2009 American Music Awards: Show

The 2009 American Music Awards crammed over 15 top-notch performances into three hours, making for some must-see TV. The late Michael Jackson won four awards, but the night’s biggest winner was Taylor Swift, who acknowledged the King of Pop in her acceptance speech: “Music has never been openly about competition and to even be mentioned in a category with Michael Jackson, who will be missed and loved forever, is an unimaginable honor,” said the 19-year-old country music star.

Plus, Janet Jackson opened the show with a medley of her greatest hits, Whitney Houston was presented with the International Artist Award, Jay-Z and Alicia Keys channeled Ol’ Blue Eyes, Timbaland and Nelly Furtado reunited onstage, Eminem and 50 Cent “Crack[ed] a Bottle,” and Jennifer Lopez tumbled, but did not crumble in her “Louboutins.”