCH
Just when it seemed the Grammys might go a full year without any technical mishaps, Maren Morris' mic feed glitched, causing the home audience to only half-hear her poignant introduction of a musical tribute to the victims of last year's mass shooting in Las Vegas. Fortunately, the audio was fixed before Morris and her fellow country singers began their performance — and their acoustic rendition of Eric Clapton's "Tears In Heaven" was just lovely.
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BEST: CAMILA HAS A DREAM
Just in case Kesha and the Resistance Revival Chorus hadn't already lifted your spirits, Camila Cabello brought it home with a plea for America's "Dreamers," who are currently at the center of a legislative battle in Washington. "I'm a proud Cuban-Mexican immigrant born in eastern Havana, standing in front of you on the Grammy stage in New York City," she said. "All I know is just like dreams, these kids can't be forgotten and are worth fighting for." (You inevitably have "Havana" stuck in your head now, but it's worth it!)
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BEST: KESHA SENDS UP A PRAYER
Joined by such powerhouses as Cyndi Lauper and Andra Day, Kesha took the stage for a raw performance of "Praying," the first single she released after a harrowing (and very public) legal battle with music producer Dr. Luke. Overcome by emotion after finishing the song, Kesha became the center of a sweet, tearful group hug. And that's the end of this caption, because we need to grab some Kleenex, OK?
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BEST: BROADWAY HAS A MOMENT
The Grammys are fun and all, but after taking in the performances from Broadway pros Ben Platt and Patti LuPone, we kinda wished Sunday's show had just been the Tony Awards instead. (If you say that LuPone's performance of "Don't Cry For Me, Argentina" didn't give you chills, you're just lying. Or you were distracted by that massive necklace.)
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WORST: THE BALLAD OF BRUNO THE KID
Is Bruno Mars' most recent album 24K Magic full of fun, upbeat jams? Yes. Was it still a little rude for him to kick off his Record of the Year acceptance speech with a remark that this year's Grammys featured "too many ballads"? Especially when one of those ballads honored victims of a mass shooting? Yep.
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BEST: LOGIC SHARES SOME LOGIC
Closing his performance of "1-800-273-8255," rapper Logic gave a passionate speech to any viewers feeling alone, suicidal... or marginalized by President Trump. "Black is beautiful. Hate is ugly. Women are as precious as they are stronger than any man I have ever met," Logic began, bringing the audience to its feet. "I say unto you: Bring us your tired, your poor, and any immigrant who seeks refuge. For together, we can build not just a better country, but a world that is destined to be united." At the conclusion of a politically charged broadcast, Logic's words were indeed worthy of a standing ovation.