New-look VMAs, same old antics

LAS VEGAS--Bringing the traditionally absurd world of the MTV Video Music Awards to Las Vegas only upped the ante on ridiculousness.

From the incredibly chaotic red carpet and bizarre opening by a seemingly sedated and winded Britney Spears, to performances scattered throughout the Palms Resort Casino, and an actual brawl between Kid Rock and Tommy Lee, the 2007 version of MTV's annual awards show was both wacky and weird.

Justin Timberlake and Rihanna were the night's big winners, nabbing two moon-men apiece, with Rihanna taking home the "monster single of the year" for "Umbrella" and joining with director Chris Applebaum for the coveted video of the year prize for the "Umbrella" video.

Timberlake won for male artist of the year and for "quadruple threat of the year," which marked the star's achievement in music, acting, fashion, and dancing. Meanwhile, Fall Out Boy won for best group, Gym Class Heroes won for best new artist, and Fergie topped all ladies for female artist of the year. Beyoncé and Shakira won for "most earth-shattering collaboration" for the video for their duet, "Beautiful Liar."

Unlike the vast open spaces of most red carpets in Los Angeles, the VMAs' preshow red carpet snaked in and out of slot machines and poker tables on the casino floor. Stars strolled by for the two hours prior to the awards show, with 50 Cent, Kanye West, Fall Out Boy, and Nelly Furtado inciting the biggest response.

Decked in a sparkly bra and briefs, Spears kicked off the night with her much-ballyhooed performance of "Gimme More," the first song off her November 13 album on Jive. Beginning with a couplet from Elvis' "Trouble"--"If you're lookin' for trouble, you came to the right place/If you're lookin' for trouble, look right in my face"--Spears' routine was expectedly risqué, with plenty of simulated sex acts.

But despite the lurid fare and bouncy beat from Timbaland protégé Danjahandz, Spears seemed a step slow and obviously winded despite the fact that she was lip-syncing. It was a bit awkward, made even more so by comedian Sarah Silverman's follow-up monologue.

"[Her kids] are as cute as the hairless vagina they came out of," Silverman said of Spears' much-discussed tots, Jayden James and Sean Preston. Silverman then went on to do an actual impersonation of the aforementioned hairless vagina.

Producer Mark Ronson served as the night's intro-outro specialist, sending the show into commercial breaks with short sets from the Dap-Kings horn section he's made famous on records by Amy Winehouse and Lily Allen. He was joined by Akon and Maroon 5's Adam Levine for versions of their own songs, but the night was clearly missing the two Brits in Winehouse and Allen, kept from the show by health (ahem) and visa issues, respectively.

Allen's absence left Common and Kanye West to ramble through her chorus on Common's performance of "Drivin' Me Wild" in Kanye's suite, one of a bevy of songs played in the "Fantasy Suites" scattered throughout the Palms throughout the night.

In the "Friends or Enemies" suite, Fall Out Boy and Gym Class Heroes joined with a number of guests, including Lil Wayne, Panic At the Disco's Brendan Urie, up-and-coming rapper Tyga, and Rihanna, who joined Fall Out Boy for a take on her song "Shut Up and Drive."

Timberland and Timberlake joined up for their own suite sets, including a duet between 50 Cent and Timberlake on 50's "Ayo Technology," from his new album, Curtis, which hits stores Tuesday.

In their own suite party, the Foo Fighters were joined throughout the night by hard rock stalwarts like Queens of the Stone Age, Motörhead frontman Lemmy Kilmeister, Mastodon, and Serj Tankian from System of a Down, as well as Cee-Lo on a brief but spirited cover of Prince's "Darling Nikki."

Aside from Kid Rock, who allegedly slugged fellow Pamela Anderson ex-husband Tommy Lee after being heckled by the Mötley Crüe drummer, the night's most dazzling performance came from Chris Brown. The 18-year-old R&B; singer's Charlie Chaplin-themed set had him twisting, gyrating, and bouncing from table to table in the Pearl Theatre with his dance troupe.

"Nobody likes to be reminded that they're getting older, and whatever Chris Brown just did reminded me that I'm getting older--cause, daaaaamn," Timberlake said in accepting his male artist of the year trophy, while also urging MTV to play more music videos.

The other sparkling set of the night came from Alicia Keys, whose first album in four years, As I Am, hits stores November 13. Channeling the looks of a '70s-era Diana Ross, Keys played "No One," the album's stirring first single, as well as a snippet from George Michael's "Faith."

In one of the night's few surprises, Dr. Dre emerged after years out of the spotlight, during which he has reportedly been working on his long-delayed Detox album, to present Rihanna and Applebaum with the video of the year trophy.

Timbaland and Timberlake, whose videos also won for best choreography and best director, put their stamp on the night with a closing performance that included the producer's smash hit song with Keri Hilson, "The Way I Are," as well as their song with Nelly Furtado, "Give It to Me."

For more on this year's VMAs, including preparties and more preparties, head over to MP3.com.