Britney 'VMA-zes' at MTV's award show
In all my years of fervent, sometimes obsessive MTV viewing, no event was as magical, as iconic and as uplifting as the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards.
Since 1983, MTV's biggest night televised performances by artists such as Madonna, Nirvana and Michael Jackson, but in my opinion the cornerstone performer on MTV of the past decade is Britney Spears and this year, the evening was all about her.
Since her first appearance on the show in 1999, she was the Susan Lucci and Martin Scorsese of MTV, receiving 16 nominations without winning. That finally changed Sept. 7 when Jamie Foxx presented the first award of the show, Best Female Video. As I watched, I was literally on the edge of my seat, hoping the name announced would be what I'd hoped for and when Foxx spoke the words, "Britney Spears" I half-jumped off my seat, stifling my verbal jubilation, since I was viewing the show in a public place, but I allowed myself to raise a celebratory fist in the air. I didn't care if people thought me overzealous. This was Britney's moment and I wanted to share it with her.
When Britney accepted the award for "Piece of Me," clad in a scintillating blue gown, she could have used the moment to lash out at those who doubted her, but instead was poised and modest, thanking God, her fans and her two boys. Making her win even sweeter was the presence of Larry Rudolph, her manager from the early days of her career. Along the way, the two had a falling out and ceased working together but are now reunited and apparently going strong. Watching Rudolph stand and applaud for her with a proud smile on his face as the two were at last recognized for their work together is one of the most touching entertainment moments I've ever experienced and the memory will always warm my heart.
Later in the show Paris Hilton presented Britney with her second moonman for Best Pop Video and at this point there was no stopping her. She won two out of three and with the award for Video of the Year still to come, it felt as if there was nobody else who could walk away with it.
Between Britney's glorious wins, the show provided other reasons for being the best VMAs ever.
Host Russell Brand energized the show from the beginning with his blend of quick wit and callous humor. Unlike some comedians who are blatantly aware of themselves and try desperately to be
offensive and funny, Brand came off as someone who genuinely was offensive and funny, but managed to stay incredibly likeable, which is a fine line to walk. He lit up the stage like a fireworks display, taking jabs at the Jonas Brothers, much to the now infamous dismay of Jordin Sparks, who gave an impromptu onstage rebuttal, leading to Brand's mock apology embedded in another joke.
My musical highlight was when Paramore, nominated for "Crush Crush Crush," performed their breakthrough hit "Misery Business" from the famed Whiskey a Go Go.
Frontwoman Hayley Williams was as visually vibrant and alive as the band's music, sporting bright yellow pants and her trademark fiery-red hair (redheads of the world unite!). The 19-year-old powerhouse vocalist and songwriter ran amok onstage, making it impossible for me to sit still as she rocked harder than ever. The band unfortunately went home without a moonman, but with another album on the way, I wouldn't be surprised to see them win soon.
When Kobe Bryant presented Britney with the award for Video of the Year, and she and Brand rode off together from the stage, it felt as if the moonman finally landed in the right place.
On the heels of her VMA victories, Britney's new single, "Womanizer" is scheduled to debut tomorrow and it's clear the public is again ready to embrace the star, who, let's face it, never left us in the first place.
Chaz Holmes is the Columbia Basin Herald's news assistant. He can't wait to hear Britney's new single and eagerly awaits lining up to buy her next album.