The real star of last night’s MTV Video Music Awards, known all around the world by its abbreviated initials, VMAs, was whoever the audio technician manning the “bleep” button was. Whether Li’l Wayne’s performance or even Lady Gaga’s opening, the swear words were flying apparently at record pace. At one point I thought the audio was just skipping like an old 45.
Truth to be told, I wasn’t even offended by the swearing. Frankly I’m not one to judge someone for using salty, “adult” language. The only criticism I have of it, is why in the world they’d air the show in this format. MTV is on cable, just like FX or Comedy Central. Both of those stations air shows that have virtually every four-letter word un-bleeped. Granted, they’re run at 10pm or later, but regardless, there is an option to air a less distracting version of the show without all the bleeps, which are actually just total drop-out of the audio.
Blue language aside, the show mostly fell pretty flat. I’m wondering if I’ve finally just hit that age where I stop “getting” the MTV crowd. Now, seeing Brian May come out on stage for Gaga’s opening number was definitely a pleasant surprise, and I should tip my cap to her for having the respect for who came before her and trotting out the rock legend to accompany her on his trademark guitar. His performance and hers was actually quite good. Rock performers have been trying in alter egos for a very long time, and Gaga’s singing was quite good, even if the song lacked any real importance to me.
Britney Spears won an award named after Michael Jackson. Supposedly the award is for an artist who pushes the medium of the music video to new heights. Though it’s hard for me to put Spears and Jackson in the same category of musical pioneer, since Jackson at his height was making videos like “Thriller,” “Beat It,” and “Bad,” and Britney never really pushed the envelope much past the “Oh, she’s really hot and barely of legal age” thing she was doing.
I get it, she’s been to hell and back and now she’s getting some respect since she’s not acting like a total loon now. Still, it seems a bit premature to give Spears this award. She’s only really been back on the scene for about a year. Maybe it’d be good to see if she can hang around for a little while before putting her in the same pantheon as The King of Pop?
It wasn’t all disappointment for me in the VMAs. The segments devoted to Amy Winehouse were surprisingly touching. Comedian Russel Brand didn’t pull a single punch, describing the singer who died tragically at the age of 27 earlier this month in a starkly honest way, wrapping it up by calling her a genius. Then a true legend, Tony Bennett, strolled out on stage, said a few words, and then played some of their recordings together, and the genius that Bennett spoke to was on full-display.
The great moments unfortunately just weren’t there enough to take a rather tepid show and make anything more than what it was. Perhaps the issue though, isn’t with the show and those involved. Maybe it is me. I’m 31 in October, and perhaps I’ve just outgrown the MTV aesthetic? I’d like to think it’s just that I’ve grown to expect more than just ten good minutes out of a two hour broadcast.
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