With a special-effects-laden tribute to the late Michael Jackson in an awards show that featured many big spectacle moments, the Grammys rode the 3-D wave Sunday.

After the tribute, Jackson’s children–Prince Michael, 12, and Paris, 11–appeared to accept a lifetime achievement award for the pop star who died in June of a prescription drug overdose.

Mingling their voices with the voice of the late King of Pop against the backdrop of a 3-D film featuring Jackson’s 1995 eco-friendly “Earth Song,” Carrie Underwood, Céline Dion, Jennifer Hudson, Smokey Robinson, and Usher performed in the tribute.

So viewers could watch the show in 3-D from their living rooms, free 3-D “Grammy” glasses were distributed at Target stores nationwide. The Grammys’ 3-D effort follows the huge success of James Cameron’s 3-D movie “Avatar”, which just became the highest-grossing movie worldwide.

There were plenty of other spectacular moments during the Grammys telecast, which opened with the flamboyant Lady Gaga performing her hit “Poker Face” in a glittery green butterfly outfit, falling prey to a faux kidnapping onstage and then materializing to perform opposite Elton John.

(article and photo source: The Gazette)