'Idol' Alums Clean Up at AMAs

In their 34th year, the American Music Awards looked suspiciously like the American Idol Music Awards. Idol alums Carrie Underwood and Chris Daughtry each won three times, and winners were determined, for the first time, by Idol-esque fan voting. Host Jimmy Kimmel, a WGA member, mostly idled in the wings, saying he was on strike “in my heart” and couldn’t write jokes.

“This is my fourth time hosting the awards, and my first time hosting it drunk,” Kimmel deadpanned, reappearing for an uncomfortable dance number. Two-time winners included Justin Timberlake, absent because he was on tour, and T.I., absent because he’s under house arrest. Beyonce meanwhile was snubbed in the competitive categories, but picked up an International Artist Award. (More music stories.)