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VMA's: wild acts, celeb revelations bring record ratings to awards show
Another year, another MTV Video Music Awards, and it's safe to say that this one was completely out of control - in a good way. Lady Gaga's gender-bending opening act, Beyonce's pregnancy announcement and Katy Perry's predictably weird outfits made for quite the live television experience. Exciting performances by artists such as Chris Brown, Pitbull, Adele and Bruno Mars rounded out an entertaining and star-studded night of musical excess.
To begin the night, Joe Calderone, Lady Gaga's male alter-ego, gave a dark monologue about past flame Lady Gaga. Gaga was in full drag and remained in character all night, which was a little exhausting to watch, especially when she accepted her award of Best Female Video for "Born This Way" on behalf of herself. She delivered her opening performance of "You and I" well, but her embarrassing fall off the piano - and later, the glass of scotch from which she appeared to be drinking - sparked rumors that she was drunk during the show. Perhaps Calderone had a little drink to take the edge off.
Later in the evening, Beyonce's performance of new single "Love on Top" served a dual purpose: She not only wowed the crowd with her outstanding voice but also used the moment to announce the impending arrival of the her and husband Jay-Z's latest collaboration - their first child. Beyonce was looking a little fuller during the performance, and I mused to myself that she could be pregnant, but dismissed the thought until she opened her jacket, rubbed her belly and revealed she was wearing maternity pants.
As for the almost-kiss between Calderone/Gaga and Miz Britney Spears, it was quite anti-climactic. Lady Gaga, still dressed as Calderone, presented the Michael Jackson Vanguard Award to an emotional Spears after a choreographed tribute to Spears featuring videos from her first hit, "Baby One More Time," through her latest, "Til the World Ends." As Calderone and Spears edged closer to one another - à la Spears and Madonna at the 2003 VMAs - the sexual tension built between them. At the last second, Spears pulled away, but she warmly embraced her fellow pop diva after accepting her award.
Apart from these buzzworthy moments, the biggest winner of the evening was Perry, who won Best Collaboration for "E.T." with Kanye West as well as the coveted Video of the Year Moonman for "Firework." Other notable winners included Tyler the Creator for best new artist, Nicki Minaj for best hip-hop video - beating out Chris Brown and mentor Lil Wayne - and Justin Bieber for Best Male Video. Bieber accepted his award from longtime friend and newlywed Kim Kardashian. Who said these awards weren't pre-planned?
Thankfully, the 2011 VMAs delivered the appropriate amount of drama, glamour and quality live performances to talk about for the upcoming weeks. If you didn't watch it live, I highly recommend you try and catch it online - after garnering a record-setting 12.4 million viewers and generating countless entertainment news headlines, this year's awards were not to be missed.
Commentary
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XCharles
(09/01/11 4:49am)Report
I'm tired of weirdos! Get them out of our screen and papers please! \nGaga pretends to do good, and bring freedom of identity, but does more damage to our kids! Her behavior promotes sex, drugs and witchcraft! \nCome on, where is this going!????
Chelsea
(09/01/11 7:18am)Report
Lady Gaga is amazing, believe it or not behind all that crazy is a real artist. She can sing and play piano like ther is no tomorrow. Oh yeah and she actually writes her own music, do you know how awesome it is to have a smart and talented artist actually prove it by writing her own music? She does not promote witchcraft at all, though i cannot defend her on the sex thing, she is definatly all about that... She also does not promote drug use. I love her, and as long as there are people out there saying how wierd she is and what a bad influence she is she will stay on tv and in the papers. Accept her and she might go away(probably not), or maybe you just wont notice her anymore.\nAnd about damage to our kids, teach your kids right from worng and lead by example and I am sure they will be just fine. Last time I checked they were not passing out meth with copies of Born This Way.
mel2
(09/01/11 8:21am)Report
I don't personally like Gaga's music and stuff. I won't comment on her talents, but I have to agree that she's not a great example; I can understand parents being angry.
Clint.TR
(09/01/11 8:42am)Report
Reading the comments, I have to agree with the witchcraft thing. She doesn't promote it, but there's definitely something dark and uncomfortable about her. \nIt's more obvious in some like, Jay Z and Rhianna as well as most heavy metal bands. I can tell these things.
It's just these past recent years that some of us see it more clearly. I never used to notice these stuff. Now I do, and many around me have said it too. There are some real dark stuff with a lot of celebrities.
Tricia
(09/01/11 9:12am)Report
Whenever I leave a comment on some stuff I disagree with, there's soon a reply to defend the artist. It happens a lot with Lady gaga and weird bands.\nI've been on a few sites giving my opinion on some bands I felt were promoting pure evil, and I'd get a quick comment defending them, it's the same with gaga. I bet most flattering comments on gaga and trash celebrities are just people who work for them. You'd be surprised how many people aren't actually that stupid!
jg1989
(09/01/11 1:04pm)Report
I really don't like lady Gaga and think what she does is kinda dumb but she's not promoting anything and if you really don't like her and say she's promoting sex and stuff and damaging kids then guess what don't let them listen to her or watch her. Some people just like to complain
May
(09/01/11 1:14pm)Report
While I agree that pop artists may promote a politically and often socially incorrect image of themselves to young viewers, I feel that it is the role of the parent to enforce the influence of media on a child. Pop music and entertainment is there for the entertainment of the general public, often grown adults, and many children find amusement and enjoyment in the world of Hollywood. Personally, I feel it is bad to be too conservative or restrictive on a child; look at Lady Gaga herself, her parents were staunch Catholic and that from my point of view could potentially be the reason for her outlandish behavior today because she was overly suppressed as a child. The same goes with katy perry and many other stars. However, again, as Hollywood has much adult content and often racy videos, there needs to be monitoring to ensure that children will not try to emulate the example set by the stars, which, ultimately, can only be done by the parent as each and every child is different.
Susy Q
(09/01/11 1:30pm)Report
What I especially like is when parents use celebrities as scapegoats for their own shortcomings. And don't even get me started on helicopter parents... Hovering over their children, not allowing them to explore the world and make their own educated decisions. Parents, grow up :)
Jacob
(09/01/11 1:46pm)Report
She's crazy. But, she's obviously not evil xD. Seriously, that's just stupid. Rihanna and Jay-Z arent 'evil' either. They're just crazy rich. Gaga has struggled with cocaine addictions and borderline-abusive rellationships so she's a bit edgy at times, but that doesnt make her 'evil'. Also, teen sex is a reality, face it. Teenagers have been having sex long before gaga, and will log after gaga. However, she promotes safe sex, and has some sort of charity with MAC raising and donating funds for Aids research.
Jacob
(09/01/11 1:49pm)Report
Also, about the drug thing, she has said /many/ times that she discourages drug use because she's seen first hand how it can ruin you.
Sean
(09/01/11 3:42pm)Report
You are in college now. Perhaps it's time to stop being obsessed with celebrity gossip and watching a kids TV channel whose purpose is to sell you trash pop music, indoctrinate you philosophically, and sell you pharmaceutical drugs.
Billy
(09/01/11 7:27pm)Report
"watching a kids TV channel whose purpose is to sell you trash pop music, indoctrinate you philosophically, and sell you pharmaceutical drugs."
...what?
hadiah natal
(11/04/11 3:14am)Report
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Christel Munnelly
(12/04/11 2:24am)Report
Some good songs here to learn on acoustic or electric guitar.