Beyonce Swift Boated

HAS MUSIC'S "most prestigious awards show" become less about the art, more about commerce and circus-style packaging?

That's the vibe we were feeling watching yesterday afternoon and evening's 52nd annual Grammy Awards, where last year's top disc and download sellers were also (surprise, surprise) this year's biggest Grammy winners - most prominently Wyomissing, Pa.'s "Fearless" country talent, Taylor Swift, and the destiny-achieving Beyonce, the Grammy night's overall top vote- getter.

A good 85 percent of the nationally televised portion of the show was actually devoted to over-the-top production numbers, from Philly girl Pink's Cirque Du Soleil-styled spin on a high flying human mobile to the 3-D spectacles-required debut of a music video for Michael Jackson's (and surviving friends) "Earth Song." (Just the latest in a series of tech innovations - from surround sound to high def - to debut on the Grammys.)

The twenty-year old Swift began her own awards party at 5:41 p.m. (our time) with the Female Country Vocal honor for "White Horse," and returned five minutes later to share the Best Country Song honor (a writer's credit) for the same horse she rode in on. Later, on the nationally televised show, Swift scored the Best Country Album honor, and, as is her autobiographical wont, reflected back on second grade, and "People joking, 'Maybe I'll see you at the Grammys.' " She then capped the night with the most prestigious honor: Album of the Year. But it was a good thing the results were all in before her out-of-tune duet with Stevie Nicks. Painful.

While a big musical yawn without the visuals, fashionista fave Lady GaGa sure knows how to put on a fab show - as the Grammy show opener jumped into a vat of fire and mixed it up with fellow glitter Queen Elton John. As a reward for her big product mover, "The Fame," she got to take home trophies for Best Dance Recording and Electronic/Dance Album - neither an honor requiring much heavy lifting.

We felt better about another show business celebrant Beyonce, as the 10-times nominated artist nailed down the most awards of anyone in the crowd including the Best Contemporary R&B Album honor for "I Am . . . Sasha Fierce," as well as Best Female R&B Vocal and Traditional R&B Vocal performance (for "At Last," from her film portrayal of Etta James in the "Cadillac Records" flick).