The Video Music Awards used to be a really big deal for me when I was in middle and high school. They were basically, a less stuffy and more irreverent version of more established/mainstream shows like the Grammys or American Music Awards. For some reason, I just don't have a lot of the enthusiasm to want to prepare to watch them in recent years. Maybe part of the problem is that I'm getting older and have other affairs to attend to.

First and foremost, what's killing the buzz for the VMAs if you ask me, is MTV's deemphasis on music videos. It's simple logic that it's a bit hard to want to follow the nominees if MTV is spending most of their energy on a yearly basis airing vapid reality shows like "The Hills". And no, the clip show that is "TRL" or airing the videos in late night/early morning time slots (I don't know if they still do that today, since I haven't really paid close attention to MTV recently) doesn't really count.

Another thing that has been affecting the VMAs has been them tinkering with the format. The VMAs used to be held on the first Thursday in September. It was a three hour (minimum) show held at either the Gibson Amphitheater in Los Angeles or Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Why for the past two years or so, has the buildings that held the VMAs been so small?

MTV would get a popular and entertaining comedian to host (e.g. Dan Aykroyd, Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, Dana Carvey, Roseanne Barr, Dennis Miller, Chris Rock, Ben Stiller, Jack Black, etc.). When I heard that Russell Brand was going to host, the first thing that went in my mind was "Who the hell is Russell Brand!?" I haven't seen "Forgetting Sarah Marshall", and not being from the UK, I obviously wasn't familiar to his brand of humor. MTV would also routinely pair up seemingly mismatched people to present like RuPaul and Milton Berle, Tony Bennett and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Martha Stewart and Busta Rhymes, etc.

Now, everything is so slickly produced to the point in which that feeling of live, spontaneous energy seems to be severely lacking. The worst period of this was them airing the VMAs at a slower frame rate (circa 2002-2003) to give a more "cinematic" presentation.

I also find it kind of hypocritical of MTV to still want to give us the impression that they're edgy with the VMAs all the while, having teenybopper acts like the Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift, the cast of "High School Musical", just to name a few in the building. You know you're in deep trouble when Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera are seemingly at this point, the "elder states people" for MTV.

The awards themselves don't have much credibility anymore. I seems like it's becoming of an obvious popularity contest (how else can you explain the Pussycat Dolls winning). Is there anything more contrived than having Britney Spears win three awards (when prior to all of this, she never won a Video Music Awards), including "Video of the Year"? And of course, this conveniently happens one year after her infamous performance at the VMAs.

23 Hours of Non Music Television (http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/23HoursofNonMusicTelevision/)

I cringed at Christina Aguilera's performance in a sexy cat woman stripper black outfit.... She seriously looked like Britney Spears(circa 2001)...... :eek: She performed "Genie In A Bottle," in a sultry(or should I say slutty), voice, making her originally inocent song sound like a sex song!!!!!!!!!!. I thought she had grown up and matured judging from her Back To Basics album and BTB video, such as "Hurt" and "Ain't No Other Man..."(and having a baby and being married) I guess for at least this night, she went back into her "immature" "Dirrty" days......(except for the "Beautiful" and "Fighter song/video of "Stripped"):eek: :rolleyes: I hope this was just a once in a LONG while thing, and she will get back to the mature woman I saw on BTB and the two videos/songs from Stripped)........

I cringed at Christina Aguilera's performance in a sexy cat woman stripper black outfit.... She seriously looked like Britney Spears(circa 2001)...... :eek: She performed "Genie In A Bottle," in a sultry(or should I say slutty), voice, making her originally inocent song sound like a sex song!!!!!!!!!!. I thought she had grown up and matured judging from her Back To Basics album and BTB video, such as "Hurt" and "Ain't No Other Man..."(and having a baby and being married) I guess for at least this night, she went back into her "immature" "Dirrty" days......(except for the "Beautiful" and "Fighter song/video of "Stripped"):eek: :rolleyes: I hope this was just a once in a LONG while thing, and she will get back to the mature woman I saw on BTB and the two videos/songs from Stripped)........

I saw Christina's performance. If they didn't say who it was and if I didn't recognize her by her voice, I would have no idea it was her!!

I only first heard of Russell Brand just the other day when he was on Jay Leno. From being on the Tonight Show to the VMA's, it's like he never changed his outfit or his hair style!! I guess that's his image. And I sorry, but put a brush to that hair!! It is not attractive!!! You are not hot. At least I think you're not. But that's just me.

