So … last night MTV threw its biggest party of the year, the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards … and despite attempts to hype up the possible drama that might’ve gone down on the show ended up giving us a fairly quiet and painfully drama-free awards show … much to many people’s chagrin. I was able to attend the show last night and from my perspective the show was OK but clearly lacking the excitement from VMA shows from days of yore. Here are a few photos from the red carpet arrivals last night:
Again, for me the carpet was kinda lackluster … kinda quiet. The Jersey Shore kids came out, some of the nominees did as well but really there wasn’t anything to get all excited about the entire time. I will say that Ciara looked the best on the carpet last night. Her dress was amazing … she was a vision just walking down the carpet. There weren’t too many fugly looks … but, as you might expect, the Jersey Shore kids brought way too much tan to the snow white carpet. After the jump, check out some photos from the show itself and find out what the Washington Post had to say about the 2010 MTV VMAs. I think you’ll find their sentiments echo the sentiments of many who watched last night …
At the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards, it was time to let bygones be bygones, and let insipid awards shows be insipid awards shows. Sunday’s ceremony in Los Angeles offered a handful of trophies that felt less meaningful than ever, as viewers held their breath for a potential act of contrition from Kanye West. West, who infamously interrupted an acceptance speech by Taylor Swift at last year’s VMAs, closed the program by unveiling a new song where he both chastised himself and saluted himself in one strange swoop — the latest gesture in a career defined by inner conflict. “You’ve been putting up with my [expletive] way too long,” he rapped, before launching into the tune’s puzzling refrain: “Let’s have a toast for the [expletive]s.” He continued, rattling off words unfit for this publication, but apparently no sweat for cable television. Swift premiered a new tune of her own earlier in the night, its lyrics clearly directed at the rapper, and none of them naughty. “Thirty-two is still growing up,” the country-pop princess squeaked, wearing her most serious face. “Who you are is not what you did. You’re still an innocent.” So all is forgiven? Everybody cool? On to the awards, then! Lady Gaga led the award nominations with 13 and took home a record 8, including Video of the Year, Best Pop Video and Best Female Video. When she accepted the latter clad in an Alexander McQueen frock and a mohawk of feathers, it was hard to tell whether she was getting verklempt or just talks as funny as she dresses. Eminem took home the awards for Best Male Video and Best Hip-Hop Video, while 30 Seconds to Mars won for Best Rock Video. But who cares, really? The draw of the VMAs is the wacky frisson of having pop’s A-list all squished into one auditorium and hoping they fight. Or make out. Or both. But there was little smooching or feuding on Sunday, despite some nudging from the host. “I want to encourage everyone to be on their worst behavior,” comedian Chelsea Handler declared in her opening monologue, a string of flat punch lines that felt a few degrees below crass. Sample zinger: “It’s time to acknowledge the big black elephant in the room. Where’s Kanye?” Ugh.
For me, the problem the VMAs always has is that it constantly needs to outdo itself with wacky and crazy moments. Usually, those moments come with ease … but when a show fails to deliver those moments, like last night’s did, the whole thing feels flat. I personally thought Chelsea Handler did an OK job … and I’m not even a fan of hers. She did about as well as any host could’ve done … some of her jokes were corny but most awards show host jokes are corny. I’ll take her over Russell Brand any day of the week. I really think Taylor Swift made a misstep with her song and performance. While I doubt she was seriously trying to win sympathy for what Kanye did to her last year, her attempt to tell her side of the story in a mournful way just did not work … at all. I really was not impressed with Kanye West‘s performance … I get that he was trying to take back the moment and say “Hey, let’s toast the douchebags” but the song just sucked … it was a marginally good idea that didn’t pan out. The best performance of the night was Eminem’s … my fave moment was Cher’s suprise appearance.
Here are some photos of some of the celebs in the press room last night:
Click HERE to see the full list of VMA winners (which, after you look at it, seems awfully short). I had a good time at the show, absolutely, but was I wowed? No. I still have mad love for the MTV VMAs because there have been far too many great shows to not love it. BUT, I fear that a network that barely airs music videos anymore might be losing its touch on how to deliver solid shows year after year that successfully manage to make everyone happy. I guess we’ll have to wait and see what comes next.
I thought Chelsea Handler was funny, I genuinely laughed at some of her jokes. Maybe I just don’t pay enough attention to MTV anymore, but I had no idea who any of the acts or “celebs” were, save a handful. And as a rock fan, I was really disappointed that most of the performances were by hip hop artists. What happened to the days when Green Day, Good Charlotte and My Chemical Romance would have been all over that stage? The show was okay, but I wouldn’t have been devastated had I missed it.
My biggest question…is Nicki Minaj’s booty for real, or is that some kind of padding? I have NEVER seen anything like it! If that is real, it is awesome that she celebrates it!
- i agree ciara looked AMAZING in that dress.
- i dont know why people keep letting rihanna sings live…oh lord she sounded horrible she just cant sing…and her outfit with that hair and the boots…she was one big mess.
- Chelsea did ok i guess. when she came out with the house on her head..i laughed cant lie.
- i thought the skit with Lindsay was cute. i think it was good way to put her foot back in the game.
