If you needed a reason to watch the 2007 Video Music Awards on Sunday night on MTV, I have two words for you. Britney Spears. Actually, here are two more words for you. Train wreck.
Spears was the opening act for the show, a rumor that has been floating around since the pop singer announced she is recording a comeback album that is set to be released in November.
Whether or not you like her music, she was given a huge benefit of the doubt before even touching the stage. For one, she is a “celebrated” veteran in this industry. One can only sing a dance for so long before some one takes heed to the performers’ message. From Mickey Mouse Club to “Coo Coo for Coco Puffs Club,” Spears has had her fair share of the spotlight without any tap on the shoulder, disgruntled face, or light whisper in the ear of, “Hey, maybe you should call it quits.” Secondly, the award show was in Las Vegas; couldn’t anything happen there.
Well, for starters, Britney Spears does need that subtle tap on the shoulder. Honestly. She might even deserve her own scrolling marquee in the middle of Times Square filled with viewer comments and anonymous celebrity comments. It (her performance) was horrible! There has been more talent leaked into an intermission of a Trae concert.
It caused a stir in the Palms Hotel, where the network literally brought down the house, (there was a slew of fans, performances and celebs) that there might have been a little tension in the air. Kanye West, one of the headline performers and top nominees, was reported to have been slightly perturbed. We can replace slightly with super, and perturbed with pissed. West was spotted throwing a “B.F.” at how MTV was “treating” him. He felt MTV had their hands in being against him by allowing him to perform only in the suites of the hotel (where numerous performances where being held) instead of on the main stage. “He said, ‘Brit hasn’t had a hit in like 5 million years and she opens the show?!?’ ” a source said. With West being the man of words that he is, he definitely didn’t take heed of any opportunity to voice his opinion on stage when he and 50 Cent presented the best Duet Performance Video award. Their introduction was followed by a very short staring contest, that one might say 50 won, and utter silence. They might not have read the words in the teleprompter, but neither one said more than was given.
In other news, during Alicia Keys’ performance, rappin’-cowboy Kid Rock and super bad boy Tommy Lee got into a scuffle. It is reported that out of nowhere, Kid Rock punched Lee in the mouth, three rows from the main stage. Lee wasn’t able to retaliate before security hauled him away. Talk about family problems. Both are ex-husbands of Pamela Anderson. When Jamie Foxx made it to the stage to present an award, he made light of the situation. “Stop all this white on white violence,” he said.
The night was quite a feast though. Newly legalized heart throb, Chris Brown, gave a more than amazing performance. Jumping over and on the tables placed in the audience, and reinventing the “Beat It” performance where Michael Jackson revealed his patented moonwalk, Brown ceases to never come up short.
If you missed any of the action, there is a horde of videos, interviews, stories, and even the whole show from beginning to end online. Visit www.vma.mtv.com for all the updates.