A few tips on upping Grammys’ game
When there is music worth listening to again, the producers of the Grammys won’t have to resort to circus acts to distract us [“Grammys, Quit Clowning Around,” by The Times’ pop music staff, Feb. 12].
Maybe I’m dating myself, but Elton John and Sting are welcome to save the show any time.
I’m guessing that there’s not less talent out there, just too much emphasis on packaging: pretty faces that look good in the video. When we stop looking at music and start listening again, maybe there will be something to listen to again.
Stephanie Kirschner
Agoura Hills
I agree with many of your suggestions to build a better show, but one you omitted was for CBS — or whatever network broadcasts the Grammys next time — to please stop with the endless promos for its shows.
Whether it was cutaway shots to unidentified actors who are not singers but performers in CBS shows, or the ridiculous idea of using CBS’ series stars to hand out awards, it was all CBS2 much!
Top that off with nonstop commercials for CBS shows, and that’s enough.
Sunday’s broadcast was more like “CSI: Grammy” than an awards show.
Susan Pasternak
North Hollywood
Replace LL Cool J with the funny and multi-talented Neil Patrick Harris.
Oh, and instead of Mumford and Lumineers, give us Richard Thompson. That’s real talent.
Joe Gates
Culver City
I’m not sure who on the staff was responsible for the observation that LL Cool J’s “cultural relevance peaked decades ago,” but the comment ignores the fact that he has been starring for four years in one of television’s highest-rated programs, “NCIS: Los Angeles.”
You may not watch the show — frankly, I have never seen the show — but 20 million Americans a week do, and the culture is theirs as much as it is yours or mine.
There’s a reason why CBS chooses LL Cool J to host and not Frank Ocean or Jack White. Cultural relevance is a lot broader than you might think it is.
Brian Fodera
Los Angeles
All good points for improving the Grammys broadcast. Here’s another suggestion.
During the show, when going to a commercial break, include an on-screen scroll of the Grammy winners for the awards that won’t be presented on the telecast. Each time, eight to 10 different Grammy winners are listed until all of the categories are covered by the end of the broadcast.
Sean Broderick
Sherman Oaks