FUN, FUN, FUN ON SUNDAY NIGHT

The star-studded, Joel Gallen-directed special A Grammy Salute to The Beach Boys helped CBS dominate prime time on Sunday. The entertaining two-hour show delivered 5.18m viewers, making it first with viewers 9-11pm. It was Sunday's #2 prime-time program, behind only the network's perennial ratings monster 60 Minutes. The broadcast pulled the largest audience for a Grammy Salute since 2020’s A Grammy Salute to Prince.

Performances by Norah Jones, Weezer, St. Vincent, My Morning Jacket, a permed Beck, John Legend, Fall Out Boy, Little Big Town, Michael McDonald, Pentatonix, Mumford & Sons and the ubiquitous Brandi Carlile, among others, were interspersed with archival footage of the group as members Brian Wilson, Al Jardine, David Marks, Bruce Johnston and Mike Love looked on from a Dolby Theater balcony.

The house band, which backed most of the performers, deftly handled the intricate arrangements. Among the key players were drummer Abe Laboriel Jr., guitarist Jason Falkner and Falkner's Jellyfish cohort Roger Manning on keys. Mike Elizondo was the musical director.

Gallen, Rick Krim and Irving Azoff—whose Iconic Artist Group manages The Beach Boys—were credited as executive producers. As always, CBS specials guru Jack Sussman played a pivotal role.

A Grammy Salute to The Beach Boys, which commemorates the yearlong celebration of the group's 60th anniversary, is now streaming on Paramount+.

Photos: Getty Images for the Recording Academy