The MTV Video Music Awards show has always pushed the envelope. Since this year marked the 20th anniversary of the awards show, viewers should have expected no different.
However, on Aug. 28, as millions of fans watched the opening performance, America’s jaws collectively dropped to the floor as Madonna, Music Television’s most notorious veteran bad girl, took the onscreen girl-on-girl virginity of pop princesses Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera.
The show opened with a familiar rendition of Madonna’s 1983 hit “Like a Virgin,” performed by scantily-clad Spears and Aguilera as they touched themselves and simulated sex with the floor.
When Madonna joined the two onstage for a performance of her newer release “Hollywood,” she grabbed each of the pop divas by the neck and took time out to kiss them both intensely before the trio finished the sexy performance.
Viewers were not alone in their amazement. Cameramen wisely panned to Justin Timberlake, whose face conveyed a feeling of shock and possible turn-on as he watched from the audience as his ex-girlfriend made out with the pop icon. After the ladies finished their risqu yet captivating performance, veteran host Chris Rock took the stage and began his no-holds-barred portion of the show.
After explaining the complicated process of making sure the Olsen twins were seated far away from R. Kelly and warning American Idol winner Ruben Studdard of the dangers of being an overweight entertainer, Rock kicked off a three-hour awards show that seemed somewhat mediocre compared to its opening performance.
Missy Elliot received her first-ever moon man in the Best Hip-Hop Video category for “Work It,” and also won another award later in the evening. Eminem prodigy 50 Cent took home two moon men for the Best Rap Video and Best New Artist in a Video awards.
Big winners of the night were Coldplay, receiving awards for Best Group Video, Breakthrough Video and Best Direction in a Video; and Justin Timberlake, whose videos for “Cry Me a River” and “Rock Your Body” won him the Best Male Video, Best Pop Video and Best Dance Video awards.
Beyonce Knowles received three awards as well. Her debut single, “Crazy in Love,” earned her Best R&B Video, Best Female Video and Best Choreography.
The Destiny’s Child singer performed a creatively-seductive combination of her award-winning single and her latest release, “Baby Boy,” during which her rumored beau Jay-Z made a surprise performance.
Christina Aguilera and Mary J. Blige both gave exceptionally energetic performances, with cameos by Redman, Method Man and 50 Cent, respectively.
Then, introduced by Justin Timberlake as the greatest band in the world, Coldplay’s performance of their moon man-winning song “The Scientist” contrasted nicely with its animated and somewhat risqu predecessors.
Wrapping up the show with a unique tribute to the MTV age of music, Metallica performed a medley of Lenny Kravitz’s “Are You Gonna Go My Way,” Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit,” the White Stripes’ “Seven Army Nation” and Michael Jackson’s “Beat It.” After wrapping up their medley, the band jammed out with their latest song “Frantic.”
The finale seemed to sum up the night of tribute.
Justin Timberlake reminisced about growing up in the hills of Tennessee and being raised on music legends like Johnny Cash, who won a VMA for Best Cinematography for his 2002 release “Hurt.”
Duran Duran, who won an award at MTV’s first Video Music Awards show and only recently reunited to begin work on another album, was surprised with the Lifetime Achievement Award by presented by long-time fans Kelly Osbourne and Avril Lavigne.
Hair bands have been replaced with boy bands, head banging gave way to booty bouncing and Iggy Pop has been exchanged for dirty pop.
MTV icons like Madonna are continuing to wow their followers with creative genius and even more creative performances.
Twenty years have brought a lot of changes to Music Television, but much has stayed the same. The MTV generation thrives off of music. As long as that remains true, landmarks like the 20th annual MTV VMAs will never be less than astounding.

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