VMAs, needing a comeback themselves, get reviews that would close any B’Way show
By Jeffrey Jolson
HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 9/10/07 — The MTV Video Music Awards, needing a comeback themselves after a 28 percent ratings drop last year, didn’t get it from their much-hyped return of Britney Spears which was savaged by critics in the U.S. and abroad.
Britney, making a return to her career after three years of troubled absence, phoned in a lip-sync with blasé dance moves. She gained weight which wouldn’t be a big deal except she performed in a sparkling black bikini. She was helped up on the riser, maybe normal, but it appeared to be needed. Stars in the audience stared blankly at her. Biggest crime of all: it wasn’t sexy, wasn’t Britney. And wasn’t MTV.
Critics, even those who MTV had courted, turned in rough reviews for both Britney and the VMAs in general.
The Los Angeles Times headlined a report “The Worst VMA Awards Ever.” It went on to say “Everything about it was gawdawful: the acceptance speeches, most music performances and especially the whole set-up.”
The New York Times said about Ms. Spears, “She was awful. Visibly nervous, she tottered around the stage, dancing tentatively and doing nothing that sounded or looked like real live singing.”
AP said Britney was “shockingly bad.” “An out-of-shape, out-of-touch Britney Spears delivered the most talked about performance of the MTV Video Music Awards — but for all the wrong reasons.”
The BBC called her performance of “a lacklustre rendition” and said “She moved slowly around the stage while appearing to mime to a backing track.”
The Arizona Republic added “Talk about anti-climatic… Spears stiffly went through the motions.”
“Britney Spears Waddles Through Performance” was the headline from Adrants in Massachusetts, which added “Horrifically embarrassing” and “she had to be hoisted up and down from a riser like an overweight kid trying to climb out of a swimming pool.”
Other bloglines went “An overweight, drunk-looking Britney Spears bombed in her comeback attempt at the MTV Video Music Awards Sunday night in Las Vegas…” “She blew it.,” said Perez Hilton. “Everybody knows Britney lip-syncs, but that’s because she dances so much. She barely even danced in this. It was so bad. It was painful. It was embarrassing. And I loved it!”
Reuters reported that Spears was not the only problem during the evening. Tommy Lee and Kid Rock, both former husbands of model Pamela Anderson, got into a fight while Alicia Keys was performing. “There were no fists, they were just holding each other, grabbing each other,” Tom Higginson, singer of the pop band Plain White Ts, told Reuters. “Security had to break them up.”
To be fair E!, the Boston Herald and MTV.com liked the show just fine. And many critics were almost apologetic for thrashing the girl. Like many, they really wanted her to succeed with a smash performance that would wash away years of rehabs, a messy divorce, a head-shaving meltdown, etc. For in Hollywood, folks go to rehab like those in other cities go the store. No biggie, just turn in a great movie or record and all is forgiven.
Yet AP suggested that Jive Records might want to postpone the release of her new album, set for Nov. 19. Ouch.
Winners of the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards: Video of the Year: Rihanna, “Umbrella,” featuring Jay-Z. Male Artist of the Year: Justin Timberlake. Female Artist of the Year: Fergie. Quadruple Threat of the Year: Justin Timberlake. Best Group: Fallout Boy, “This Ain’t a Scene, It’s an Arms Race.” Monster Single of the Year: Rihanna, “Umbrella.” Most Earthshattering Collaboration: Beyonce and Shakira, “Beautiful Liar.” Best New Artist: Gym Class Heroes.
Technical awards: Best Editing: Ken Mowe for Gnarls Barkley’s “Smiley Faces.” Best Director: Samuel Bayer for Justin Timberlake’s “What Goes Around … Comes Around.” Best Choreography: Marty Kudelka for Justin Timberlake’s “Let Me Talk to You/My Love.”
