AMAs: They're like the preppy cousins of the MTV VMAs

Churning, churning: another batch of nominations for another batch of pointless awards - these are the American Music Awards and, in a bid to stand out from the crowd, they've shaken up the nominations format. Instead of telling you who has been nominated for a prize, award-by-award, they've listed the nominees and then told you what they're up for. Crazy, huh?

Well, no. Not crazy, irritating; although it does allow you to take in at a glance how predictable and drudgy the names are:

Alvin and The Chipmunks
Favorite Album - Soundtrack

Mary J. Blige
mary_j_blige
Favorite Female Artist - Soul / Rhythm & Blues Music
Mary J. Blige - "Growing Pains"
Favorite Album - Soul / Rhythm & Blues Music

Garth Brooks
Favorite Male Artist - Country Music
Garth Brooks - "The Ultimate Hits"
Favorite Album - Country Music

Brooks & Dunn
Favorite Band, Duo or Group - Country Music

Chris Brown
Favorite Male Artist - Pop or Rock Music
Favorite Male Artist - Soul / Rhythm & Blues Music

Colbie Caillat
T-Mobile Breakthrough Artist Award

Mariah Carey
Favorite Female Artist - Pop or Rock Music
Mariah Carey - "E=MC2"
Favorite Album - Soul / Rhythm & Blues Music

Casting Crowns
Favorite Artist - Contemporary Inspirational

Kenny Chesney
Favorite Male Artist - Country Music

Coldplay
Artist of the Year
Favorite Band, Duo or Group - Pop or Rock Music
Favorite Artist - Alternative Rock Music
Coldplay - "Viva La Vida or Death And All His Friends"
Favorite Album - Pop or Rock Music

Daughtry
Favorite Band, Duo or Group - Pop or Rock Music
Favorite Artist - Adult Contemporary Music

Eagles
Artist of the Year
Favorite Band, Duo or Group - Pop or Rock Music
Favorite Artist - Adult Contemporary Music
Eagles - "Long Road Out of Eden"
Favorite Album - Pop or Rock Music

Flo Rida
T-Mobile Breakthrough Artist Award
Favorite Male Artist - Rap / Hip-Hop Music

Foo Fighters
Favorite Artist - Alternative Rock Music

G-Unit
Favorite Band, Duo or Group - Rap / Hip-Hop Music

J. Holiday
Favorite Male Artist - Soul / Rhythm & Blues Music

Enrique Iglesias
Favorite Artist - Latin Music

Jay-Z - "American Gangster"
Favorite Album - Rap / Hip-Hop Music

Jonas Brothers
T-Mobile Breakthrough Artist Award

Juanes
Favorite Artist - Latin Music

Juno
Favorite Album - Soundtrack

Alicia Keys
Artist of the Year
Favorite Female Artist - Pop or Rock Music
Favorite Female Artist - Soul / Rhythm & Blues Music
Alicia Keys - "As I Am"
Favorite Album - Pop or Rock Music
Favorite Album - Soul / Rhythm & Blues Music

Kid Rock
Favorite Male Artist - Pop or Rock Music

Lil Wayne
Artist of the Year
Favorite Male Artist - Rap / Hip-Hop Music

Linkin Park
Favorite Artist - Alternative Rock Music

Mamma Mia!
Favorite Album - Soundtrack

Reba McEntire
Favorite Female Artist - Country Music

MercyMe
Favorite Artist - Contemporary Inspirational

Brad Paisley
Favorite Male Artist - Country Music

Paramore
T-Mobile Breakthrough Artist Award

Rascal Flatts
Favorite Band, Duo or Group - Country Music
Rascal Flatts - "Still Feels Good"
Favorite Album - Country Music

Rihanna
Favorite Female Artist - Pop or Rock Music
Favorite Female Artist - Soul / Rhythm & Blues Music

Jordin Sparks
Favorite Artist - Adult Contemporary Music

Sugarland
Favorite Band, Duo or Group - Country Music

Taylor Swift
Favorite Female Artist - Country Music

Lil Wayne - "Tha Carter III"
Favorite Album - Rap / Hip-Hop Music

The-Dream
T-Mobile Breakthrough Artist Award

Third Day
Favorite Artist - Contemporary Inspirational

Three 6 Mafia
Favorite Band, Duo or Group - Rap / Hip-Hop Music

Carrie Underwood
Favorite Female Artist - Country Music
Carrie Underwood - "Carnival Ride"
Favorite Album - Country Music

Usher
Favorite Male Artist - Pop or Rock Music
Favorite Male Artist - Soul / Rhythm & Blues Music

Kanye West
Favorite Male Artist - Rap / Hip-Hop Music
Kanye West - "Graduation"
Favorite Album - Rap / Hip-Hop Music

Wisin Y Yandel
Favorite Artist - Latin Music

Wu-Tang Clan
Favorite Band, Duo or Group - Rap / Hip-Hop Music

You wonder if they wavered about this 'artists by alphabetical order' format when they realised it meant the first nomination for the 2008 American Music Awards went to the Alvin & The Chipmunks soundtrack.

You can go in and vote yourself for the categories, but sadly there's no box to tick for 'actually, Alicia Keys is pleasant enough but she's not that bloody great, you know'