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Here Are the Best and Worst Moments of the 2016 Grammys

7 minute read

The 2016 Grammys were, even by the awards show’s own usual standard, an unusually dull affair, spreading out a very small number of awards between a vast wasteland of performances that only occasionally broke through into actual interest.

Those few performances that had the potential to be interesting—a tribute to a legend, or a modern-day icon’s return to the stage—seemed waylaid by bizarre, seemingly self-sabotaging production choices. It was a disappointing outing for an awards show that professes to be edgily au courant but whose every creative element seems sadly stuck in the past. Here are some of the moments that stuck out the most amid a deeply strange broadcast.

Grammys 2016: See Celebrities Hit the Red Carpet

Taylor Swift attends the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.
Taylor Swift attends the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.Steve Granitz—Getty Images
Lady Gaga attends the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.
Lady Gaga attends the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.Valerie Macon—Getty Images
Adele attends the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.
Adele attends the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.Jason Merritt—Getty Images
Skrillex, left, and Diplo, right, attend the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.
Skrillex, left, and Diplo, right, attend the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.Steve Granitz—Getty Images
Selena Gomez attends the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.
Selena Gomez attends the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.Steve Granitz—Getty Images
Sam Smith attends the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.
Sam Smith attends the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.Jason Merritt—Getty Images
From left: Johnny Depp, Joe Perry and Alice Cooper of The Hollywood Vampires attend the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.
From left: Johnny Depp, Joe Perry and Alice Cooper of The Hollywood Vampires attend the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.Steve Granitz—Getty Images
Ellie Goulding attends the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.
Ellie Goulding attends the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.Jason Merritt—Getty Images
George Clinton, left, attends the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.
George Clinton, left, attends the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.Steve Granitz—Getty Images
Kacey Musgraves attends the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.
Kacey Musgraves attends the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.Valerie Macon—Getty Images
Josephine de la Baume, left, and Mark Ronson, right, attend the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.
Josephine de la Baume, left, and Mark Ronson, right, attend the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.Steve Granitz—Getty Images
Janelle Monáe attends the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.
Janelle Monáe attends the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.Jason Merritt—Getty Images
Dave Grohl, left, and Jordyn Blum, right, attend the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.
Dave Grohl, left, and Jordyn Blum, right, attend the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.Steve Granitz—Getty Images
Justin Bieber attends the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.
Justin Bieber attends the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.John Shearer—Getty Images
Ariana Grande attends the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.
Ariana Grande attends the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.Jason Merritt—Getty Images
Chrissy Teigen, left, and John Legend, right, attend the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.
Chrissy Teigen, left, and John Legend, right, attend the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.Valerie Macon—Getty Images
Florence Welch attends the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.
Florence Welch attends the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.Jason Merritt—Getty Images
Jack Antonoff attends the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.
Jack Antonoff attends the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.Jeff Vespa—Getty Images
The Weeknd, left, and Bella Hadid, right, attend the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.
The Weeknd, left, and Bella Hadid, right, attend the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles. Jason Merritt—Getty Images
Carrie Underwood attends the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.
Carrie Underwood attends the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.John Shearer—Getty Images
Demi Lovato attends the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.
Demi Lovato attends the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.Steve Granitz—Getty Images
Simone Smith, left, and host LL Cool J, right, attend the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.
Simone Smith, left, and host LL Cool J, right, attend the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.Steve Granitz—Getty Images
Buddy Guy attends the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.
Buddy Guy attends the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.John Shearer—Getty Images
Bonnie Raitt attends the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.
Bonnie Raitt attends the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.Steve Granitz—Getty Images
Nazanin Mandi, left, and Miguel, right, attend the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.
Nazanin Mandi, left, and Miguel, right, attend the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.Jason Merritt—Getty Images
DJ Khaled attends the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.
DJ Khaled attends the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.John Shearer—Getty Images
Travis Barker and his children attend the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.
Travis Barker and his children attend the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.Valerie Macon—Getty Images
Common attends the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.
Common attends the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.Jason Merritt—Getty Images
Don Cheadle, left, and Bridgid Coulter, right, attend the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.
Don Cheadle, left, and Bridgid Coulter, right, attend the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.Steve Granitz—Getty Images
Nile Rodgers attends the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.
Nile Rodgers attends the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.Steve Granitz—Getty Images
Pharrell Williams, left, and Helen Lasichanh, right, attend the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.
Pharrell Williams, left, and Helen Lasichanh, right, attend the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.John Shearer—Getty Images
Wiz Khalifa attends the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.
Wiz Khalifa attends the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.Jason Merritt—Getty Images
Sam Hunt attends the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.
Sam Hunt attends the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.Steve Granitz—Getty Images
From left: Nick Simmons, Sophie Simmons, Gene Simmons, and Shannon Tweed attend the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.
From left: Nick Simmons, Sophie Simmons, Gene Simmons, and Shannon Tweed attend the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.Jason Merritt—Getty Images
Gary Clark Jr., left, and Nicole Trunfio, right, attend the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.
Gary Clark Jr., left, and Nicole Trunfio, right, attend the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.Jason Merritt—Getty Images
Jane Seymour attends the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.
Jane Seymour attends the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.John Shearer—Getty Images
Meghan Trainor attends the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.
Meghan Trainor attends the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.John Shearer—Getty Images
Justine Simmons, left, and Joseph "Rev Run," right, attend the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.
Justine Simmons, left, and Joseph "Rev Run," right, attend the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.John Shearer—Getty Images
Alessandra Ambrosio attends the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.
Alessandra Ambrosio attends the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.John Shearer—Getty Images
Victoria Shaffer, left, and Paul Shaffer, right, attend the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.
Victoria Shaffer, left, and Paul Shaffer, right, attend the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.Jason Merritt—Getty Images
Julia Carey, left, and James Corden, right, attend the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.
Julia Carey, left, and James Corden, right, attend the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.John Shearer—Getty Images
Gary Sinise attends the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.
Gary Sinise attends the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.John Shearer—Getty Images
Z LaLa attends the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.
Z LaLa attends the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.Steve Granitz—Getty Images
Anna Kendrick attends the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.
Anna Kendrick attends the 58th GRAMMY Awards at Staples Center on Feb. 15, 2016 in Los Angeles.Steve Granitz—Getty Images

