You can always tell when a DJ is bombing when he resorts to playing Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” now. Everyone responds to its general rebelliousness, but it’s frequently trotted out without meaning or cause.

Chris Brown threw a couple bars of “Teen Spirit” into his medley of “Yeah 3X,” “Protect Ya” and “Beautiful People,” just after a superb dancing performance. And then he soared into the air on wires and writhed into a Jesus Pose mid-air.

Yes, Chris Brown tries too hard to get people to like him. Considering his controversial status, the show’s producer’s got a kick out of spotlight people who’re on Team Breezy: Kanye stood, Hova didn’t and Justin Bieber -- bless him -- was seen mouthing “That’s my boy.” The aerial stunts were sloppy and the time allotment too generous. Tacky tacky tacky.