MTV used to be a great network that played all sorts of great music- rock, pop, rap, electronica, etc. The 2001 VMAs are a prime example of just how downhill the now-pitiful network has become. They were completely awful, and I'm not just talking about the fact that the talentless, disposable quartet of "Lady Marmelade" beat out Fatboy Slim and Spike Jonze's ingenious "Weapon of Choice" for Best Video. Half of the presenters could not read a word off of the TelePrompter; it was a disgrace to see the poorly put together "tribute" to Aaliyah, when even her brother had to read off of cue cards and Janet Jackson had no idea what she was saying. Speaking of Jacksons, Michael's dancing during the performance of another garbage boy group, Nsync, truly showed his age. The only singers who did not directly appeal to the 10-to-14 age group were limited to performing on the pre-show. With the exception of U2, even the rock acts during the VMAs- Staind and Linkin Park- were there because fans of "bubblegum" pop enjoy them. Worst of all, consider Nsync vs. Fatboy Slim. Nsync one four awards, and were able to take the stage during the show to accept all four, while also performing. Fatboy Slim, who was nominated nine times and won six "moonmen"- as many as anyone else was even nominated for- only got to accept one of the six and did not perform. The 2001 Video Music Awards were disgraceful, and this year, I will not be watching what had become a September staple in my life life.
