There was a time when show biz awards were easy to follow. Performers competed for Oscars, Emmys, Tonys or Grammys and that was it. Covering film, TV, Broadway and recorded music respectively, these were the most coveted trophies in the industry.

Now, with performers jockeying among The People's Choice, MTV's Video Music Awards, The American Music Awards, Country Music Awards, Billboard, Soul Train, Golden Globes, The Movie Awards and so many others, such awards-based programming on TV has taken on a completely new role.

These are television's new variety shows -- often rooted in little more than a producer's desire to gather big names on one stage for lots of singing, dancing and shmoozing.

What makes them so popular is the idea of well-known performers competing. The tension and partially unscripted nature of such programming keeps the stars vulnerable -- humanizing them for fans, and luring huge TV audiences.

Pierre Cossette, producer of the Grammy Awards show for each of the 20 years it has been telecast, says he welcomes the competition.

"Every time I see a new award show come up, I take a little pride, thinking perhaps I helped start something. Now there's, what, 12 music shows?"

Cossette says there are still plenty of people in Hollywood who could produce traditional variety shows if they wanted to, but the industry no longer believes such straight entertainment without trophies will fly.

"The last thing we want to do is put on a variety show," Cossette said of the Grammys. "I'd like to think we're better than that."

Mike Greene, the president of The Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences -- the voting body that decides who wins a Grammy -- isn't quite as diplomatic.

"The array of music award shows on TV only highlights the creative constipation of the TV community," Greene said. "There is literally no difference between The American Music Awards and Twin Peaks. It's unfortunate that there is such a proliferation of awards-based shows. There's just too many -- no question about it.

"What separates us," Greene continued, "is that we provide a window of accessibility to styles and genres of music that the general public would never see."

It also provides the vast array of musical talent. Salutes to Grammy Lifetime Achievers Marian Anderson, John Lennon, Kitty Wells and Bob Dylan will be the centerpiece.

Also expected to be on hand: Harry Connick, Phil Collins, MC Hammer, Gloria Estefan, Living Colour, Tony Bennett, Kathleen Battle, Bette Midler, Mariah Carey, Aerosmith, En Vogue, Take Six, Tracey Chapman, Billy Idol, Garth Brooks and The Kentucky Headhunters.

Cossette says he'll keep the show moving, but won't urge winners to cut speeches short. "If I've learned one thing it's that if you start telling people what to do, you're through."

With war a traditional issue among rock musicians, the potential for abuse of the live TV platform certainly exists.

Said Cossette: "If someone is being self-serving -- we cue orchestra and bow 'em off."

Performers, take note.

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