We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
Every year, as a loyal pop music fan, I tune into the Grammy awards show groaning at the cheesy bits and hoping for a few moments of pop genius. Last year, I enjoyed seeing Esperanza Spalding and Arcade Fire pick up some surprise awards. This year I'll be pulling for Bon Iver, Radiohead and The Decemberists. Join me for a night of inevitable Whitney Houston tributes from 8pm onward on CBS.
posted by The Blue Devil @ 6:33 PM
We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
218 Comments:
I forgoing the Red Carpet coverage on E-TV in favor of an Adele profile on "60 Minutes." Adele's up for six Grammys tonight - and deservedly so in my view.
Alright, the preliminaries are about over and we're ready for the big show.
First up - The Boss!
"America are you alive out there?" says Bruce as he cranks it up to...well, maybe 9 or 10.
"We take of our own" seems to the theme of this new one. That won't please the Republicans in the audience.
Hi BDB. Right along here with you. Rianna raised the bar in that dress, eh?
Well - that was a good start to the affairs. Now for the host - LL Cool J?
Welcome Gooner - glad to have you on board for the festivities.
First Whitney reference of the evening - LL leads us through a prayer. I'm afraid that we'll have to gird our loins for more of the same throughout the evening.
I think if we were playing the Whitney drinking game, we'd be floored in the next few minutes.
LL welcomes Adele back to the fold. I'm overdosing on the schlock already. Get on wi' it LL!
Blake Shelton? I thought that guy from Parks and Rec shaved his stache
Undoubtedly. Somewhere in a darkened champagne room, Bobby B is snorting some coke off a stripper's ass in tribute.
I still don't get Bruno Mars.
Where's MIA to flip us off and inject some life into this thing?
Bruno wants the audience to "get off their rich asses and dance."
No movement yet from Tony Bennett.
I was thinking the same thing about Bruno. Is there a big audience for his Jersey Boys retro schtick?
Seriously - I'd kill for an juvenile MIA moment tonight. Surely there's a band of Maoist rebels in the Philippines who could use a shout-out.
I've yet to meet a student who admits to listening to his stuff. I assume it's a music industry stitch up.
So far I haven't seen anything that I'd DVR Downton Abbey for.
AGREED. Some industry type got dragged to Jersey Boys and came away saying, "Get me a Jereey Boy guy. I smell money>"
We're back after the ads with Bonnie Raitt and Alicia Keys. Not sure what they have in common, but I think we're in for some trouble. Uh oh - it's more Whitney. Oh - and Etta. Okay, I'm all ears.
Alicia and Bruno have apparently been swapping hairdressing tips.
OK, as long as we're being reminded of drug tragedies, let's name drop Amy Winehouse. Didn't she kick in '11? Or was that '10?
I'll be catching up with Downton once the season is over.
Definitely 2011 - we should have some Amy material coming up tonight for sure.
I'm cool with getting Bonnie out on stage.
First award of the night - Best Pop Performance. Should be a lock for Adele.
Adele's first award of many and even Lil' Wayne is happy about it.
Adele wins. How do you interpret that reaction from Bruco?
What a tool! Aren't we finished with Chris Brown?
Okay, Bobby B is otherwise unavailable tonight so Chris Brown is filling in the role of "Worst Boyfriend."
I couldn't quite see with the split screen. Either he was pissed off or celebrating. The jury's out on that one.
Bruno better spin that one out quick or he's Suarezed that moment. This Chris Brown garbage is horrible.
Unlike the SVE show last night. She is so cute in person. My favorite moment was when she reminded tall people not to stand in front of small girls. "I'm 5.4 and I've gone to more shows where all I saw was some dude's back." Adorable.
But she didn't sing One Day which was a bit of a disappointment. The only disappointment, tbf.
I wish my teeth were straight like Bruno's.
Uh-oh. . . just realize the Mendittos are on tape delay. Won't be able to participate on the LOB. :(
Hiya John. I forgot to let you know that it was a really smooth drive home last night.
Back from the ads again and it's time for Fergie and Marc Anthony who look like they're about to announce an award of some kind.
Yes - it's Best Rap performance.
Evening, WHR - feel free to chip in at any point.
Jay-Z and Kanye - the biggest egos not in the room - win that one.
Bloody hell, the pacing of this show is crisp. They just about jet-packed Reba out center stage.
Kelly Clarkson and some shit-kicker in a big hat on now.
