Fast times at the Video Music Awards
Jennifer Cox
Issue date: 9/16/09 Section: Arts & Entertainment
I told myself I wouldn't watch the MTV Video Music Awards, but I caved. I have a sweet tooth for pop culture and a soft spot for the lovely Taylor Swift, so it was probably inevitable that I would tune in. What is it about that channel and event that makes me feel guilty for watching? Perhaps it is the idea that if you like popular music you're unoriginal, na've, tacky. Perhaps it is the shameless commercial breaks every five minutes or the fear of indulging the huge, money grubbing record labels. Nonetheless, every single year I buy into the bright lights, pumped-up hair and emotions, teary-eyed speeches and the drama. And of course, this year there was plenty of drama.
To open the show, Madonna gave a eulogy for the late Michael Jackson. She reminded us that he was human, but that he was one of the best performers the world has ever seen. "Yes, Michael Jackson was a human being," she said, "but damn it, he was a king. Long live the king." It seems as though we have been honoring Michael nonstop since his untimely death this past summer, but it was right for the arena of pop music to honor him one more time. That was his crowd, those were his children. It reminded me that pop music, though often unoriginal, can be some of the most profound art there is. Anything that reaches so many people cannot be anything less than art. As Madonna spoke of Michael, as dancers performed his choreography and as his sister Janet sang and danced to his songs with his videos echoing her movements behind her, you could see the entire room smiling, moving and crying. That's art, all right. Long live the king.
Russel Brand hosted with a little more restraint than he showed last year. He still brought plenty of twisted English humor and sexual innuendo, but he showed a bit more sensitivity by not singling anyone out who wouldn't appreciate his tongue. Instead, he too harped on "loving each other" and said the show should be about love in Michael's memory. He did call attention to the swirling rumors that say Lady Gaga is a hermaphrodite, and said it was sexist for people to assume she had a penis because she was strong, successful and sexually assertive. I saw Lady Gaga smiling, pleased and amused while wearing what can be loosely described as an alien genie headpiece. She's confusing, yes, but certainly talented and certainly a strong personality if nothing else.
To open the show, Madonna gave a eulogy for the late Michael Jackson. She reminded us that he was human, but that he was one of the best performers the world has ever seen. "Yes, Michael Jackson was a human being," she said, "but damn it, he was a king. Long live the king." It seems as though we have been honoring Michael nonstop since his untimely death this past summer, but it was right for the arena of pop music to honor him one more time. That was his crowd, those were his children. It reminded me that pop music, though often unoriginal, can be some of the most profound art there is. Anything that reaches so many people cannot be anything less than art. As Madonna spoke of Michael, as dancers performed his choreography and as his sister Janet sang and danced to his songs with his videos echoing her movements behind her, you could see the entire room smiling, moving and crying. That's art, all right. Long live the king.
Russel Brand hosted with a little more restraint than he showed last year. He still brought plenty of twisted English humor and sexual innuendo, but he showed a bit more sensitivity by not singling anyone out who wouldn't appreciate his tongue. Instead, he too harped on "loving each other" and said the show should be about love in Michael's memory. He did call attention to the swirling rumors that say Lady Gaga is a hermaphrodite, and said it was sexist for people to assume she had a penis because she was strong, successful and sexually assertive. I saw Lady Gaga smiling, pleased and amused while wearing what can be loosely described as an alien genie headpiece. She's confusing, yes, but certainly talented and certainly a strong personality if nothing else.
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