The equation has been reversed on CBS's recent "Grammy Salute" specials: traditionally, they were all-star salutes, with the legendary artist being honored making a cameo at the end (assuming they were still alive). But with a recent Earth, Wind & Fire tribute under that banner and, now, a Cyndi Lauper special, we have full concerts from those artists, with a selection of guest duos. That's even better, for those who missed Cyndi Lauper's recent farewell tour—or for those who didn't—as she packs plenty of punch for two hours on Sunday night's "Grammy Salute to Cyndi Lauper: Live from the Hollywood Bowl."
Although, when Joni Mitchell, SZA, and Cher appear, they're no small feat. "She's So Unusual," her debut solo album, promised us something in 1983. This special—executive produced by Grammy veteran Ken Ehrlich, Recording Academy director Harvey Mason Jr., and Lauper—is also highly unusual. The risk it takes lies in how close it comes to being an exact transcript of the show that toured the country this year, featuring a few superstars and niche guests.
Director: Julia Knowles
Writers: Brian Burke, Ken Ehrlich, Cyndi Lauper
Stars: Sterling Campbell, Elaine Caswell, Cher
Exactly two personalities appear during the spot: brief video testimonials from Brandi Carlile and Billie Eilish that barely occupy a minute between them. The rest is Cyndi uncensored, onstage, and not in conversation; that decision likely influenced the fact that fans already enjoyed much of that in her 2023 Paramount+ documentary, "Let the Canary Sing." This time with Lauper, the show must go on—and, really, only the show—filmed over two nights in late August as her farewell tour concluded at the Hollywood Bowl.
As for collaborations, she's generally very well-matched, both in her diva role and beyond. Powerhouse country artist (and recent Variety cover star) Mickey Guyton proves to be the perfect match for Lauper from the get-go, on what might be one of the night's lesser-known tracks, "Who Let in the Rain." Wearing a memorable long, shiny black coat, John Legend accompanies her to the ridge separating the Bowl's pool seating area from the other boxes for an intimate and personal "Time After Time"; it provides a softer counterpart to her ever-so-slightly raw tone. Angélique Kidjo and Trombone Shorty add slightly more exotic and regional touches to the already popular New Orleans track "Iko Iko," which veers away from pop.
Mr. Shorty returns to accompany Lauper and Mitchell on the latter legend's beloved "Carey." (That's the only number in which the guest performs her own number, rather than joining the headliner in one of hers, but in Mitchell's case, Mohammed must be the center of attention. And Lauper doesn't pass up the opportunity to use her tribute special to pay homage to the comeback queen, who dances with a wolf head and a cane.) SZA's presence adds a lot of extra spark to the show's penultimate duet, "True Colors." SZA clearly plays well with others, judging by her collaboration with Kendrick Lamar, which is one of the biggest hits of the year, and she does just as well singing something closer to the show's mid-range. And there could be no better casting for "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" than Cher, who even donned a designer polka-dotted pantsuit to match Lauper's, and makes the star's signature song sound like it belongs in her catalog, too.
The only collaboration that doesn't quite add up in these two hours is Jake Wesley Rogers, who gives one of Lauper's best songs, "Money Changes Everything," an extended and simply... noisy coda. On the other hand, while not a musical highlight, it's noticeable that the duet with Rogers ends in a mock wrestling match, presumably in homage to Lauper's early friendship with the late Captain Lou Albano (who is mentioned much earlier in the broadcast). "Wrasslin'" didn't change everything for Lauper, but it was one of those early signs that this was an artist who was going to do things her way, whether because of her associations with larger-than-life figures or her longstanding alliance with the LGBTQ+ community.
Did we say a few paragraphs ago that this special wasn't about conversation? Let's add a considerable asterisk, on second thought, because we just wanted to say that it had a (welcome, for us) lack of interviews. But you will hear her speak. Lauper devoted much of her concerts each night this year to storytelling, making it much like her version of a one-woman show, even with a full band kicking back behind her as she regaled her audience with tales of her upbringing, career accomplishments and setbacks, and musings on feminism.
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