While VH1 suspended all programming, instead deciding to direct all of their traffic to MTV with a promo that asked viewers why they weren’t watching the 2008 VMAs (both channels are owned by parent company, Viacom), Rihanna, Pink and T.I. were attempting to wow audiences with their performances at the 25th annual award show.
Although there were a few lasting moments of utter strangeness, this year, there were no truly outrageous moments to speak of. Notably, Britney Spears redeemed herself from last year’s performance, and nabbed three VMAs, including Video of the Year and Best Pop Video. “I’m in shock right now,” she said. “I was not expecting this.”
Kanye lost Hip Hop Video of the Year to Lil Wayne for “Lollipop,” though he managed to keep his cool this go-around and close the show with a performance his new song, “Love Lockdown.” Very weirdly, ‘Ye decided to sport a red, glow in the dark, beating heart on his suit jacket. The song definitely would’ve sounded better had he enlisted the help of an actual singer.
Other notable performances were a mullet-sporting Rihanna with “Disturbia/Seven Nation Army” and then later with T.I. for “Live Your Life.” Pink (who now has white hair) also kept the audiences’ attention with the performance of her new song, “So What,” complete with pyrotechnics. All in all, it wasn’t a very memorable show, particularly given the VMA’s rowdy history. – jacinta howard
