The only things you need to enjoy the best festival of primetime are a remote and a cable connection.
As award shows move away from truly celebrating the best artistic achievements of the year, the Grammys still hold a place of relevance by acting as showcase for some of the year’s most popular songs.
Originally founded to award the best musical acts of the year, the Grammys are no longer used to measure an artist’s prowess.
The Grammys have passed up a number of landmark albums in the past, everything from Prince’s “Purple Rain,” Nirvana’s “Nevermind,” Metallica’s “Master of Puppets” and Radiohead’s “OK Computer.”
More often than not, mainstream artists such as Taylor Swift or Adele walk home with armfuls of awards, while more challenging and diverse artists remain unacknowledged.
This isn’t the first time the Grammys have dragged behind in shifting consumer preferences.
The Recording Academy, the body of voters who awards the statues, didn’t recognize hip hop until the creation of the Best Rap Performance category in 1989 and the Best Rap Album category in 1995.
Last year’s Grammys only drew an audience of 25.3 million viewers, according to a 2015 Nielson report.
The 2015 Grammy viewership represents an 11-percent dip from 2014.
Compare these ratings to last year’s Oscars count, which was 36.6 million, or this year’s Super Bowl, which was 111.9 million, and the Grammys just don’t have the same punch.
Despite the declining prestige and cultural relevance of the Grammys, at least we can still depend on a good show.
The Grammys remain the primary stage for live performances.
The Super Bowl halftime show usually runs for 30 minutes, and while the Oscars will play clips of the nominated movies, neither comes close to the lineup at the Grammys.
Last year’s performers included Beck, Lady Gaga, Hozier, Kanye, Usher, John Mayer and Adam Levine.
This lineup is equal to a list of headliners at any summer festival.
Viewed from an entertainment standpoint, the Grammys are more valuable as a chance for viewers to see their favorite single performed than to validate their opinion of what was the best album of the year.
Most Grammy performances are a mash-up of classic and more modern artists.
Collaborations between Paul McCartney, Kanye West and Rihanna or Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga are examples.
It is a shame that viewers won’t have the chance to be exposed to lesser known acts as well, while megastars are afforded a national stage once again.
There are many good artists who were passed over Monday night. But I can’t argue with a free concert.
wkiepura@indiana.edu
@wkiepura
