THE GRAMMYS

Surprises and oddities at Staples

John Mayer's Japanese lesson for Seacrest, Dermot Mulroney's string-bearing cameo and more noteable moments from this year's show.

By Chris Lee, Times Staff Writer

February 12, 2007

Although the Grammys are putatively about awards, water cooler conversation invariably centers on the true spectacle: odd coincidences, red carpet shenanigans, out-of-nowhere wins. Among Sunday's moments:

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Asked by Ryan Seacrest to confirm his rumored romance with Jessica Simpson, John Mayer paused, then gave his answer in seamless Japanese. "Take it to the room, find a Japanese person, decode it and subtitle it," Mayer urged. "You'll have your answer." Later in the broadcast, a translation was provided: "She is very beautiful — and you're the last to know."

A little bit country

Shut out of this year's rock categories, feather-haired New Jersey-ites Bon Jovi landed the best country collaboration with vocal Grammy for "Who Says You Can't Go Home," a duet with Jennifer Nettles.

OK, you can Go

Arriving in red paisley velvet suits (with matching top hats and face sheaths), the members of power pop rock quartet OK Go dropped to their backs on the carpet to perform a YouTube-ready synchronized routine.

It's no act, he can play

Absent fanfare, actor Dermot Mulroney ("Must Love Dogs") played cello onstage twice, helping Gnarls Barkley on "Crazy" and Beyoncé on "Listen."

Shut out, Young has to live with it

Despite three nominations for Neil Young's virulently anti-Bush/anti-war album "Living With War," (including a best rock song nomination for "Looking For a Leader") and with Al Gore presenting the rock album category on-camera, Young came up empty handed. Instead, Gore handed the rock album statue to the Red Hot Chili Peppers for "Stadium Arcadium."

Return engagement

The Grammys marked a homecoming of sorts for Al Gore. He appeared on-stage at Staples in 2000, dancing with wife Tipper after being named the Democrats' presidential nominee.

chris.lee@latimes.com