A number of the performances on the 2025 Grammys have been fairly good, however in-between the Recording Academy tried to cram three completely different half-assed exhibits right into a one-assed Frankenstein.
To their credit score, they placed on a fundraiser for the fire-ravaged residents of Los Angeles, elevating greater than $7 million for MusicCares. Additionally they tried to have fun some music, although their tastes have grow to be as narrow-minded as a Twitter stan battle. However they tried each of these issues whereas additionally desperately searching for to go viral, throwing all types of latest and up to date controversies on the wall within the hopes that one thing, something, would stick. Worst of all, the Grammys stretched all of this out to an unforgivable 4 hours — a great half-hour longer than their better-run brethren, the Oscars and Emmys
For the primary twenty minutes, the 2025 Grammys appeared poised to be probably the most awkward award present since Will Smith slapped Chris Rock — and boy will we be coming again to that! Not that host Trevor Noah insulted anybody. Actually, he appeared annoyed at his brief leash. “I can’t say something,” he shrugged to Billie Eilish throughout a joke-free chat.
However we will forgive him for battling one of many tougher internet hosting jobs in current reminiscence. His major process gave the impression to be giving the viewers emotional whiplash. Welcome to the 2025 Grammys, a somber celebration of pleasure. Disgrace in regards to the fires, now listed below are some butts. Then he would possibly pause for claps because the digital camera panned over half-frozen celebrities who couldn’t determine if they need to faux to be unhappy or faux to have enjoyable. Award present crowds nearly at all times flip bitter because the trophies are awarded to the few, leaving the various with out. However this Grammys felt strained from the leap.
Fortunately the performances stored issues attention-grabbing. Sabrina Carpenter confirmed off some throwback Hollywood slapstick, Chappell Roan placed on a spectacle, Charli XCX had it raining underwear, and the Finest New Artist medley lastly received the group hopping, particularly Doechii, one of many night time’s solely rappers and greatest total performers.
However the Recording Academy couldn’t preserve the deal with the music for lengthy. A tribute to Quincy Jones was bizarrely MC’d by Will Smith, nonetheless making an attempt to rehabilitate his picture from that final award present. He didn’t point out the slap, however he did inform a pair of very boring tales, the factors of which gave the impression to be 1). that Quincy Jones had personally taught him to be a great individual, and a couple of.) Contemporary Prince of Bel-Air is a traditional. He talked for longer than a few of the Finest New Artist nominees (justice for Khruangbin!). It didn’t increase cash for catastrophe aid, and it didn’t honor Quincy Jones — it appeared like a private favor to Smith, and a cynical ploy for consideration. Did I point out this present ran 4 hours?