Do you remember a time when awards shows actually provided some exclusive entertainment? When there was some performance or speech that had everyone talking for weeks? Well, the 2005 MTV Video Music Awards would probably not help you answer the above question in the affirmative. 50 Cent’s profane outburst following his performance might have fit into that category — that is, if his whole tirade had not been immediately bleeped out. Missed the show? Well, lucky you, but in case you are wondering what it felt like to have three hours of your life irrevocably stolen from you, here is a recap.
MTV apparently decided to hold a live and mobile version of “Cribs” during its pre-show, where the question on the red carpet was not, “Who are you wearing?” but “What kind of rims are on your car?” Genius cross-marketing, and speaking of cross-marketing it must be said that the Kanye West performance, the Kanye West Pepsi “video” and the Kanye West MTV commercial were slightly difficult to differentiate.
But on with the show. After a pyro-filled performance by Green Day, the long awaited entrance of Diddy finally occurred. The words “melodrama” and “insipid entertainment” don’t begin to describe the spectacle that was the Diddy entrance. One could say that with all the hype surrounding Diddy’s big Miami party that in the end it was, well, a bit puffed up.
The event was filled with numerous performances. R Kelly’s was truly a performance, as he didn’t seem to be singing but dramatically lip-synching, calling into question whether this was MTV or community dinner theater. Kelly, with his permission slip from the judge overseeing his child-pornography case in hand, performed a lengthy new installment from his “In the Closet” series.
For what could only be assumed to be logistical reasons, two performances occurred off-site this year. Both Mariah Carey and The Killers performed at area hotels. Thankfully the Killers had enough time to wipe up their running eye make-up (it was hot outside by the pool!) and get back to the arena in time to accept their Best New Artist Award. Adequate performances by Ludacris, Shakira and Coldplay filled the night unceremoniously, though there were two energetic and impassioned performances by West and Kelly Clarkson, who closed the show.
Green Day was the most nominated artist of the evening and ended up taking home seven “Moon Men,” including Best Group Video, the Viewer’s Choice Award and Video of the Year. Other multiple winners included Gwen Stefani, Missy Elliot, Clarkson and the Gorillaz, each taking home two awards. The MTV2 award, given to a more independent or unknown artist’s video rotated on MTV’s music-savvy sister network, went to Fall Out Boy. If this group, whose catchy pop-punk hit “Sugar, We’re Goin Down” has been climbing the TRL charts, is the new ambassador of independent music – well, it might just be time for an MTV3.
It seemed like very few awards were actually given out in the three-hour long show. It is somehow oddly fitting that a music television station that no longer actually shows videos no longer televises the presenting of awards at their Video Music Awards.
