Vandross Scores at AMAs

11/17/2003 1:15 AM, E! Online
Kimberly Potts

Performers like Rod Stewart and Alan Jackson , presenters like Glen Campbell , Hall and Oates and the Smothers Brothers... gee, it's hard to imagine why the broadcast networks are having trouble attracting young male viewers these days.

Fortunately, those hip-challenged (and we're not just talking about Rod Stewart's creaky dance moves) celebs were joined by the likes of Britney Spears , Kid Rock, Pink, OutKast, Sean Paul and Missy Elliott at ABC's broadcast of the 31st annual American Music Awards Sunday night.

But none of those stars, or even a via-satellite guest Justin Timberlake , was the night's big winner. Instead, R&B legend Luther Vandross , who is still recovering from a stroke that left him debilitated earlier this year, nabbed two trophies: Favorite Male R&B Performer and Favorite Soul/R&B Album for Dance with My Father.

"I'm so very sorry that Luther cannot be here tonight in person," his mother, Mary Vandross, tearfully told the crowd. "I'm here to represent him and say thanks to all of you who made this possible."

The only other double-winner: rapper 50 Cent, who won Favorite Rap Album and Male Rap Performer. Timberlake, who accepted his trophy from Cologne, Germany, won Rock Album of the Year for his smash solo debut Justified, while Jennifer Lopez , who was MIA, and Kid Rock won Favorite Female and Male Pop-Rock Performer honors, and Fleetwood Mac won Favorite Pop-Rock Group accolades.

Broadcast live from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, the AMA coverage kicked off with 'N Syncer Lance Bass and R&B singer Monica greeting the arriving celebrities on the red carpet. A short review of the duo's interviewing skills: Joan and Melissa Rivers have nothing to worry about.

Inside the Shrine, ABC late-night dude Jimmy Kimmel hosted the festivities, which wrapped in three hours and only felt like they lasted for twice as long. Kimmel, who was working across the street from the theater where he hosts his Jimmy Kimmel Live show, sported an ill-fitting black velvet jacket and mined all-too-familiar territory for his hosting material.

Jokes about everything from the Kid Rock-Pam Anderson-Tommy Lee triangle to a tired quip about Ruben Studdard's weight were among Kimmel's better bits, and even an appearance by the Smothers siblings--who had to tell the much-younger crowd why they are famous--garnered more laughs.

In fact, two of the night's best quotes came from AMA winners:

"I'm not used to winning anything," said Fan's Choice winner Clay Aiken. "I'm kinda used to second place."

And from Kid Rock, who climbed the stage with libation-on-the-rocks in hand: "I always wanted to win something. My first option would have been the Lotto..."

Speaking of Rock and Aiken, the two were among the broadcast's few highlights. Kid Rock's cover of Bad Company's "Feel Like Makin' Love"; Pink's acoustic version of "Trouble"; solo and duet performances by American Idols Studdard and Aiken; and Sheryl Crow 's smooth cover of "The First Cut Is the Deepest" were all crowd pleasers.

Among the lowlights of the show, which, overall, felt like MTV Video Music Awards-lite: Ashanti as the poor man's Beyonc in a meant-to-be-titillating performance of "Rain on Me" (with real rain!); Hilary Duff as the poor man's Gwen Stefani with a stilted medley of "So Yesterday" and "The Girl Can Rock" (we beg to differ--she can't); and Kimmel, as the poor man's Chris Rock , flubbing his own punchline during one attempt at a joke.

Missy Elliott, meanwhile, was announced as an MIA when she was named winner of Favorite Female Rap/Hip-Hop Artist. She later showed up, explaining that her limo had been stolen from her hotel.

On the flipside, there was Britney Spears. The ubiquitous popster gave the evening's opening performance but quickly disappeared and was not seen throughout the rest of the show.

She's appeared on magazine covers topless and bottomless, sucked face with Madonna , gotten teary with Diane Sawyer and waxed enthusiastic about the joys of self-love on her new album. The only shocking thing left for Britney to do: not lip-sync on an awards show.

But Sunday night was not the occasion for such a derring-do, as a scantily clad, but still lip-synching, Britney descended from the ceiling on a rope and belted out--or pretended to--her new single "Me Against the Music."

ABC took the opportunity to promote its Monday night special, Britney Spears: In the Zone, promising that we'd see "a side of Britney Spears that you've never seen before."

Well, we saw the Esquire and Rolling Stone covers. So there are no sides we haven't seen before.

Here's a recap of the AMA winners:

POP/ROCK

• Favorite Male Artist: Kid Rock
  
• Favorite Female Artist: Jennifer Lopez
  
• Favorite Band, Duo or Group: Fleetwood Mac
  
• Favorite Album: Justified, Justin Timberlake

HIP-HOP/R&B

• Favorite Male Artist: Luther Vandross
  
• Favorite Female Artist: Aaliyah
  
• Favorite Band, Duo or Group: The Isley Brothers
  
• Favorite Album: Dance with My Father, Luther Vandross

COUNTRY MUSIC

• Favorite Male Artist: Tim McGraw
  
• Favorite Female Artist: Faith Hill
  
• Favorite Band, Duo or Group: Alabama
  
• Favorite Album: Unleashed, Toby Keith

RAP/HIP-HOP

• Favorite Male Artist: 50 Cent
  
• Favorite Female Artist: Missy Elliott
  
• Favorite Band, Duo or Group: Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz
  
• Favorite Album: Get Rich Or Die Tryin', 50 Cent

ALTERNATIVE MUSIC

• Favorite Artist: Linkin Park

ADULT/CONTEMPORARY MUSIC

• Favorite Artist:Celine Dion

LATIN MUSIC:

• Favorite Artist: Ricky Martin

CONTEMPORARY INSPIRATIONAL MUSIC:

• Favorite Artist: Steven Curtis Chapman

FAN'S CHOICE:

• Favorite Artist: Clay Aiken