MTV prides itself on being shocking and setting trends in the music industry. Every year commercials for the VMAs and MTV Movie Awards brag that viewers are in for quite a show. And there was a time when they fulfilled that promise. We can ignore the fact that outside of the fan votes you can generally figure out who is going to win each category, but to so blatantly raise our TV-viewing expectations only to completely thrash our hopes and dreams with sub-par entertainment is unforgivable.
- Britney Spears may be only 29 and perhaps that’s too soon for a career reflection via MTV tribute, but that was what we were promised. And what did we get? A dance troupe speed racing through Ms. Spears’ hits. They were cute and super talented, but I’m sure enthusiasts of the pop princess were expecting something on par with the Madonna tribute from ’99. Yet another cocktease from good ol’ MTV. Adding a Brittany S. Pierce (Heather Morris) sighting during Spears’ 30 second tribute could have rectified this…tremendously.
- When Beyonce revealing her pregnancy, which is not at all music related, is the most explosive and memorable moment on the VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS….there’s a problem. Where is the controversy? Where is the water-cooler moment? Why is asking for a little something extra too much to ask from this show?!
- Best Hip-Hop video went to Nicki Minaj for “Superbass“?!?! Really people?! I mean that’s great for the women’s movement and ya-ya sisterhoods and all of that but that video…really?!
- Let’s preface this with saying he did a GREAT job…but…Bruno Mars as the only performer for the Amy Winehouse tribute? Who green-lit that idea? It can’t be blamed on a lack of time to prepare, because MTV has done a lot more in a lot less time. And surely it wasn’t due to an inability to find artists that wanted to belt out ‘Back to Black’ or ‘Rehab’. No clue what happened, but yet another example of the VMAs failing to live up to its own hype.
- Completely selfish, but was it too much to ask for Adele to perform “Rolling in the Deep” with Childish Gambino (Donald Glover)? During our little VMA viewing party – no judgement – we were hoping that it was him playing the piano the entire time just waiting for his well overdue moment in the limelight. Perhaps hosting the Woodie Awards is all MTV is willing to give him. Aside from the CG love, it would have made for a memorable VMA moment, which we’ve already noted was SEVERELY lacking.
- We were supposed to get a pre-show hosted by Kreayshawn and we barely even saw her. Love her (Us) or hate her (#teamrickyrozay) one has to admit she is the newest polarizing figure in the industry. Yet another wasted opportunity.
For all the crap we talked about the VMAs last night….and today….and right now, the reality is, this indignation probably won’t last and the VMAs did have a few decent moments (Lady Gaga did a great job opening the show and made for one of those ‘decent moments’, but that’s more a testament to her artistry than the quality of the overall show). It is unfortunate, but the VMAs….for better or worse…is just one of those things you have to watch for no other reason than ‘just because’…we’ll see if that’s enough to make us do this all over again next year.
tvdinner&amovie 
