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| Russell Brand, host of the MTV Music Video Awards for 2008. |
The date: Sunday September 7, 2008. The time: 9pm. The event: MTV's 2008 Video Music Awards (VMAs). The audience: approximately 23 million viewers. That's right - the biggest party for celebrities and television viewers alike was MTV's 25th annual VMA's which took place in Paramount Pictures Studio in Los Angeles, CA .
With a guest list of 23 million viewers it would seem that the awards were a huge success, yet many watchers are not happy. The VMAs are infamous for providing the most wild, the most unexpected and sometimes the most downright strange moments. Who could forget the public Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie embrace, when rapper Busta Rhymes and homemaker Martha Stewart presented nominees together, or even when Rage Against The Machine bassist Tim Commerford climbed up a fake palm tree behind the podium and refused to come down? Though these moments were all shocking, nothing has seemed to top the intimate opening act involving Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and Madonna at the 2003 VMA's. Yes, the VMA's have made their mark with antics geared for mature viewers, but did the show stay true to that this year? Many fans are arguing that the award show was watered down to a PG rated show.
One thing that fans weren't cheering for were the mediocre performances. Now, there were some applause-worthy moments in the show. For instance, R&B/Pop princess Rihanna opened the show with a "Thriller" meets "Count Dracula" performance of her newest single Disturbia. Nothing starts a show like strobe lights and zombie dancers. Later on, Rihanna performed a collaboration with rapper T.I. revealing their new song, Live Your Life, to the world. Then there was the very unexpected fusion performance of singer Leona Lewis, rapper Lil' Wayne, and singer T-Pain as they sing A Milli and Get Money. Other great performers of the night included Pink, the Jonas Brothers, Paramore, and Christinia Aguilera. All performed well, but there wasn't anything that was unforgettable, nothing that you were dying to talk about the next day. Mr. Kanye West who vowed to boycott the VMAs after not receiving any wins last year closed the show by singing (yes…singing) his song Love Lock Down. The performance was full of glow-in-the-dark special lighting effects, a drum line, and a fireworks finale, though even with that viewers were not completely satisfied.
Many viewers also complained about the "technical difficulties" that occurred during the night. As stated before, this was the 25th anniversary of the VMAs. I repeat, the 25th not the 2nd. So after 25 years you would think that when comedian Jamie Foxx goes on stage to present the Best Female Video award, his microphone would actually be turned on. It also would've been nice after calling actress Demi Moore out on stage to present the Best Male Video award, to actually equip her with a microphone. That would take care of that pesky little delay which, in turn, created a brief awkward moment. And if guided properly, I bet Paris Hilton would've initially looked at the correct camera instead of fumbling around and ultimately hiding no signs that she was reading from a teleprompter. Cute, but fans were definitely not amused.
It's true that many are disappointed with the show for various reasons, but the number one offender seems to be the host. This year's VMA host was British comedic sensation Russell Brand. Please note that if you are unfamiliar with his name, don‘t worry - you are not alone. Brand tried his best to carry the show on his oddly dressed shoulders, but what he seemed to do was make jokes that left viewers confused and ruffled a few feathers at that. For instance, it wasn't enough that he adamantly told the audience to "Vote for Obama!", but he took the time to express his feelings for President George Bush as well.
He said, "I please ask you, people of America to please elect Barack, Obama, please on the behalf of the world. Some people, I think they're called racists, say that America is not ready for a black president. But I know America to be a forward-thinking country, right, because otherwise you know, would you have a retarded cowboy fellow be president for eight years? We were very impressed. It was nice of you to let him have a go. Because in England, George Bush wouldn't be trusted with a pair of scissors".
As shocking as the comment was, it seemed more out of place than anything. Here, at a music awards show was a British comedian blatantly roasting the president of the United States and many didn't know whether to laugh or be offended. Unfortunately, it didn't stop there. When Brand realized that the "political" direction wasn't getting the crowd, he decided to crudely attack America's sweethearts The Jonas Brothers and their promise rings. The vulgar jabs made at them brought more gasps than laughs and one young celebrity, Jordan Sparks was absolutely heated. When she got onstage she said, "I just want to say, it's not bad to wear a promise ring…"
She went on to defend those that wear promise rings, like herself, by stating that not everyone wants to be involved in that kind of … recreation.
As outrageous as Russell Brand tried to be, he still couldn't provide the VMAs with what it seemed to be lacking: its hardcore edge. Besides Britney Spears nabbing three awards and truly turning the evening into the "BMAs" (Britney Music Awards), nothing extraordinary happened. So, put the expected VMAs in a bowl and take out over-the-top musical performances, a host that keeps you laughing until the very end, amazing special effects and reliable tech support. Mix it all together, and what do you get… the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards. Or, as many viewers see it, a big uninteresting bowl of fluff.
