DURAN DURAN GETS A LIFETIME ACHIEMENT AWARD!!!!

August 28, 2003 7:41 PM

Tonight was the 20th anniversary of the MTV Video Music Awards. They sucked. Even the Olsen Twins sucked, and I know how much all you mefites love them. Britney did make out with Madonna though.
posted by TurkishGolds (48 comments total)

Oh yeah, and Iggy Pop was shitfaced.
posted by TurkishGolds at 7:43 PM on August 28, 2003

Wait, something on MTV sucked?! TurkishGolds, please enlighten us with more of your insightful observations!
posted by Eamon at 7:47 PM on August 28, 2003

Ok. Chris Rock called Good Charlotte, "more like a mediocre Green Day." That was actually pretty funny.
posted by TurkishGolds at 7:49 PM on August 28, 2003

I can't get past the high definition format and apparently slower frame-per-second rate that they used last year as well. Maybe I need HDTV, or maybe at 26 I'm so far outside the demo that I'm unable to appreciate these new techniques, but it looks jumpy and crappy to me.
posted by realityblurred at 8:12 PM on August 28, 2003

Hey! i watched MTV tonight too! and i ordered a pizza, but it sucked.

I am -so- not liking my night...
posted by eastlakestandard at 8:14 PM on August 28, 2003

owillis should be either ecstatic or horrified.
posted by RylandDotNet at 8:23 PM on August 28, 2003

Uhh, was it me or was there only 5 video's nominated all night?
posted by Quartermass at 8:24 PM on August 28, 2003

Ok. Chris Rock called Good Charlotte, "more like a mediocre Green Day." That was actually pretty funny.

beyond that, good charlotte stole a chris rock quote in the first single off of their latest album. i wonder if he knows about that one.
posted by jimmy at 8:25 PM on August 28, 2003

Anyone know if Metallica got releases to play all those covers?
posted by KnitWit at 8:27 PM on August 28, 2003

I don't know, Johnny Cash got his ass kicked real bad by all kinds of asshats, Justin Timberlake included.
kind of like Ingmar Bergman losing the Best Director Oscar to James L Brooks

yeah, Chris Rock wasn't totally bad but he can be so much funnier than that (the look of horror on his face after Coldplay finished playing their little tune was priceless. the "I hope nobody slit their wrists yet", on the other hand, was kind of lame)

ps I'm sorry for Oliver, but Aguilera looked much better than Britney. Vivica Fox, too


at least Timberlake had the good manners of mentioning Cash. and he also cracked a joke about the need for a recount


posted by matteo at 8:46 PM on August 28, 2003

I'm sorry, Madonna french kissing not just Britney but also Christina made this the best show ever!
posted by CrazyJub at 8:53 PM on August 28, 2003

Sounds like a pathetic cry for attention to me.
posted by cinderful at 9:16 PM on August 28, 2003

Lamest. Lesbian. Pr0n. Ever.
posted by PrinceValium at 9:21 PM on August 28, 2003

Words cannot express my loathing for MTV and their awards.
posted by pmurray63 at 9:22 PM on August 28, 2003

Mediocre Green Day?

Isn't that kind of redundant?
posted by angry modem at 9:25 PM on August 28, 2003

Poor ol' Madonna...
For some pics : the full swing of famous people, woohoo or just go to the Most Emailed section, of course.
Bits of Jeff Bezos' brain all over the place =)

Now that you've seen it, you can go back to your regular life...


On preview: actually, Angry Modem, that's a euphemism.
posted by XiBe at 9:28 PM on August 28, 2003

In no particular order:

-The Fab Five looked like they were having a blast during the "Like a Virgin/Hollywood" medley thing. They're possibly the only people in the room I'd actually like to hang out with (other than dre 3000 and possibly Iggy if he weren't so cracked out. Speaking of, it was lame to cut them off before their introduction of nominees).

-When did Chris Rock get so unfunny & formulaic? No song and dance, no creative routine. Just flat, mean-spirited stand up. Blechh.

-Evanescence?

-Were there more awkward moments, hiccups and miscues than normal? Everything seemed a little....off. The high-definition format wasn't helping the off-ness.

-Evanescence?

-I don't get the hype about 50-cent. Probably never will.

-Cheers to Missy Elliot.

-The Hilton sisters are a waste of the Earth's valuable oxygen.

-In a way I'm almost glad they gave the award (whichever the hell) to Justin instead of Johnny Cash. His video's more popular and his music appeals to that crowd in a way Cash's never will. It just seemed like handing the award to Cash after all these years in that environment would be a sentimental, forced gesture. Plus no one without MTV2 has ever even seen the video.

