Source: NYdailynews
-------------------

Few Grammys get with the program

By JIM FARBER


Those who tune in to the Grammys tonight on CBS, starting at 8, will
notice something missing from a good deal of the show: awards.

Don't worry. You will - eventually - get to see all the awkward
speeches in all the big prize categories.

But, as always, only about 10% of the Grammys' whopping 108
categories will be announced during the 3 1/2 -hour televised
hoedown. The rest will be forked over during a three-hour,
untelevised ceremony this afternoon.

The Grammy folks do this not only because they know that large swaths
of the American public would sooner watch tiddlywinks competitions
than sit through, say, the Best Polka Album prize. (Jimmy Sturr wins
every year, anyway.)

More importantly, they want to leave as much room as possible in the
prime-time TV evening for actual musical performances. These they
hope will inspire people to rush out to their record stores to pick
up (or go online to download) product. That's especially necessary in
a year that saw an 8% to 10% drop in musical purchases (even
accounting for the stirring upsurge in downloaded sales).

Toward that end, this year's show will feature a winning array of
performances, and some first-ever sonic hookups. Madonna will
reportedly open the show in a duet with the cartoon dub-punk band the
Gorillaz.

Paul McCartney will play, too, in his first musical appearance at the
Grammys (despite having won 13 of 'em in the past, along with
Lifetime Achievement and President's Merit honors).

Other performers tonight include the year's most-nominated artists,
Mariah Carey, John Legend and Kanye West (each up for eight prizes).
There are showcases, as well, for Kelly Clarkson, Bruce Springsteen,
U2, Mary J. Blige, Coldplay, Keith Urban, Christina Aguilera and
Jamie Foxx.

Presenters include country performers Big & Rich, Oscar nominees Matt
Dillon and Terrence Howard, Queen Latifah and Ludacris.

Got all that?

February 8, 2006