The 2009 American Music Awards

"Last nights AMAs seems to have met all 3 award show requirements: a staged controversy, a gaffe and a triumph." said John Mayer on his Twitter following Sunday's American Music Awards in Los Angeles. He was right.

The show attracted 14.2 million viewers, the most since 2002. Let's take a look at all the ingredients that made the show such a smash.



















Staged controversy: Adam Lambert's entire performance

The American Idol runner-up promised a performance you wouldn't forget, and he delivered. Wailing "For Your Entertainment", Lambert dragged a female dancer by her legs across the stage, rammed a male dancer's head into his crotch, and made out with an androgynous keyboard player all within three minutes and thirty seconds. The cameras switched to a view of the audience as soon as possible after Lambert had his dancer simulate oral sex, which would make you think ABC had no idea this would happen...but really? I'm skeptical.














Gaffe: Jennifer Lopez Falls
I still have no idea what "Louboutins" are, or why Jennifer Lopez thinks she has any right to walk around in a boxing robe and proclaim herself a champion, but I do know that girlfriend should not try to dance in high heels. Lopez wasn't even wearing high heels, but she managed to fall on stage during her performance. Although Lambert would take a tumble while climbing up stairs in his number, Lopez's fall over shadowed his. It was kind of like that duck flying into the plane the last week of George W. Bush's administration, but sexier.
*I wish I could get a clip up for you all to see just in case you missed the broadcast, but unfortunately, Dick Clark productions got the video yanked from YouTube :(













Triumph: The return of Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston put the finishing touches on her comeback by winning the seldom awarded International Artist of the Year Award. She performed "I Didn't Know My Own Strength" which worked perfectly lyrically, but was lacking on every other level. Lousy song Whitney, you should have done "Million Dollar Bill". But still, you're back on your feet.

Other highlights of the show:

• Jermaine Jackson picking up awards for his late brother (I know we miss him and all, but should we really be handing out awards for Best Soul/R&B artist for someone who hasn't released new material in eight years?). He brought his kids along with him. There was Jermajesty, Jermama, Jerbama, and Jermanji
• Taylor Swift dominating. The girl won 5 AMAs including Artist of the Year. She tweeted, "It's 5:30 AM in London, where I still haven't slept and my feet haven't touched the ground. Thank you for the AMA's. Thank you."
• Jay-Z and Alicia Keys belting out "Empire State of Mind". I love this song. It deserves to be No. 1
• Lady Gaga's monsterific performance of "Bad Romance" complete with electric glowing monster skeleton outfits and a burning piano. I would have been more surprised though if she came out in a parka.

The Winners:

ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Taylor Swift

POP/ROCK

Male Artist: Michael Jackson

Female Artist: Taylor Swift

Band, Duo or Group: Black Eyed Peas

Album: Number Ones, Michael Jackson

SOUL/R&B

Male Artist: Michael Jackson

Female Artist: Beyoncé

Band, Duo or Group: Black Eyed Peas

Album: Number Ones, Michael Jackson

RAP/HIP-HOP

Male Artist: Jay-Z

Album: Blueprint 3, Jay-Z

COUNTRY

Male Artist: Keith Urban

Female Artist: Taylor Swift

Band, Duo or Group: Rascal Flatts

Album: Fearless, Taylor Swift

ADULT CONTEMPORARY

Artist: Taylor Swift

ALTERNATIVE ROCK

Artist: Green Day

LATIN

Artist: Aventura

CONTEMPORARY INSPIRATIONAL

Artist: Mary Mary

SOUNDTRACK

Album: Twilight

T-MOBILE BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST

Gloriana

INTERNATIONAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR

Whitney Houston