-Dave "I Was Cool Once and Now I'm a Complete Chode" Navarro's wankfest solo during Xtina's song.

-Madonna kissing Britney. Sorry MTV, you'll never outdo last year's Tatu performance.

-The Spoonie Luv segment may have been the first formal mention of the "Donkey Punch" on public television.
posted by dhoyt at 9:33 PM on August 28, 2003

Dave Navarro is an ass and a parody of himself.
posted by tomharpel at 9:40 PM on August 28, 2003

His video's more popular

Is the award for the most popular or the 'best' video?

Plus no one without MTV2 has ever even seen the video.

Don't have mtv2, have seen it many times.

I will agree that cash isn't a good fit for this crowd. Maybe VH1?
posted by Dennis Murphy at 9:41 PM on August 28, 2003

Is the award for the most popular or the 'best' video?

I think we both know these awarda have everything to do with popularity and little to do with quality ;)
posted by dhoyt at 9:44 PM on August 28, 2003

awards
posted by dhoyt at 9:46 PM on August 28, 2003

I think we both know these awarda have everything to do with popularity and little to do with quality ;)

Point taken.
posted by Dennis Murphy at 9:52 PM on August 28, 2003

realityblurred, THANKS for the link! I thought it seemed like film and was confused by the "live" part. I agree in someways about 24fps. I'm a big fan of new technology helping to improve current tech.

We have 5.1 surround sound, dolby digital, bla bla for audio in theaters. I guess improving audio was the easiest step. Sure, there are some DLP theaters which makes for a BRIGHT digital image, but man, I really think 48fps is the next step. Heck higher res film too. IMAX is nice. (yes, I know film costs a LOT and is heavy, so, since we're going digital, it's not as costly as 2 twice as much film).

sorry, OT rant. :)
posted by tomplus2 at 10:22 PM on August 28, 2003

well. also, if it's more popular, it's arguably better.

i'm not saying i like justin timberlake better than johnny cash, or vica versa, but if MORE people like it, then those people feel it is better than the other video. therefore, in their opinion, it's the best video.

just my two cents.
posted by christian at 11:12 PM on August 28, 2003

I thought this year's VMAs were interesting at least. I also blogged it live, so you can check out what I thought of the show, if you'd like...
posted by nyukid at 11:53 PM on August 28, 2003

In my quest to start seeing the positive side of things I'd like to note that it was very handy that all these people congregated on the same channel so that I only had to turn them off once.

I'm working on it ...
posted by RavinDave at 12:43 AM on August 29, 2003

also, if it's more popular, it's arguably better

Or dumbed down for mass consumption?

Is titanic the best movie ever? Or just the most popular? I'm going with choice 2. I don't see any correlation.
posted by Dennis Murphy at 12:56 AM on August 29, 2003

So, like, will we EVER get to see Justin make out with Eminem? You know you want it.

They'd do if Madonna told 'em to. You know they would.
posted by WolfDaddy at 1:04 AM on August 29, 2003

Linking to the TV guide so you can talk about what's on TV certainly makes for a piss-poor FPP.
posted by dgaicun at 2:59 AM on August 29, 2003

Chico Bangs also blogged it live.
posted by Vidiot at 3:37 AM on August 29, 2003

So, like, will we EVER get to see Justin make out with Eminem? You know you want it.

Don't tease.

The absolute state of this
posted by Summer at 4:31 AM on August 29, 2003

why is Madonna lending her cred to these talentless tarts? Oh thats right, she no longer has cred.
posted by dabitch at 4:34 AM on August 29, 2003

I don't follow pop culture very much, but two comments:

1. Christina Aguilera is MUCH hotter with black hair.

2. Britney needs to ease off the eyeliner just a bit. She looks like Johnny Dep in Pirates of the Caribbean.

2a. Does anyone else think that the name "Britney" seems a little goofy on anyone older than 16?
posted by Irontom at 4:37 AM on August 29, 2003

It just keeps getting worse dosen't it?

I didn't bother watching it, but what from what I've heard from co-workers, I made the right decision. The last time there was much good going on in popular music was around 1994 and even then it was 80 percent crap like every thing post 1980. Nowadays it's 99% crap, and that goes for the mainstream and the "underground."

I'll go home now, take out my Zappa and Downliners Sect records and kill myelf.
posted by jonmc at 9:30 AM on August 29, 2003

There's always been a high crap-to-good stuff ratio in pop music. It might be a bit higher at the moment, but there's still lots of good stuff being released.

