Embedded at the Grammys: The View From Inside

The Peoples' Republic of Grammy.

What's more difficult: Getting into China or getting into the Grammys? Last summer I spent an hour waiting in line at the Chinese consulate in the armpit of midtown Manhattan — twice — before receiving my papers. When I crossed into the mainland a few weeks later, I was questioned vigorously by customs officials while remote scanners evaluated my body temperature.

Now that I'm safely seated in the media room at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, I think I've c...