Glad that you lot had a grand old time with Sharon last night.
Those slow moving cogs as backdrop are a metaphor for how I feel like this show is going.
That was a bit of odd stage crafting. I'm not sure what the dancers were up to either. Very...French?
Okay, we are live now.
Glad to know you made it home safe and sound, Stevie. Thanks for the motivation and the Scarper disc . . . great fun.
Elton John Pepsi commercial of interest . . . seems like everyone always is taking the piss out of Elton
Either of you know who the female singer is in that Pepsi ad with Elton John? I get the feeling that we're supposed to know who the hell she is but I haven't the foggiest.
We're back again. It's Jack Black introducing the Foos time.
Is there any show other than these award shows that you watch on CBS? The news, maybe?
I'd guess Aretha's daughter . . . looked like her and sung about respect
Does it seem as if the Foos started as a classic rock band and have just become more classic over the years?
She's a runner up contestant on the Voice or A.I. or America's Got Talent. There's a behind the scenes version of the ad that says. I had the same thought at first. That and I could cheerfully go to my grave not hearing Respect again. Give it a rest.
CBS broadcasts the Masters
Well, you know that I'm all over "The Good Wife." My fave. In fact, I'm a bit pissed that it's been pre-empted again tonight. Will we ever learn if Will is going to get stitched up by the State's Atty's office?
That makes sense - she has a kind of game show winner look to her.
I have new respect for the Foos for that incident where they dressed up as hillbillies on that flatbed and put themselves between a bunch of anti-gay protesters and their target. Priceless video clip on you.tube well worth looking up.
I'll definitely check that out.
Oh, right. Yeah, I forgot about the Good Wife. It was that montage of crappy shows followed by the Survivor gender challenge promo that left me scratching my head.
Foo Fighters won me over for life when they played with Brian May and Roger Taylor when Queen inducted into R&R HOF. Brilliant rendition of Tie Your Mother Down.
When exactly did Coldplay jump the shark? Somewhere between the second and third discs, I reckon. I really enjoyed the first two and remember listening to them a lot in Japan on bike rides over to the uni.
Oh, right, Menditto family big fans of Survivor. No joke.
What's your feeling about Adam Lambert as the new lead singer of Queen?
Rianna up next to show Chris Brown where to stick his calesthenics
I remember enjoying the first season of Survivor, but unless they start feeding the contestants to the jaguars, I'm out.
Who invited Technotronic to this party? Wow - the 90s are back in full effect!
Still, if you have a choice of watching somebody do their Tai-bo, you're going to watch Rianna, not that tool Chris Brown.
Awkward segue time...it's Chris Martin with a guitar!
Alright, I'm taking a nice guy, mean guy, sad girl, chicken lady break. Back at 10pm
I suppose you're right, Gooner. But that's like asking, "Which hour of the Today show would you rather watch - Hour 3 with Matt and Meredith cooking a coq au vin or Hour 4 with Hoda and Kathie Lee getting pissed on box wine?
"Why do all the pop singers have to be so inappropriate? Rihanna, Katy Perry, Kesha. . . . Whatever happened to Kesha?" Katherine, aged 8.
Off you go, mate. Say hi to the "Chicken Lady" for me.
Good question, Katherine. Apparently she thought she could live on the residuals for "Tik Tok" for the rest of her life - and she may be right.
I could actually go for a bit more inappropriateness, to be honest. It's all been a bit tame so far.
"Biggest news of the night so far? Rianna doesn't have a belly button." -- Cal
Willie Nelson can make even Coldplay sound profound.
She doesn't? I hadn't noticed. What's she got then?
Adam Lambert could certainly do Freddy . . . but it wouldn't be for me . . . but to introduce another generation to Quenn's brilliance . .. I'm fine with that.
Do Foster the People have more than one song in them?BTW, do they give awards at this thing?
Actually their second hit - which was on an advert for something - was pretty memorable too. I think it was called "Don't Stop" or something like that.
Dave Grohl is up collecting a paper-weight now for Best Rock Performance.
Ryan Seacrest is up to announce the Beach Boys reunion.
First up for the BB's tribute is Maroon 5. I have to admit that I have a bit more respect for Adam Levine now that I've seen him mentoring young talent on The Voice. I used to think he was just a wanker who wished he were Sting.
Foster the People now with a pretty good facsimile of the BB's on "Wouldn't it Be Nice."
