( AP ) - From the incredibly obvious department: The Grammys paid tribute to the Beatles on Sunday night.
One could wonder sarcastically: "Really? The Beatles? Now are they THAT important?"
Paying homage to the British foursome was bound to be a confused issue in scale. After all, if the Beatles could even arguably be bigger than Jesus Christ, they just might be bigger than the Grammys.
So how do you appropriately celebrate - as Tom Hanks introduced them - a group that changed "the history of our planet"?
With a dancing umbrella, of course.
What, you were expecting Bono?
With Ringo Starr and Yoko Ono looking on, the Beatles tribute began with a performance by Cirque du Soleil, set to "A Day in the Life." All matter of French weirdness was employed, including an umbrella that appeared to be supported by only a pair of legs, while its acrobat crouched beneath. (Not even Rihanna can stand under that umbr-ella, ella.)
While a woman in a red dress supported by ropes flew above, presumably symbolic costumed dancers traipsed across the stage.
The second segment was carried out in the style of Julie Taymor's film "Across the Universe," a musical of whimsical Beatles covers. A powerful enough version of "Let It Be" was sung.
Before you knew it, the tribute was over, leaving viewers to wonder, "Is that it?" Sure, a real tribute for the Beatles was bound to fall short, but it didn't appear the Grammys even tried. Even the opposite - a bare stage and captivating acoustic performer - would have been more rewarding.
Shortly thereafter, Starr ambled up to the stage to join those accepting the award for best compilation soundtrack album, which went to "Love," the Cirque du Soleil show of Beatles music.
"My name is Ringo," announced the drummer. Enough said.
The Grammys, though, might not have been done. The show's lineup scheduled a "Sergeant Pepper finale" to conclude the broadcast.