The controversy surrounding Michael Jackson's appearance on last night's American Music Awards likely isn't over.

 No, not the question about whether he should be allowed to perform on both the AMAs and the Grammys, but whether or not he and Janet are the same person.

 The crownless King of Pop did, in fact, show up to accept the entertainer of the century award -- apparently Elvis, Sinatra and the Beatles were busy -- although contrary to reports earlier in the week, he did not perform.

 Janet, his "sister," appeared only via satellite on a number of occasions, including to accept her award for pop/rock female artist, and introduce Lenny Kravitz and his "fine ass."

 Never in the same room, hmmm ...

 The Jackson subplot aside, last night's three-hour star-studded telecast was not bad as far as award shows go.

 It actually clipped along at a fair pace, thanks to a good mix of musical numbers (hip hop, gospel, country, pop, and ... Cher) innocuous nominee announcements by TV, music and film stars, and relatively quick speeches.

 Even the achievement awards (Jackson's as well as the award of merit which was presented to Garth Brooks), which are normally drawn-out, saccharine segments, were nauseating, but not nearly as epic as, say, the Oscars.

 Also helping the overall palatability of the program was the fact that co-hosts Sean "P. Diddy" Combs and Jenny "What Was It Again That I Did to Become Famous?" McCarthy weren't as prominent as most hosts usually are.

 A good thing, especially after their tasteless, innuendo-laced opening banter, not to mention McCarthy's shrill, cloying voice that sounded like a pair of over-inflated helium balloons being rubbed together (insert your own joke here), and the fact P. Diddy became less coherent as the show went on, diverging from the scripted proceedings twice for "shout outs."

 The performances were by-the-books, with the exception being bad boy Kid Rock who, after being introduced by his trailer park princess, Pamela Anderson, began his song with a cutting statement (read: lame) about the state of pop music by having a tape recording play alongside a mannequin dressed up to look like him, before he finally hit the stage to sing.

 On the awards side of things, there were relatively few surprises.

 Newcomer Alicia Keys, who is also a big favourite for this year's Grammys with six nominations last week, took home two awards, for favourite new R&B/soul artist and new pop artist, beating out Canadian Nelly Furtado, who, on the bright side, did manage to get ogled by hip hop artist Nelly -- get it? Nelly and Nelly -- on live television.

 Late soul artist Aaliyah was posthumously awarded a pair of AMAs, including for favourite female soul/R&B artist.

 Other multiple winners included Destiny's Child, and country artist Tim McGraw, who also accepted an award for his wife Faith Hill.

 Perhaps the biggest surprise came in the welcome restraint the show and all its participants showed in referring to the tragedies of Sept. 11.

 Sure, the Stars & Stripes were featured in a number of ensembles, but if I'm not mistaken, the first and only verbal acknowledgement came two hours into the telecast when Yolanda Adams accepted her award for contemporary inspirational artist. (More on: Alicia Keys).