Wow - even my cynical heart is thrilled to see Brian Wilson alongside the other BB's. Quite a moment.
Good evening everyone. It's great to hear the Beach Boys. I just got back from tutoring.
Too bad they've substituted a keyboard for the true theremin sound on the original. Enjoyed it though.
Evening, MUR - hope your tutoring went well.
Good evening BD. The session was challenging. I am trying to help a Precal student who is lacking in basic math skills. We did get through half the homework assignment, so I thought we made pretty good progress under the circumstances.
Evening, MUR. Unfortunately, you've arrived just as I've had to depart to usher children to bed. Hope to check back later.
Sounds like you're working miracles there, mate.
Good evening WHR. I will be doing that in an hour.
Yes . That is the case with some students, then some others just need minor help. It varies from student to student.
Wow - a Stevie Wonder sighting. This could be fun.
For those of you still doing the Whitney Houston drinking game, bottom's up!
YES!!! The great Stevie Wonder is on stage.Then he ruins it with another Whitney tribute.Great job playing Love Me Do on the harmonica.
It's Macca time - with Diana Krall - sweet!
If I drank every time they did that there might be a tribute to me on LOB!
I agree, BD. Macca looks great for being 70.
And it's amazing that his voice sounds like it did nearly fifty years ago.
It stated on the AT&T site that Bruce Springsteen had an unfortunate choice of words. what did The Boss say?
Nice to see Joe Walsh in the pink as well.
They're probably referring to his opening shout - "America - are you still alive out there?"
Agreed. My voice is already starting to crack. I tried singing Good vibrations to poor effect. Jacquelyn screamed and Elizabeth flung water in my face! NO RESPECT!
Sweet - a Gil Scott Heron tribute!
I don't think he meant malice, but the timing is poor in the context of what happened yesterday.
You are the Rodney Dangerfield of Harlingen, TX, MUR.
Chris Brown wins his "Worst Boyfriend in the House" award.
At least the Dangerfield of this household.The girls have off tomorrow due to teacher in-service. The teachers in my district are off next Monday.
He certainly is the worst.
Oh dear - it's another country band with a Antebellum theme to their name. Okay, guys - I know that you haven't given up on the right to own slaves, but it really is time to move on with your lives.
Who is your daughters' favorite tonight?
Yeah! They were horrible. Now it's Taylor Swift. Elizabeth once met her bodyguard when visiting a friend in Nashville several years ago.
They are watching something else on the other telly.Elizabeth says hers is the Beach Boys and she is looking forward to Glen Campbell later in the show.What is yours?
I think the line in her song of "how I can't sing" is hysterical coming from Taylor Swift. What a seriously weak voice. And playing the banjo slung low a la Kurt Cobain! But the girls loved it.
There hasn't been a real highlight yet for me. I'm usually surprised at least once an evening with something like a surprise Sly Stone sighting or odd collaboration. Not much tonight.
Welcome, Bivalve. And thank you for acknowledging what I've been banging on about for awhile now. Taylor Swift really can't sing to save her life. At least the American Idol winners such as Kelly Clarkson can belt it out.
I think the next big country act should just forgo the coyness and call themselves "The Slavemasters."
Agreed, BD!
I'd love to see Bon Iver win this one but he's not going to....
Yep - Adele again. Great tune, I have to admit.
Alivia's bouncing up and down - a serious Adele fan in the house!
I have to admit that it's been probably a decade since I've liked a top selling album as much as I did "21." It's just a really good pop album. The last one was Norah Jones' debut.
Time to put the kids to bed - it's Katy Perry time!
Good evening Bivalve . How have you and your family been? I also agree with BD regarding the country acts.
Little miss blue hair. I don't get the appeal.
I guess I am showing signs of age, but I haven't liked a new song for over ten years.
My wife likes her, but I think she's a freak who can't even sing in tune. Splash water on her face!
Seriously, MUR? I can't even begin to keep up with all the new stuff that comes out every year. There are already four or five discs on my wish list from this year.
She's dressed like she's ready to collect those dollar bills at the strip club.
I have to admit that if I were an eight year old girl, I would probably be into Katy Perry - it's pure, manufactured catchy pop music.
I guess I need to do a better job of keeping up. You probably do a good job of filtering out that teen music.
BD, you turn me on to some new music every year. I'm eternally grateful to you for your recommendation of Bon Iver last year. Otherwise, I'd be stuck in the bluegrass circuit ad infinitum.
