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. In addition they tried to have fun some music, although their tastes have change into as narrow-minded as a Twitter stan warfare. However they tried each of these issues whereas additionally desperately in search of to go viral, throwing all types of recent 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 — an excellent 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. In reality, he appeared annoyed at his brief leash. “I can’t say something,” he shrugged to Billie Eilish throughout a joke-free chat.
However we are able to forgive him for combating one of many harder internet hosting jobs in current reminiscence. His important process appeared to be giving the viewers emotional whiplash. Welcome to the 2025 Grammys, a somber celebration of pleasure. Disgrace concerning the fires, now listed here 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 all the time flip bitter because the trophies are awarded to the few, leaving the numerous with out. However this Grammys felt strained from the leap.
Fortunately the performances stored issues fascinating. 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 obtained the group hopping, particularly Doechii, one of many evening’s solely rappers and greatest general performers.
However the Recording Academy couldn’t maintain the concentrate on 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 appeared to be 1). that Quincy Jones had personally taught him to be an excellent individual, and a pair of.) Recent Prince of Bel-Air is a basic. He talked for longer than a few of the Finest New Artist nominees (justice for Khruangbin!). It didn’t elevate 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?
