“It’s Britney, b*tch.”
Those were the first words heard during the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards that were held in Las Vegas at the Palms Hotel and Casino. The show aired to 7.1 million people on Sept. 9, a 23 percent increase from the past year. One could only assume that the reason for this increase in number was thanks to none other than Britney Spears.
After much speculation and finally a confirmation from her camp, Spears would leave bloggers scrambling to try and figure out what they had in store and if there was any truth to the fact that illusionist and rumored fling Criss Angel was helping to plan her big comeback. Not so much.
Dressed in a sparkly bra and boy shorts, Spears lip-synched her way through her single “Gimme More,” and looked less than thrilled to be there, even messing up some of the choreography. After her lackluster performance, Spears mouthed a “thank you” to the crowd and ran off backstage. According to US Weekly, she was “crying badly [backstage]. She’s devastated. She was really nervous and knows she screwed up.”
Three New York newspapers weren’t shy from expressing their opinions on her performance. The Post called it “Totally lame, pathetically lip-synched,” The Daily News wrote that “It was a far cry from her energetic outings at VMA’s past.” The Times said “She didn’t disappoint; she was awful.”
Spears, though, can take some comfort in the words of Kanye West and Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy. Wentz, according to www.people.com said, “Your fans are the most forgiving people on the planet. If you come out with something hot and awesome, they’ll forget about it easily.” And West told radio station Z100 in New York that “They (MTV) exploited Britney in helping to end her career. When Britney was opening near the end, I felt so bad for her. I said, ‘Man, it’s a dirty game. This game will chew you up and spit you out.'”
Kristen Perry, a junior public relations major also offered some support in favor of Spears. “Her body was rocking, but she was unconfident. She looked like a fish out of water.” Christina Roche, a junior sociology major, agreed with Perry and said, “She probably knows the entire world was watching her.” But enough about Britney.
At a whopping two hours and fifteen minutes, forty-five minutes shorter than a usual MTV VMA broadcast, the awards show managed to give out a mere 11 awards, nine of which were presented on air. Contrary to the usual style of the VMA’s, there was no host, and only three set performers: Chris Brown, Alicia Keys, and a “surprise” finale featuring Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, and Nelly Furtado. Brown stole the show and his performance was followed by thunderous applause from the audience, as well as a standing ovation. Not to be outdone, Keys received a standing ovation herself.
A few other surprises were in store for the show as well. Artists, including Fall Out Boy, Kanye West, and the Foo Fighters each held their own VIP style party in a suite where cameras aired their mini performances to the audience. As annoying as that was, there was a tiny plus side: a collaboration of artists whom you wouldn’t expect together in those suites to perform for you loyal viewers. Rihanna sang “Shut Up and Drive” with Fall Out Boy, the Foo Fighters played with rapper Cee-Lo, Linkin Park played alongside Timbaland, and Ne-Yo sang along with Gym Class Heroes and Fall Out Boy.
All in all, the show was just too confusing. As it went to and from commercial break, DJ Mark Ronson set the mood as a couple of artists (including Akon and Adam Levine of Maroon 5) sang, but never even finished a song! The cameras cutaway unexpectedly, presenters weren’t present on time, and an inebriated Jamie Foxx refused to read the teleprompter as he presented the Best New Artist award alongside Jennifer Garner. Foxx kept plugging their new movie “The Kingdom,” (which comes out Sept. 28, by the way, thanks Jamie), and made Garner look extremely uncomfortable.
Another rough and unfortunate part of the show was an appearance by “The Hills” girls, Lauren Conrad, Audrina Patridge, and Whitney Port. They presented the Favorite Male Artist award to Justin Timberlake, who failed to acknowledge the girls, simply passing them by, and allowing Timbaland to accept the award with him. Timberlake said during his speech, “Play more videos, MTV! Get rid of the reality shows!” Apparently, Justin isn’t a big fan of “The Hills.”
More drama ensued after the show ended. Kanye West reportedly doesn’t want anything to do with MTV anymore after receiving no awards for the second year in a row. Tommy Lee and Kid Rock got into a fistfight during the actual show, all of which was caught on camera but not aired during the telecast. MTV VJ Sway said during the post-show that Kid Rock walked up to Lee and “decked him.” However, Lee had his own story about the run-in. “I was minding myself and then he goes and punches me on the cheek,” Lee told The Insider. “I was trying to be the bigger man, but he was acting childish.”
It seems as though the entire show was a childish reality show. Maybe Timberlake was right, maybe MTV needs to play more music. That way they can actually give out awards.
For a full list of winners, check out www.mtv.com