And like TMC said, I don't even know how they can still have the Video Music Awards when they hardly play any VIDEOS anymore!!:mad:

the VMAs were a complete mess, as usual. and WTF was up with that host? who is he anyway? he was a jerk. i loved when Jordin put him in his place though with the purity rings comment :rofl: that was great. makes me love her even more :biglove:

for me the VMAs become irrelevant by the time music went downhill in the late 90s onwards. i don't listen to todays music anymore

I watched on and off last night, but it wasn't awful... I hated pretty much all of the performances I saw though, i don't like most of the music out right now. But Russell Brand did a really good job imo.

MTV is a joke!

First of all... the show is meant to appeal to the average American teenager. NOT... the older crowd who's harping on yesteryear, the weird antisocial kids, nor the conservative folk--basically middle America in general.

Plus, how is the show not relevant when it basically had all the huge stars in music? Jonas Bros., T.I., Lil Wayne, Britney, Kanye West, Pink, etc. Those people are quite *relevant* actually.

In Britney's defense... the Best Female and Pop video awards were hugely deserved. Have you guys seen the other nominees? Heck, even the Video of the Year might be justified. It was the only video from that list which was treated like an event during its release. The damn thing had its own ABC News special dedicated to it.

About Christina... I'm glad she's back to being the hot sex kitten. That wannabe Marilyn Monroe **** got old fast. She spent the majority of her early twenties sounding and looking like a forty-year-old woman. I'm glad to see she's back to normal. And unlike "Ain't No Other Man," and 75% of Back to Basics, her new music sounds *relevant*. She just "Keeps Gettin' Better."

MTV is a joke!

I bet you didn't think that back in 2005 when Mariah was relevant and performing.

Actually I haven't liked MTV since the early 90's. Mariah has nothing to do with it.

Didn't watch the awards, but I heard some clips of this Russell Brand guy hosting the show.

He really should have hired some writers.

;)

When were they ever relevant?? :lol: :joke:

When were they ever relevant?? :lol: :joke:

I think you win. LOL

I think you win. LOL
Why, thank you. :rofl:

Didn't watch the awards, but I heard some clips of this Russell Brand guy hosting the show.

He really should have hired some writers.

;)

not to mention a hairstylist and costume designer ;)

When were they ever relevant?? :lol: :joke:


Better yet, when was MTV ever relevant???

not to mention a hairstylist and costume designer ;)
:rofl:

Better yet, when was MTV ever relevant???
Back in the 1980s, it was an awesome channel.

Back in the 1980s, it was an awesome channel.

that was because it had great music back then. michael jackson, madonna, prince, hall and oates, cyndi lauper etc. nowadays, because the music scene has gone to pot, MTV sucks

^ :yeahthat

You look at some of the big stars/performers who were at the VMAs:

Miley Cirus, Jonas Brothers, Jordin Sparks...

They got their big breaks on Disney Channel and American Idol, not MTV.

The "kids" are looking elsewhere for thier music stars.

I loved the VMAs '99 (the first one I saw with Chris Rock as the host)-2004. I stopped watching it after these new, rock-punk, light rock bands came in, the rap musicians/ musicians I liked weren't on their as much or weren't nominated as much (Eminem, Kid Rock, Limp Bizkit, Korn etc.). Also, the host makes a big difference. Chris Rock is/has been by far the best and funniest VMA host ever. The Wayans brothers were pretty funny but not bad in general. I liked their Macy Gray skit with the large pubic hair LOL..I stopped watching it when Diddy hosted it in Miami, his entrance, him being a host etc. was horrible. This year, I saw the promo commercials for it, mainly on MTV. The host was some british dude I never heard about and probably never will. Totally a joke. MTV is a joke as well.

But Russell Brand did a really good job imo.

I thought the same thing. I could have done without all of his shots at the Jonas Brothers attempt at being celebrities with morals but overall I felt like Russell Brand did a decent job.

It seemed that, after last year's show especially, that the VMAs are at least slightly resembling what they used to be.

That being said...the VMAs became irrelevant when MTV quit showing videos.

Go figure.

That's like all movie theaters shutting down for ten years and then asking why the Oscars aren't what they used to be.

^ That's a good analogy. I totally see your point. :nod:

that was because it had great music back then. michael jackson, madonna, prince, hall and oates, cyndi lauper etc. nowadays, because the music scene has gone to pot, MTV sucks

I don't think it's all the music, it's MTV being a fallout also. Their hosts the last 2/3 years are a joke.

