Should any of us be surprised that the MTV Video Music Awards show was an utter disaster? What do you expect from the network with enough gall to green light a bisexual dating show featuring a relative nobody? But while it is easy for us to shine the light on the negative moments of the VMAs–because it does make for a better story–I feel challenged to highlight the better moments of last night’s fated award show.First, I want to take the time to acknowledge Britney Spears. Though she choked in her first performance since going down the downward spiral, Spears showed an amazing courage in the midst of her many snickering peers. (Watch her performance above.) It’s scary business getting up in front of some of your biggest critics–including an absolutely not funny Sarah Silverman–to perform after a rough year in the press. I commend her for her effort because I can’t imagine the courage it took to get up after falling down in the eyes of a harsh public. I only know what it is like to be resurrected in the comforts of my own home and before the eyes of God.God bless Sarah Silverman–not for her comedic talents (or really the severe lack thereof), just please bless her to know better than to not only knock a woman when she is already down but to bring the woman’s children into it. I should hope Silverman never makes any mistakes in public… oops, too late. (Sorry, I couldn’t let that one bad comment fall to the wayside.)
Though the celebrities in the audience were in quite the unfortunate position of having to feign interest in an awful stand-up comedian and awkward award presenters, the fans benefited from being able to attend the concerts being held in the Palm Hotel’s suites. Acts like Kanye West, T.I., The Foo Fighters, Justin Timberlake, and Rihanna brought the VMAs back to the basics. I believe that featuring the suite performances between the dull award show moments was probably the best original idea MTV had since the first “Real World.”Keeping the on-stage VMAs a bit memorable this year were Chris Brown, who danced his way into the hearts of the audience via a Charlie Chaplin/Michael Jackson routine; Rihanna, who, despite a fractured toe, donned 4-inch heels and sung live–one of the few times in the night when an artist didn’t lip-sync; Alicia Keys who brought back old soul and real talent with the performance of her new single “No One” from her upcoming album “As I Am” and did a cover of George Michael’s “Freedom”; and Linkin Park, aided by producer extraordinaire Timbaland, who had a renewed edge on the bands new single “Bleed It Out.” Closing out the show was the night’s maestro Timbaland, featuring Nelly Furtado and Justin Timberlake. Each performed a song from their own album and then the musical trifecta came together to perform “Give it To Me” the single which allegedly takes a swipe at music heavyweights. After writing all of this, I guess the VMAs weren’t as bad as I originally thought they were. I suppose that’s what you can walk away with when you redirect your energy and focus on the positive aspects of the show. The music is usually good, it’s just the network that has a problem. In the words of the Justin Timberlake to MTV, “I challenge MTV to play more videos.” Maybe they shouldn’t even have VMAs next year and substitute it for two hours of music videos.
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posted September 11, 2007 at 9:39 am
Spears showed an amazing courage in the midst of her many snickering peers. (Watch her performance above.) It’s scary business getting up in front of some of your biggest critics–including an absolutely not funny Sarah Silverman–to perform after a rough year in the press.
I don’t know. I admire anyone who stares down adversity with courage, sure, but only if they’re going after what they really want. Britney looked so like she hated having to be there. More than anything, I felt sad for her. She looked exploited. And I felt like, as a witness to her exploitation, I just wanted to stand up and say, “Look, no woman should have to dance around like a sex kitten if it doesn’t make her feel good!” I thought the choice of song was completely ironic – she looked like the last thing she wants is more of what she’s been getting. She looked like her heart completely isn’t in it, like she’s just doing it because that’s the Britney Spears name, and no one should have to spend their life playing a role every minute of every day.
Bottom line: she looks so done, and like she’s just going through the motions of something that she doesn’t want to do. I’m not disappointed in her, but I’m sad for her, because she seems trapped. If she wants to change her life, if she doesn’t want to do this anymore, I hope and pray she has the courage to stand up and say that, and get her life on a path that makes her happy.
posted September 11, 2007 at 10:42 am
Like the old saying the parents did not do their JOB, I guess the Money got in their eye sight.
posted September 11, 2007 at 10:48 am
I feel sorry for the Brittany Spears. She has been run through the ringer by the music industry and she appears to be burned out needing some rest. Maybe a year off of rest far away from the music industry. I think she could then make a comeback with her singing and dancing without having to wear skimpy outfits on stage. If not she will die young like Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison and Janis Joplin from my day.
posted September 11, 2007 at 12:23 pm
I agree whole-heartedly — Sarah Silverman is just not funny. I’m not totally sure what she’s doing in the public sphere.
posted September 11, 2007 at 5:09 pm
Sarah Silverman saved that train wreck of a show. Her jokes were spot on, kept even the bored, half-asleep C-listers awake, and made me laugh like crazy!
posted September 12, 2007 at 10:07 am
I guess all of the big time performers have forgotten one important factor, that britney spears could be one of them….. I think that the people in the world is so screwed up because instead of supporting each other, we as a society JUDGE each other. I guess it would be nice if people could put as much effort in having as much compassion as they do the ability to JUDGE……
posted September 13, 2007 at 5:37 pm
I only watched the first 30 minutes of the show. It was all I could stand. Brittany was the biggest reason I tuned in at all. My heart goes out to this girl. I can call her girl, I’m old enough to be her Mommy and have a daughter her exact age. I was praying that she would do good. As soon as she started, all I could do was sit there with my mouth open. They say she was backstage crying. I believe she is troubled and needs our prayers and understanding. Remember, judge not.
As far as Sarah Silverman goes, totally not funny. The fact that this unfunny comedian (is that like jumbo shrimp?) has made it enough to be on the VMA’s tells me what a sad state of affairs our country is for entertainment. Anyone that makes their fortune off of other people’s misfortunes should be ashamed of themselves.