- gaga’s meat dress was just gross…and handing her purse to Cher? WTF??
- as for Cher…GOLD! she looked great lol
- Taylor Swift sound like shit. just ugh
- Snooki looked freakin cute!!!! (yeah i said it) & Jwoww looked good too
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for any of my other thoughts…please refer to Chase’s comments on the thread about the awards :) lol
@Krissy – im almost postive its not real…i saw some old pics that were appreantly from a year two before she got signed…and the booty wasnt there.
Anyone Notice all the Girls Dressing Crazy to stand out???I don’t here anyone screaming Copycat about them..but Aguilera gets run out of town for something she been doing when GaDonna was still in High School.
P.s – did anyone notced how bad Justin Beibers lyp syncing was? i dont even think his mouth was moving half the time lol…at least his dancing has gotten a little better……
As far as a Chelsea as the host, I have never found her funny. While watching, I really didn’t have any LOL moments. Just…heh moments.
Swifty really blew it. She most certainly was looking for more sympathy votes. Plus, I’m so sick of her speaking as if she’s a child. She’ll be 21 in a couple of months. Grow up. Not everyone is going to like you, no harm was done to anything but the egos. Chill.
Kanye’s song is one of those in the club that the dbags and college kids will love. I think if he just did the song without the extras, it would have been better.
Sidenote: the contrast of the red on the black and white was pretty good. I know that has nothing to do with anything, but I liked it…
Gaga-Zzzzz…
Linkin Park was good. Drake..>MJB!!! Good.
But agreed, Trent, Em had the best performance. Was it just me or was he crying at the end? I suppose it could have been sweat, but it looked like tears.
OH and Robyn was good too and UNDERRATED: Bruno Mars. I think he’s going to be someone to watch in the coming year. I know he’s been a hook singer, but just watch…
The problem with the VMA’s is that it was only 2 hours long. I remember back in the day when it used to be 3 hours or 4 hours long. Also, the VMA’s NEED Britney. They also need to have more categories and show people actually winning instead of just the usual people winning. For the past three years everything has been rushed and what not. It just doesn’t work. Rihanna sounded really bad live but stole and overshadowed Eminem’s performance… Florence was the best of the night.
oh and I wasn’t saying that Drake was greater than MJB, it was a typo!!!
Fuck Eminem’s performance. Robyn’s little one minute performance was the best of the night, IMO. Her new album, Body Talk Pt. 2, is HOT. ON FIRE.
Worst. VMA’s. Ever.
They just didn’t have that much star power.
I miss the days of event performances by the likes of Madonna, Britney, Janet, Xtina, JT…or really anyone who will be around and relevant the following year.
Just an absoulute major snooze.
@KLC – oh he his. Bruno is gunna blow up soon. and i cant wait for it to happen. hes not a hook singer no more…already has his own single out and his new album comes out sometime this year i think.
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and one thing i forgot…Nicki Minaj…her voice when she talks…FML. thats all i have to say.
30 seconds to mars and muse have both won awards, I’m pretty happy with that :D especially as kings and queens is an epic video. Confused as to why bad romance has so many wins but oh well.
Just because Cher still *can* wear that outfit doesn’t mean she *should*…
kanye and usher were the most exciting to watch. the rest was alright. i still don’t know what linkin park was whining about, but at least they performed at a beautiful location.
Florence and the Machine was the Best of the night I would have to say.
Usher rocked it.
Justin Timberlake reminded me how badly he needs to release new music!! I love that man and want to see him performing again!
really wish gaga would just go away!
Chelsea Handler is funny on her TV show but fell flat and bombed as a host of the VMA. Her jokes were lame, old and unfunny. She just didn’t fit in, there were moments that were awkward and felt like she didn’t belong their like she was to old for the party.
I love me some gaga, she totally deserved her awards, and i cannot wait to hear the new record, it was awesome when she broke out and sung a bit!! and she look awesome, loved her with tanned skin!
and i seriosuly could not get over niki minajs booty…what the hell its not possible right!!
AND OMG how BAAAAAAAD did lindsay lohan look in the video…..OMG she looked like a skinny 50 year old with terrible skin, sooo grosss
What happened to variety? Avenged Sevenfold, maybe Papa Roach, have 30stm perform. Hells even MCR. It was all rap, and two Alt bands. Gaga didn’t even perform. It seemed more like the hip-hop awards then /music/
I’d like to see Britney Spears break out in song a cappella while accepting an award.
I guess its true… the VMAs are nothing without Britney. 2 years in a row where the show has SUUUUUCKED! Heck when Brit won her VMAs the show itself was crap, but Britney made everyone tune in.
Ah well, the ‘White carpet’ looked cool – but yeah these days its boring people. Gaga wore that for attention after the backlash she received, then comes up with a lame excuse on the Ellen show about WHY she wore it.
Attention seeking whore really… call me a hater i don’t care. Shes just like any other Pop artist, she started out normal and rocked the crazy coz she wasn’t receiving attention within the US. Laaaaaaaame…
The Vma’s will hopefully be better next year, now i’m not saying that there werent any great perfomances, but lilttle to none on the variety. where is beyonce. i love watching her perform