Some would say it makes no sense for MTV to award the very art form – music videos – that it barely plays. What the network has evolved to be was not lost as we celebrated their 30th anniversary. In fact, during the pre-show to their Video Music Awards (VMAs for short), the emcees fawned over as many reality TV stars as they did musical acts. Yet the show has a history of capturing the most over-the-top appearances (like Lady Gaga’s meat dress one year) and stars show up to bring their most creative set designs and performances.
So I tuned in last night ready to be entertained. Aside from the brilliance that was Adele singing “Someone Like You,” I got:
- Lady Gaga opening the show with a rambling monologue while dressed as a man then singing “You and I” a bit too long.
- Chris Brown dancing like a fiend while failing at lip-synching.
- Britney Spears being given the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard award by Lady Gaga who, still dressed in drag, force-fed us her character acting.
- Beyonce screaming through a performance as usual then rubbing her belly to further emphasize her pregnancy announcement.
- Lil Wayne demonstrating the downfall of Autotune then stripping to perform a song with more bleeps than actual rap lyrics.
Enter Jessie J.
Jessie is singer from London who recently had the irritating song “Price Tag” on the U.S. singles chart. She is also an accomplished songwriter with her most famous credit being co-writer of Miley Cyrus’ mindless platinum hit “Party in the U.S.A.” If you listen closely, the melody of the two songs could meld within each other. I forgave her for both last night.
As the house artist for the show, Jessie – sitting on a throne-like chair with a broken ankle – performed a mix of her songs and covers as we led into each commercial break. That lady can sing. Her voice has an earthy quality that brings to mind both Adele and Amy Winehouse. Why MTV didn’t have her sing part or all of the tribute to Amy is beyond me (Bruno Mars sang “Valerie”). The best though was Jessie singing Katy Perry’s ” Firework” a zillion times better than Katy’s live and studio versions. Yeah, Katy was in the audience. Awkward.
Did you watch the VMAs? What were your favorite performances? Least favorite?
Barbara McDowell 
I didn’t watch the VMA’s last night but I appreciate the synopsis that you posted here. Wow, Jessie J is great. I hope we’ll be seeing a lot more of her. Thanks! (p.s. you’ve given me some ammo to sound cool around my kids )
It’s sad that MTV has gone so far afield of how they began…
Oh yes, your kids will know you are cool if you talk about the VMAs! 🙂 I am a big Jessie fan now. Thanks for commenting Kate!
I enjoyed the VMA’s last night. I even featured some VMA artists today on MANday in it’s honor!! I thought Jessie J was great too!!
Ah yes Jillian, I saw all those tasty man pictures. 🙂 They should have walked the black carpet like that. Thanks for commenting.
Wow, you’re right about that Jesse J clip! Really good. I got annoyed at the announcer guy talking over her, it was that good.
Love the music video too. Wouldn’t think I would like another riff on the tired Alice in Wonderland theme, but it was cool. Really cool. Thanks for sharing!
Yes, Annalise, only being able to hear her leading into commercials was the unfortunate thing of the evening. They should have let us hear her then had announcer guy pipe in. The creative take in the video surprised me too…known theme, but they made it work. Thanks for commenting!
I didn’t watch and was actually wondering if they still do videos on MTV! I wonder why there’s no real need for videos anymore?
Shannon, I can’t remember the last time I saw a video on MTV. I heard some might be programmed to play in the overnight hours, but each time I check all I see are reruns of Jersey Shore or the show with the pregnant 16 year-olds. To your question on the need to play videos, I think the station just evolved to where the income stream will be. The on demand capabilities of the Internet killed the desire (or need) for viewers to tune in and hope to catch a clip they liked.
Hmmm, I couldn’t play the Firework video – it says the video is no longer available due to Viacom. I wonder if Katy Perry has anything to do with that????
Hey – did you hear? Beyonce is pregnant! Okay, I’m being sarcastic, but man, that’s all I heard about yesterday from the VMA’s. Nice to get a break down from you. I heard Gaga tried to re-enact the kiss with Britney and it was awkward. I’m a little sad I missed the show this year.
Thanks Tameri! Well, viewing her awards show clip was good while it lasted (I’ve pulled it off now). I love my YouTube peeps for getting stuff out there so fast before corporate kills the fun. 🙂 Depending on how far their arm has reached, you might be able to catch more clips from the show on YouTube. I would think MTV’s online site should have the entire show uploaded by now as well.
I’ve now heard that Beyonce broke a record for trending tweets after she made her pregnancy announcement. People have even created fake Twitter accounts for the future baby to greet the world. And yes, Gaga going for funny and trying to kiss Britney was a fail.