doodledee

The MTV Video Music Award were on last night. It was the 20th anniversary of the show, and as someone who has probably seen like 18 of them, I think I can safely say that they get dumber every year. To be fair, I only saw like the last 2/3 of this year's show, and I heard the first third was the best part - *cough* Britney Spears *cough* - but I doubt it was good enough to prove me wrong.

For me, part of what makes the VMAs so stupid is that Mtv can't seem to decide if they should embrace the history of music/television or just focus on the current crop of stars. They have all these big time performances by [current] big time stars and big time awards given out by [current] big time hipster presenters. It's no doubt an incredible feat of brand management. It's manufactured to be so fresh, so now, so in the moment... so perfect for their uber picky teenage target demographic. Beyonce shakes her booty, 50 grabs his junk, and Mary Kate and Ashley smile from their VIP seats. Wow.

But then that whole 'history' thing walks out on stage and it starts go get strange. This year it happened when Duran Duran made an appearance. They were being presented with a 'surprise' lifetime achievement award or something. It was oddly uncomfortable. First, Kelly Osbourne has to gush about how much she just LOVES YOU GUYS. Then she has to basically beg the audience to stand up and applaud for them. News Flash: Nelly and Em don't give a shit about some stupid band from the 80's who STILL FEATHER THEIR HAIR. And neither do most of the other people watching at home.

Last year's powerfully lame mega highlight performance by Guns N Roses was the same way. It's arguably neat for us old doofs who grew up glued to Mtv - in that 'can't help but look at a traffic accident' kind of way - it just doesn't seem to fit with the rest of show. What's next, a Daryl Hall and John Oats reunion?

Hey, the Dead were on Mtv in '87. Wonder if Ja Rule would clap for a 45 minute Stephen > Eleven > Stephen?

I know I would.