The 64th Annual Grammy Awards, held on April 3, 2022, was further evidence of the decline of arts award shows. Held in the wake of Will Smith’s momentous slap at the Oscars, the 64th Grammys made sure not to offend anyone. Trevor Noah’s hosting lacked the sharp wit necessary to keep people invested in the interim between the performances and the bureaucratic, schlocky awards presentations. Noah’s delivery was so milquetoast and bland, reminiscent of the Professor from Ferris Bueller performing stand-up. The “jokes” felt instantly dated and corny, such as when Trevor Noah sang the

Squid Games

chant in front of BTS. I am sure that interaction will become one of those hilarious “memes” beloved by modern youth.

Unfortunately, Noah’s ineptitude is not the only reason why the 2022 Grammys were lackluster. Many decisions felt hamfisted, most notably when Virgil Abloh, one of this generation’s most influential designers, was labeled as a “Hip Hop Fashion Designer” during the “In Memoriam” segment of the show. While Abloh worked closely with many rappers, it is incredibly disingenuous to frame those relationships as Abloh’s defining characteristic, considering the importance and impact of his work.

However, while the small talk and awards presentations bordered on insufferable, the performances were appealing. Billie Eilish’s performance of “Happier Than Ever” was emotionally charged and featured a fascinating rain effect. Nas continued to gain retrospective appreciation from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS) with an invigorating performance of some of his greatest hits, “One Mic” and “Made You Look” among them. BTS’ spy-inspired rendition of “Butter” was slick and smooth, featuring excellent choreography and blocking. A particular standout of the show was H.E.R.’s set, which included a surprise appearance from rockstar Lenny Kravitz performing “Are You Gonna Go My Way?” Olivia Rodrigo similarly impressed with a heartfelt rendition of “Driver’s License.”

There were occasional funny moments at the 2022 Grammys. Doja Cat’s ill-timed bathroom break was the type of ad-libbed, unexpected humor that seems to be the only remaining source of value for these award shows. When “Doja Cat taking a piss” is the most entertaining element of nearly three and a half hours worth of pomp and pageantry, you have to start questioning the commercial intentions on which pop culture awards shows like the Grammys are predicated.

Sure, the Grammys are an awards show, but they are presented in a way that is faintly supposed to resemble entertainment. The crux of this entertainment is the musical performances, though on the post-YouTube internet these can easily be clipped online. If you cut out these performances, what are you left with? A list of winners you could just as easily read the following morning in a matter of seconds? These pop culture awards shows feel like extended advertisements, often failing to accurately represent what is good and praiseworthy. We have reached a point in our culture where the Oscars and Grammys have lost their relevance as monolithic auditors of artistic quality, which is reflected in these shows’ record low viewership the past two years. Regardless of your opinions on the future of the genre, the 64th Grammys has established itself as one of the most boring events of the decade hitherto.