The MTV Video Music Awards took place Thursday night. If you missed the larger than life performances, greatest opening in award show history, or guys on treadmills do not panic. With a little luck you can catch one of the 42 encore presentations airing on MTV over the weekend.
If you’re interested in highlights from this year’s event, here they are:
The Host - The 2006 VMA’s were hosted by legendary rock god Jack Black. Aside from bringing thunder like none before, Mr. Black performed his required duties with a power delivered from the gods. Let’s be honest, all awards show hosts are judged on maybe 5 minutes of work. The rest of the show they just introduce presenters, a job that even Jessica Alba can do. Jack’s 5 minutes were the epitome of what great hosting will be judged by for the next century.
The Opening - Kicking off with a “hot” performance by the admittedly talented Justin Timberlake, the dial was turned to 11 when it was Jack Black’s turn. A flaming Moon Man is revealed to be none other than Black summoning dragon’s fire and demon’s breath from the stage. This event could only be topped by summoning the Godfather of daytime television, Montel Williams. If your brain wasn’t completely blown away, then use what’s left and join me in congratulating MTV on the greatest opening ever.
The Performances - The heart of the VMA’s are the performances. It’s the real reason the show is so popular, as it’s less an awards show and more the ultimate concert. Even performances by artists I have little interest in were generally good. Justin’s opening, which brought sexy back, and Beyonce Knowles elevating sexy to the ceiling, were highlights for me. It was also great to see the newly reunited Tenacious D rock the stage.
The Speeches - Eh. Thank God, your moms, and get off the stage. This is exactly what the majority of acts did. She’s annoying, but Pink’s acceptance speech parodying “stupid girls” was clearly the best of the night. I was happy to see a group I’ve enjoyed for years at the theater win an award finally, congratulations Fanta Girls. Maybe next year MTV can do away with acceptance speeches completely and just have winners perform their song.
The Awards - For a complete list of the night’s winners check out Lexi’s break down of the show here. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the most worthless thing to hit MTV since K-Fed. There was actually a Best Ringtone award. I’m not sure if the proper words are available, but they’d probably be, “are you effin’ kidding me?” The Best Director award was not presented live, but this was. Ironic as Hype Williams earned the Video Vanguard award for…directing.
Video Vanguard - A slightly more serious portion of the night, and one I enjoyed immensely. When I actually watched MTV, it was Hype William’s who put out the videos I wanted to see most. From arguably the greatest video ever, “California Love,” to Jay-Z’s “Big Pimpin,’” the man has done great things for videos. I never thought I’d see Missy Elliot back in that black trash bag, or get hit in the head with an umbrella. MTV made one boy’s dream come true tonight by bringing it all back live.
Best Part of the evening - Not enough can be said about Jack Black, or some of the great performances. But I’m going to give this to everyone who brought the sexy back. Especially Al Gore, who put the sexy back into global warming. MTV unveiled a Gore who was not robotic, and didn’t embarrass himself. MTV knows sexy, and they know that the ultimate in the field is a 40-year-old man talking about giant freaking blocks of ice melting.
I’ll admit right here that I’m out of touch with music in general. I don’t listen to the radio, and I have an affinity for Dylan, Johnny Cash, and the Beatles. Even a curmudgeon 26 year old like myself had a good time watching the show. Maybe not the best overall VMA in history, it had everything a viewer could ask for.
