When this year’s MTV Video Music Awards host Chelsea Handler told the celebrity audience to “be on their worst behavior,” it seemed as though the night was going to be full of new shocking moments and scandals.
But by the end of the overall uneventful night, it was obvious that jaw-dropping moments can only occur when they’re not prompted by, well, a teleprompter.
Handler, known for her popular E! talk show, “Chelsea Lately,” entered the VMA stage with her best Lady Gaga impression, donning an outrageous outfit (which included a house for a hat.)
After announcing that she was the first woman to host the MTV show since 1994, Handler did what she does best and poked fun at a number of artists with her dry and witty humor.
She wasn’t so “dry,” however, when she pretended to be an alcoholic in a pre–recorded clip. In the taped segment, Chandler ran into Lindsay Lohan, who, just recently out of rehab, ironically berated the host for her alcoholism and warned her not to embarrass herself.
Once Handler finished her opening segment, the first moon man was presented. The Best Female Video award was given to Lady Gaga for her popular single, “Bad Romance.”
And then she won everything else: Best Pop Video, Best Female Video, Best Dance Video, Best Choreography, Best Direction and Best Editing. Even when Beyonce wins, Gaga still wins, as seen in her her duet with Beyonce in the 9–minute–long video for “Telephone,” which won for Best Collaboration.
Other wins included Eminem’s “Not Afraid,” which was named Best Male Video, and 30 Seconds to Mars’ “Kings and Queens,” which picked up the trophy for Best Rock Video.
Gaga’s trophy sweep was not exactly surprising, but there were a couple of unexpected moments in the awards show.
While some may have been waiting for a predictable parody of last year’s Kanye/Taylor incident, the two artists surprised the audience by belting out their feelings through song. As last year’s clip of Kanye interrupting Taylor flashed on screen, the 20–year–old country artist sang her new song, “Innocent.”
It was obvious, listening to Swift’s lyrics, that she forgave Kanye. Her performance may have been a little off–key, but her emotional connection was right–on.
Kanye’s performance, however, was not quite so heartfelt.
Rapping his new song, “Runaway,” he didn’t exactly apologize, but instead mocked himself over his antics last year.
“Let’s have a toast to the douchebags,” he proclaims, adding himself, obviously, to that manufactured cocktail of arrogance and style.
Another performance came from Best New Artist Justin Bieber.
Although the 16-year-old was lip-synching to his hit, “Baby,” the teenage phenom made up for it by showing off his best dance moves and ending his number with some stellar playing on the drums.
Compared to the 2009 festivities, this year’s VMAs were pretty tame. No country vs. hip hop brawls. Void of any questionable behavior (except maybe when The Situation impregnated Chelsea Handler through “The Jersey Shore’s unwashed Jacuzzi), the 2010 VMAs are likely to only be remembered for Lady Gaga’s wardrobe.