I agree, BD. Now some more country crap.
It's the Red State moment at the Grammys. Best Country Act.
Lady Antebellum???
I can't believe Taylor Swift is up for an award . Lady Antebellum wins it.
"We're Really Nostalgic About Slavery" win for Best Country Act. That'll warm the hearts down in Dixie.
Country music is definitely not for us blue people.
They will love it. I guess some people are still living in the 19th Century . I mean I knew that!
I don't know, MUR. I personally really like country and I'm blue as blue can be. I just can't stand Toby Keith...
I still listen to a fair amount of what I consider country every year. Kathleen Edwards' new one will likely end up on my Top 10 this year. But mainstream country strikes me as basically a wink and a nod to rednecks.
Gwyneth is here to introduce Adele.
I'm psyched that she's doing "Rolling" - a real barnburner.
Just love this woman's voice. Wow.
Great stuff!
I've been looking forward to this Glen Campbell tribute.
I will admit to liking Glen Campbell's music . a great tribute and Elizabeth has been looking forward to this.
Now he's singing Rhinestone Cowboy.
Interesting that Glen has decided to do "Rhinestone Cowboy." My least favorite of his tunes.
Macca and his new missus are enjoying it.
It's a commercial song geared to mainstream audiences. That is my best guess.
I noticed that they were ready to get up on stage and dance.
Elizabeth said that is her favorite Glen Campbell song.I guess you and her will agree to disagree while I will remain neutral .
My fave is definitely "Wichita Lineman."
I think I have been too cynical about country music this evening so I need to tone it down a little.
Marvelous - it's Tony Bennett time. Love him!
Now here's a talent in Tony Bennett. A classic!
Oh dear - Carrie Underwood can't sing jazz. Tony is a patient man, though.
what a shame that Carrie Underwood needs to sing a duet with him. I would prefer to hear him sing solo.
Well stated, BD.
Shut it Carrie!
Best New Artist now - hoping Bon Iver can grab this one.
The worst American Idol winner is announcing the best new artist.
YESSSSS!!!!!!!!!
Well in, Justin.
Justin Vernon - tallest man at the Grammys.
He got it . Bon Iver did win.
He is tall. He would be a great center forward pairing with Crouch or Zigic!
About time that they acknowledged Amy Winehouse's death.
I second that,BD.
Jennifer Hudson with the umpteenth Whitney tribute of the night - drink!
I am saddened by her death, but I agree that enough is enough.
Jennifer Hudson does a better job of singing Whitney's songs than Whitney did
A tribute to don Cornelius is more appropriate based on his contribution to music.
Nice shout out there for the late great Don Cornelius who took his own life last week.
Okay - this is pretty hip. I just took some cold medicine and this light show is doing my head in.
They should be paying more tributes to him than Whtiney. Such a tragic end though.
Be careful,BD. It may seem Psychedelic . All those colors!
Sorry to have dropped off, lads. Got sucked into Downton Abbey.
Welcome back , Bivalve.
Easy to get sucked into the Chicken Lady's orbit. I'm glad that you survived unscathed Bivalve.
Did I drop acid and not know it? What's up with the mouse motif?
I hope Tony Bennett is tucked into bed at this point.
It's for the DJ who goes by the nickname Deadmau5.
I agree. I was thinking of Mickey Mouse.
Thanks, BD. I guess have been out of the loop .
Well, that's true talent there.
Tony Bennett will want to go to bed after that performance.
Okay, I've had enough. This is putting me over the top. G'night, lads!
Nicki Minaj now. Some kind of videotaped bit based on the Exorcist. I don't get it. The cold medicine is working overtime now.
Sleep well, Bivalve. Thanks for joining us.
Good night Bivalve. It was great chatting with you.
Elizabeth took something for back pain and went to bed. It is getting crazy.
NOT AGAIN! More Lady Antebellum
Record of the Year time....
Adele - of course.
I'll take some of whatever Elizabeth is taking for her back. Probably better than my NyQuil.
Rolling in the Deep wins Record of the Year.
I think she took Tylenol with codeine.
Adele is running out of things to say - "yeah, fanks."
Really creative by Adele. Yeah well cheers mates!
I've got the Tylenol - I'm missing the codeine (sigh)....
She could at least tip a hat to the Occupy movement when she wins Album of the Year in a moment.
There's fifteen minutes remaining of the Grammy's and you r are about to enter Bedfordshire. Hang in there mate!
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