Adele’s hamstrung live turn: The first performance by Adele on the telecast since her 2012 wins for Album and Record of the Year should have been a triumph. Instead, she was clearly at the mercy of balky audio, with the sound seeming to drop out entirely early in her performance. Adding insult to injury, the singer was cast in a literally unflattering light, bathed in egg-yolk-yellow light that looked like a flattering spotlight from afar but that, for the bulk of her performance, served just to obscure her. If there’s one broadcast that should be able to fulfill Adele’s relatively unflashy requirements—a mic stand, simple lighting, working audio—it should be the awards show dedicated to music.

Little Big Town’s pandering: The country tune “Girl Crush” became a cause celebre when it was interpreted among country radio programmers as an anthem about homosexual love, and summarily blocked from the airwaves. That’s an offensive reaction to a song about heterosexual envy (the protagonist is obsessed with her ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend) with a self-consciously provocative title, but the band Little Big Town’s own counter-reaction was even worse. Performing the song on a starkly lit stage with exaggerated solemnity, the band seemed to expect a prize just for being such wonderful allies, a laughably outmoded look in 2016. At least when Macklemore gave a similarly sanctimonious and self-aggrandizing performance at the Grammys with “Same Love,” the song was actually about gay people.

Lady Gaga’s tribute: Yet again, Gaga is the showstopper of a big awards show. Following her Golden Globes speech (thanks again, John Patrick Shanley) and her Super Bowl national anthem, Lady Gaga gave a heartwarming tribute to David Bowie. The “Applause” singer carried it off by being exactly as weird as the late icon, in her own way: She was less mimicking Bowie than channeling his appetite for onstage rebellion.

