He might have been there. When the bulk of that big group of former winners and runners-up came on stage at the end of that number, they never really panned up and down that long line enough that each person there could be recognized.
The final half hour of that show was poorly done to me, with too many numbers and too many people. And I sure had no desire to see Janet Jackson in a bit that seemed to go on and on and on. The final part was just too cluttered. And my station cut away almost immediately after the winner was announced since it had overrun a good bit.
Oh, you’re right. I forgot about Janet Jackson. Her total lack of talent was blinding and she brought the entire show to a halt. I was thinking about the Bret Michaels surprise and Chicago and Cocker and Michael McDonald. The tribute to Simon was terrific, although Jimmy Kimmel had a funnier one.