Mayer’s riddle; an OK show

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 Beyonce on “Listen.”

Return engagement

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

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