First of all... the show is meant to appeal to the average American teenager. NOT... the older crowd who's harping on yesteryear, the weird antisocial kids, nor the conservative folk--basically middle America in general.

Plus, how is the show not relevant when it basically had all the huge stars in music? Jonas Bros., T.I., Lil Wayne, Britney, Kanye West, Pink, etc. Those people are quite *relevant* actually.

I agree with you to an extent, but... the old MTV actually tried to appeal to a wider audience. Right now, it only is geared to 10-12 year olds. When I was 12, they were all about Nirvana, Pearl Jam, R.E.M., U2 and other rock bands that were appealing to adults as well. Stuff like Miley and Jonas Brothers I have a feeling would get you beaten up for liking if you're over 13.

What I dislike about the show is that they would cut to commercials during musical performances, and music performances are what the VMA's are meant to be about.

All in all, MTV went to the toilet when they lost the plot and stopped supporting music to start.

First of all... the show is meant to appeal to the average American teenager. NOT... the older crowd who's harping on yesteryear, the weird antisocial kids, nor the conservative folk--basically middle America in general.

Plus, how is the show not relevant when it basically had all the huge stars in music? Jonas Bros., T.I., Lil Wayne, Britney, Kanye West, Pink, etc. Those people are quite *relevant* actually.

I could not agree more. Music changes over time and is not going to remain the same from 1988 to 2008.

BUT...

...at the same time, it's still called the Music VIDEO Awards. How can MTV pull this off seeing as how 99% of their programming schedule is made up of nonsense "reality" television. How can an award be given to a video that is hardly ever (if ever) seen?

Sure, the music and the stars on the show are "relevant"...

But are they awarding videos or are they awarding a popularity contest of sorts?

I think we all know the answer to that question.

I could not agree more. Music changes over time and is not going to remain the same from 1988 to 2008.

BUT...

...at the same time, it's still called the Music VIDEO Awards. How can MTV pull this off seeing as how 99% of their programming schedule is made up of nonsense "reality" television. How can an award be given to a video that is hardly ever (if ever) seen?

Sure, the music and the stars on the show are "relevant"...

But are they awarding videos or are they awarding a popularity contest of sorts?

I think we all know the answer to that question.

that's precisely my opinion on MTV. I know the days of Madonna, Michael Jackson, Prince, Aerosmith and Janet dominating the network are over, but it's not like the current "stars" are getting the type of airplay the the superstars of yore saw. I honestly have never even heard a Miley Cyrus or Jonas Brothers song, these are popular? I wasn't the target Britney or Backstreet fan either but remember their hits.

People wonder why sales are in the crapper, but never put two and two together that MTV's lack of music exposure has something to do with it. I mean, do you think Thriller, Like A Prayer or Purple Rain would've been so definitive to an era if MTV wasn't around playing MJ, Madonna and Prince to death?

the VMAs were a complete mess, as usual. and WTF was up with that host? who is he anyway? he was a jerk. i loved when Jordin put him in his place though with the purity rings comment :rofl: that was great. makes me love her even more :biglove:

I don't know. I actually thought that was very smug and judgmental. So every person who has had sex outside of marriage is comparable to Samantha Jones? I think Jordin made a commendable choice with waiting (even tho I wonder if it's a choice that was pushed on her by her preacher dad, just like the Jonas Brothers, just like the Simpson sisters) but to say every person who doesn't wait is a slut likely alienated more fans than those she made.

I personally love it when "I'm a virgin until marriage" celebrities get it coming back to them. Such as Ashlee Simpson being pregnant before she got married after she talked many times about how she was saving herself till marriage. It should be a personal decision and not something to get pompous and superior about, the way Jordin or the Jonas Brothers do.

that's precisely my opinion on MTV. I know the days of Madonna, Michael Jackson, Prince, Aerosmith and Janet dominating the network are over, but it's not like the current "stars" are getting the type of airplay the the superstars of yore saw. I honestly have never even heard a Miley Cyrus or Jonas Brothers song, these are popular? I wasn't the target Britney or Backstreet fan either but remember their hits.