…and Meghan Trainor’s tribute: Trainor has nothing to feel bad about, but her booking, along with Luke Bryan, John Legend, Demi Lovato, and Tyrese Gibson, felt like a truly strange way to pay tribute to Lionel Richie. Where were artists who actually sound like Richie? Trainor’s acceptance speech, for Best New Artist, was deeply felt enough to make at least one critic feel a bit bad about treating her so harshly: Hopefully her newfound clout buys her out of any future tributes except those to the artists whom she actually owes a creative debt. (Maybe they’ll honor 1985 Best New Artist winner Cyndi Lauper in a few years?)

Missing stars: The most exhilarating performers weren’t there at all. Lauryn Hill, purported to be a part of the Weeknd’s (ultimately lackluster and overlong) performance, never appeared; she issued a statement claiming the Grammys had announced her appearance “prematurely and without approval.” Even given Hill’s erratic recent history when it comes to live appearances, the Grammys owed it to one of their most iconic stars to make it work out if they were going to announce it. Less within producers’ control were Rihanna’s vocal chords, whose poor health apparently caused the pop star to pull out of a live performance of her song “Kiss It Better” just before showtime. Too bad: The song’s astringency was exactly what an overlong and overly emotional ceremony needed.

Hamilton fever: Credit where it is due; the Grammy producers, so often confused by the seeming basics of live TV production, got this one right. The opening number of the Broadway hit was captured as dynamically as a stage number, with characters moving according to choreography arranged for reasons other than camera blocking, could ever be. And creator Lin-Manuel Miranda’s acceptance speech, shortly after, for Best Musical Theater Album, was a lot of fun. The hubbub around the show has gotten annoyingly, loud, so it was nice to drill down on exactly what all the hubbub is really about without spending $500 on a ticket.

Taylor, again: Taylor Swift is wrapping up her 1989 era, one that began with the announcement that it would be her first-ever pop album in August 2014. The age of that album was showing with her performance of “Out of the Woods” opening the show. It was an energetic enough performance of a brilliant pop tune, but one that lacked the frisson of the new: Celebrity aside, it was frankly strange that the Grammys decided to open the broadcast with a song fans heard for the first time a year and a half ago, and Swift, so often resourceful onstage, brought little more to it than an end-of-the-tour excitement that it was all almost over. Her acceptance-speech slam of Kanye West, towards the show’s conclusion, felt similarly unmotivated: She seemed duty-bound to address West’s recent reference to her in his lyrics, but it was a bit of a bummer, and cast her in the light of castigating someone else at the moment she ought to have been celebrating well-earned success.

An odd “Taxi” ride: A closing number starring Pitbull took a bizarre turn when the rapper welcomed to the stage a backup dancer dressed in an elementary school Halloween-pageant take on a “taxi”; denuded of her car costume, the dancer turned out to be Sofia Vergara of TV’s​ Modern Family. And all this before Robin Thicke took the stage. Say this for the wildly misbegotten number: It had nothing of the musical craft of any of the nominated albums, but it had the charming dedication to the tackiness of 1989. (The year, not the album.)

And Kendrick’s moment: The term “Grammy moment” is used pretty loosely by the show’s organizers and promoters to describe any combination of rising stars meant to somehow become more than the sum of their parts. (Sorry, Tori Kelly and James Bay: It didn’t work out this time.) But the really memorable moments that come out of the Grammys are the ones that clarify and define a star’s role on the public stage. Kendrick Lamar came away from this ceremony not only a winner of several trophies but the beneficiary of a brilliantly staged sequence, one that began in chains and culminated, exhilaratingly, with his face flickering across the screen, in a moment of production the show didn’t seem to have in it. He came out of the night the most ambitious man in music—at least for the moment.

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