pixelbomb

MTV killed the video star
VMAs are an idea whose time has come and gone
By Helen A.S. Popkin

MTV hosts the 22nd “Video Music Awards” this Sunday in Miami, and I couldn’t be more annoyed.

The awards-show format is the quintessence of what’s wrong with MTV — and it stretches way beyond the oft-repeated irony that the “music channel” doesn’t even show music videos anymore.

Everyone, from the organizers to the attention hounds whose publicists make them show up to the VMAs year after year, knows that an award show is the opposite of whatever art it celebrates. Awards shows are predictable, flashy and calorie-free. For example, do you watch the “Oscars” because of a deep love of film? Or is it the dresses? “And the award goes to …ooooh, sequins!” Thank you, Lil’ Kim’s left boob.

Continue reading »

Hurricane Katrina threatens preparations for MTV’s Video Music Awards (VMAs) show planned for this weekend, and many of the show’s outdoor pre-parties have already been canceled.

Preparations for the MTV Video Music Awards in Miami on Sunday have been hampered by Hurricane Katrina, which has battered the Florida coast.

Pre-award outdoor parties were scrapped on Thursday and Friday as wind speeds reached 130km/h (80mph) in some areas.

But forecasters expect the skies to clear in time for the ceremony.

Despite the weather, Master of Ceremonies Diddy is expected to host at least six parties during the weekend.

[via The BBC]

Fearing that the “P.” was getting between him and his fans, rap mogul Sean Combs Puffy Puffy Daddy P. Diddy has made yet another change to his name. From this point forward he is to be known simply as “Diddy”.

“It’s the era of Diddy.”

So proclaimed the hip-hop impresario formerly known as Sean Combs, Puffy, Puff Daddy and now P. Diddy on Tuesday’s Today Show, as he explained that he was changing his name once again.

…

“During concerts, half the crowd is saying ‘P. Diddy’–half the crowd is chanting ‘Diddy’–now everybody can just chant ‘Diddy.’ ”

…

“One word. Five letters. Period,” he added.

Little does he know that his fans are just messing with him, seeing how much of his name they can get him to lop off. Next thing you’ll know he’ll be announcing that it’s just “Did,” doesn’t that just roll off your tongue? Hey, Did! And shortly after that it’ll be “D.,” because that’s tight — What’up D.?! Period.

[via E!]