Nobody wanted Trevor Noah to talk to them at the Grammys

It’s not often people want to sit further from the stage at an awards show, but you could practically hear the seats moving back at the Grammys on Sunday night as host Trevor Noah made his way to through the crowd. After an energetic introductory performance by Bad Bunny, Noah, who is in his third straight year as Grammys emcee, carried out his duties with confidence.

And yet, the energy in the room felt vaguely like the end of a Zoom meeting.

As the comedian worked the crowd, strolling from table to table, guests’ eyes seemed fixed on the centerpiece in front of them, or the floor, anything that signaled their disinterest in the jokes.

The message “Don’t call me!” the energy in the room peaked when Noah focused on Adele with a bit that mostly seemed to inspire confused laughter. “I try to get to know my guests,” Noah said. “For example, I know LL Cool J really likes breakfast cereal. … I also know that Adele loves tea. His show in Vegas is phenomenal. And the person Adele always wanted to meet, but never met, is Dwayne Johnson.”

Lizzo, Cardi B, Harry Styles and Taylor Swift on the Grammys red carpet

I know what you might be thinking, and frankly I agree: If Adele really wanted to meet Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, couldn’t she really make it happen? Do we think she stays up late at night, staring at the ceiling, wondering if she’ll ever get the pleasure? And do we call Dwayne Johnson a musician now after Moana? Is it supposed to have the same impact as those viral videos in which celebrities surprise their not famous Fans?

Undeterred, Noah continued, “I found out he was a big fan of you too. I don’t have Dwayne Johnson here tonight, but I have someone named The Rock?

Dwayne Johnson entered himself, who hugged Adele as each of them seemed to decide, at the time, to commit. The former wrestler seemed happy to be there, and the singer seemed pissed enough to accept it. Uh, “You’re welcome”?

Learn more about The Daily Beast.

Get the Daily Beast’s biggest scoops and scandals straight to your inbox. Register now.

Stay informed and get unlimited access to The Daily Beast’s unrivaled reports. Subscribe now.