Well, Now That We Got That Out of the Way...

Hmmm, what to talk about tonight? John McCain has the Republican nomination locked up and conservative talk show hosts are apoplectic. The writers strike appears to be over; the rank and file will vote on Tuesday, they could be back to work on Wednesday... but you'll still have to suffer "American Gladiators" until new episodes of your favorite shows return just in time for May sweeps.

Oh yeah, the Grammys are tonight.

Last year, I did a Monday morning quarterbacking of the Grammys. This time I think I'll do predictions instead. I mentioned last year that I like to look down the list of nominees beforehand, pick who should win and who probably will win, and see how right I am. Rarely am I right on who should win, usually I'm right on who does win. So with scant minutes to spare before tonight's Grammy broadcast (picket-free but the jokes will still suck), I'm going to share with you my opinions of this year's crop of nominees...

Album of the Year
Who should win-- Foo Fighters "Echoes, Silence, Patience, & Grace"
Who WILL win-- Kanye West "Graduation"

Record of the Year
Who should win-- Justin Timberlake "What Goes Around..."
Who WILL win-- Amy Winehouse "Rehab" (just for the serendipity factor of her not making it to the show in person because she was IN REHAB)

Song of the Year
Who should win-- Plain White T's "Hey There Delilah" (a genuine throwback song that anyone can like)
Who WILL win-- Carrie Underwood "Before He Cheats" (a song that anyone who is female LOVES)

Best New Artist
Who should win-- Paramore
Who WILL win-- Amy Winehouse (controversy = awards)

Pop Vocal Album
Who should win-- Maroon 5 "It Won't Be Soon Before Long"
Who WILL win-- Bon Jovi "Lost Highway" (the Grammys love giving awards to older bands)

R&B Album
Who should win-- Ne-Yo "Because of You"
Who WILL win-- anyone but Fantasia

Alternative Album
Who should win-- White Stripes "Icky Thump"
Who WILL win-- whoever it is, it will be announced on the crawl at the bottom of the screen because they will NEVER give this award out during the actual show

Male Pop Vocal
Who should win-- Justin Timberlake "What Goes Around..."
Who WILL win-- Justin Timberlake (although part of me really wants to think the Grammys will go with Michael Buble just to piss people off)

Female Pop Vocal
Who should win-- Fergie "Big Girls Don't Cry"
Who WILL win-- Christina Aguilera "Candyman" (while she's not old, the song SOUNDS old)

Pop Performance By a Duo or Group
Who should win-- Plain White T's "Hey There Delilah"
Who WILL win-- Daughtry "Home"

Solo Rock Performance
Who should win-- John Mellencamp "Our Country" (despite it being used ad nauseum in those Chevy ads)
Who WILL win-- John Mellencamp

Rock Performance By a Duo or Group
Who should win-- White Stripes "Icky Thump"
Who WILL win-- Daughtry "It's Not Over" (pissing off rock fans everywhere who don't consider Daughtry to be rock)

Hard Rock Performance
Who should win-- Evanescence "Sweet Sacrifice" (you might be shocked here, but I have the album and this is the best song on that album)
Who WILL win-- Foo Fighters "The Pretender" (sales + MUCH more airplay from a rock radio world that won't play females = award)

Oh, and Carrie Underwood "Before He Cheats" will win a bunch of country awards, too... I don't think that's much of a reach...