VMAs

Is it possible that the VMAs, aired Sept 13, may have been the best broadcast award special of the decade? The annual award show, hosted by Russell Brand, hit new heights in ratings due to the usual shocks and surprises that occur, but no one was prepared for this year. Well, an easy target would be yet another infamous example of Kanye West’s ability to turn an audience against him in less than 10 seconds. The presentation of the first award of the night, Best Female Video, put new comers against veterans with nominees being Beyonce, P!nk, Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson, and Lady Gaga. Many felt that Beyonce would be a clear winner, but fate saw fit to give the MTV ‘moon-man’ to country sweetheart and new comer Swift. The 19-year-old made her way to accept her first award and in the beginning of her acceptance speech West felt it necessary to intervene and voice his opinion on an ‘injustice.’
He then went on to state, “Taylor, I’m really happy for you, and I’m gonna let you finish, but Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time!” Kanye shrugs his shoulders and hands the microphone back to a stunned and dazed Taylor. The crowd instantly begins to boo, as even Beyonce is shocked by such a stunt. The backlash did not cease as the utter use of Kanye’s name created an uproar of disapproval.
Oh yeah…with all the ‘Kanye Khaos’ who could forget the rest of the night’s memorable events, including a spectacular tribute to the King of Pop. The pinnacle of the act came from none other than Michael’s younger sister, Janet Jackson. From the well choreographed dance tributes to his hits such as Thriller, Bad, and Smooth Criminal to the exciting adrenaline driven performance of his and Janet’s ‘Scream,’ the King would be proud.
Now if Madonna is considered the ‘Material Girl’ then Lady Gaga is definitely the ‘Surreal Girl.’ From her numerous wardrobe changes, which included her black feathered corset/neck brace, to her red laced crowned body cover that seemed more suitably worn by one of MJ’s kids. Yet it was her Phantom of the Opera-esque themed performance of her hits Poker Face and Paparazzi that left the world in awe, during which blood began to slide down her chest metaphorically symbolizing the dangers of paparazzi in a very gruesome way. She ended the routine by ‘hanging’ herself, yet she was very much alive when she took her first ‘moon-man’ for Best New Artist.
The star studded music fueled event continued when Beyonce commanded every woman and thirty backup dancers with a larger than life rendition of her massive hit ‘Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It). Once again proving her right to own the title of ‘Queen B’ and the ‘moon-man’ for Video of the Year. Beyonce also righted a wrong by allowing Taylor Swift to re-do her interrupted acceptance speech, having known the joy of winning her first ‘moon-man’ at age 17 while in Destiny’s Child.
How do you end a show with such energy that even an adrenaline junkie would O.D?
You bring in the ‘Mr. New York’ himself, Jay Z. The crowd stood as Beyonce’s hubby and songstress Alicia Keys soared with the single ‘Empire State of Mind’ from his much anticipated album The Blueprint 3. And as a treat, the public was granted a first look at the mega-hyped film, Michael Jackson’s: This Is It.
MTV may not have expected certain occurrences that night, but the product was good TV and their best award ratings since 2004.