*This editorial does not reflect the views or opinions of Myspace.com, yet said views and opinions can, quite directly, be applied to said website.
There was a reason I had MTV blocked on my cable. First, I have a question to pose. Why the long faces? MTV couldn't have paid the audience of its 2006 Video Music Awards to smile even if they threw Jack Black into the mix. Wait. They did. So then why did it seem as if the crowd couldn't wait to leave? Was it the change in format, opting to begin the show with an extended lip sync performance by Justin Timberlake, rather than the traditionally comedic introductions of shows past? Was it the too-cool-for-school atmosphere?
By this, I mean to point out the members of the crowd, or at least the ones shown on air, acting as if they weren't to be bothered by anything. The "lighter" acts seemed out of place and downright nervous, but it wasn't entirely their faults. I'd look awkwardly cautious too if I was surrounded by a nearly 90% hip-hop crowd; if you could call it that. It was less a company of musicians than it was a collection of angry looking statues. Even Queen Latifah feigned elation for acts she probably doesn't listen to; if she's heard of them at all, win VMA's for videos they obviously did not have any influence in creating. Instead of awarding acts with Moonmen, why isn't MTV acknowledging video directors and graphic designers for, at the very least, creating real art? I digress, but I admit it.
Turning back to Black, I feel bad for Jacky boy. He should’ve hung back with his good buddies Ben Stiller, and David Cross. He should’ve stuck with the stuff of innovation. I’m not greedy, but I guess I might sacrifice creativity for the insane amounts of money he’s banking. I just wish the writers wouldn’t make it so painfully bland. Where was the creativity this year? The MTV of the past was known for being funky, funny, and new. This year, by new, they meant simple. From the commercial graphic campaigns to the writing, the theme was “we’re going to let you in on it, but we’re going to tell you we are, as if you didn’t know any better.”
Backstage shots, narrated by “producers” cueing up the “next shot,” letting viewers in on the “process,” peppered throughout the program didn’t say much for MTV’s integrity. Neither did making a puppet out of a genuine Al Gore to show that MTV cares about the environment. Most apparent in the lackluster direction, the comedy was supposed to be of the awkward variety. Long, awkward dialogue, followed by even longer, more awkward pauses made for quite an um… er… awkwardly long awards show. It could’ve been funny if it were more self aware, but the producers just couldn’t let that happen. They had to remind the viewers who put this show on; remind us who was in charge. Acknowledge the awkwardness, MTV.
It wasn’t a complete train wreck, although it came quite close. Pink’s “mock” acceptance speech was a supercilious masterpiece. A not-so-subtle slap in the face to the new MTV and the redundancy it stands for was quite an orgasmic release. I’ll put down ten cents she won’t win another Moonman. I’ll also give multiple props to the set designers for creating a plethora of clever visuals throughout the night. They truly transformed
The 2006 Video Music Video Awards presentation couldn’t once even hit mediocre. Transitioning from unintelligible rappers, to… unintelligible rappers- okay, so MTV isn’t that diverse. That isn’t to say there isn’t hope for the network, but with the internet, and its atomic shockwave of music entertainment, MTV hardly sits back and lets itself become obsolete, but managed, along the way, to become disinterested in the content it showcases, and does what it seems to do best. Put on a “show.” There is a reason I have MTV blocked on my cable.