Besides, if you off yourself now, you'll miss the Zambonis show.
posted by Vidiot at 9:47 AM on August 29, 2003

One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet: Is it a rule that any song performed by 3 or more women is required to involve Missy Elliot in some capacity? I saw Madonna, Britney and Xtina on stage and though, "Gee, now all the need is Missy Elliot". Then she came out!
posted by emptybowl at 10:17 AM on August 29, 2003

live long and prosper.
posted by whatnot at 10:17 AM on August 29, 2003

MTV Video Music Awards. They sucked. Even the Olsen Twins sucked

The way I heard it, it was Missy Elliot that sucked.
posted by soyjoy at 10:23 AM on August 29, 2003

I can't believe how worked up guys get over watching two women kiss. I mean, come on-why is that such a big deal? Guys, get a life.
posted by aacheson at 10:25 AM on August 29, 2003

i wish madonna would stop having a mid-life career crisis all over my tv. i also wish i could stop watching tv.
posted by armacy at 10:38 AM on August 29, 2003

I mean, come on-why is that such a big deal?

Keeps them from thinking about images like this.

Also, HA HA [/nelson and also /fark]
posted by WolfDaddy at 10:49 AM on August 29, 2003

I watched the whole thing, under the pathetic delusion that since Radiohead were nominated for four technical awards, someone might namecheck them, or something. (They won for art direction, which, like the other technical awards--trivial things like editing, cinematography, etc.-- were given out before the main show started, which nicely sets out MTV's priorities.) I remember watching the mva's in 1992, when Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers (with Parliament) played, U2 accepted an award live via satellite, and Peter Gabriel and Annie Lennox were presenters. The musicians actually played their instruments. This time around, Beyonce, who I am happy to admit is an incarnated goddess of lurve, didn't even bother with pretending that she was singing into a mic.

But the line of the night went to Chris Rock, and I haven't seen this discussed anywhere else yet: After 50cent's disgraceful (I mean it) P.I.M.P., with a bunch of half naked women on stage and Snoop Dogg dressed as a ghetto cartoon with fur coat and pimp hat, and 50cent intoning "I'm a motherfucking P.I.M.P." and grabbing his crotch like he was afraid something would fall off, Rock said: "Tonight is the 40th anniversary of Martin Luther King's 'I have a dream' speech. Isn't it nice that his dream came true?"

Snoop Dogg arrived at the awards with two women on leashes, for chrissakes. If I was a black American, instead of a white Canadian gal, I might be very angry at this image of black manhood, and angry at those who are making money selling it to white kids... I would be interested to hear more about this.
*off to google*
posted by jokeefe at 1:04 PM on August 29, 2003

I can't believe how worked up guys get over watching two women kiss. I mean, come on-why is that such a big deal? Guys, get a life.

Saw it twice, not much to get worked up over, mouth lips women in lingerie, you can see that in any news paper adds. Wolf's ha ha was great, may add.

I would be interested to hear more about this. It's all an act, like you said to sell, seriously. But, kept thinking take that act to Paris and ...
posted by thomcatspike at 1:08 PM on August 29, 2003

Yeah, well, you know you've entered some circle of hell when, in context, Justin Timberlake becomes a shining example of decency and modesty.

Coldplay sounded like they were beamed in from another planet in the midst of all this.
posted by jokeefe at 1:13 PM on August 29, 2003

Coldplay sounded like a whiny bunch of prats, which is fine because that's what they are. Timberlake's popularity is at least explicable but some people must just be starved for a new band to fawn over to explain Coldplay's popularity. Slit wrists, indeed. Theirs!
posted by billsaysthis at 1:58 PM on August 29, 2003

Dave "I Was Cool Once and Now I'm a Complete Chode" Navarro's wankfest solo during Xtina's song.

choad
posted by crunchland at 2:30 PM on August 29, 2003

Okay, for the record, if the audio hadn't screwed up, it would have been a sweet surprise tribute to Duran Duran. Instead it was a stilted mess.

Duran Duran introduced cinematic aesthetics to music video, elevating it above the dancing round a white background and heavy pro mist filters. They enlisted experienced film directors, most notably their multiple collaborations with Russell Mulcahy and for god's sakes, they gave us some art direction!

They used great cinematographers. They had great stylists. They elevated music video to a status where it is now entirely possible to be a multi-platinum album selling person just 'cause you have great production values.

Plus, omg, John Taylor is still totally goddamned hot.
posted by macadamiaranch at 2:37 PM on August 29, 2003

I thought John Taylor was turning into Keith Richards.
posted by elvissinatra at 8:38 AM on August 31, 2003