(First things first. I work across the street from Radio City Music Hall on Sixth Avenue and hoped to score some decent pre-show pics, but this year MTV moved the red carpet to the center of Rockefeller Center, so I have but a few shots of the street scene, away from the action.)
Now for the review:
Chris Rock's Monologue: Dynamite. The guy is a pro, and he took hard shots at P. Diddy and R. Kelly. Best bit was about Janet Jackson trading down and dating Jermaine DuPree. "That means we all had a shot. That's like finding out about a sale a day or two late. You mean they were selling Bentleys for $4? Damn!"
Madonna: Coolest entertainer ever. Every chick loves her. Straight guys think she's hot. Gay guys think she's hotter. I can't even think of who might be in her class of being so universally adored. Not Sinatra. Not Elvis. The Stones are lampooned on a daily basis. Maybe McCartney, but I don't think black folks revere him. Post-mullet Bono might be the current male cool-guy champ. Emimen is respected but I'm still waiting for someone to explain to me the genius tag.
Britney Spears: Playboy layout in 5-10 years, guaranteed, for my favorite music sexpot. (No, wait, Alyssa Milano did that Teen Steam thing.) Sharing the stage with Madonna was an agent's dream. Was nice to hear her actually sing for a change. Nicer still to see the opened-mouth kiss with Madonna.
N*SNYC, Backstreet Boys, 98 Degrees, O-Town: Guess they're all finished now. Zero presence, aside from Justin solo, which doesn't count. Now is not the time to assemble the next great boy band.
Rock 'N' Roll: Was there any? I saw a punk band (Good Charlotte), a metal band (Metallica) and a touchy-feely band (Coldplay). The rap music is OK, but I think that industry is quite selfish. I don't see an appreciation for the art of music, not when there's a diamond necklace to sport or an ass to tap. So many videos are the same. Urbanites in sports jerseys, sloppy clothes, bling-bling everywhere, lots of hired ho's, lots of braggadocios rhymes and little of it insightful, pretty, intelligent, inspiring or interesting.
Funniest Moment: Jack Black being called out for his birthday and erroneously accepting the award for Most Amazing Genius of All-Time, mocking Michael Jackson, who thought he was accepting an Artist of the Millennium award last year, when he was only being given a birthday cake.
MTV Awards in General: I'm not a big celebrity guy, but I know MTV is gonna do something every year to make it worth watching. The Academy Awards couldn't take its own frivolous industry more seriously it's acting, not medicine and the ESPYs is sickening in its constant self-promotion of the Disney empire. For what it's worth, MTV was 10 years ahead of its time with reality programming (Real World) and it does know how to deliver programming other than videos. Plus, some chick always sluts it up on stage.
Hey Paul, I'm almost positive Britney wasn't singing. She never sings live.
Posted by Livia at August 29, 2003 9:14 AMWhat about the opened-mouth kiss between Christina & Madonna?