Ah Matt - all depends on whether the recipients are really "exceptional"... and that's a value judgment.

I'm not interested at all in the folk awards, but I am interested in the concept and usefulness/uselessness/point/pointlessness of awards in general.

Oddly enough, and coincidentally, there's an interesting article in today's Guardian G2 supplement today: awards ceremonies

I've been to one or two of these showbizzy bashes over the years, as a spectator, and I've never been impressed by the experience. However, Matt, if they make you happy, who am I to argue with you? :-)