People wonder why sales are in the crapper, but never put two and two together that MTV's lack of music exposure has something to do with it. I mean, do you think Thriller, Like A Prayer or Purple Rain would've been so definitive to an era if MTV wasn't around playing MJ, Madonna and Prince to death?
music sales are down because of internet downloading. that's pretty much it. no ones buys albums anymore...why should you when you can just download one song for 99 cents off of iTunes? unless you're a big fan of a certain artist. there are songs on iTunes that go multi-platinum. in fact most hit songs go at least platinum. the music industry isn't really failing, it's just become more single-focused then ever.

as for music videos - they're still big. they've just moved from MTV to YouTube and iTunes. there's still really successful music videos - recently Rihanna's "Disturbia" video got a lot of buzz.

music sales are down because of internet downloading. that's pretty much it. no ones buys albums anymore...why should you when you can just download one song for 99 cents off of iTunes? unless you're a big fan of a certain artist. there are songs on iTunes that go multi-platinum. in fact most hit songs go at least platinum. the music industry isn't really failing, it's just become more single-focused then ever.

as for music videos - they're still big. they've just moved from MTV to YouTube and iTunes. there's still really successful music videos - recently Rihanna's "Disturbia" video got a lot of buzz.
YouTube isn't comparable to MTV. People ONLY YouTube the videos they like. MTV would beam artists into peoples living rooms whether they liked the artist or not. It's hardly the same. Whether you liked Madonna or Michael Jackson in the 1980's or not, you had no alternative than to see their videos on MTV. I know people in their 30's who have told me that they would actually come home from school and turn MTV on and wait for Thriller to come on. You don't see that excitement from today's music.... if you don't like Rihanna, you've never seen her videos likely. It's not the same at all.

YouTube isn't comparable to MTV. People ONLY YouTube the videos they like. MTV would beam artists into peoples living rooms whether they liked the artist or not. It's hardly the same. Whether you liked Madonna or Michael Jackson in the 1980's or not, you had no alternative than to see their videos on MTV. I know people in their 30's who have told me that they would actually come home from school and turn MTV on and wait for Thriller to come on. You don't see that excitement from today's music.... if you don't like Rihanna, you've never seen her videos likely. It's not the same at all.
that's not nessacrily true. no, music videos arent as big as they were 20 years ago, but 20 years ago they were a new concept. however...i beg to differ about the last statement. the Disturbia video was/is a huge interent sensation, it was posted on blogs everywhere and everyone i know has seen it. stuff just gets around differenly now then it did in the MTV days. now people find out about different music videos through blogs and the internet, not by watching MTV. but no music videos arent as influencial as they were 20 years ago - but that doesnt mean the music industry is falling, music videos were just a new concept 20 years ago and now they're kind of...worn out. however there's different still videos that do really well and are very popular - maybe not on Thriller or Like a Prayer levels, but there's still influencial, massiely popular music videos out there, Disturbia being one of them.

that's not nessacrily true. no, music videos arent as big as they were 20 years ago, but 20 years ago they were a new concept. however...i beg to differ about the last statement. the Disturbia video was/is a huge interent sensation, it was posted on blogs everywhere and everyone i know has seen it. stuff just gets around differenly now then it did in the MTV days. now people find out about different music videos through blogs and the internet, not by watching MTV. but no music videos arent as influencial as they were 20 years ago - but that doesnt mean the music industry is falling, music videos were just a new concept 20 years ago and now they're kind of...worn out. however there's different still videos that do really well and are very popular - maybe not on Thriller or Like a Prayer levels, but there's still influencial, massiely popular music videos out there, Disturbia being one of them.
I know MTV gets good ratings with their reality crap, but I think they've sadly lost the mission statement about the M on MTV (I mean, ESPN could likely make a killing showing nothing but reality shows, but they know what the S stands for). I know downloading has hurt the industry, but to be honest, I think MTV/VH1's lack of enthusiasm for music has hurt even more. 2000 was the year of Napster but N'Sync, Britney and Eminem all had 10 million sellers that year despite being available for free on the internet, because MTV actually still played videos to an extent then.

The reason all this Jonas Brothers and Miley Cyrus crap is so big now is because Disney Channel actually plays their videos... the Disney minions actually know their songs. Video airplay is important IMO and without MTV or VH1 giving a song a lot of support, it's not going to sell as well as it will if the video is being beamed into millions of homes on a daily basis. Look back at almost every blockbuster album from the 80's and 90's, they all were artists who were played to death on MTV.... as opposed to now where someone can be popular and you've likely never seen their video ON TELEVISION. Like you said, it's all singles-driven right now, there's no loyalty to artists. A big reason of that is because people have gone back to radio to hear music because MTV and VH1 sure as hell aren't going to make stars out of people these days.

Even Michael Jackson or Madonna likely would've never gotten as big as they did if it wasn't for MTV playing their videos ad nauseum and making their faces iconic to a generation.