By Delia Paunescu
MTV has always been a force to be reckoned with. The media giant has always said what goes (and what doesn’t) when it comes to the music world and to teen culture. But during the annual Video Music Awards last Sunday night, MTV had less to say than an awkward tween on a date to the school dance.
Of course there was the much-anticipated return of our most famous pop tart, Britney Spears. But when the former Mrs. Federline took the stage, any excitement quickly shifted to “shock and awe.” She looked confused, stiff and downright disinterested. As she stood on the stage in glittering pewter bra and hot pants, one recalled iconic images of Spears from past VMA’s (the nude, sparkling body suit, the dance with the yellow python and the kiss with Madonna) and felt truly sad for her.
And while there have been reports that Brit was out partying until the early Sunday morning, one thinks that perhaps this is true of all those enlisted to work the show. Clearly, holding one of pop culture’s main social events in Las Vegas is something that MTV would be stupid to do again as it was obviously shown (to the whole country) that even major television employees can’t be trusted in a city with a motto like, “What happens here, stays here.” Try as they might, no amount of PR on the part of the Vegas tourism board could have explained that while their slogan might be well and good for luring middle-aged men and 20-something bachelorettes, it doesn’t work when a much-anticipated televised production whose disastrous execution did not just stay in Vegas, but sent media critics and bloggers into an unparalleled frenzy of critiques.
What did happen, on the other hand, was nothing above unmitigated crap. Even as Spears’ disastrous attempt to reclaim her career ended and comedian Sarah Silverman took the show, there was an air of disappointment that loomed over the following two hours-a cut from last year’s three. Yes, Silverman’s shocking jokes provided some laughter but knowing that the butt of her jokes was just backstage made the awkwardness all the more palpable.
The awkwardness continued as Pam Anderson alluded to an intense make-out session with rapper Kanye West while introducing him. West has since severed ties with MTV, refusing to appear on Monday’s “Total Request Live” and citing that the introduction was disrespectful to the relationship he now shares with his fiancé. (Awkward!)
Part of MTV’s huge mistake was excluding the majority of stage based performances in lieu of “parties.” With this, major artists were taken away from the main ballroom where the show took place into private suites to perform club-style for a considerably smaller audience. Doing so sacrificed adequate lighting and nauseated home viewers with claustrophobic angles as cameramen struggled to keep up with the overactive performers who insisted on running and jumping about. It that wasn’t enough to confuse even the most avid viewer, musical acts were mixed to perform together in one suite or another. At one point, the screen showed Gym Class Heroes, Fall Out Boy and Rihanna all simultaneously performing their individual singles.
Even when performances were on a stage that spread over seemingly pointless lighted tables at which the guests sat, they were too busy and difficult to follow. Nick Brown gave up on his music and focused on dizzying dance moves. Alicia Keys let the accompaniment overpower her completely until her rendition of George Michael’s “Freedom” almost went unnoticed. Only Nelly Furtado came out on top by keeping it simple and singing (shock!) just one song.
The televised presentation of awards was minimal and continuously awkward. A flagrantly intoxicated Jamie Foxx ad-libbed the intro, leaving co-star Jennifer Garner no time to read the teleprompter, for the Best New Artist award winner Gym Class Heroes. The camera then turned to the suite where the band was too busy celebrating with flowing champagne to thank the viewers who had voted for them – a true testament to the fact that work can never be done in Vegas.
In the end, flubs, goofs and general awkwardness abounded on a night that many won’t soon forget. As for MTV employees, let’s hope they enjoyed their time off because, judging on that performance, it would be surprising if they are still employed by MTV.
