So, Janet Jackson won’t be at the 46th annual Grammy Awards after all.
After four days of controversy and criticism, publicist Steven Huvane said Thursday that Jackson won’t be a presenter.
What a shame. Think of the ratings boost she would have delivered.
But we can tell you about some of our favorites who will deliver, both as presenters and performers.
CBS will broadcast the ceremony in Los Angeles–with a 5-minute delay–from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Sunday.
Presenter
Sean Astin
Who dat?
Samwise Gamgee in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy.
Why the Grammys?
No particular reason, just force of Hobbit.
Presenter
Babyface
Who dat?
Three consecutive Grammys for producer of the year.
Why the Grammys?
How can you say no to that face?
Presenter
Hilary Duff
Who dat?
“Lizzie McGuire” actress; debut album “Metamorphosis” went platinum.
Why the Grammys?
The patron saint of saccharin has a stranglehold on every prepubescent brain cell not already occupied by the “WB.”
Presenter
Faith Hill
Who dat?
Rivals Shania Twain for queen of pop stars masquerading as country singers. Husband is hat-loving country star Tim McGraw.
Why the Grammys?
“Cry” nominated for best country album. And she just needs one night away from The Hat.
Presenter
John Mayer
Who dat?
Grammy-winning singer-songwriter; a favorite among Apple iTunes downloaders.
Why the Grammys?
Initial buzz still hasn’t gotten him a date.
Presenter
Carlos Santana
Who dat?
Grammy-winning guitarist-composer.
Why the Grammys?
Running out of artists with whom to collaborate. Will consider Jessica Simpson or a slow agonizing death, whichever’s less painful.
Presenter
Britney Spears
Who dat?
The former Mrs. Jason Alexander. Or is she?
Why the Grammys?
She’s not going to take being upstaged by Janet lying down. Or will she?
Presenter
Steven Tyler and Joe Perry of Aerosmith
Who dat?
Legendary rockers are working on their long-promised blues album, “Honkin’ on Bobo,” set for release March 30.
Why the Grammys?
A little slow in the step now, they never really left the last Grammys.
Presenter
Pharrell Williams
Who dat?
One half of producers-extraordinaire The Neptunes, he’s up for six Grammys.
Why the Grammys?
To make Colin Farrell and Will Ferrell jealous.
Keep an eye on these performers
Presenter
50 Cent
Who dat?
“P.I.M.P.” rapper is nominated for five awards, including best new artist.
Why the Grammys?
No one would dare shoot him on national TV.
Presenter
Christina Aguilera
Who dat?
Beats us.
Why the Grammys?
Can’t even claim Best Floozy anymore; forced to expand her horizons.
Presenter
Beyonce
Who dat?
Official songstress of all soft drinks and national sporting events.
Why the Grammys?
She’s nominated for six awards. And she threatened to kick them out of Destiny’s Child.
Presenter
Black Eyed Peas
Who dat?
Socially conscious rap act is nominated in three categories.
Why the Grammys?
They’re on the menu.
Presenter
Jackson Browne
Who dat?
Politically minded singer-songwriter has no affiliation with any other Jacksons. We clear?
Why the Grammys?
He has sold more than 15 million albums in three decades. His mom just wants you to know that.
Presenter
George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic
Who dat?
By all appearances, the original boy band.
Why the Grammys?
Anyone named “Clinton” needs constant supervision.
Presenter
Celine Dion
Who dat?
Perfume and car pitchwoman, and from what we can tell, she sank the “Titanic.”
Why the Grammys?
Needed a diva.
Presenter
The Foo Fighters
Who dat?
“Times Like These” is nominated for best rock performance by a duo or group with vocal. Also leaders of a cult of Mentos fanatics.
Why the Grammys?
To laugh from their lofty perch at those geeks from Weezer.
Presenter
Alicia Keys
Who dat?
Grammy-winning singer-composer-pianist whose current hit “You Don’t Know My Name” tops Billboard’s R&B/hip-hop singles chart.
Why the Grammys?
Serving notice to every female artist that she could have their Grammys–if she wanted them.
Presenter
Richard Marx
Who dat?
A tragic, tragic experiment that was never supposed to see the light of day.
Why the Grammys?
Co-wrote song of the year nominee “Dance With My Father,” with Luther Vandross, so they had to let him in.
Presenter
Dave Mathews
Who
Band leader who is nominated in the best male rock vocal performance for “Gravedigger.”
Why
Often mistaken for one of the ushers.
Presenter
OutKast
Who dat?
Funky duo whose double set “Speakerboxxx/The Love Below” received six nominations and is favored to win album of the year.
Why the Grammys?
Want to undo the damage done to their music by the Golden Globes people.
Presenter
Sting
Who dat?
The savior of Lite Rock radio stations everywhere.
Why the Grammys?
“Send Your Love” nominated for best male pop vocal performance.
Presenter
Justin Timberlake
Who dat?
‘N Sync frontman and tailor to the stars.
Why the Grammys?
Nominated works “Justified” and “Cry Me a River” say all you need to know about how his week is going.
Presenter
The White Stripes
Who dat?
Overdue for their Mystic Tan appointment. Nominated for four awards.
Why the Grammys?
On the off chance Jack White just might deck Jack Black.
