There’s a major point of contention in my marriage. It comes down to this: I prefer music, and my husband prefers movies. I would rather see a concert and let the waves of the bass amplifier wash over my body and threaten to disrupt the natural rhythm of my beating heart, and he would prefer to buy the largest tub of popcorn known to man and settle in for an all-day trilogy marathon of some variety or another. I prefer the Grammys, and my husband would throw an Oscars party, if I let him. Okay, maybe he wouldn’t throw a party (he IS a man, after all), but at least he wouldn’t complain about watching the Academy Awards. He will certainly complain about watching the Grammys.
I love the Grammys, though. Yes, yes, I don’t care about Bruno Mars, and I don’t even know who it is that Taylor Swift recently broke up with, but I love watching performers like Adele and Florence and the Machine and Arcade Fire (ah, when they won best album a couple of years ago, and brought fifty people up on stage to sing, and even had BMX bikes running all over the place, I was in Heaven. Yes, that’s my definition of Heaven) belt it out. I can even tolerate the mashups that have become quintessential in pop performances at the awards ceremony and the cheesy lines that the presenters invariably muck up.
So, while developing a list for my husband (I like to come to an argument prepared) of five reasons we must watch the Grammys on February 10th, I came up with the following list. I share it with you because I care about you.
5. As far as I am aware, there is no planned showcase of oddity including Lady Gaga this year. Now, I like Lady Gaga, but I don’t typically enjoy meat dresses or cocoons, so, a little break from this atypical behavior would be welcome.
This may not be seen again… Or unseen, for that matter…
4. The Black Keys are nominated for six awards. I adore The Black Keys.
3. Mumford and Sons are up for six awards as well. I’m not the biggest Mumford fan (I certainly respect them) but my husband is. This will be helpful.
2. Sting is going to be performing. Which kind of terrifies me (because let’s face it, I don’t want to know about his tantric sex any more than I already do) and kind of intrigues me (what, pray tell, is planned for this performance?). I like to know what will be discussed at the watercooler on Monday morning.
- And last, but in no way least… LL Cool J will be hosting the Grammys. LL Cool J. Is he a fantastic musician? Well, no, not really. Is he delicious eye-candy? Yes. Yes, he is. Will this help me in making my case for watching the Grammys with my husband? Maybe not…
Oh, so you say he’s also altruistic? How handsome, er, I mean wonderful.
Will you be watching the Grammys? No? Why not? Wait…WHAT? That night is filled with Downtown Abbey AND the Return of The Walking Dead? They scheduled the Grammys for the night The Walking Dead returns? Are you kidding me?
Screw it. I’ll be watching The Walking Dead.
Kath
02/04/2013
I will be watching for as long as I can tolerate it. For the reasons you listed above it may be longer than my usual 15 minutes..ok maybe 14. And the reason I will watch is because it’s freakin’ MUSIC, which I live and breathe. And every year I am hopeful that it won’t suck. And though I know I am in a very tiny minority, I have never seen either of the other shows.
Sarah
02/05/2013
You are missing out! Unless you absolutely despise historical period pieces and zombie movies. If that’s the case, then you’re totally NOT missing out… But if you like those things, you should get caught up on the first couple of seasons (for each)!
Lance
02/04/2013
I watch because I always do and like you I prefer music while the wife likes movies.
I’m looking forward to the Best New Artist and Rock Album categories.
Sarah
02/05/2013
As am I. I’m hesitant to make any predictions now, but I have some ideas on who might win.
Andrea
02/04/2013
That’s a good list, but I probably still won’t be watching. when I was in fashion school many years ago, we had to watch every awards show and know who was wearing what. I just got burned out on the whole thing. I’ll occasionally watch part of the Oscars, but that’s really it.
Sarah
02/05/2013
Okay, if it’s an assignment to watch it, then that totally sucks. You’re supposed to watch it for the frivolity of it all.
I have officially given you a lifetime pass from watching awards shows. You no longer have to do so, if you do not choose! Because, you know, they invest these types of powers in me and all….
brahm (alfred lives here)
02/04/2013
I always do watch, and love movies and music equally. And movies with music. Even The Pirate Movie, about which the less said the better.
I actually discover new music by watching the Grammys, typically who is nominated and doesn’t win.
Taylor Swift will be opening, which at least means she will be over with five minutes in, unless she meets, dates and breaks up with someone before then and has a new song to launch by Sunday. Which could totally happen.
Bruno Mars is pretty darn amazing by the way…
Sarah
02/05/2013
You and I are going to have to agree ti disagree on the Bruno Mars thing!
I also music scout while watching the Grammys, and my husband does movie scout by watching the Oscars. So, the months following the award-season can be very entertaining ones. That’s one perk!
Jester Queen
02/05/2013
Grammy’s, Oscars, whatever. They’re all commercial filled. I would love to see the performances on time, though, rather than on the Youtube delay
Sarah
02/05/2013
They are very commercial– and not even the good commercials that one would get during the Super Bowl. That being said, I tend to be on the Twitter during the commercials, so I intentionally miss a lot of that by second-screening.