Odd Couples

Meanwhile, this year's Jennifer Lopez Dare to Bare Award went to Toni Braxton, who said backstage that she likes ''being risqué'' and wanted to let it all hang out ''before I have babies and it all hangs out by itself.'' To help fit into her dress (which host Stewart joked looked suspiciously like a white scarf he'd misplaced), Braxton worked out on the treadmill for 25 minutes earlier in the day and consumed only water, but promised, ''I'm going to pig out at the party tonight.'' Braxton, who will star with Whoopi Goldberg in the upcoming film ''Kingdom Come,'' said she was happy to see Eminem win for Best Rap Album. ''As a woman and an African American,'' she said, "50 years ago people thought I shouldn't be doing what I'M doing.''

Preferring to avoid retreading the Eminem controversy, U2's ever political Bono shifted the controversial focus to today's planned meeting between President Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair. ''They are going to be talking about Africa and 23 million Africans who are HIV positive,'' said Bono, who added that he felt ''guilty'' about beating out Macy Gray, whose song ''I Try'' he called ''beautiful.'' Before accepting his band's Grammy, Bono told Gray, ''This is your award.''

The Eminem - Elton duet wasn't the only unusual pairing of the evening. Kid Rock arrived on the red carpet with an arm around his mother, while his other hand gave a playful middle finger to the paparazzi snapping their picture. ''It's all in fun,'' said Mom Susan, visiting from Michigan. No Doubt drummer Adrian Young, wearing considerably more than the pubic tuxedo he sported to last November's VH1 Awards, walked the red carpet with a glass of Jack Daniels and Coke in his hand.

And after dueting with Madonna, Lil Bow Wow -- age 13, going on 45 -- denied that he ''sold out'' by singing with a mainstream superstar. He did, however, admit that when the Material Girl first phoned to say ''we have an interesting part for you,'' he realized it would be ''great for my album sales.'' Bow Wow said Madonna told him, ''You'll be the first person seen at the Grammys, so you've got to make us look good.''

Though the telecast had few snafus, it was not blooper free. Jon Stewart told EW.com that ''some guy came up out of nowhere with a weird hat on toward the end and said 'hello' and mentioned the name of a radio station. I think security was only on alert for Elton John and Eminem. I was like their food taster.''

Then there was Sheryl Crow and Shelby Lynne, who struggled with their presentation banter. Earlier that day in rehearsals, Lynne had requested that their dialogue be simplified, but she was told to stick to the script. Crow, blaming the TelePrompTer, called her and Lynne's presentation ''marginally disgusting.'' She boasted more pride in the song ''Kiss The Girl Goodbye,'' which she recently recorded for the soundtrack to the upcoming film ''Bridget Jones' Diary.'' And Crow also said she's negotiating to score a film next year, and possibly record one of Keith Richards' songs. One weird coincidence: Madonna told Crow that she owned the same pair of rhinestone studded red pants that the ''All I Wanna Do'' gal wore on stage. We doubt they both attended that Presidents' Day sale at T.J. Maxx.