Oh, Manchester, So Much To Answer For

this evening, I'm going to blog the 2002 billboard music awards, a fine opportunity to piss and moan about the state of pop(ular) music this past year. first of all, apart from the show-opening performance by avril lavigne - shock! horror! she owns more than that one damned necktie-and-wifebeater outfit! - they've announced the ten finalists for artist of the year, which combines album and singles success in the ought-two. the finalists: ashanti, creed, eminem, ja rule, avril lavigne, linkin park, nelly, nickelback, pink, and usher. if this is truly how the year in music goes down, please kill me now.

p.s. two of those ten are on my year-end top 50. guess who?
p.s.2 the main reason I'm watching is for the big annie lennox salute.