In 2019, a spotlight on queer musicians and fast-paced broadcast made the Grammys have some real cultural relevance. Its 2020 edition, clouded by tragedy, scandal, and bloat, only served to remind us why award shows are so problematic.
No award show will ever be truly perfect, but one can still admire how the Grammys overcame some pre-show controversy to deliver one of the most feminist, fearless, and downright entertaining broadcasts in its history.
It was a year of truly progressive nominees. It was a year of confrontational, powerful performances. It could've been an all-timer -- and then the Grammys went horribly, painfully wrong.
