By BECKY SHANE
Staff Writer

On Sunday, February 8, in the midst of the 2015 award show season, LL Cool J hosted the 57th annual Grammy Awards .The television award show featured over 80 awards in numerous categories based on top chart music from 2014.
The most publicized wins from the event are from newcomer Sam Smith and Beck. Smith scored four wins for Best New Artist, Record and Song of the Year for “Stay With Me,” and Best Pop Vocal Album In the Lonely Hour. Beck took Album of the Year and Rock Album of the Year with Morning Phase.
In addition to the awards, the production featured performances from Grammy nominees and past and present winners. These included the show’s opening of “Highway to Hell” by AC/DC, followed by later performances of Sam Smith’s “Stay with Me” with Mary J. Blige and a gospel choir, Madonna with her new single “Living for Love” and concluding performances by  Beyonce of “Take My Hand, Precious Lord” to introduce John Legend and Common’s performance of “Glory.”
Kanye West also joked when he jumped out of the seat before quickly sitting down during Beck’s acceptance speech for Album of the Year, mocking his 2009 stunt of charging the stage to question Taylor Swift’s win over Beyonce.
During Sia’s performance of her nominated “Chandelier,” comedian Kristen Wiig and Maddie Ziegler of “Dance Moms” recreated Jim Carrey and Kate McKinnon’s Saturday Night Live with dancing in nude body suits and wearing blonde Sia wigs. Even if the audience members were unfamiliar with the original skit, they were all thoroughly entertained by the intimate and emotional performance.
The lengthy award show featured many credited awards presented by the top names in film and music, yet the presentation of those awards seemed sporadic when compared with the constant performances. The awards were also only presented by a select few nominees; the Grammys are often organized to feature well-known artists, and, when unfamiliar names are announced (in the case of this year, Beck), to quietly congratulate while publicly questioning the decision.
Outside of the award show itself the red carpet and wardrobe were heavily publicized as usual. Snapchat even included a “Grammy” event on their featured story. Among the best dressed ranked Taylor Swift, Beyonce, Gwen Stefani and Jessie J, while Rihanna, Kim Kardashian, Madonna, Nicki Minaj and others were featured as worst dressed.
Like every awards show, even with its surprises and drama, Hollywood moves forward to prepare for the next milestone during the award show season: the Academy Awards on February 22nd.